Updates

Raising rabbits started out rough for me - my first two Mini Rex, littermates from a local breeder, died within a week from Mucoid Enteritis. I was very discouraged, but I kept on going.

I bought another Mini Rex, a chocolate buck, from Shelly Thompson of Sweet Pea Rabbitry. That rabbit buying episode went much better. I named him Cocoa Chip and by showing him at my county fair 4-H show I learned my first lesson about what a Mini Rex should be. He was rather long and gangly. I knew from that experience that a Mini Rex should be rounder with a denser, softer coat.

Later that year I purchased my foundation doe from Shelly Thompson, another chocolate. Showing her in my first ARBA show the fall of that year (2001), I won my first Best of Breed, and I knew I had to raise rabbits. I wanted to show in ARBA shows and win Best of Breed again, maybe even Best in Show. Since then, I have won Best of Breed and Best Opposite Sex of Breed multiple times.

That's how it began for Ash Crest. I had my first litter the end of that year on my birthday. That was the best birthday present I could ever ask for.

In October of 2005, the name of the rabbitry was changed from Backyard Bunnies to Ash Crest Mini Rex to more accurately reflect the focus of my rabbitry. It also seemed more professional. The Ash Crest portion of the name refers to the trees that line the street I live on. That is the story behind our name.

I've learned from a number of different breeders along the way. Some of the people who have helped me are Shelly Thompson, Ryan Atzenhoefer, Shelly Karg, Laurie Rasile, Kristi Rogers, and Cindy Servis. I owe an enormous thank you to them and the judges who have taken the time to explain their comments to me. I also greatly appreciate my mom. She listens to me talk about my rabbits - the cute things they do, my worries, and my triumphs. She evens listens to me think out loud about which rabbits to breed together. She is real blessing.