Checklist for purchasing a new rabbit Things to ask, what to look for and things to be conscious of and a bonus checklist for after you buy a rabbit!!!

Before we get started I would like to let you know this is a very careful  approach to buying a rabbit but I use it every time I buy a rabbit and suggest you do too!! I have seen my fair share of bad (lying) breeders

Checklist for purchasing a new rabbit

Things to ask

• Are the parents on site/why aren't the parents on site
• How old are the babies
  • Important thing to know if you are planning on breeding or showing and it is, in general, a good thing to know 
• Can you see their operation
  • If you can’t see their breeding operation just don’t risk it
  • Some breeders do run closed rabbitries but they should at least let you peak in on their operation a
• What is the price
  • Prices can change a lot based on age, quality and how fast the seller needs to get rid of the rabbit
• Can I hold the rabbit for a minute first
  • This just shows how tame they are
• Can you sex it for me right now
  • Even if you don’t care what the sex is if the breeder can’t tell you or doesn’t get it right what else are they not doing right​

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• What vaccines or medications has this rabbit had 
  • A rabbit should never need these but if your rabbit was sick it is a good thing to know
• What breed is it
  • Ask that before going so you have time to research it and know what you are looking for
    • This ensures that you aren’t being lied too Ex: My Friend was told she was getting a 6 month only polish Netherland dwarf cross but in reality, it was a purebred Flemish Giant, not the best surprise when you live in a small house.
• How many rabbits were in the litter
  • this will  give you an idea about how many babies a new breeding doe will have.
• Why do you raise rabbits?
  • If they are passionate about rabbits then they will take good care of there rabbits
• Ask to see their teeth
  • A young rabbit might not like to be turned over and that is ok as long as the breeder is willing to show you the teeth
• Look for even teeth with a slight overbite if the breeder is able to get a hold on the rabbit
• Ask if the breeder went to a show recently 
  • This is because their rabbits may have caught something contagious and it also could give you information on how siblings or half-siblings did on the table.

Things to look for 

• The rabbit's eyes should be bright 
• The rabbit shouldn’t have any discharge from its nose and very little if any coming from its eyes
• Their inner ears should be clean 
• They should be alert and interested in you or scared of you
  • There's nothing wrong with a young rabbit being afraid of a “predator” looking at it but if it is indifferent or lethargic this usually indicates illness
• If the rabbits are all moving to the back on their cages ask questions like
  • Do you feed your rabbits or does your partner
    • If their partner feeds the rabbits won't recognize them and might be afraid of you 
  • Did you recently go to a show
    • This can stress a rabbit out and could possibly get them sick
  • Both of these can explain why the rabbits might not be coming to the front of their cages but most likely they are just scared, that being said it is still important to ask 
• Look at other litters even if they aren’t ready and you aren’t interested in that litter 
• It will let you see more of the herd an help you get an idea of its health
• Don't just look at the babies for illness, rabbits diseases spread ridiculous fast check the adults too
• Even when it smells horrible in the building, if the cages are clean and there is no standing water (or pee) they are taking good care of their rabbits
• Look for labored breathing
• If you are looking for a pet or showmanship animal hold all the  rabbits in the litter and see which one bonds best with you 
• If you are looking for a nice show rabbit make sure you know how to set that particular breed of rabbit up and what the breed is supposed to look like

Things to be Cautious of

• If the breeder doesn’t want to do something you ask them
  • Always ask why
  • If the reasoning is just because the babies are little popcorns then ask if they could at least try
    • Popcorns are baby rabbits that are jumpers
• If they won't/ are reluctant to show you their operation
  • Note: some people run a closed rabbitry which means they don’t just let people in unless they are selling a rabbit to you, this helps keep diseases from sprouting up in there rabbitry
  • As long as they let you peek in and they show you the parents that is totally cool.
• If their cages are dirty they could have issues with their lungs

Above all else if anything feels wrong about a seller just don’t buy from them. There are a lot of scammers out there especially in the rabbit trade and it is much better to wait then to get a rabbit that is going to break your heart in a few months because it has something wrong with it whether genetically or otherwise. 
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Questions??? Feel free to email me (littlehillfarmsoregon@gmail.com) or text me (541-647-7258)

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