Mother and daughter, Laurie and Kelsey Adams, from the northern foothills of San Diego County, Calif., have both experienced success in the world of show rabbits. Since 2004, they've both been in the American Rabbit Breeders Association Domestic Rabbit Purina Convention winners photographs.
Laurie began raising rabbits nearly 12 years ago. She was already showing horses and livestock, and checked out a rabbit show when she saw an ad in the newspaper. What she saw at the show piqued her interest, so she decided to give raising rabbits a try. Initially she promised her husband she wouldn't have more than 10 cages at a time, but she soon found that promise impossible to hold.
"The rabbit show bug bit me and I was soon hopping down the bunny show trail and expanding my cage space," says Laurie.
Although raising rabbits isn't her profession, it is her passion.
"I love the bunnies and the challenges of breeding and conditioning show animals," Laurie said. "The sometimes fierce competition and the lifelong friendships made around the show table make this a very worthwhile endeavor."
Laurie's daughter Kelsey got involved with rabbits at the young age of 8, starting out with French lops.
"She loved the big rabbits," said Laurie. "I would walk behind her with my arms around her, helping her carry them to the show table."
Growing Up:
When Kelsey joined 4-H, she needed a smaller rabbit for showmanship. After talking to judges and breeders, the Adams decided on a Himalayan. Kelsey won her first rabbit in a raffle, and although he was a great starter rabbit, he wasn't great on the show table. When Kelsey got a show quality rabbit named Ken, he won many awards, launching Kelsey and Laurie into the world of "Himmies."
In high school, Kelsey joined FFA and decided to have a herd of New Zealands for meat pens. She developed an impressive herd that won many best in show awards, as well as Grand and Reserve Champion meat pen at the San Diego County Fair. Kelsey showed her New Zealands for the last time at the American Rabbit Breeders Association Convention in 2009, winning a first, two seconds and a fourth place with the four rabbits she brought.
Raising Himalayans:
Laurie still raises Himalayan rabbits, one of the oldest known breeds. The original color of a Himmie is black, but blue, chocolate, and lilac varieties were later developed. Laurie has a relatively small rabbitry with 70 cages and raises and shows all four varieties of Himalayans. Kelsey also kept a small group of Himalayans, in addition to her New Zealands, to show and breed. She and Laurie share a barn and trade between themselves.
"The Purina rabbit products are the best I have ever used," said Laurie. "I use the Purina® Rabbit Chow™ Show Formula for the actively showing rabbits, and a mixture of the Purina® Rabbit Chow™ Professional and Purina® Rabbit Chow™ Complete for the brood animals and young."
By using Purina feeds, Laurie doesn't have a problem at weaning time with diarrhea or lack of appetite. Her bucks stay active and her does have a high conception rate.
Additionally, her show animals maintain the condition necessary for active competition and wins. She has won several ARBA Convention Himalayan best of breed and best opposite sex of breed, an American Himalayan Rabbit Association best of breed, along with numerous best in show wins.
"Genetics is an important part of a successful show animal, but if you can't get it conditioned, it's not going to win," said Laurie, "Purina products put a wonderful bloom on my animals."
Laurie purchases her Purina® Rabbit Chow™ feed from her local Purina dealer, R Hay and Grain in Escondido, Calif.
"R Hay and Grain is one of the best feed stores I have ever worked with," she said. "They make sure they always have what I need and it is always fresh."
The challenge of raising and showing rabbits and the people Laurie has met during the process has been a lot of fun. She's bonded with her fellow competitors and has friends from across the country she's met through showing. Finding the right breeding cross and the edge that makes a great animal stand out are some of her greatest rewards. Laurie enjoys teaching her rabbits tricks, and says her best was a Mini Lop named Dale, who loved to run through sprinklers and fetch small sticks.
"He would chase the sticks and bring them back to me, and could sit up and beg for treats, just like a dog," says Laurie.
A Common Bond:
For Laurie, sharing her passion for rabbits with her daughter has always been a fun part of raising them. But just because they're family doesn't mean there isn't a healthy competition between the two on who can put the best rabbits on the show table.
