So I was thinking the other day about websites. About how I used to look at them vs. how I look at them now. Back when we first started looking for breeders we were of course enchanted with cute little babies. We were in love with rabbits in blankets and everything adorable. Now when I look at them certain things are Red Flags to me. And granted this is not how everyone feels, but this is most certainly how I feel. Now when I look at a website, the very first thing I click on is The Bucks. I want to know what the breeder is using in their program. I want to see a picture of a buck posed as it is supposed to be posed. I don't care if it is cute and likes to play in flowers. I'm sure that makes a great photo for a blog though. Next I like to observe the does and then of course the Jr.s Do I care about nestboxes? NO. I don't even like having to look at my own babies for months while they grow out let alone see everyone elses that should be growing out for several months. In most cases, possibly all, the sites that have loads of babies posted are definitely the breeders I will work to avoid. The reputable breeders have stock that speaks for themselves. You can take one look at their herd buck and decide if you would like to be on a waiting list for them without ever having to see any of their little naked babies. It is however interesting to observe how many people just love those photos. Of course I still take my share of photos being that photography is probably just above the hobby of rabbits for me. This being the case I truly take pictures of our stock on a weekly basis. Sometimes every rabbit, sometimes just a few. Thank me now for not posting every single picture and sorry for the lucky ones who get bombarded with my emails of them. LOL. By doing this, I have come to learn a few things.
1. Some Rabbits Hate to pose.
2. It is a very difficult task to do by yourself, especially with juniors.
3. I know, exactly how to take a shot to make an animal appear nicer than it is. This means I can also tell when other breeders are taking that shot.
4. I know that if a Holland isn't in perfect proportion it can not pose accurately. I know from experience. I have a brood doe who I absolutely can not get a great shot of. When I see rabbits that are not posed, I can usually assume it is not as typey as it could be.
5. I have learned that the less Typey stock can sometimes appear typey if you take a front shot instead of a side shot.
6. I have learned I should have started out with a standard background because now I have pics with all sorts of backgrounds and it drives me nuts.
7. I have learned that by studying photos I can get a general idea of H/E/C. I can usually pick out a slipped crown that is not worth working with. I can see the dip in shoulders and determine if the rabbit seems long in bone. I can't however feel it to evaluate hind quarters and bone. So although you can learn to look for some traits, feeling the animal for evaluation is the best tool of all.
8. And last but not least, I have learned that no matter how great a 5 week old baby can pose and how cute it looks, that same rabbit can turn into something quite different over the next couple months therefore making baby photos a completely unreliable source as to what your future rabbit will be like.
1. Some Rabbits Hate to pose.
2. It is a very difficult task to do by yourself, especially with juniors.
3. I know, exactly how to take a shot to make an animal appear nicer than it is. This means I can also tell when other breeders are taking that shot.
4. I know that if a Holland isn't in perfect proportion it can not pose accurately. I know from experience. I have a brood doe who I absolutely can not get a great shot of. When I see rabbits that are not posed, I can usually assume it is not as typey as it could be.
5. I have learned that the less Typey stock can sometimes appear typey if you take a front shot instead of a side shot.
6. I have learned I should have started out with a standard background because now I have pics with all sorts of backgrounds and it drives me nuts.
7. I have learned that by studying photos I can get a general idea of H/E/C. I can usually pick out a slipped crown that is not worth working with. I can see the dip in shoulders and determine if the rabbit seems long in bone. I can't however feel it to evaluate hind quarters and bone. So although you can learn to look for some traits, feeling the animal for evaluation is the best tool of all.
8. And last but not least, I have learned that no matter how great a 5 week old baby can pose and how cute it looks, that same rabbit can turn into something quite different over the next couple months therefore making baby photos a completely unreliable source as to what your future rabbit will be like.
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