arrecordkeeping

Record Keeping

It is very important to keep records in your rabbitry, as without them you wouldn’t know what rabbits are out of what, the date a doe is due, the age of the rabbit for entering shows, ect.

Pedigrees-
For each rabbit you should have a complete 3 generation pedigree. This should also include the weight for each ancestor.
If you decide to get your rabbit registered with ARBA all of this must be complete, and all rabbits on the pedigree must be of the same breed.
It’s best to buy rabbit’s that already have pedigrees, however if the rabbit does not have one, start keeping track with the rabbits you already have. Just put the information you have for your own rabbits when you breed them, and within a few years your rabbits will have a complete pedigree. None of the original rabbit’s offspring will be registerable until the full pedigree is complete.

Breeding Records-
Having a breeding record for each doe makes it easier to keep track of whose pregnant or not. You can keep this with they doe’s pedigree, and when selling the doe the breeding record will go with her.
At the top the breeding record should have the doe’s name and tattoo number, her breed and variety.
Then it should have a column for each of the following:
Buck bred to
Date bred
Date due
Date born
Number born
Number died
Comments
Under comments you can put any little extra notes you want on the rabbit suck as if she had them in the box or on the wire, picked enough fur or not, took on any foster babies, ect.

Show Records-
On pedigrees, they have a place for you to put the winnings of the rabbit. When buying a rabbit, it’s nice to look at the pedigree to see how the rabbit and/or it’s ancestors have done in shows, which is why it’s nice to keep show records. This also let’s you see whose pulling their weight or not on the show table. Remember, don’t make all your cuts on rabbits be based on what the judge says as everyone has a different opinion.

Sale & Buy Records-
When you buy cages, feed, supplies, sell rabbits, ect it’s best to keep track of all of this. This will also show you how much money you’re making or losing with rabbits (note- there’s no profit in rabbits ;).

Record Books-
If you’re in 4-H you’re most likely already keeping these records plus more in your 4-H Record Books. In addition to what’s listed on here, other stuff in 4-H record books will include:
Calendar of 4-H meetings, shows, and other 4-H events, which you’ll put a check mark next what you attended.
What you want to learn this year, and what you want your leader and parent/guardian to help you learn.
Project Journal, which is to include how much you spend or earn with your project, and how much time you spent with your project.
Photos of your project.
Project Highlights, which is to include what you’ve learn this year, problems and successes with it, and what to do differently the next time.
And more.
In Washington State, 4-H kids who keep record books can get a 4-H scholarship to Washington State University.

Ethics of Pedigrees-
When first starting out some people change the surname on the pedigrees of rabbits that they buy. The surname is to be of the breeder who bred the rabbit, not who currently owns the rabbit and should not be changed. The surname would be Smith’s in “Smith’s Bob”, Bob being the rabbit’s call name. Unless the breeder says otherwise, it’s best to leave the call name as is on the pedigree. You can name the rabbit whatever you want, but the pedigree should not be changed.
If you buy a rabbit where on the pedigree the place for the name of the rabbit is blank, if you know the breeder’s surname put it in there along with the name you gave the rabbit. If you don’t know it, just put the rabbit’s name there. Do not put your surname, as that will be dishonest as you did not breed the animal.
Sometimes you might buy a rabbit where it just says “Smith’s” with no name for the rabbit. You can fill in what you name the rabbit after the surname.
If you have a website, make sure to include the breeder’s surname on it where you have the rabbit’s name. When people come to your site, they want to know who your rabbits are out of.

Home