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It is simply one of my biggest pet peeves to see people behaving in such a manner at shows that exhibit a poor example to our Youth! Showing should be a fun experience, as well as a learning expereince for the exhibitors. At a show in Helena, Kassie experienced a poor example of show ediquette from another exhibitor in her breed. Unfortunatly this was the same exhibitor she was hoping to get a bunny from in the future to help with her program. But now, after experiencing what she did, she wonders if she should even consider buying from this person. Here is what happened: Kassie, normally doesnt have any competition other than herself in her variety. Well, at the last show in Helena....she did. Someone else entered Himi Mini Rex, the same way she does, 5 of that variety entered, and using at least three people as the exhibitors. (Kassie will enter her best Himi's in her name, leaving myself or her sisters as the other exhibitors with her lesser quality Himis) Needless to say Kassie was excited to compete against someone else besides herself to see how the quality of her Himis stands up to other Himi breeders. She found out, that she has some more work ahead of her as she didnt earn a single leg last show, not even the variety legs which she normally gets for showing her Himis. Although there were only 10 Himis entered, there wasnt enough for class legs. But more than plenty for Variety legs. In the first show, her rabbits placed under the other exhibitor. Which I should point out at this time, this other exhibitor was an adult with many years of experience of breeding and showing under her belt. Kassie on the other hand, does have many years of showing under her belt, but this being her first year working her own breeding program, and working with the Himi Variety. And lets not forget, Kassie is a YOUTH member! So when the second show comes up, and Kassie runs her rabbits up to the table she is excited to HEAR what the judge has to say about her Himi's compared to the other exhibitor's. She listens carefully so she knows what to look for, and how she can improve. Because after all her goal will be to beat this person on the table next time! For the Junior Doe class, there were only two entered. One belonging to Kassie and the other to this adult exhibitor. To Kassie's surprise, her Junior doe took first and the other doe belonging to the adult exhibitor takes second. This adult exhibitor was standing there watching....perhaps not close enough to hear the comments, comes over to take her rabbit off the table. She asks the table writer "Did the judge even look at this rabbit?" The table writer also showing signs of shock that she would ask such a question replied, "yes he did." The expression on my daughter's face was priceless as her jaw dropped to the floor. I must say, that you, the exhibitor, if you read this, you know who you are. Although you may not agree with the judge's decision, there is no need to be verbal about it. And especially in front of a Youth exhibitor. Sadly, my daughter, many years less experienced then you, showed more ediquette at the show then you. She did not act like a spoiled sport when her rabbits lost. Yes, clearly your animals are of better quality than hers at this time. But remember, she is just starting out. Also keep in mind that you paid for a judge's opinion on your animals. On that day, with that judge, his opinion was for what ever reason, Kassie's Jr. Doe was better than yours. Why? I couldnt tell you. Maybe it was quality of fur or color distribution. Something small waivered the judge's opinion in my daughter's favor. Why are you complaining when no legs where won for class. Lets not mention the fact that you won ALL the legs available for Variety! Your comment was not only rude, but disrespectful to the judge as well. How dare you inquire that the judge did not take his time to evaluate fairly your animal! You were standing there as he was judging. He took your animal out of the coop and looked it over, as he did my daughters. Perhaps if you were standing closer you could have heard the comments stated. We as adults, and more experienced breeders/exhibitors are the role models for our youth, afterall.....our youth members are our next generation of exhibitors.
Living in what is known as the coldest spot in the Nation, in the upper northern part of Montana, we get temperatures of -30 degrees during the winter months. That does not include the windchill factor! I have learned a few tricks along the way to keep my rabbits warm during these horrible months of snow and cold.
The ultimate, ideal situation would have a fully insulated barn with a regulated heat source. Of course, I dont have that.....yet. Living in this area, I have had two separate set ups for my rabbitry. The first one being a wooden shed, un-insulated. During the winter, I would run two regular sized space heaters. This kept the temperature inside the barn about 10-15 degrees warmer than what it was outside. I kept them running on low, until the temp dropped into the negatives, then they were turned on high. Which it brought the temp up out of the negative, still freezing cold....but at least warmer than what it was outside the shed. The second set up is quite simple, and the one I find the best, the wall tent. I used a dog kennel to keep predators, and unwanted people out of my rabbits. The dog kennel is wrapped in a triple layer tarp on three sides. The front side is a black screen mesh tarp to allow the best air flow, and to keep them shaded on sunny days. Over the top we have a pitched roof, one with a triple layer tarp. Over the pitched roof and tarp we placed yet another double tarp to cover the gaps from the roof to the walls. Finally....one more tarp, this one goes from the back, over the roof, and back down again over the front. This tarp is two sided. Silver on one side (used for summer), and black on the other (used for winter). On the front of the rabbitry, the overlay tarp can be rolled up to allow fresh air on days which are not freezing. The black side of the tarp attracts the sun, therefore heating the top and sides of the rabbitry. There is about an 1" gap along the bottom of the rabbitry allowing plenty of fresh ventilation. Inside, during the winter after fall herd reduction, I most as many rabbits as I can into the top cages. Heat rises. In addition I have one space heater running in there, as well as two heat lamps. Using this method has kept the rabbitry 25 degrees warmer inside than it is outdoors. Frozen water bottles are always a hassle and a huge pet peeve. Many breeders will switch to dishes during the winter, we dont. We continue to use the water bottles. Water bottles are brought in at night to defrost overnight. We refill them in the morning, but only about half way. This will prevent the bottle itself from breaking when water turns to ice. On super cold days, we will exchange bottles. For example, with most water bottles using a black capped valve, you can use 20 soda bottles. These are exchanged in the afternoon. If the valve itself is frozen, a few minutes in the house under some warm water will fix that. We also put out small 4 oz bottles, used for show carriers at night. Again, these all are halfway filled. This will help provide the rabbits with maximum water intake. One could also add a crock dish with water, this will give the rabbit some water by being able to lick the ice. Or, your rabbit could simply think its a toy! We also use hay quite a bit more in the winter than we do in the summer months. I prefer to use hay, rather than straw as it will serve two functions: a nice snack and warmth. We use about a flake of hay in each cage as needed, and shove that to the very back of the cage, up against the wall. The rabbit can not only munch on it, but burrow inside it as well. For smaller rabbits or young rabbits, we allow them to have a nest box, also filled with hay. Young juniors are usually kept in pairs or trios for added body warmth. I would not recommend bringing your rabbit indoors and then taking him/her back out into the cold. This will shock the rabbits system, break down their immunity to cold temperatures, and your could be facing a rabbit with a cold. If you intend to bring your rabbit indoors, plan on keeping it inside through the winter months. |
Helpful InfoHere you will find lots of informational articles on how to care for your rabbits, about showing, and just news about our rabbitry in general. Archives
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