Saturday, January 16, 2010

The Rabbit Enthusiast



My name is Caitlin Vogel and I have been raising rabbits for twelve years. I take my hobby very seriously and do only purebred breeding. Purebred rabbits can be sold for showing purposes and breeding purposes. A purebred rabbit with pedigree papers can be purchased for about the same price as mixed breed rabbits found at pet stores. Pedigreed rabbits of wise breeding are less likely to have health problems than mixed breed rabbits. Cross-bred bunnies are more likely to have teeth problems like malocclusion and wolf teeth since many times the two parents have different shaped heads. The offspring of the parents will have an odd shaped head unless two parents are bred together with similar head shapes. Pedigreed rabbits most likely come from responsible breeders who carefully select good quality breeding stock with good dispositions so the offspring are also amiable.
A baby rabbit or kit should not be taken away from its mother until eight weeks. Most people separate kits when they are six weeks old. This damages the well- being of the kit and places a lot of stress on its health. Pet stores welcome six week old babies because they are tiny and adorable. However, do not be fooled by cute looks. The babies are more likely to be stunted and will not make good breeding and show stock. Buying a rabbit from a breeder is a not only beneficial to the buyer, but also to the rabbit's health. A breeder will show you the parents of a baby offered for sale which is an advantage not offered at a pet store. This means the buyer can check the quality of the parents as well as see the health of the parents.
It is very important for first time buyers to be wary of where they purchase a rabbit. Pet stores may carry some of the tiniest little bunnies, however, the risks can result to death or trauma. Breeders care about their hobby, and are more likely to offer healthy babies without top price. Most rabbits hover around the 35 dollar to 40 dollar mark, but can be seen for about 20 dollars depending on show quality. Remember that a healthy rabbit can have a life span of 8-10 years, so it is ever so important that the bunny has a healthy start in life.


Caitlin Vogel owns a local rabbitry in New Jersey and has shown in ARBA and 4-H shows. She raises Dwarf Hotot, Holland Lop, Mini Lop, and Lionhead rabbits.