2013 Goal Analysis
1. Win a G.C. leg on a homebred- NOT MET
I only got to show one homebred throughout 2013 and she was only 3 months old. She took 1st in her class but there were only 4 junior does in the class. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to earn a leg. I did however, earn many G.C. legs throughout the year on my animals. With a total of 4 shows entered this year, I took home 6 legs! I'm proud to report that each leg was taken over tough classes with large numbers of exhibitors and animals. I got 1 BOV, 2 BOS, 2 BOB, and 1 RIS!
2. Improve shoulders- MET
I made huge improvements on shoulders this year in both breeds! This is something I've been focusing on since day 1 and now, I'm finally starting to feel like my hotots are nearly fixed in the shoulder department! I'd still like to see some improvement in the shoulder length area but they're not too noticeable. I only have 1 hotot that doesn't have immense width to shoulder but boy, does he produce it! My Hollands' shoulders are an on-going improvement. My first Hollands were very pinched in shoulder and now, the majority of my animals have massive width as well as bone.
3. Build up a larger herd of DH in the Spring with the 4Kings line-MET
Although I didn't end up getting any does, I did however, get an amazing herd buck in April! I had Buddy Holly for only 4 months before his tragic death and yet he is still on the pedigree of nearly everyone of my keepers in multiple generations! This buck had a massive impact on my entire herd and I am eternally grateful for the time I was able to share with him. Just now, I am beginning to produce 3rd generation Buddy babies! Because Buddy had such a large impact and provided me with so many nice animals, I marked this goal as met. I couldn't have asked for a better buck. Thank you Lindsey King for sharing him with me!
4. Purchase new Hollands- MET
Oh boy, did I do just that?! My Holland program is now booming and my poor hotots are slowly catching up!
5. Get a new 12'x16' rabbit barn-NOT MET
Due to a move, this one didn't happen yet. We're currently designing an 11'x20' barn that will be built in the Spring of 2014! I'm very excited to finally have my bunnies in their own barn!
6. Keep up with the blog better-NOT MET
Hehe... I took a few breaks this year... I'm sorry but blogging is exhausting! Lol! I plan to do better in 2014 when documenting my rabbitry!
7. Get 6-18 new holes- MET
I can't believe that at this time last year, I was trying to make due with 13 holes! I'm currently working with 32 holes and I also have 18 new holes on the way! You could say I met this goal!
8. Double/Triple baby count for this year- MET
While this goal was met this year, I have spent 2013 in frustration with my does. Most of the time, they refused to lift. If it wasn't that, they lost their litter to one thing or another. I definitely had more to choose from for keepers but something needs to happen in the way of does.
9. Get another Utah DH breeder started- MET
I'm so so so excited to announce that Angela will be joining us as a new Dwarf Hotot breeder in the Spring! honestly, the Utah Dwarf Hotot breeder crew has disappeared. There are only 2 breeders including myself that even attend shows still. I'm glad that we're beginning to build up again. I'm hoping to eventually see class sizes higher than 1-2 per class in the near future. Welcome aboard, Angela!!
And now, for the time we've all been waiting for...
2014 Goals
1. Improve mothering instincts and conception-
I'd like to be more strict on my does and cull anyone that continually refuses to lift for months on en, delivers dead litters, or can't keep a litter alive and healthy. This year, I won't waste time and money on animals that won't produce.
2. Get a new Holland herd buck-
And the truth comes out! Haha, kidding. Those of you who are close to me know that I lost every single Holland buck that I owned in a span of 4 months. Yes, that's 8 bucks. Each of them was lost to something different. It was like the Bunny Death Demon came and sprinkled dust on one but spilled on 7 more. I've never been so devastated in my entire life. For those of you who don't know me personally, my Holland bucks are like my pride and joy. Each of them were allotted places in my heart that can't be refilled. I've never felt so burnt out before. 3 of the 8 bucks left behind a legacy through their offspring that I am thankful each and every day for. These bucks are Gilroy, Tyrade, and Duke. Luckily, my dear friends who own the L&R line heard my pleas and offered to provide a new buck for me in the Spring. I'm so excited to meet my new buck and begin using him heavily in my program.
3. Get a new Hotot herd buck-
Unfortunately, nearly every hotot I have is related to the rest of my herd in one way or another. It's time for a new, typey man. I'm hoping for a buck with as much or more of an impact than Buddy.
4. Attend the 2014 ARBA National Convention in Fort Worth, TX-
Who wouldn't want to spend a week in a room stuffed with rabbits and surrounded by their fellow rabbit enthusiasts and friends from around the globe?! Yup. I'm going. And it's going to be amazing!
5. Build my new barn-
It's been years in the making and this Spring, it's time. We've designed an 11'x20' barn that will fit in our yard perfectly.
6. Earn an ARBA leg on a homebred-
This didn't happen in 2013 so lets give 2014 a try, shall we? Hopefully I'll have more homebred ready to show!
7. Improve lower HQ's in Hotots-
I've noticed this fault in every single Hotot in Utah with no exceptions. I'd love to bring in full HQ's for my line. This fault rarely ever bothered me until just this past year.
8. Produce more keepers-
I kept 7 homebreds this year which is a large jump from last year's 2 keepers. Still, I'd like to be keeping 10+ animals per breed each year. I don't feel like I'm improving unless I keep lots of my own homebreds. Homebreds tend to be better than their parents which means true improvement.
2012 Litter Stats
Babies born: 18
Babies died: 6
Babies raised: 12
Babies kept: 2
2013 Litter Stats
Babies born: 70
Babies died: 23
Babies raised: 49
Babies kept: 7
The Hotots beat the Hollands again this year on litters which is surprising!
DH 2013 Stats
# Born: 46
# Died: 19
# Raised: 27
# Kept: 2
HL 2013 Stats
# Born: 24
# Died: 2
# Raised: 22
# Kept: 5
I don't expect Hollands to lose this year! Hollands are outstanding mothers.
No comments:
Post a Comment