Let's talk selection, Who stays and Who goes?
I’ve had a few conversations lately about how people decide who stays and who goes, so I figured I’d share how I handle culling and see how others approach it too—because this is one of those topics where goals really matter.
For me, everything gets scored early. I try to take emotion out of it and look at structure, growth, and what the breed is actually supposed to do.
In general, does can stay if they’re Quality 1 or Quality 2. Bucks have to be Quality 1 or truly exceptional type, and I’ll only keep a Q2 buck on certain colors if there’s a real reason. Everything else gets sold or processed. Simple, even if it’s not always easy.
Where it gets more interesting is growth expectations, because I don’t use the same yardstick for every breed.
With New Zealands, they’re a big commercial breed. Adults need to land in that 9.5–12 lb range, so I expect kits to show it early. If they aren’t hitting about 3.5 lb by 8 weeks, they don’t stay.
With Senita, I’m intentionally pushing size. I want 10 lb minimum adults, preferably 11+, so my expectations are higher. 4 lb at 8 weeks is my floor, but what I really like to see is 5–6 lb and a body that says “I’m going to be big.”
Harlequins get a little more grace, because they’re a smaller breed overall. Since they top out around 7–9 lb, I can live with around 3 lb at 8 weeks if the type and color are really correct. Structure still matters, but I’m not asking them to grow like a commercial rabbit.
Across the board, some things are still instant deal-breakers for me: narrow frames, pinched hips, V feet, undercut bodies. Color never saves bad structure. Ever.
That said—this is just my system, built around meat, commercial type, and breed development.
I’m curious how others handle it:
Do wool breeders prioritize fleece quality over early growth?
How much weight do lop breeders put on ear length or ear carriage when deciding who stays?
Are you culling hard at 8 weeks, or giving longer-maturing lines more time?
What traits are non-negotiable in your program?
There’s no single “right” answer—just answers that match (or don’t match) your goals.
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Let's talk selection, Who stays and Who goes?
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