Top 5 Reasons a Breeder Won't Let you Into Their Rabbitry

The very first bunny that I purchased was from a local breeder. It was a big moment in our family because prior to that point, the only pets we owned were fish. I had researched enough to know that we wanted a holland lop, and scoured the internet for local breeders. I contacted several, and only a few returned my messages and emails (more on that in another article). Of the remaining few, I narrowed things down to a breeder that was kind and willing to work with us. I remember that she offered us a choice of three different bunnies, and ironically, I turned down the broken blue in favor of the tort. (Ironic because I would end up spending my entire rabbitry years working on a smattering of blue shades/types.) The day came to pick him up, and as we pulled up the driveway, I was hoping that we would get a chance to see all her bunnies. It was not meant to be though, because she met us, bunny in carrier, outside her barn, and was pleasant but efficient, leaving no room in the conversation for requests for a tour.

Years and a rabbitry later, I know exactly why her rabbitry was closed to visitors - and mine was too. If you are wondering, read on.

5 Reasons You Can't Go Inside my Rabbitry

1. Germs. You know those Lysol commmercials where they show a kid and all the things he touches throughout the day, finally smearing a slew of them on the handle of his front door? You know how your friend's niece came down with the flu the day before their family reunion and now all her cousins have it too? Well I do. And because I am trying to provide healthy, happy pets for my customers, I prefer to protect the immune systems of my newborn kits and their mothers by limiting their exposure.

2. I like to maintain a calm environment for pregnant and nursing does. Many first time bunny mom's are nervous or protective of their litters. Some even respond aggressively towards the people they know, much less strangers. Having new people moving in and out of the rabbitry could easily put them on edge.

3. Most of my bunnies are NOT for sale. Breeders maintain herds, and whether that means 10 bunnies or 50, the majority of the herd is not for sale. Early on in building my rabbitry, I had a customer push her way inside and then walk around offering me various sums of money for various bunnies. Not only were her offers unrealistic, they were insulting. My attempts at polite No's were met with surprise and criticism. It was extremely unpleasant.

4. To Avoid Accidents. I wouldn't want a customer to get scratched, or nipped. It would be horrible for little fingers to slip through a cage and get bitten. I don't want anyone tripping or running into the sharp corners of a cage. I would also like to keep my herd safe and sound.

5. You are a stranger. I'm sure you are very nice person, but I don't know that - for sure. While I hope to have exchanged many emails and calls with my customers prior to a bunny purchase, I know that I don't realistically KNOW them. Consider how you might feel allowing strangers come into your home/property/rabbitry on a regular basis. A dose of caution is just well advised.

I hope I have managed to explain why rabbitry owners often decline requests to enter their rabbitry. It's not what I wanted to hear, and probably not what you want to hear either - but at least now you know why.