Just wanted to make a quickie post about everything going on in the rabbitry. We have one final show in 2018 before showing takes a bit of a break until 2019, the Southern Pride show in Hopkins, SC. I will be taking my new buck Sammy (from Margaret Funck), as well as Pirate, and then Maggie. I will also be taking some of my juniors from my Dallan x Queenie & Pirate x Sookie litters, as long as they all make weight. Yoda will also be attending however that is because he will be sold to a buyer from NC.
Today, my bunny BFF Linda is coming over to breed her buck Leon to Maggie, and one of her does to Dallan. We will also be tattooing and evaluating the juniors I have and separating them by quality so I can go ahead and dispatch those who are not show quality. I also need to cut some cage wire and start working on my additional growout cages. So much to do, always so much to do.
I sent Yoda & Pirate to the Decatur RBA show last weekend with Linda, and Pirate ended up winning 2x BOB, earning his last leg towards his Grand Champion certificate. I just have to register him and send in his legs to get his certificate.
Sookie kindled 3 blacks & 1 blue by Yoda 11/24. Queenie was also bred to Yoda, however today is day 36 and no kits. Queenie is typically a day 32 and done, so I don’t believe she is pregnant. I will re-breed them again to see if we can get some kits before Yoda leaves. Time will tell. Faith is also bred to Dallan for kits due mid-December. I am giving Hymn the month off because she has grievously lost condition, would like to build her back up before I re-breed her, and if she loses condition in a similar manner, she will be culled from my program.
The Central Alabama Rabbit Enthusiasts (CARE) show was a really fantastic show. The GASFRB group rallied together and we got some experienced show attendees together with some folks who haven’t shown before. It was great to get to meet new faces and to see that we are garnering interest in the breed. I also learned how to write for the judges, and I learned a lot. It was interesting to listen to judging and features for different breeds that I am unfamiliar with. My favorite breed that I wrote for were the Holland Lops. They’re adorable. I was also particularly happy with how my rabbits did, Miss Sookie placed better than she ever has in a class of 5, and Pirate earned his 2nd leg against 5 other bucks.
Writing for our Silver Fox judge, Mr. Colucci!
I’ve posted the results below. I would like to also give a big shout out to SUPER SECRETARY Roxane! Trust me when I say that we competitors LOVE how quickly you get exhibitor reports out to us after the shows. You have spoiled us!
BOB/BOS prizes
Show A
Judge: Sue Rice
Pirate (black sr buck) – 4th of 5
Yoda (black sr buck) –read more
Have some exciting news to share regarding the 2018 ARBA convention. Unfortunately I was not able to attend, however I have plans to attend the 2020 convention in Harrisburg (Farm Show Complex), so I’ll be working towards that. Anyway, my good friend/transporter Katherine took my DF02 jr blue doe that had been doing so well at local shows, and she ended up winning Best Opposite Sex of Variety for the blues at convention! I am beyond thrilled, considering that this is my first EVER convention, and I have only been breeding show quality Silver Fox for about a year and a half. I am on top of the moon. DF02 is now headed to her new home at Ohio Star Rabbitry, who are very excited to have her.
DF02 relaxing in her coop at convention
I am also excited to announce that two AMAZING animals will be returning with Katherine to GA. My very good friend Linda Townsend had pre-purchased a black jr doe who ended up winning Best of Breed and then Best of the Best at convention. I purchased a lovely black senior buck from Margaret Funck who was 2nd senior buck, losing to his sire who was Best Opposite of Breed. The addition of these two rabbits to the gene pool in the South East should do wonders for our breeding program. Right now we have plans to attend Silver Fox Nationals in April 2019 in Hutchinson, KS, so we are breeding to have some nice juniors to take along. I will also be taking Dallan so that we can breed him back to his daughter DF02 for a promising litter.
Archer in his coop
That’s all I’ve got to say for now, just wanted to post about our successes. Yay rabbits!
Just wanted to post some photos and results from our show this weekend in Perry, GA at the GA State Fair. I would like to start out by saying how thankful I am to be working with a great group of breeders from Georgia. It makes me very happy to see such fantastic people working together to make things happen and improve the Silver Fox breed. I encourage anyone who has ANY interest in the breed at all to join our Facebook group, the GASFRB, and come to a show!
