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Damian Veteran user 363 Posts |
Hi All,
I'm considering adding a rabbit production to my show. Can any of you experienced livestock workers suggest a starting place in terms of apparatus? Boxes? Pans? I don't need all the bells and whistles, since I'm just starting out. Just some basic equipment, tried and true. Thanks for your help. Damian |
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Kameron Messmer Special user Billings, MT 742 Posts |
I use a dove, or duck pan, and a take apart box. Pretty easy with a rabbit. If he fits.
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charliecheckers Inner circle 1969 Posts |
There is a ton of info in the "Poly want a cracker" section of The Magic Café. You need to consider the breed of rabbit and size (as Kameron mentioned). A mirror box is deceptive enough and most dwarf rabbits will fit. I never leave my rabbit in for more than 5 minutes or so. You need to account for a transportation carrier as well.
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Kameron Messmer Special user Billings, MT 742 Posts |
Charlie, how do you set the trick up 5 min in advance? I normally don't have an assistant.
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Kameron Messmer Special user Billings, MT 742 Posts |
I also have learned to transport the rabbit in something other than a pet carrier. They know a rabbit is coming if they see that.
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Damian Veteran user 363 Posts |
Thanks for the input. I think the rabbit isn't small, so don't know how much will be possible, if anything. Planning to take measurements. The owner said he's a little on the plump side...
We've got a bag for a carrier, but I may invest in something more substantial, if it becomes a regular thing. My plan is to measure the rabbit and compare that with the chamber space of the apparatus. |
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charliecheckers Inner circle 1969 Posts |
I produce the rabbit as my first trick. I load her just before I introduce the show. I then begin by turning on the music and produce her shortly after. I generally set up in advance of the spectators, but will cover the cage to enter, if necessary. I would never transport a rabbit in a bag. Realize that owning and using a rabbit in your act is time consuming and a bit costly. I would not use a rabbit of I did not have the adequate space at home for a large cage.
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Kevinr Inner circle 1854 Posts |
Since we are on the subject. Whats the longest time you feel is safe to keep a rabbit in a balloon to bunny box or dove pan?
What the longest you will keep them in one? |
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The Mighty Fool Inner circle I feel like a big-top tent having 2140 Posts |
There are two things which will absolutely CINCH any kids magic show:
1) Levitationg someone 2) Producing a rabbit (honorable mention goes to producing 1 or more doves) So yes, it's definetely a worthwhile thing to invest in, being a heckuva lot cheaper than most lev-effects. The best way really is to raise the rabbit IN & around the device, so the animal is totally used to it and nonplussed at being in it. For the pan of course, I mean without the lid! For instance, lets say youre going to use a duck pan...place the pan in the rabbit's cages and when it's feeding time, put the food in the pan. The animal will be accoustomed to the pan, and will be used to being inside it regularly. The real pain in the @#$ is transport & setup.
Everybody wants to beleive.....we just help them along.
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jolyonjenkins Inner circle United Kingdom 1181 Posts |
You have to be pretty committed to rabbits to do this. The experts say that rabbits need to live in pairs because they are social animals, and I find this to be true - at any rate they do always seem to depend on each other. That means a lifelong commitment to them because each time one dies you may feel you need to get another to keep it company (and then get them to bond which is not always simple). A mirror box is fine for production (I made mine and it can in fact hold both my bunnies)
I personally feel it's OK to keep them in the box to the end of the show because rabbits are well adapted to sitting still in small dark spaces - so long as it is not too hot, which it rarely is in the UK.
Jolyon Jenkins
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Damian Veteran user 363 Posts |
Thanks for the tip on acclimating the rabbit to the apparatus, Mighty Fool.
CharlieCheckers, absolutely. The rabbit isn't mine--the owner transports it in some sort of bag, which I haven't seen, yet. I actually don't have plans to keep a rabbit, myself. What I would like to do is rent one from a colleague (clown), for a few performances, to see how it goes. Is it a rule that rabbits have to be on the small side for productions, or do folks also work with average-sized rabbits? |
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
It is just recommended to get a Dwarf rabbit, as they will be easier to care for and transport. A larger rabbit will of course mean everything to be larger, and larger means more materials, more material mean higher prices for props.
