12/01/2025
Yes!!! Something I'm still learning as a newer "show" person, but 1000% true! If you start from low quality stock, you may not ever produce anything worth a damn, and may hurt yourself and your barn in the long run! Go for quality! Ask questions! The real ones will have no issue answering all your questions on health, herd etc!
A Post-Convention Season Reminder 🐇
Every year after Convention, there’s an influx of new breeders excited to start their journey — and that enthusiasm is wonderful. But as you pick up your first pair or trio, especially if you’re working with a heritage or rare breed, please keep this in mind:
Not every rabbit you produce should be sold.
Ethical breeding requires culling — even in pet breeds — to prevent genetic issues from spreading and to protect the long-term integrity of the breed. Selling everything you produce doesn’t make you a good breeder; making hard decisions for the betterment of the animals does.
And remember: even rabbits sold “just for meat breeding” should be high quality. The Standard of Perfection is written to maximize meat production on the animal — poor structure has no place in a meat program either.
Additionally, many rabbits sold as “just meat breeders” often end up back in the show ring or passed along to a 4-H or youth breeder as “show quality.” If it shouldn’t represent the breed on a show table, it shouldn’t be leaving your barn under any label.
Edited to Add - And of course, sports in marked breeds and false dwarves have their place as well — with responsible care and honest representation. Not every off-variety rabbit is a cull, but they still require the same ethical standards in how they’re managed and where they’re placed.
Silver Fox are on track to be one of the first breeds to graduate from the rare breed list. As they become more common, the responsibility becomes even greater. Please cull hard. We don’t want this breed associated with low quality animals or with breeders who let anything leave the barn just to make a sale.
If you truly care about the breed:
Breed the best — eat the rest.
