The first thing that needs to be understood is that culling does not mean killing. Culling is a term to describe the methods used to decide which rabbits stay in the rabbitry and which will leave. Many rabbits culled by one breeder will be purchased by another. Or they may be sold as pets. Generally only the animals that show genetic defects are put down.

You will want to consider many things before you make the decision of who goes and who stays.

Cull

Cull all newborn kits that show visible signs of genetic problems. Like mis-align teeth, or peanuts. As kits get older you can cull for disqualifying colors. Like mis-markes, wrong under-color or eye color and mismatched toe nails. You should also consider culling any animal that shows signs of sickness or general lack of health.

Keep

You will want to keep some young animals as replacement stock for your herd. Keep only animals that will fill a need. Look for kits that show strength where the rest of the herd has weakness. If your herd in general is lacking fullness in the rear end, try to select a kit with a good back end. Type should be the determining factor, followed by color.

Cull

Culling adults is a bit trickier than youngsters. Adults are culled for several reasons. You will want to cull any rabbit that is continually unhealthy. Does that don't conceive reliably or regularly lose litters, and any aggressive animals should also be culled.

Keep

Keep rabbits that will improve your herd. Keep does with good maternal instincts that breed easily and reliably. Bucks should be of the best quality. A few test breedings will show you which parent should stay and which should go.

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