Here is a good rabbit production. Standard size: http://www.abbottmagic.com/Abbotts-Elusi......stnd.htm Jumbo size: http://www.abbottmagic.com/Abbotts-Elusi......jmbo.htm There are others, why not take a look at some props. |
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takeachance Inner circle 3777 Posts |
Anyone contemplating getting an animal for their act has the responsibility and moral obligation to get as much info as possible for the humane containment of that animal. I'm pleased that you are gathering that information and all those responding are genuinely trying to help you make the best decision for both yourself and the animal. Kudos to all you guys who have contributed and to Damian for giving a sh*# about the welfare of the animal. The only advice I'd like to add is that if you are going to include an animal for a magic act, there is a difference between it and other props. It must be a pet, not meaning you have to talk to it or cuddle it, but you do have to be able to secure it in an environment that is both physically and mentally fit for it to live. No creature likes being left alone or isolated without any interaction with what ever, perhaps cockroaches are an exception. If you do get a rabbit, get it a partner, even if that means the extra cost of getting one desexed. That also means the cost of a proper environment to keep them. Again Damian, good to see you take the welfare of the animal seriously. Children do luv the production of a rabbit and it does symbolize the magician, I wish you luck in finding the right production mechanism. The rabbit from the hat is legionary but not all that practical or great for the rabbits welfare. However a good routine using a mirror box and a touch of comedy like a spray can (of air )with a label on it identifying a common "hair" spray brand, to make your invisible rabbit visible, goes down just as well. Then placing it into a top hat as the kids want to pat it, may just be the best and easiest method to include in your act. That way you end up with a nice routine and a rabbit in the hat for photo opportunities for the parents without distressing the animal.
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pbj100 Special user 516 Posts |
Hi, I have used rabbits in my show for over 30 years , I would recomend , supreme rainbow house, ribbons to rabbit if you can still get it, practical magic/ pat fallon mr Bingley circus to name a few all of these have large space for bunny and can hold the rabbit comfortably for a good time Phil
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Damian Veteran user 363 Posts |
Thanks, Bill, those look great.
Absolutely, takeachance. In fact, the owner of the rabbit is a big pet lover and has many other animals, too. She agreed to train me in proper handling, including transport of the rabbit. In fact, in the beginning, I really didn't know if borrowing a rabbit was kosher. I didn't know if it is a particularly delicate animal, and I didn't want to risk introducing a change in its lifestyle that might be deleterious to its health. I asked a clown friend of mine, who owns many animals, including the rabbit. To be honest, I was a little surprised by her positive response to the idea, and that's what's pushed me forward. Great idea about using a box for production and including a hat for pictures and petting. Also, thanks pbj100, I'll check those out. Thanks everyone, this has been very helpful! |
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charliecheckers Inner circle 1969 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-12-02 04:40, Damian wrote: No - it is certaintly not a rule. I only recommended a dwarf based upon the types of production items that were being recommended (Mirror box, Duck Pan, Balloon to Rabbit, etc. The best rabbit production in terms of audience appreciation in my opinion is a classic rabbit from hat with a large rabbit. When I owned two rabbits I found that caging them together was not a good idea because they were territorial and urinated all over my basement, literally 8-10 feet outside the cage. They were opposite sex, but they were fixed. Before I would ever consider getting two again, I would look into this issue in great detail to see if it can be avoided. |
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jolyonjenkins Inner circle United Kingdom 1181 Posts |
A male female neutered pair is best but if they have not known each other from birth then you have to get them to bond. Also they need to be litter trained. I have had trouble with the bonding but succeeded in the end
Jolyon Jenkins
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Rabbit size is usually a matter of convenience, and should be chosen based on the type of venues you expect to do most often. Smaller rabbits are perfectly fine for birthday parties, etc. Bigger stage shows could use a very large rabbit... as long as you are hauling a truck full of apparatus anyway.
Watch this video of Jack Gwynne, and get a load of the beast he produces at the beginning of his nite club act! (about 2:35) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh6lIp3Fpzk Regarding length of time in a prop... that depends on the prop, the type of confinement, and the amount of air circulation within the load space. Warm-blooded animals also generate heat inside their confines, generally making the comfort time less. Use common sense.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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jolyonjenkins Inner circle United Kingdom 1181 Posts |
Is that a real rabbit? I hope not but fear it is.
Jolyon Jenkins
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Yes, it is, but take into consideration when that was filmed. Better than the fate of thousands of Oklahoma jack rabbits during the Dust Bowl. At least he ate. (Not endorsing the handling, just the impact of a very large bunny.)
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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