My start in rabbits is probably not unique. It was Easter, 1989, when a neighbor called to tell me to bring my daughter down to see her because she had an Easter bunny for her. I was thinking about a stuffed rabbit or chocolate bunny. When we got there it was a little gray rabbit in the flesh.[American Chinchilla] We brought the rabbit home. My wife was sure surprised! We found a milk crate and put the bunny in it and put another milk crate on top of it. Off to the library we went and borrowed an ancient book on rabbits; the only one our library had! The book said to build the cage 2ft by 4ft. So I did. That cage was later partitioned into two cages.

After we got the first rabbit and some knowledge we began to get more. We met a wonderful rabbit breeder who introduced us to red Satins. She sent us to Brian Sawchuk, a well known Satin breeder in our area. Brian sold my daughter an excellent young three month old red Satin doe. When it was five months old my daughter entered it in our county fair where the rabbit won best of breed. Our rabbitry has grown now from the humble beginning into Crescent Valley Rabbitry.

Later on I started to get more rabbits. I bought more reds and whites from Brian. I want to say that in the begining when I was the "new kid in town" Brian was always ready to share his knowledge with me. He came to my house and taught me how to cull my rabbits, showing me what to look for in type, color and fur. I appreciate all of Brian's help who was always there when I needed it most. For you professional breeders out there remember when you see someone trying to get their feet wet. Lend them a hand. Most will never forget it.

I have since bought rabbits from other breeders, who, for the most part are always willing to help you out and share their experiences with you. If you want to learn a lot about rabbits read all you can about them. In fact, I badgered our town library for more books on rabbits. They now have quite a selection. I have built my very own rabbit library at home, too.It's of generous proportions and still growing.

Let every rabbit show be not only for fun, but also a learning experience. Expand your knowledge every chance you get. "Every person knows something you don't, learn from them"- H. Jackson Brown.

In the beginning I wanted to have every color of Satin. I had reds, coppers, chinchillas, blacks, siamese, californians, whites, and brokens! I didn't keep all the colors very long. Soon I had only coppers, reds, and some chinchillas. Eventually I learned that when you have too many colors, you will never have enough space to improve. It was very hard to do but at some point we all have to decide what color or colors are the ones we really desire the most. So I culled down my stock and kept only chocolates, blues, blacks, and a few whites and coppers. It's not easy. You have to wean yourself off some colors! Well, after that I finally got to where I should be. I now have only a few Chocolates and Blacks.

I have some very promising blacks I consider to be chocolate blacks as they all carry a chocolate gene due to my breeding program. I breed chocolate to black to improve color and type. I also breed chocolates to chocolates and blacks to black. My black to black breeding will throw chocolates, because they all carry (b) for Chocolate, my blacks are all (Bb) which makes them appear black, but when bred, chocolates (bb) appear. It is possible to get a few blacks (BB), it all depends on which genes pair up.
At the moment, I have some very nice animals to work with. I am always looking for something to add to my line to improve it, however. I like to trade or purchase animals that I believe will benefit my herd either by type or color.
To develop the Otter Satins.I used a black otter Rex crossed to both black and chocolate satins. I now have quite a few Black, Blue, Chocolate and Lilac Otters in my breeding program. I have achieved success in my endeavor for otters. I only have a few Chocolate and black satins left. A few Reds make an appearance every so often due to the fact that genes can appear from as far back a 45 generations.. I am seeing constant improvement in my Otters. Of course I am culling severely, and retaining only the best stock in an effort to keep my herd down to a manageable size. In my time spent with rabbits, I have found that you do not need large numbers in order to improve. I have a small Herd of 24 breeders, this does not count the litters still in the nestbox. Though I maintain a number of empty cages just in case I may need them to keep a promising Jr. Doe or Buck or two. Experience is a great teacher. Don't be afraid to try new things and ideas.

Improving rabbits is a never ending game. Strive to make the best better. With perseverance you will surely reach your goal.

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Email: ottersatin@gmail.com