How to Keep Rabbit Records. Find quality information on rabbit record keeping, a subject of key importance when raising rabbits.
Essential Rabbitry Records
Of course, it’s not absolutely essential to keep any records of your rabbitry activities. Your bunnies will produce babies whether or not you keep papers about it! But if you want to have a successful and profitable rabbitry, records become indispensable.
Rabbit Pedigrees are one of the most important records that a breeder keeps. Many people will not buy a show rabbit unless it has a full pedigree. You cannot register your rabbit unless it has a full pedigree that lists the name, ear number, color, and weight for three generations of ancestors. Commercial producers also often keep pedigrees on their stock, to be able to track which lines produce the best, and avoid accidental inbreeding.
Breeding records are also vital. When you breed a doe, you should immediately write down the date, count thirty-one days ahead, and mark the due date on the calendar. Don’t only write the date; note which buck you bred her to! When a doe kindles, write down how many kits she had, how many were born alive, how many survived to weaning, and the kits’ ear numbers. This data helps you determine which of your bloodlines are most productive.
You should keep track of financial data also. Most hobby rabbitries go “in the red,” but it’s still a responsible practice to keep track of how much you spend on stock, feed, and entry fees vs. how much income you produced through sales of bunnies or supplies.
One other type of record that, if not essential, is at least extremely useful, is simply a rabbitry journal. Once a week, jot down what happened in the barn in the last seven days. Did you try a new brand of feed? How did you do at the show? Did you notice a bunny sneeze? Did you fix a leak in the barn roof? Little things that seem not to matter much at the time can later help you identify the cause of a major health problem or breeding slump.
Optional Rabbit Records
The list of things you can record about rabbitry happenings is virtually endless. Set goals for your rabbitry, and then keep the records you need to measure your success. If you breed for meat, you will probably want to keep detailed records on litter size, weaning weights, and feed-to-gain ratios. If you’re trying to improve a certain trait in your show herd, such as eliminate low shoulders, you should evaluate your juniors at a standard age and note how they measure up in that area. If you’re struggling with a health issue, you’ll want to know how different rabbits respond to treatment in an effort to select a resistant herd. You might want to keep track of how well you do at shows.
Rabbit Record Keeping Methods
Although different rabbit breeders use different record keeping methods… its recommended that you look into purchasing a software program to help you easily accomplish this task. It can get very confusing before long… trying to do it all manually! Not to mention time consuming… Therefore we recommend that you purchase a program such as the recommended Easy Rabbitry Management Software to help make record keeping simple and efficient.
To learn more about this program visit:
http://RabbitryManagementSoftware.com/
Recommended Rabbit Software:
Want to make rabbit record keeping simple and efficient? Check out the following programs to supercharge your efforts and save tons of time…
Easy Rabbitry Management Software:
http://RabbitryManagementSoftware.com/
Easy Rabbitry Pedigree Generator:
http://RabbitPedigreeSoftware.com/