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What rabbitry should you buy from?

   What kind of rabbitry should you buy from? Well, rabbitries come in a very wide variety. Some are as little as one breeding pair, others are as large as 600 head. Some enjoy personal time with every bunny they own and some don't really pay individual attention yet makes sure they all have toys and things to keep them from being bored and some don't care much about their bunnies at all, they are just in it for the competition and so on.Some rabbitries are indoors and some are outdoors while others are both indoors and outdoors. I couldn't possibly name all of the different kinds of rabbitries but I can tell you what to look for in good and bad rabbitries.

A knowledgeable breeder

   First of all, you want to make sure you are buying from someone who knows what they are doing. Someone who has been into rabbits for a long time should be able to answer most questions you have or tell you were you can get information. No matter how long a person has been in rabbits they are not done learning. Anyone who gives the impression that there is nothing left to learn and won't listen to any information from another person is not someone you want to buy from. They are not capable of really learning with this attitude so the information you get from them isn't something you can depend on to be correct. Disagreeing with someone is okay but you must listen before you can disagree and give a reason why.

   A new breeder may not be able to answer a lot of your questions but should be obviously eager to learn and will more than likely have a name to give you that could answer your questions, someone that he/she goes to when he/she has a question themselves. Nomatter how long this person has been a breeder, they should know about their own stock. They should be able to tell you where their stock originally came from and what breed it is that they have. They should know who the parents of the bunnies are and how old they are. If not by memory then it should be recorded so that they can tell you. If the rabbit comes with papers, you should be able to get them when you pick up the bunny unless other arrangements have been made. Some breeders don't have papers ready at the time and will take down your name and address to send them to you. Only do this if you are familiar with the breeder and you know you can get the papers from them. A lot of people will never get it to you, then you have paid for a papered rabbit with out papers. Be sure you have away to contact them incase you have more questions later. Ask if the breeder is a member of the ARBA. Not being a member doesn't mean that this is a bad breeder but being a member means that they are updated on rabbit information and news. This is a real plus. If you are looking for a show or breeding animal I suggest not buying from a non member because they are probably not updated on what the breed calls for. As a matter of a fact, if the breeder doesn't already know if you are a member or not, they should ask you if you know about the ARBA and gently encourage you to be a  member even if you are just a pet person.

A welcoming breeder

   A breeder that is happy to talk to you and helpful in anyway they can be,  and seem to enjoy the bunnies will be more pleasant to deal with than a grouch that can't even smile at you or act as though he doesn't care much for dealing with the animals that he has.

   A good breeder will care if you are happy with the bunny and what would happen to it if you are not happy with it. Many of them will take it back and replace it with another or refund the money. That is a limited time window with most. Ask if that rabbitry will do that. Sometimes a breeder will be so wrapped up in trying to be sure you have all of the information you need to get started right that they can easily forget to tell you whether or not they have a window. It is a good idea to offer your phone number incase they think of something else you need to know later. There is no way a breeder can give you every bit of knowledge they have on the first visit. There have been times when a buyer would leave my home and I realized that I didn't tell them an important need of that particular rabbit because I was focusing so much on 4-H information or shelter information etc... A couple of times I had no way to contact the buyer and I worried that the need wouldn't be met because there was no way for them to know.

   You should be able to call a breeder and set up a time to see their rabbitry quite easily for most breeders. If you are wanting to see the rabbitry right away, that's okay but don't be to pushy. If a breeder won't let you see the rabbitry at all then ask for references. As rabbitry owners, we are warned about allowing people to come through our rabbitries. There are some diseases out there that are quite deadly and has no cure. These diseases can be carried on clothing, shoes and other every day things if a person has had contact with a sick bunny. Don't be alarmed if you are asked to step into a small amount of soap and water to kill germs on the bottom of your shoes or something like that. You may be asked if you have been to many rabbitries lately as a breeder may want to put some time between the last rabbitry visit and theirs if you have been visiting many of them, especially if it is unknown rabbitries to the breeder. Even I have completely closed my rabbitry down from the public for a time before while a deadly disease was on the rise. If a breeder will not allow you into their rabbitry, ask for some references. Surly someone has been there before and can tell you what its like. Many how ever are very welcoming and proud of what they have. As important as it is that the breeder represents the rabbitry well it is also important that you are respectful. Rabbit people do have other things in their life that is important. If that day isn't good for them and ask you if you can come tomorrow, be workable for them to set a time with you. If its my son's birthday, its probably not likely that I am going to take time out on his day for a buyer. If a breeder asks that you wait 2 hours before coming to the house because they are eating, don't show up in a half an hour. Nobody wants to feel intruded on. Call before showing up out of the blue. I don't like it when I feel that I am forced to deal with a buyer at a time that is not convenient for me. For me its easier to take buyers out to my rabbitry when my husband is home because its hard for me to deal with a 2 year old, ADHD fits with an 8 year old, rabbits and buyers at the same time. The easier you make it on the breeder, the better the breeder will treat you. Also keep in mind that you are on the breeders property, you are the guest. Mind your manners as you would want them to do for you.

