Don’t Get Lost! 🐇 Take Better Notes, Raise Better Rabbits | Record Keeping Like A Pro
- Sinfully Soft
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
When I first started raising rabbits, I thought I could just keep everything in my head. Who was bred to whom, when to give medicine, feed changes—oh, I’d remember it all. Spoiler alert: I didn’t. Pretty quickly, I learned that my memory wasn’t going to cut it, and that’s when record keeping became my saving grace.
Funny enough, journaling has always been part of my life. I started way back in 5th grade, scribbling down little notes in what I called my “homework.” (It was really a secret code so my younger siblings couldn’t snoop!) That simple habit grew into a tool that helped me sort out my feelings, track my days, and reflect on progress. Little did I know, it would later become the backbone of running a healthy, thriving rabbitry.
Why Records Matter in the Barn
Keeping good records might not sound exciting, but it makes all the difference:
No more missed breedings or mix-ups with meds.
Easy health tracking so I can see changes over time.
Quick answers when buyers or fellow breeders ask about a rabbit.
And best of all, I get a clear picture of my rabbitry’s progress.
Honestly, good record keeping makes my barn run smoother—and keeps me sane!
My Favorite Tools for Record Keeping
Over time, I’ve built a system that’s part old-school and part digital.
A journal with tabs – Daily entries, to-do lists, breeding notes, purchases, a master bunny list, and even income.
Whiteboard + dry erase markers – For quick reminders like DOBs, meds, or breeding dates (pro tip: always snap a picture before you erase!).
Apps – I use Bunny Chore Tracker and Who’s Due to log everything from tattoo numbers to shearing weights.
Evans Pedigree Software – All my pedigrees and long-term rabbit records live here.
Usually, I jot things down in the barn, then update the apps or software later. Having backups matters—because nothing in life is a sure thing, but your records can be!
The Big One: Wool Production
For me, the heart of raising Giant Angoras is their wool. (Though their sweet personalities don’t hurt either!)
Every shearing, I weigh prime, seconds, and thirds separately. I record body weights before and after, too. This lets me:
Calculate yearly wool production per rabbit.
Track feed-to-wool ratios.
Price yarn and fiber fairly for both me and my customers.
See which bloodlines are most productive.
One of the best things you can do as an Angora breeder is to keep good records. When you track how much feed your rabbits eat and how much wool they produce, you can figure out your own wool-to-feed ratio.
That little bit of math really helps you price your fiber and yarn fairly—both for yourself and for your customers. Don’t rely on the shortcut and just copy what the other guys are selling their wool for. Do the math, and be confident in your prices.
Yes, for many of us this is a hobby, but it’s also true that our Giant Angoras can more than pay their own way. Good record keeping makes it clear just how valuable these amazing rabbits really are.
My System in Action
To make sure nothing slips through the cracks, I keep two sets of records:
Digital notes – For individual rabbits (breedings, litters, meds, shearings, etc.) and general barn notes (maintenance, feed purchases, weather quirks, show prospects).
Physical notebook – With tabs for daily entries, to-dos, breedings, purchases, and a master list.
Digital – Bunny Specific:
Breeding → Whiteboard + Who’s Due.
Litter born → DOB, litter size, mom’s notes. Update Whiteboard + Who’s Due, then I also create an entry in Bunny Chore Tracker for the dam.
Medications → Tattoo, date, dose
Shearing → Tattoo, date, fiber weights by grade + body weight.
C&C’s → Tattoo, date, condition & comments, any rabbit-specific notes.
Sold or Culled → Tattoo, date, Keep detailed notes.
Rabbitry Inventory printouts from Evans keep everything current.
Digital – Rabbitry Notes: (private blog)
Maintenance → Cleaned pans, applied DE/PDZ, serviced fans, air conditioners, blower filters, etc.
Anything unusual → weather, pests, etc.
Purchases → feed & supply purchases, and any changes in feed or simply new batch
4 Sale Inquiries.
Show Contenders → prep for sending in your entries.
Daily tasks → even just fed & watered.
Physical Notebook Tabs:
Daily entries: Note: all of the above.
To-Do’s: Note: meds, Ivomec, etc. I leave a column to check off when done. Sale inquiriesHelpful Hint: Leave a column in front; ✔ Done, 𑁋 moved to calendar
Breedings: Note: dam, sire, date night date, Leave 2 blank lines for DOB, colors, even missed or DOA kits.
Purchases: feed & suppliesNote: date, amount, description
Master List: Note: tattoo, name, DOB, color, dam/sire, sold or culled with date.
Income: Note: rabbit sales, wool sales, poop sales, etc.
It may sound like duplication, but that’s the point—it’s intentional. If one record gets lost or damaged, I’ve got a backup.” Nothing in life is a sure thing. But your records are!
Building the Habit
My best advice? Never leave the barn without writing something down. Even just ‘fed & watered’ builds that new habit. Treat it like any other chore: feed, water, write it down. Once you get used to it, adding details becomes natural. Whatever you do, keep it simple, keep it current.
And don’t underestimate the power of a to-do list. Move items to your calendar when needed, check them off, or draw a line through finished tasks. It gives you that little endorphin rush and a reason to celebrate the small wins. You are worthy of even the small celebrations, such as getting things done, whittling down that To Do List! High Five!
Final Thoughts
Record keeping may not seem glamorous, but it’s one of the best tools you’ll ever give yourself and your rabbits. Healthier bunnies, better wool yields, and way less stress—it’s worth the effort.
So, I’m curious: how do you keep your records? Paper? Apps? A mix of both? I’m always learning and even on the hunt for a new pedigree program, so I’d love to hear your ideas.
At the end of the day, raising Angoras is a labor of love, and keeping good notes just helps us love them better. 💕
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