Local family sold their stake, so I took these guys. Show quality heritage for sure. (Except for the chocolate. Would have to travel to Britian to show him). New breed for me. I've raised New Zealand's and Silver Fox in the past but first time around for Beveren. Who knows, maybe a "Best in Show" in the making. They are on the Livestock Conservancy watch list (CPL - Watch), so I figured I’ll do my part to replenish the breed while I can.

I have seen and learned some wild, crazy and totally non sequitur things here on the good, ole’ Sig Forum.
Today I just learned that you can Show rabbits.

Pretty cool!

How much $ can you make showing rabbits? Curious.

quote:

Originally posted by Graniteguy:
How much $ can you make showing rabbits? Curious.

No money showing them, but kits sell for higher dollars if the parents place in a show. Typical purebred will sell for $50-$100 depending on breed. If they come from a parent that shows well, $500-$750 is not out of the ballpark. Best in Show offspring a little more. Some specialty breeds go for $1000+. Similar to purebred dogs but less expensive.

quote:

Originally posted by Graniteguy:
How much $ can you make showing rabbits? Curious.

It depends on what you show them. Rabbits are frugal...

Do you eat them? Or are these pets? Leaning towards pets with the bows.

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:
Do you eat them? Or are these pets? Leaning towards pets with the bows.

These are breeders. Not for the cook pot. No bows anymore. They were there to tell the does from the bucks when picked up. Litters will be evaluated for show quality and culls will be freezer stock or sold at cheaper prices depending on quantity. They are delicious.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
It depends on what you show them. Rabbits are frugal...

Mine hop around on my Patio and eat the seed that falls out of the bird feeder. That seems like frugal living!

Hasenpfeffer.

NC’s dept of Ag was promoting rabbit tractors in a video. If needed, I can try to find it.

quote:

Originally posted by Aglifter:
NC’s dept of Ag was promoting rabbit tractors in a video. If needed, I can try to find it.

Thanks, but PAGC put out an alert for RHDV2 (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease), so these guys are going to have to stay off the ground. They have full run of the screened in deck for exercise though. I use the same biosecurity measures on the deck I use in the quail shed for H5N1 (avian flu). It's a pain but it's better than wiping out a flock (or a herd).

Uh-oh...down to three. No, no casualties. Gertie turned out to be George so back to the breeder he went to await a doe from the next litter. Should be here in a few weeks. Took their word for it and didn't check sex myself until yesterday. That'll teach me.

quote:

I

Showing rabbits was big at the County Fair in Wisconsin. It is cute to see elementary school girls showing their prized rabbits. They would tell you the name of the rabbit and lots of other things.

Temporary housing. I have about 10 days to get their permanent housing built before things start getting testy. They'll do well in the same enclosure until then.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Showing rabbits was big at the County Fair in Wisconsin.

Yea...pretty big around here. PA Farm Show is huge with show competition for Open and Kids only. Kids are fun to watch. Adults not so much.

My son was doing rabbits for a while until he got busy with other stuff, was interesing to hang out and let him teach me about them. Please keep us posted with how it's going if you don't mind.

Thanks for the update on rabbits.

quote:

Originally posted by jimb888:
Please keep us posted with how it's going if you don't mind.

Will do. Thanks for your interest. 8-week weigh in coming up next Monday for the bucks. Hershfeld seems to be the runt, but we'll see. Even if he is light, I'll still probably breed him. There are hints of lilac (lavender-blue) in his color, the original color of the breed. Would be cool to get an all lilac in the herd.