Linda & Astro Man (BOB Shows A,B), myself & Maggie (BOSB Show B)
It was an EXHAUSTING show day on Saturday, and I am eternally grateful for my friends Linda & Alan from Tale of Tails for taking the time to pick me and my rabbits up and drive us all the way to the show & back. I was up at 03:30 on Saturday morning, with Linda & her husband up at 02:00 to make it to my place in time. We picked up our friend Stephanie’s rabbits (of Hare & Feather), and arrived at the show around 07:00.
Senior Bucks – Show A
The show started around 09:00, with Silver Fox being second to show in Show A, and third to show in Show B. Both shows were sanctioned, meaning that the breeders showing Silver Fox could receive points through the NSFRC. In order for rabbits to qualify for legs (towards a Grand Champion title), there had to be 10 rabbits entered (5 black bucks, 5 black does) between 3 different breeders. In order for the show to receive automatic sanction next year, at least 15 animals had to be shown from that breed. In total we had 15 rabbits with us, Linda brought 6, I had 5, and Stephanie had 4, so we made the numbers.
Judging Senior Bucks – Show A
I took with me Dallan, Yoda, Maggie, Sookie, and DF02 (Dallan x Faith). I was very pleased with how my rabbits did on the table. I will update this post with official results once we have them.
Show A Silver Fox
From what I remember, in Show A, we had 4 senior black bucks, 3 senior black does, 2 intermediate does, 1 intermediate buck, and 1 junior buck (blacks); then 1 senior blue buck, 1 senior blue doe, and 2 junior blue does. Show A Best of Breed (BOB) went to Linda’s Astro Man, and Best Opposite Sex of Breed (BOSB/BOS) to Stephanie’s intermediate doe. Dallan was Best of Variety (BOV) and his daughter DF02 was Best Opposite Sex of Variety (BOSV). DF02 received comments about having a “killer type” and that she could have won the class had she been a black (blue is only a certificate of development [COD] and therefore can be shown but can’t win any legs towards GC). In the individual classes, placings (I believe) were as follows: [Blacks] Senior Bucks: 1st Astro Man, 2nd Leon, 3rd Yoda, 4th Monty; Senior Does: 1st Luna, 2nd Maggie, 3rd Sookie; Int Bucks: 1st Stephanie’s Buck; Int. Does: 1st Stephanie’s Doe, 2nd Linda’s Doe; Jr. Bucks: 1st Stephanie’s Buck. [Blues] Senior Bucks: 1st Dallan; Senior Does: 1st Misty Blue Too; Jr. Does: 1st DF02, 2nd Linda’s Doe.
Stephanie’s Intermediate Doe – BOSB Show A
As a quick overview, in order to be in the running for BOB, the rabbit has to win 1st place in it’s age class. Then all the 1st place rabbits are judged against one another, the best rabbit out of all of those is chosen as BOB, then a rabbit of the opposite sex is chosen as BOS.
Silver Fox – Show B
Again, from my memory in Show B, we had the same numbers, however Yoda was DQ’d because he came in under weight (they didn’t weigh the rabbits in the first show). Show B BOB went again to Astro Man, with BOSB to my Maggie (from Platinum Moose in MN), with BOV going to DF02 and BOSV to Dallan. DF02 again received some great comments, she’s the best thing to come out of my rabbitry thus far and I am very proud of her. She is entered to show in ARBA convention in Massachusetts on 10/27, and from there heads to her new owner in Ohio. I have already requested a kit out of her when she is bred. Individual class results (from memory): [Blacks] Sr Bucks: 1st Astro Man; 2nd Monty, 3rd Leon, DQ Yoda; Sr Does: 1st Maggie, 2nd Luna, 3rd Sookie; Int Bucks: 1st Stephanie’s Buck; Int Does: 1st Stephanie’s Doe, 2nd Linda’s Doe; Jr. Bucks: 1st Stephanie’s Buck. [Blues] Senior Bucks: 1st Dallan; Senior Does: 1st Misty Blue Too; Jr. Does: 1st DF02, 2nd Linda’s Doe.
