Keeping Rabbit Records

This is the chapter summary I wrote for my show rabbit project book.

          Whether you keep a few rabbits as pets or have a full rabbitry, keeping accurate records is essential. Records can help you track the economic aspects of your project, as well as helping you keep track of dates and individual rabbits. 

            You will need to keep daily, monthly, and yearly records, depending on the situation. Always make sure to write down new information as soon as possible to ensure that your records are accurate. Many good records include beginning inventory, operating expenses, income, closing inventory, profit or loss statements, doe performance records, and buck performance records. 

            Growth records are useful for market rabbits. You should start weighing at 3 weeks to track how well the doe feeds the kits. At 5 weeks, weigh to track which rabbits gain the most. At 8 weeks, you can begin to determine the best rabbits in the litter, and which you might want to keep. At 10 weeks, you can select 4-41/2 pound rabbits to have as fryers. 

           Pedigrees are like a family tree for animals. They contain information about the individual rabbit, and all of their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. Pedigrees guarantee that a rabbit is purebred, and prevent you from inbreeding. A pedigree can help you line breed, or breed back to the parents, which can help amplify positive traits, while avoiding the problems that come with inbreeding. Always try to buy rabbits with pedigrees so you know everything you can about them. 

           Tattoos are used to permanently identify rabbits. A tattoo can help you keep records, since you have a set way to identify a specific rabbit. This prevents you from confusing one rabbit for another. If your rabbit is lost or stolen, it can be identified easier by looking at the tattoo. It’s also useful when showing. When you retrieve your rabbit from the show table, you can easily identify who yours is. Always tattoo a rabbit in the left ear. If your rabbit is registered with the ARBA, you can tattoo their registration number in the right ear. 

             Some of the highest quality rabbits are tattooed with the ARBA. To register a rabbit, you must win 3 legs. Legs are awards won at ARBA sanctioned shows. They include best of breed, best of show, best of variety, best of opposite variety, best of sex, and more. When you win 3 legs with the same rabbit, you can request registration papers from the ARBA. You receive a seal, registration papers, and a number that can be tattooed in your rabbit’s right ear.