~Nobody can tell how good a rabbit is going to be at 8 weeks old~
This is SO important. The truth is, you just can't tell how good a rabbit is going to turn out at 8 weeks old. There's just no way. They're too small and immature. That's why you grow them out. Growing out means letting a promising young rabbit that you bred grow for several months before you decide whether it could be a show rabbit or a brood rabbit.
Sadly, many beginners have been scammed into an 8 week old of 'phenomenal show quality', and some dishonest or ignorant breeders may try and get down-payments for 'show quality' kits at an even younger age, sometimes as young as 4 weeks old!! Please don't be the next person to make this mistake.
Rabbits go through lots of changes as they mature. Different body parts grow at different rates in different rabbits at different times. This is why a lot of 2-3 month olds are so goofy looking. In Hollands, this is called the 'uglies'. At this age, many people get frustrated and get rid of all the rabbits they think will always remain ugly. Then they are surprised to find out that a month later, the rabbit is winning on the show tables! The trick is to have patience, and wait it out. Given time, you may come to know your own lines very well. You may be able to predict better how the rabbits will mature, especially if you consistently line-breed your stock. This may allow you to make cuts at an earlier age. But honestly, I just wait and see what happens once the rabbits get older.
There's a factor many people call 'bottom cage magic'. No, it isn't a magic spell. The idea is to stick an 'ugly' looking Jr in a bottom cage where you can't see how ugly it is, and wait it out a couple months until you get it out again. Given this extra time to mature and develop, the Jr may surprise you.
At any point in the growing out process, you can make cuts and pet out rabbits that you don't think have futures as show animals. Usually this only means petting out rabbits with DQs or major faults. In my herd, I grow out anything with potential until a minimum of 3-4 months old, at which point I go through my grow-outs and decide who to keep and who to sell. At this point I may sell promising rabbits that are nice but not what I am looking for to improve my herd. These are the ones I will generally offer to other breeders.
Once they get to 3 or 4 months of age, comb through your Juniors and seriously consider what you believe will help your herd. It's no good selling a Jr with a mediocre hindquarter and amazing ear length if your current herd has fabulous hindquarters and mediocre ear length. Remember, we are looking to improve on each generation.
This is SO important. The truth is, you just can't tell how good a rabbit is going to turn out at 8 weeks old. There's just no way. They're too small and immature. That's why you grow them out. Growing out means letting a promising young rabbit that you bred grow for several months before you decide whether it could be a show rabbit or a brood rabbit.
Sadly, many beginners have been scammed into an 8 week old of 'phenomenal show quality', and some dishonest or ignorant breeders may try and get down-payments for 'show quality' kits at an even younger age, sometimes as young as 4 weeks old!! Please don't be the next person to make this mistake.
Rabbits go through lots of changes as they mature. Different body parts grow at different rates in different rabbits at different times. This is why a lot of 2-3 month olds are so goofy looking. In Hollands, this is called the 'uglies'. At this age, many people get frustrated and get rid of all the rabbits they think will always remain ugly. Then they are surprised to find out that a month later, the rabbit is winning on the show tables! The trick is to have patience, and wait it out. Given time, you may come to know your own lines very well. You may be able to predict better how the rabbits will mature, especially if you consistently line-breed your stock. This may allow you to make cuts at an earlier age. But honestly, I just wait and see what happens once the rabbits get older.
There's a factor many people call 'bottom cage magic'. No, it isn't a magic spell. The idea is to stick an 'ugly' looking Jr in a bottom cage where you can't see how ugly it is, and wait it out a couple months until you get it out again. Given this extra time to mature and develop, the Jr may surprise you.
At any point in the growing out process, you can make cuts and pet out rabbits that you don't think have futures as show animals. Usually this only means petting out rabbits with DQs or major faults. In my herd, I grow out anything with potential until a minimum of 3-4 months old, at which point I go through my grow-outs and decide who to keep and who to sell. At this point I may sell promising rabbits that are nice but not what I am looking for to improve my herd. These are the ones I will generally offer to other breeders.
Once they get to 3 or 4 months of age, comb through your Juniors and seriously consider what you believe will help your herd. It's no good selling a Jr with a mediocre hindquarter and amazing ear length if your current herd has fabulous hindquarters and mediocre ear length. Remember, we are looking to improve on each generation.