<![CDATA[Diegel Rabbitry - Blog]]>Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:35:32 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[6 Reasons It's QuaranTIME to Buy That Rabbit]]>Thu, 09 Apr 2020 21:21:46 GMThttp://www.diegelrabbitry.com/blog/6-reasons-its-quarantime-to-buy-that-rabbit
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Before you think this is just a marketing kid trying to get people to buy more, just read through the article. 

1) You're sick of your spouse or your kid's full attention. 
  • We all love the added time to spend with those who surround us. If we're honest, wow, this is a lot of time together. If you can spend some more time in the barn (or get your loved one in the barn), you can gain some more sanity. 
  • Buy the rabbit, and buy yourself some alone time. Trust me; if I'm in the barn, my parents are a lot more likely to leave me alone, and I don't bug them! 


2) Picking up a rabbit can be efficiently executed with following social distancing precautions
  • There aren't a lot of places you can go to right now. It sucks. This point isn't an attempt to try and get you to break quarantine. If you can stay home, please do. However, rabbit transactions can happen while maintaining a healthy six or more feet apart. Monetary transactions can be done online, pedigrees can be sent electronically, and you can set a carrier down and walk 10 feet away while someone else puts the rabbit in there. It might feel ridiculous to have a remote procedure to get a rabbit, but safety first!


3) You'll have a reason to wake up every day and stay on a schedule
  • This is a big one for me. While time is at a standstill, it's a great motivator to get out of bed each morning to feed my herd of ravenous rabbits! They don't care if you want to sleep in, they don't care if it's raining (or still snowing in Montana), they want their grain in the morning, at the same time. Whether you're a kid and spring out of bed, or you're a kid at heart and stand up as all of your joints wake up everyone else in a five-mile radius, seeing your rabbits' face is the best way to start your day!


4) You're saving a lot of money not going to shows right now 
  • We're all devastated that none of us can go to shows. On the flip side, think of all the money that you're saving. You could keep this money for once shows are back up and going, budget to attend Convention in the fall, or upgrade your rabbitry. But maybe you're just looking for a way to spend some of that money. Buy the rabbit.  


5) Stimulus checks
  • For all of you independents, you know what I'm talking about. It might not be a tiger, but you can pick up some rabbits if you wanted to. Many people need the stimulus check to help survive these uncertain times. Others are fortunate enough to have some spending money. This is a controversial one, but if you can already pay your bills, keep food on the table, and have some spending money, this might be great for you. 


6) There aren't any shows soon, so breed everything! 
  • Maybe you've been meaning to bring in some new blood, now is the time. You won't be showing for at least a month, so now is the best time to breed everything of age in your herd. Personally, I've bred every doe in my barn because I'm not going to lose any time on the tables! 

​Buying a rabbit is always exciting, and some of us really need the increased endorphins associated with an impulse purchase or stimulating the barn with something new. Whenever I get a new project or a new animal, my interest skyrockets.

If you buy new rabbits or not, stay safe, stay home, and I can't wait to see you all on the tables once quarantine is lifted. 

Tommy Diegel, Diegel Rabbitry

Hi! I've been an active ARBA Member for over 10 years now, and I love raising rabbits. I believe rabbits are an excellent way to introduce responsibility, respect, confidence, and many other life skills to kids, as well as one of the best hobbies for everyone else no matter where they are on their journey in life. 

]]><![CDATA[5 Goals to Set for Your Herd]]>Tue, 24 Dec 2019 01:23:41 GMThttp://www.diegelrabbitry.com/blog/5-goals-to-set-for-your-herdA new year is exciting for everyone. To achieve great things in this upcoming year, we all must set goals. 
1) Get out to more shows
Most of us wish that we got out to more shows this year. I found myself in that boat this fall. I wanted that I was able to get out to way more shows this year. I wish that I sat down with a calendar and scheduled out more weekends that I would commit to rabbit shows. Here are some ideas to try: 
  • New Judges
  • New Show Committees 
  • Destination Show-cation (Show Vacation)
  • Sit down right now and write down all the shows you're interested in on a calendar or in your planner

2) Grand more homegrown rabbits
As a member of a breeders association, I find a lot of value and pride in my ability to produce homegrown grand champions. As a personal decision, I don't show rabbits that aren't a result of my breedings. It can be challenging to grand rabbits with the few shows I attend. Part of this ties into my first goal (getting my rabbits on more tables), but I also plan to take the same rabbits out to shows. I have a horrible habit of taking a rabbit out to a show one weekend, and not take it out again. Action items to plan for: 
  • Plan litters around shows for senior does
  • Take show rabbits out to at least three shows 
  • Enter in specialty shows 
  • Fill the classes to maximize shows
  • Ask the show secretary to have judges select best 4-class and best 6-class

3) Help a new breeder get started
Helping a new breeder is the most gratifying goal you can set. I haven't been around forever. In some ways, I believe that the most helpful comes from new breeders. This is because new breeders are the best people to advise new breeders sometimes. 

No matter what stage of breeding you're in, you can help someone else. You can help a new breeder find good breeding stock, navigate their first showroom, or even finding quality feed. Whether you have only been breeding for one year or 30 years, you can help someone else. Every year I try to help at least one new person. 

4) Try a new project
Sometimes breeding can get dull. It feels like your herd isn't advancing. It happens to the best of us. When I think that my Hollands aren't moving forward, I like to try something new. A new project can help shift focus to something fresh and exciting. Sometimes it's a new breed. It can be a different variety to work into your current herd. It can even be as simple as bringing in a new rabbit. It doesn't also have to be buying a new rabbit. One of the most engaging projects to venture into is co-breeding. Trading rabbits with friends can be fun and revive your interest in your herd.
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5) Have more fun
Remember, at the end of the day, rabbit breeding is a fun hobby. If you aren't having fun, it might be time to re-assess your program. Make it a goal to make each show more fun. Laugh more and worry less. Go out to eat with your rabbit friends, make memories, and go on an adventure. Enjoy quality time with your friends and rabbits. 
If you don't have a plan on where you are going, it's impossible to get anywhere. Set big goals, write them down, and break them down to achievable check points that you can make along the way. 


Feel free to write your goals down in the comments! I would love to see what you guys are planning to do in your barns this year. Together, let's kick off the roaring '20s and do big things this decade.
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