"She definitely has her own ideas on her breeds and what she likes," said Laurie about Kelsey. "As she's gotten older, we have had some very lively discussions on the good and bad points of certain rabbits."
Even though Kelsey is now in college and isn't able to do as much with the rabbits, Laurie considers herself lucky that Kelsey still lives at home, giving the two time to work out in the barn together.
"I miss her going to shows with me," Laurie said. "It seems that some of our best talks have been driving to shows or working in the barn. Having a common interest has given us a chance to share some real quality time."
Although you can purchase a cheap rabbit hutch for around $100, if you're looking to either spend less or create a customized hutch, building your own can be a great alternative. Many plans, in a variety of styles, are available online for free. Below are directions and plans from Purina® to help you create a DIY hutch that will protect your rabbit in nearly every climate.Building Materials
• 2 ft. 2" x 4" (door support) • 66 ft. 2" x 2" (back, front, side framing)
• 80 ft. 1" x 6" (roof and hinged panels)
• 72 ft. 1" x 3" shiplap, 8 pieces. — 8 x 4" (back)
• 42 ft. 1" x 2" (braces and nailers)
• 9 ft. x 30" 1/2 x 1, 16 gauge, galvanized mesh (floor)
• 15 ft. x 24" 1 x 1, 14 gauge, galvanized mesh (front and sides)
• 36 sq. ft. 45# felt roofing paper
• 21 x 1 x 1/2" x 4" door latches
• 8 Hinges (door and side cover)
• Miscellaneous nails, hooks, eyes and wire
Note: Hutch size varies depending on what breed you own. These plans are for medium breeds. If you raise small breeds (3 to 6 pounds) you can cut the hutch length to 3 feet instead of 4. Giant breeds (14 pounds and heavier) need more room. For them, extend these plans and make each hutch 6 feet long. All the sizes listed above are sizes recommended for one doe and her litter.
Things to Remember When Designing and Maintaining Your Hutch:
• Your hutch should protect your rabbit from drafts, but also provide clean, air circulation—using wire mesh on part of the hutch works well.
• Your hutch should provide space equal to four to five times the body size for each rabbit you are housing.
• Bedding should be one to three inches thick—don't use pine or cedar shavings.
• Provide an area of solid floor for your rabbit to rest on and to prevent sore hocks—carpet, wood, and synthetic fleece cloth work well.
• Keep your hutch one to three feet off the ground.
• Clean bedding each week and remove soiled bedding daily.
Purina® Rabbit Chow™ Professional Natural AdvantEdge® is a completely balanced food specially formulated to produce shiny fur, rapid growth, and excellent reproduction. This nutrient dense formula is high protein and high energy food, making it the perfect choice for those who desire accelerated breeding and/or lustrous fur growth, all while feeding less per day.• The Natural AdvantagEdge®—superior, consistent, natural* nutrition FREE from all fillers, preservatives, and artificial colors
• Formulated for excellent fur quality—Vitamin A, essential vegetable oils and high protein for excellent growth and fur quality
• High-protein formula—high protein and energy food for accelerated breeding programs and optimal wool production
• Added lactobacillus, yeast and balanced fiber—supports digestive health with added yucca shidigera to aid in odor control
• Complete, natural nutrition—no additional supplements necessary and great for rabbits of all ages
• High-quality plant proteins—loaded with natural nutrients found only in plants that optimize vitality and support immune function
• Nutrient dense—feed less per day, saving you money
• Highly palatable—for proper intake and growth
• Purina FeedGuard® Nutrition System—stringent quality standards help ensure many of the industry's highest quality ingredients available are used, provides greater nutritional consistency bag after bag, and considers all key nutrients and their interactions with each other to better support overall rabbit health
As always, when changing your rabbits from one feeding program to another, make the change gradually, over a five to seven day period. Mix the new feed with the old, gradually increasing the amount of the new feed (it's always important to allow time for the rabbits' intestinal flora to adjust to any new feed). Continue to feed at the same time each day—evening is best. Clean the feeding dish daily so uneaten food does not become stale and moldy. And always provide plenty of clean, fresh, cool water to rabbits at all times.
*with added vitamins, minerals, and trace nutrients
Article from the Better Animals® electronic newsletter (January 2011-Rabbit)
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