“If only I could win the lottery” is a thought that I’m sure we all have had many times, regardless of if we ever actually play it. I know that if I did I would certainly expand my rabbitry many times over! However, I have not won the lottery and I am beginning to feel some growing pains lately after adding a second breed to the mix. Simply put, I am beginning to run out of cage space, and the funds and time to add more!
So, I have made the difficult decision to slowly begin replacing the Champagnes in my rabbitry with my Cremes.
Reflecting on my Champagnes
I had originally wanted Creme d’Argent rabbits when I was looking to begin my rabbitry, but they are a rare breed and hard to find. I went with the Champagne d’Argent breed because of the similar silvering (which I love in all of the Argent breeds, plus Silver, Silver Fox, etc) and they were available in my area. I’m still glad I started with the Champagnes, because I have truly fallen in love with them.
Champagne d’Argent rabbits are an excellent choice for both meat rabbits on a homestead, as well as animals to showcase at shows. I have had so many good experiences with both aspects of my Champagnes. They are also have incredible personalities. I could go on and on about how each of my Champagnes are so different and what their different traits, preferences, and temperaments are.
If Champagnes are so amazing, why go with the Cremes?
First, both breeds are stunning. It really comes down to personal preference on which could be considered more beautiful. Personally, I do favor the Cremes in this aspect.
Several of my Champagnes have been so sweet, just loving being petted and getting attention. This is an area that I feel my Cremes are completely different. They tend to be more fearful and do not usually enjoy being touched at all. Is this a negative? Yes and no. When you’re raising animals for meat, sometimes having an animal that is more distant makes things quite a bit easier. Don’t misunderstand me, it’s never easy to take a life, even for a purpose. But having an animal that’s more difficult to full in love with helps.
Third, the Creme d’Argent is still considered a rare breed. The Livestock Conservancy has it on their Watch list at the moment. They define rabbit breeds on their Watch list as the following:
“For rabbits, fewer than 200 annual registrations in the U.S., estimated global population less than 2,000, fewer than 500 recorded at rabbit shows in the previous 5 years, and 31-60 breeders.”
I certainly don’t think I’m anything special, but I feel like this added element makes breeding the Cremes feel like it has that much more of a purpose beyond my own personal use and need. It feels as though I can help a breed get back on its feet and recover with quality animals. As someone who raises rabbits for meat already, I am unafraid to cull when necessary to further my herd and the breed itself.
I also have my best friend Elizabeth, a fellow breeder and owner of LJ7 Rabbitry. We have teamed up with the Champagnes, so I know that I will always be able to share stock with her in the future as well!
So what’s the plan?
For now, my Champagne breeding animals will be narrowed down to a trio. I will be keeping Denna Girl, Vanessa, and Mac as my breeding Champagnes for now. As I have more Cremes old enough to consider breeding them, this may change. But for now, these three have a place in the rabbitry.
I’m not sure I will give up Champagnes entirely. I really do just love them that much. But I do plan to prioritize and focus on my Cremes going forward.
