10/16/2026
🐰 LET’S TALK RABBIT (or all livestock/pets/animals) PRICES. AGAIN. I’m looking for your feedback.
A recent interaction left me feeling a little… insulted. Ok, a lot insulted. Here’s why…
After spending 45 minutes on my porch helping a new youth exhibitor and her parent, I was told that a calmer rabbit was expected for $20. 🤯
I’d intentionally priced the rabbit low to help a young exhibitor get started. The rabbit had been worked with countless times and was well started, but not perfect.
I genuinely hope the comment wasn’t intended to be insulting, but it got me thinking (stewing) about the expectations we place on breeders, especially when it comes to youth projects.
Isn’t the purpose of a youth livestock project to LEARN? To practice handling, develop showmanship skills, build confidence, take responsibility, and overcome challenges?
A good project animal should have an appropriate temperament, but it shouldn’t be expected to arrive fully trained. Those skills take patience and consistency from both the animal and the exhibitor. Parents have a role in that process, too.
Of course, not every rabbit is the right fit for every child. Temperament, experience level, confidence, and the child’s willingness to work with the animal all matter. That’s part of why I spend time talking with families, answering questions, and letting them meet the rabbits (on request) before making a decision. I want to see these kids succeed, and that starts with making sure they’re paired with an animal that’s appropriate for them.
But even the best match still requires effort. A good rabbit can help set a child up for success, but it can’t do the project for them. I believe the goal of a youth project shouldn’t be to purchase a finished product. It should be to develop the skills, confidence, and knowledge to get there.
… Now, back to rabbit prices…
I’ve raised, bred, and shown rabbits for years. Here’s what I consider when determining value.
🐇 Quality and purpose. Pet, show, and breeding quality rabbits don’t necessarily carry the same value. Type, genetics, temperament, pedigree, and proven potential matter.
⭐️ Breed and rarity. Maintaining heritage breeds with limited gene pools requires planning, investment, and sometimes traveling hundreds of miles for unrelated breeding stock. Preservation isn’t cheap.
💰 The investment behind the rabbit. Feed, housing, health care, equipment, registrations, shows, travel, and years of selective breeding. Not to mention the animals that never make the breeding program or generate a dollar in return.
⏰ The breeder’s time and experience. Additional photos, videos, lengthy conversations, farm visits, and questions about everything from genetics to feeding and housing. None of those are unreasonable requests. I encourage buyers to ask questions and do their homework! But they all require someone’s time.
And sometimes that time includes teaching showmanship, explaining rabbit care, building confidence in a hesitant child, and helping an equally uncertain parent navigate the project. Suddenly, you’re the breeder, project leader, showmanship instructor, guidance counselor, and customer service department. All included in the price of one rabbit. 😂
I LOVE helping youth who genuinely want to learn. I’ve spent years volunteering, mentoring, and helping kids get started in rabbits. But there’s a difference between supporting someone and being expected to provide unlimited time, training, and education for free.
And let’s remember, the purchase price is often the least expensive part of owning a rabbit. Housing, feed, supplies, and veterinary care will cost considerably more over its lifetime.
That doesn’t mean an expensive rabbit is automatically a good rabbit, or that a $20 rabbit can’t make a wonderful pet or youth project animal. Price alone doesn’t determine quality, and breeders have a responsibility to be honest about what they’re selling.
But expecting quality, temperament, training, and ongoing support while placing little value on the work behind those things is where I take issue.
Ultimately, pricing should reflect the animal, its purpose, the breeder’s investment, and the knowledge and support being offered.
I’m curious what others think…
🐇 BREEDERS: Where do you draw the line between good customer service, mentorship, and giving away your time?
💵 BUYERS: What makes a rabbit worth paying more for, and what do you reasonably expect to be included in the purchase price?