Platinum Moose’s Magnolia – BOSB Show B
All in all, it was a great day. Came home with a ribbon (and we should have gotten some cash but we forgot to pick up our winnings), and I am so pleased with the comments DF02 received. It makes me feel like I am moving forward on the right track with my breeding program. I will be repeating the breeding of Dallan x Faith this fall to try and get a full sibling who is as comparable in quality.
(L to R) – DF02 & Dallan; BOSV/BOV Show A, BOV/BOSV Show B
Again, I am so proud of these other breeders I am afforded the opportunity to work along side. It gives me real hope for the breed. Hopefully we can improve our southern SF lines enough to become truly competitive on the national stage against breeders like Sherielu Singer and Margaret Funck. 🙂
DF02 receiving solid comments – Show AJudging BOB – Show B
Just wanted to get on and post the results from the show this past weekend. I was not in attendance as we flew to PA for my cousin’s FABULOUS wedding, but my friend Linda took four of my rabbits with her. I am very pleased with how they all did, and I’m looking forward to the show this coming weekend (GA State RCA, Perry, GA 10/13).
The show in Carrollton on 10/6 was a triple show, meaning that you could enter each of your rabbits 3x, to be judged by a different judge each time, for 3 opportunities to show/place.
Show A
Judge: Donyelle Schultz
Maggie (black Sr doe) – DQ
Pirate (black int buck)read more
I have been giving the rabbits a bit more TLC lately since we are gearing up for show season. First show that they will attend (I will be in PA but my good friend Linda will be taking them with her) is the West GA Rabbit Club Fall Festival in Carrollton, GA.
I realize I don’t blog about my rabbits a ton unless it’s about how many went into the freezer. Over the past year I’ve been slowly acquiring rabbits from breeders all across the US (Florida, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, etc.). I’m working on bringing better ‘type’ down here to the south. Silver Fox are a rare breed to begin with and in the south/south-east, show quality rabbits are SERIOUSLY lacking. A couple of like minded individuals, including myself, are working to change that.
Anyway, I’m going to show rabbits this year, for the first time since FFA in high school. I’m pretty excited. We will see how they all do. In order for a rabbit to be show ready, they need to be out of molt with a normal, full coat (all of mine are in molt right now), nails trimmed, and a tattoo in their left ear. They should also be in good health and body condition. I’m working on bringing all of my rabbits up to snuff (those worth showing) to get them onto the show table.
I was getting weights this week and decided to snap some quick side profile shots of all of our rabbits. We are down to a mere 11! Good thing some does are already bred 😉
Miss Maggie’s Dallan – 9 mos blue buck [9lb 0.4oz]DF02 – 12.5 week blue doe [5lb 6.8oz]DF04 – 12.5 week black doe [4lb 10.7oz]DF Faith – 14 mos black doe [7lb 12.2oz]RR Hymn – 1 yr 8 mos black doe [10lb 3.0oz]RR Lavender – 6 mos lilac doe [10lb 9.2oz]Platinum Moose’s Magnolia – 6 mos black doe [9lb 10.5oz]Carrot Gardens Blackbeard – 6 mos black buck [7lb 13.3oz]MR79 Queenie – 2 yr 2 mos blue doe [11lb 1.2oz]Little King Ranch’s Sookie Stackhouse – 1 yr 10 mos black doe [10lb 7.2oz]RR Yoda (in SUPER molt) – 1 yr 9 mos black buck [8lb 5.8oz]
All of my rabbits are in varying states of condition – some are under weight, which happens to rabbits during the heat of the summer, some are molting, some are sun bleached, etc. etc. A lot of these rabbits aren’t ‘posed’ properly either, they were just quick photos I took after weights & grooming. These guys have varying ‘types’ as well. Body types such as Dallan’s and Pirates are preferred, and having type like Lavender is not ideal (lilacs are useful for determining what colors a rabbit carries). All in all, I am looking very forward to show season. I plan on posting some videos and snippets with info for folks who are interested.