Bunny Care Given

   When you see the bunnies, pay attention to them. Remember, most breeds are only fed so much. Seeing empty feed bowls isn't alarming, they may have already eaten for that day or is about to. You can tell by looking at them if they have been missing meals. Rabbits lose weight very quickly. Look at the water bottles, do they have water? Look underneath cages, are they kept up? Some setups don't need constant clean up. Some have worm beds and other things going on and is not unhealthy to have it this way. Worm beds are kept neatly under the cages, not allowing them to get out into the walk way. They discourage fly's because the constantly turned, now soil kills any eggs that may have been laid. That is how you can tell the difference between worm bed and negligence.

   If you see anything that looks unhealthy constantly through out the herd, I would nicely decline from buying. If it is only one or two rabbits that just don't look right, it would be a good idea to ask about them. Sometimes a rabbit or 2 could be having problems but is supervised by the breeder and a vet. That bunny could be on meds. As important as it is to be careful, there is such thing as going to far.

What about numbers?

   Numbers makes no difference. I have seen large rabbitries that care about each bunny they own. Large families, home schooled children, lonely people, There are all types of people who have large rabbitries and take very good care of them. The bunnies are constantly groomed and fed and watered and cleaned up after. I have also seen large rabbitries that are neglectful. Having to many rabbits is not an excuse. Nobody should ever have to many to the point that they can't take care of them properly.

   I have seen small rabbitries that are very loving and give each bunny inside time in the house as well as walks to the park. I have even seen some where the bunnies live in the house. I have also seen small rabbitries that were in shambles. Bunnies who were sick with out the attention they need, Bunnies who sat in their own feces, cages badly in need of repair, water bottles empty and the owner doesn't seem to notice how skinny and bony his poor bunnies are.

   So as you can see, how big or small a rabbitry is has nothing to do with whether or not you should consider buying from it.

weather conditioning

   Every breeder should be concerned about their bunnies and the weather. You can't always tell what that rabbitry does for the bunnies if things are always put neatly away. Don't be shy about asking. People who at least attempt to shield the buns from weather and go out of their way to help them be more comfortable are going to have healthier and less stressed buns. People who say that it is better to allow them to endure extreme weather is only making an excuse for their laziness and lack of care.

   In the summer some of the breeders will mist each bunny every so often or soak down the tops of the hutches. Fans are used by some and air conditioners used by others. A favorite for a lot of breeders is to use 2 litter ice bottles. There are many ways to help them through the heat. In the cold, as long as the water bottles or dishes are surviving at least half of the day without freezing, I would say that the breeder is keeping them warm enough.

Smells

   All rabbitries are going to have some kind of a smell. They are animals. So unless it is unbearable don't be to hard on the breeder.

Indoors, Outdoors

   Rabbits do good indoors and outdoors. As long as they are protected from the weather and have a good bunny mom or dad to be sure they are safe, they will be fine.

In Conclusion

   Some rabbitries are very nice and clean. Most rabbit people are neat people who love animals and do their best to make sure their bunnies are happy.

   There are also those who run their rabbitries much like a puppy mill. It does no good to try to educate these sort of people because they don't see anything wrong with what they do.

   Be wise in who you buy from. I know its hard to not rescue "Bunny Mill" bunnies but giving those type of people money doesn't help the bunnies in that situation and if that bunny is sick it may not survive anyway. Also, as people support the mills in the name of rescue, what really happens is those mills kick out all the more bunnies knowing you will come with money in hand to rescue again while the good breeder hardly makes a dime and many times are shut down by going broke. Lets turn the tables. Look at the link above this one about pet stores and pounds to see why sick bunnies may not survive anyway.