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Post by factorysealed on Dec 27, 2006 14:48:48 GMT -5
Hello all,
My wife and I have been throwing around the question of what potential hobby would be good for our daughter, as we look forward to her first birthday; something that we could do as a family, and but that even at a fairly early age she could actively take part in and learn from. Keeping animals was top of the list, but I really want her to eventually be able to show them, because I think the confidence that comes from success and determination that could come from failure would be wonderful for her. I also think that as she grows, that being part of a club would be good for her. I threw out the idea of cavies (because that had been my first pet as a child, and even though many years had passed of not owning one, was still interested) and was pleasantly surprised when my wife was excited as well.
So, I was hoping that someone might be able to share some insight/tips on the best place to start. We live in Watsonville (20 minutes south of Santa Cruz). My wife has said that she prefers American solids. We want to step into it slowly, and learn ourselves, how to care for and raise cavies.
Thanks so much in advance for your time.
Scott sadams@plantsciences.com
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biblecat
Cavy Nut
Way Cool Cavies!
Posts: 67
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Post by biblecat on Dec 29, 2006 21:31:43 GMT -5
Hi Scott- Sounds like a good plan. Cavies are good for kids but young ones should always be supervised very carefully around any animal. There are a several fine breeders in your area. Do you have a color preference? I'm sure we can hook you up with something you'd like. Cathy
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Post by factorysealed on Jan 8, 2007 19:59:05 GMT -5
Hello Cathy,
I think we like the lilac the best (though my wife has putting up a firm defense for the cream and chocolate). Researching colors has been fun stuff. Hopefully we can find some beginning stock as well as a fancier club to join. I'd like to eventually show animals. Sounds like so much fun.
Scott
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Post by GONE CAVY on Jan 9, 2007 20:07:08 GMT -5
Hi Scott, I am a lilac breeder and I just thought I would add my input about lilacs since you are wanting information. First of all lilacs are very hard to do, there is so much indescretion on what the proper color of a lilac should be, some say light, some say dark, some say right in between. Then you have to deal with the undercolor, and if the color will fade to that color. Another words, you can pick out a pup and think ah! finally its the right color but as they age they fade and then when you put them on the show table they end up getting marked down for not being the right color etc. Also there are not too many people who do the lilacs and so there is not much competition in them. As for just starting out I would really recommend that you pick another variety that more people do so that you can learn from judges/breeders who have seen more of the variety and know a little more about that variety. But if you still want lilacs, I have quite a few that I will be weaning here in the next couple weeks, please email me and I will do my best to hook you up with what I think is the best of what I have
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Post by factorysealed on Jan 10, 2007 13:15:09 GMT -5
Hello Kim,
Wow...good insight. Your comments on the lilac coloring are quite fascinating. I went over to your website, and if it were up to me personally, I prefer the lighter colors (your Gaston and Reana look awesome to me) but I guess it really comes down to what the current thoughts are (by judges) as to the true conformation.
Kim, do you think more judges go for the darker lilac colors?
In any event, what do you think would be a good starting color with respects to a) ease of stock acquisition (not sure I want to drive to Kansas) and b) ease of getting into showing?
Scott
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Post by GONE CAVY on Jan 10, 2007 17:08:59 GMT -5
Hi Scott, Actually my Reana is one of my best sows, she does well on the table for the competition at hand and already has one leg. She just littered a litter of 4 pups, out of the 4 there is only 1 in there that I would consider possibly keeping. Gaston they say has eye circles, yet another judge loved him so? ? I guess it just depends on what the judge interprets the color to be. It just gets very frustrating at times like I said before. As for what you might consider getting into and ease of getting stock. hmmm! I would have to say in americans either blacks, reds, whites or purhaps a broken although these can be challenging too, but there is a lot of competition in the brokens as this is usually what most people start out with. now if you are looking for teddies, then I would say go with a black, a himi or a broken. In teddies the most points are the coat, so if you get an animal with a decent coat then you have a good chance of getting bov/bob etc. You could aquire black or himi stock from Cathy Crosby or myself for that matter. Or if brokens is what you would like, I would suggest connecting with Terrie Moon, she has wonderful brokens! I have a really nice himi teddy boar pup right now that I will be bringing to San Martin to sell and I have lots of himis in breeding with black teddies so I will get one or the other in the next couple months, if you are interested in himi or black. As for getting into showing, I suggest going to a show--there is one on the 20th in San Martin at the lyons club and checking out how it all works, you could even talk to a few breeders there and learn a little more or possibly aquire stock. just try to talk with the judge in between shows and ask what they think about an animal you are thinking about buying etc. before you take the plunge and buy, buy, buy. Then when you are ready to show, just keep your eyes open for a show and enter. I try to post the shows here on the forum, but you can always go to the arba or acba website and find a show. hope this helped out in some way lol ttyl
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Post by factorysealed on Jan 12, 2007 18:22:54 GMT -5
Thanks Kim. That was very helpful. I'm bummed that I won't be able to make the show on the 20th, as I'll be down in San Diego, but I think you're right. Best to check out a show and talk to breeders and judges.
How easy is it to find various colors at shows? Are there enough breeders that attend smaller shows that it would be possible to find the creams/reds/chocolates or are brokens the predominate offerings? Just curious as to what you've seen.
Scott
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Post by GONE CAVY on Jan 13, 2007 1:16:41 GMT -5
yes there are lots of different varieties at shows, you definitely need to check a show out I believe there is another in Turlock in February. If you are in Watsonville you are in the prime location for alot of shows, do a search for the Golden state Cavy breeders Association and you can find lots of shows in your area anyway good luck
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