srtips

Showing Tips
I have been showing rabbits for over 10 years and still have a lot to learn. This is just
some of the stuff I have picked up over the years that has helped my rabbits out.

- Concentrate on just one breed, in only one or two varieties that are compatible with
each other. Don�t try to do everything and spread yourself out too far.

- Learn as much as you can. Talk to breeders at shows, go to other breeders� websites,
ect.

- If you�re under the age of 18 join 4-H or FFA. This will teach you all about rabbits,
prepare you for the first show, ect.

- If you�re in 4-H or FFA, don�t stick to just their shows, go to ARBA shows also. If you
show well in open or youth, you usually do excellent in 4-H.

- Join ARBA. This is the AKC to the rabbit world. With membership to this you will
receive a Guidebook to Raising Better Rabbits and Cavies, a yearbook with all the
members of the club, and a subscription to the Domestic Rabbits magazine.

- Join your breed�s national specialty club.

- Join your State�s club, get involved with it and the other local clubs in your area.

- If they have one, join your breed�s state/local club.

- Get a Standard of Perfection. Know your breed standard, this is what you�re breeding
your rabbit towards.

- Buy the best stock you can. Don�t start out with rabbits that won�t do good. Bad rabbits will reproduce more bad rabbits and only cost you more money later down the road.

- Breed your own rabbits and show them. There is no better feeling than winning big with a home grown rabbit.

- Breed for quality, not quantity.

- Don�t be afraid of Competition. Competition will only make you want to breed better so
your rabbits will perform better.

- Have good sportsmanship. Congratulate the winners.

- Clip the nails of your rabbits before you go to the show. The judge will appreciate it.

- Keep accurate records. This is so you remember due dates, weaning dates, ect.

- Don�t be handling your rabbit before they�re to be shown, this will ruin their condition.
I usually do a quick groom to all my rabbits in the morning then leave them alone until
right before I take them up, which is when I do another quick glance over to make sure
they look good.

- And the biggest thing to know is cull, cull, cull!!
(This means �To remove from the rabbitry�. Whether you sell or give it away to a pet
store, feed store, as a pet, or even to another breeder for show, whatever you remove out of your rabbitry not to use anymore, that is culling.) A rabbit just sitting around not being used to show or breed is just wasting you money. It�s taking up money by you having to feed it, taking up your cages, ect. It�s fine to have one or two pets in the rabbitry that you�re not able to part with, but to keep a competitive edge you can not stay that way with every rabbit.

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