Rutland, VT Show

Yesterday was a busy but fun day at the double show in Rutland, VT. I brought 7 buns along with me, and there were approx. 20-25 entered overall by several different breeders.

I have very few pictures of this show due to all the running around that was happening, LOL. The judge for the first show was Rusty Westhoff, and Giacomo took BOB in that one while the BOS was won by a beautiful Steel doe owned by Brenda (Sorry, I can't remember her last name but she is an extremely nice lady who is just getting into FAs:) ). The second show was judged by Josh Humphries, and this time Indira took BOB while the BOS went to Giacomo, and in the BIS competition for Show B Indira also took Reserve in Show, next to Linda Cassella's Colored EA Sr. doe:).

I also decided to bring two 4 month old does along from Morwenna's last litter, and both did pretty well also, placing at the tops of their classes with one taking first in each show.

As far as the Registrar's Test went, I think I passed though I don't want to say anything for sure because we all know what happens to people who count their chickens before they're hatched, LOL. I will know the results in 2 weeks and if everything went well I will start looking for judges to work with to fulfill the second half of the requirement:).


Below are two quick pictures that were taken by my mother (and perpetual travel partner:)) while I was off doing bunny stuff. The first is of me grooming somebunny (either Giacomo or Indira, I think), and the second is of the buns sitting around in their carriers between shows.











I will be sure to post a good picture of Indira as soon as there is time, but this coming week will otherwise be devoted to clipping down rabbits and getting 5-6 does bred while the temperatures are still cool:(. I will also start the fun work of getting babies separated and evaluated over the next couple of weeks, and then I will have some idea of who is who and what is what in each litter, LOL.



More again next week and have a FUN Memorial Day weekend!:-)

Pearls (and Stuff)

This has been a rabid, insane week, which hopefully will come to an end soon:-). Our whole barn has been taken apart and scrubbed from top to bottom, cages have been pulled out and disinfected, babies have been weaned and tattooed, show rabbits have been entered and groomed for the VT show this weekend, and I have been studying my HEART out for this Registrar's Test I am taking this Saturday after the show. Just a word of advice for anyone who has ever considered studying for a Registrar's test, btw---do NOT try and do it in one month, or 3 weeks, or even 2 weeks (like I am trying to do right now-!!!!!!---not smart, practical, or even responsible:( ). There is a ton of information to know here, and hundreds of details that you would never have thought meant anything except that they really do--especially to those who work like crazy trying to raise and perfect all these breeds. There are tons of details as well as requirements/measurements to remember/DQs/class rules, faults, and colors. I will do the best I can but it may not pan out. I'll probably be repeating the same rant in another 6 months when it comes time to take this thing again (*grin*).

Below I have a recent picture of one of Juno's Sable Pearl babies at age 7 weeks. Below that is the original I took of the same baby at about 3 weeks. As you can see, the wool is growing out nicely now, and the cream color is beginning to show beneath the shading, and this baby (along with the others in the litter including 1 Tort) should be very nicely shaded as adults.

After reading some of the threads on the Genetics List and looking it up on my own I have come to the conclusion that what I have here is probably NOT the standard c(chl)c Pearl which is lighter in body color, but a Chin-based pearl, otherwise known as a Sallander. This particular line has definitely thrown Chins in the past which is what brought me to this conclusion, and this particular doe (Juno) has thrown heavily shaded Torts and Pearls in every litter without exception. I will have to look into this some more and work out the details, but if this is what I have then it is the ONLY way to go for Pearl, IMO:-). Despite the fact that it is not preferred according to the genetics books which advocate the c(chl)c combination, I will always love that heavier degree of shading. As long as it continues to be showable I will breed as much of it as I can:-).








More again this weekend and enjoy the spring weather!

Lotsa fun with the buns:-)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.

to all the Moms out there (both bunny and human:):)

First Spring Litter (Growing Up!)

Here are just a few quick pictures of Morwenna and Henryi's litter, which is currently 14 weeks of age and approaching real Juniorship:-). There were nothing but Torts and Fawns in this litter, and there was actually one 5th baby who went home with his new owner a week or so ago because his mom accidentally bit off a toe at birth, rendering him unshowable.

These guys all look fairly good, with exceptionally calm, quiet dispositions for FAs (how unusual is it for every baby in a 14 week old litter to sit this still for a picture, anyway? LOL!)

This pick of the group at this point is a little Fawn doe, the second picture from the top. She is very typey and looks like she'll have excellent wool, but since this is a slow maturing line it will take time to determine how good she actually is.

Morwenna will be re-bred very shortly, this time to Giacomo for an all-Tort litter that I'm hoping will concentrate all the best traits in the barn. The other babies are coming along and eating me out of house and home which is a sure sign that everyone is healthy. Spring is the greatest time for new possibilities and potentially spectacular showbunnies!!

More again next week:-)