| |
Culling
I’d first of all like to start off by saying cull
does not mean kill. Too many people think that to cull an animal,
means to nock it in the head. This is NOT TRUE. Culling is the
process of removing inferior animals from your herd. How you remove
them is up to you. Some breeder’s culls are purchased by other
breeders as show or breeding stock, others are sold as pets. Some
will sell culls to animal rehabilitation centers to use as food for
raptors, wild cats or even snakes, while still others are culled and
used for human consumption. (I feel it’s better for the rabbit to
benefit the life of another animal then to simply be put down and
tossed away or worse yet, turned loose.)
Culling isn’t just done on a whim. You need to go though your herd
and decide what traits you feel are undesirable and what ones you
need to improve upon. It could be that your having problems with
toenail color, or you’ve got some does that just aren’t good
mothers.
Cull young animals that show signs of genetic defects. For example,
teeth that aren’t aligned correctly, colors that are unshowable or
colors that will not work in your breeding program. Kits with
deformities such as double dwarfs or max-factors should be removed
from the nest box as soon as they’re discovered.
Cull older animals that also show signs of a poor immune system.
Does that don’t raise live litters or bucks that are poor sires
should also be culled. Aggressive or mean animals shouldn’t stay
around either. There’s a good chance you could get hurt by them –
and they might pass that trait onto their offspring. Rabbits that
are producing genetic faults or disqualifications should also be
culled. If you’ve got a pair that consistently produces offspring
with buck teeth - cull them. Older rabbits that are passed their
prime may also be culled – these usually make the best pets, as
they’ve been use to being handled, unfortunately no one ever wants
to buy an older rabbit as a companion.
Just a note when culling for type – try to avoid culling juniors who
are going through their “ugly stage”. I’ve sold off many culls
during that time in their lives only to have them come back and beat
me on the show table! Live and learn, right? LOL.
You’ll want to keep animals that are potentially an asset to your
herd. It might be to replace an older rabbit who is no longer good
for breeding or for stock to take with you to the shows. Select
animals that have desirable traits – maybe even ones that your
current herd is lacking. For example, if you’re trying to improve on
the head size, keep animals with bigger, bolder heads. If you have
problems with poor shoulders, keep only the ones with the biggest,
deepest shoulders.
Also select animals with good breeding traits. Keep bucks that are
good breeders and does that are good mothers and keep animals that
produce offspring that have desirable traits.
Culling isn’t an easy process, but it needs to be done if you want
to get anywhere in your breeding program.
I heard a saying from another breeder and try to abide by it. It’s
simple, but it’s true!
“Keep the best – Cull the rest”.
Article written by Mindy Borer
Rabbit Registrar #RR473
www.TranquilAcresRabbitry.com
|
|
