Picking Your Rabbit
Before buying your rabbit, it's important to know exactly what you want, so you can save the breeder lots of time. They like to know that you've done your research and know what you want and are prepared for it. Do you want a buck (boy), or doe (girl)? One rabbit or two? Full-grown or baby? Are you looking for just a pet, or would you be interested in doing 4-H, showing or breeding? Do you have a specific color or pattern in mind? What kind of personality do you like in a rabbit? Fun, energetic, puppy-like? Or gentle, docile, and sweet? Do you want a house rabbit, or will the rabbit live outside?These things are very important for the breeder to know so they can find you the best rabbit that fits your needs and wants.
When you go to contact your favorite breeder if they have any stock for sale, be sure to include all the information I mentioned above. Also include if you have any other pets, or children.
If the breeder doesn't have any stock for sale at the time, ask when they will, or if there is a notification or waiting list you can be put on in order to receive emails when rabbit that fit your preferences is available.
When you have found out that the breeder has a rabbit that fits your preferences, schedule a date to visit the rabbitry and meet the rabbit. I suggest meeting the rabbit in person before buying or reserving it. Not all breeders are honest, and it's always better to be safe than sorry.
Before even looking at the available rabbits, look at the rabbitry. Is it clean? Now, rabbitries won't be clean all the time, because rabbits are live animals and therefore they poop and pee and smell sometimes. Hay manages to get everywhere somehow. Most breeders, myself included, only clean the rabbitry once a week or so and so if your scheduled date is at the end of the week, right before cleaning, it might be a little messy. Busy breeders have busy lives unrelated to rabbits, and most can't clean their rabbitry just for you. However, the cages shouldn't be piled high with manure (this is several weeks' worth of poop, usually), the rabbitry shouldn't smell like ammonia has been building up for months. The rabbits should look healthy, with wide, shiny eyes and clean fur. They should come up to the cage when you walk past (not every rabbit will do this, some are shy, but you want the majority to). They should have water available. Not all rabbits will have food or hay available at all times, so it's ok if that isn't present, but the rabbits shouldn't look starved or skinny. Their bones should not be visible.
Ask for any references the breeder may have. How many rabbits he or she has sold, how long he or she has been breeding, how often the rabbits are handled, etc. Ask any questions you may have of bringing your rabbit home, how the cage should be set up, etc. The breeder should want to help you make the perfect home for your new bunny.
Check out the rabbits that are available. Do they see, interested in you? Curious and lively? Depending on the age of the rabbit and the individual's personality, they may or may not be hyper or mellow with new people. Don't expect the rabbit to act the same way with you now then they will three weeks from when you bring him home.
It's always advised to check the health of the rabbit before you buy. Check the gender as well, if you know what to look for. If you don't, ask the breeder to help you. To make sure your rabbit is healthy, visit THIS page. To check the gender, visit THIS page.
Take a look at the mom and dad and siblings of the rabbit are getting as well, especially if it's a baby. You have no way of knowing for sure how big the rabbit will get. Chances are he or she won't get bigger then his mom or dad - but it is sometimes possible (if they do, it probably won't be by too much).
When you have picked out your rabbit, the breeder should have a baggie of transition food for you if you are feeding a different brand then what he or she is used to. Most breeders will also give out rabbit care pamphlets.
If you have any questions about how to find good breeders near you, contact me!
When you go to contact your favorite breeder if they have any stock for sale, be sure to include all the information I mentioned above. Also include if you have any other pets, or children.
If the breeder doesn't have any stock for sale at the time, ask when they will, or if there is a notification or waiting list you can be put on in order to receive emails when rabbit that fit your preferences is available.
When you have found out that the breeder has a rabbit that fits your preferences, schedule a date to visit the rabbitry and meet the rabbit. I suggest meeting the rabbit in person before buying or reserving it. Not all breeders are honest, and it's always better to be safe than sorry.
Before even looking at the available rabbits, look at the rabbitry. Is it clean? Now, rabbitries won't be clean all the time, because rabbits are live animals and therefore they poop and pee and smell sometimes. Hay manages to get everywhere somehow. Most breeders, myself included, only clean the rabbitry once a week or so and so if your scheduled date is at the end of the week, right before cleaning, it might be a little messy. Busy breeders have busy lives unrelated to rabbits, and most can't clean their rabbitry just for you. However, the cages shouldn't be piled high with manure (this is several weeks' worth of poop, usually), the rabbitry shouldn't smell like ammonia has been building up for months. The rabbits should look healthy, with wide, shiny eyes and clean fur. They should come up to the cage when you walk past (not every rabbit will do this, some are shy, but you want the majority to). They should have water available. Not all rabbits will have food or hay available at all times, so it's ok if that isn't present, but the rabbits shouldn't look starved or skinny. Their bones should not be visible.
Ask for any references the breeder may have. How many rabbits he or she has sold, how long he or she has been breeding, how often the rabbits are handled, etc. Ask any questions you may have of bringing your rabbit home, how the cage should be set up, etc. The breeder should want to help you make the perfect home for your new bunny.
Check out the rabbits that are available. Do they see, interested in you? Curious and lively? Depending on the age of the rabbit and the individual's personality, they may or may not be hyper or mellow with new people. Don't expect the rabbit to act the same way with you now then they will three weeks from when you bring him home.
It's always advised to check the health of the rabbit before you buy. Check the gender as well, if you know what to look for. If you don't, ask the breeder to help you. To make sure your rabbit is healthy, visit THIS page. To check the gender, visit THIS page.
Take a look at the mom and dad and siblings of the rabbit are getting as well, especially if it's a baby. You have no way of knowing for sure how big the rabbit will get. Chances are he or she won't get bigger then his mom or dad - but it is sometimes possible (if they do, it probably won't be by too much).
When you have picked out your rabbit, the breeder should have a baggie of transition food for you if you are feeding a different brand then what he or she is used to. Most breeders will also give out rabbit care pamphlets.
If you have any questions about how to find good breeders near you, contact me!