BREEDING STOCK
The pens and fittings are all
set; the next task before us is selecting good breeding stock without being
suckers in our first attempt.
Where do I find breeding stock to buy?
When buying you have the option of shipping/transporting
your breeding stock from a far distance or from the breeder near you. The best
procedure is to go to your nearest producer and select from his younger stock
even if you have to feed the animals awhile before they mature (at six months).
They need time to get used to you and their new home. The thick issue is that
one has to be cautious, this can be done with the help of a trusted breeder, who
will help you to select quality start up stock from the stock they have for
sale. Most often, you will have the opportunity to see, touch and feel the
rabbits or see photos of them before purchasing them.
How do I select?
Selecting the breeder that you will buy from is as important
as selecting the start-up stock. Different breeders breed for different reasons;
some breed for colours. Some emphasize on gain. Some focus on growth rates and
some specific desirable traits. Finding a breeder whose goals are the same as
yours will boost your chance of getting the right stock that suit your purpose.
It is also a good idea to buy only from one breeder at first for the following
reasons:
- Rabbits coming from different breeders will have different traits or characteristics and different level of resistance to infections. One rabbit might introduce to the others a disease that it can resist but the others cannot. In addition, having different traits, they may introduce hidden undesirable traits e.g. an undesired body type or colour may show up when bred together.
- You will have greater success if you buy related rabbits from one breeder and breed them together until you really understand rabbit raising. Then if you need to fix certain traits as you go along, you can carefully introduce rabbits from different breeders.
If you are able to see and touch the rabbits before purchasing
them, check for signs of illness. Ask about the rabbits parents/relatives. Ask
if the rabbit has had health problems in the past. Ask to see their pedigrees.
Their eyes should be bright; their coats should be soft,
glossy, and clean. If you do not check these things or ask the breeder to show
them to you, you have no grounds to ask back your money after you take the
rabbits home.
What will it cost?
Now talking of the price - having made sure that everything
is okay with the rabbits you can now discuss price with the breeder. Usually it
is just best to give the breeder what they ask for their rabbits.
If you have found high quality rabbits from a breeder that
is willing to help you out, you can usually trust that the price is fair.
Offering the breeder less than they asked can be disrespectful if they have
taken a lot of time to show the rabbits to you. You can, however, ask if they offer
a quantity discount if you’re buying a trio of rabbits at a time. The usual
price for live rabbits totally depends on the breed and whom you buy from. Pet
rabbits usually cost $10 - $20.
Breeding stock for meat usually costs from $8
- $12 per bunny, or perhaps a little more for a high quality herd buck.
Show rabbits are usually more expensive. A good purebred rabbit usually costs
at least $12 for breeders.
Free advice: you can always take along a friend who has a
fair knowledge on rabbits whenever you go to purchase a rabbit for the first
time just so that you do not get your fingers burnt.
Extra caution:
Look for broad heads, heavy bones, large feet, and light
color. Examine the ears for pests and the feet for raw wounds. A three month-Old’s
live weight should be one or two kilogram. A good start for a beginner is a
buck and two or three does, depending on how many pens you have.
Good luck!
Contacts for breeding stock in Abuja, Lagos and Ibadan: (+234) 08179914164,
08062917916, 08129001124, 08033863130, 08142438093
