Okay, I have a gig coming up next month. The thing is, I'm in the enviable position of being a hobby rabbit breeder in my spare time, so I actually have several (real) white rabbits that I can use for tricks. I was thinking of, perhaps, doing the classic "rabbit out of the hat" trick--with a twist!

I get the childrens' attention by announcing that I will pull a big, large, huge, enormous, gigantic, gargantuan...you get the idea...rabbit out of my big, gigantic...hat. More patter, etc.

I make a big fuss about how heavy the rabbit is, how huge, and struggle. I then pull a tiny bunny out, proudly. Either the kids, or, if they don't cooperate, LuLu, will then tell me the rabbit is really small. I'll say, "well it felt heavy in the hat! Okay, I'll try again."

I, then, place the bunny back into the hat and pull out a giant balloon pump to "inflate" the rabbit. I "inflate the rabbit" inside the hat and pull a slightly larger rabbit out with a huge, although slightly less showy, struggle. It's also a small bunny.

The kids(or LuLu) will still say it's not big enough and I'll tell them not to be so greedy. Then I agree to try again, pulling out my pump. I will then pull out a larger rabbit, yet. I have, yet another rabbit, prepared in case that one's not big enough, this one a breed called a "Flemish Giant". For those not familiar with rabbit breeds, they're about twenty or so pounds. So I'll agree to one last time, but that's absolutely IT!

After "inflating" and producing this last size of rabbit, I'll place it back into the hat and the sound of a balloon deflating will follow. I will then pull out the baby bunny, again and make like I "deflated" it down to the tiny size, again.

What I need help with now is the patter. I have what I'll basically say down, but I'd like to extend it so it keeps the kids interested and lengthens my presentation. The rabbit would all be in cages under the table and organized so it would look like I'm reaching into my hat every time.

Of course, I'd also like to know what you all think.

Had another thought. There are also several litters of kittens here(barn cats from a neighboring farm) that I could pull out first, so the kids could say it's not a rabbit and I could increase my patter. Of course, with more animals comes more responsibility and I'd have to make sure they had food and water and stayed cool throughout the entire gig. Probably not easy, since the table and hat would pretty much have to be black. What do you think?

that is alot to carry into a birthday party.. if you were doing stage shows it would be a nice routine, but i would stick to the rule of 3s.. from what i've always noticed, 3 times is funny, any more than 3 is annoying.. i would do your small bunny and then talk again about how big this rabbit is before pulling out the second one, and pull out an average sized rabbit, then the big one.. but i don't know how it would work if you didn't have time to set up the scene before the show started without people there, a table with cages or even holders built in isn't something you can just show up at a party and set up in a minute and a half while your setting up the rest of your stuff..

that is alot to carry into a birthday party.. if you were doing stage shows it would be a nice routine, but i would stick to the rule of 3s.. from what i've always noticed, 3 times is funny, any more than 3 is annoying.. i would do your small bunny and then talk again about how big this rabbit is before pulling out the second one, and pull out an average sized rabbit, then the big one.. but i don't know how it would work if you didn't have time to set up the scene before the show started without people there, a table with cages or even holders built in isn't something you can just show up at a party and set up in a minute and a half while your setting up the rest of your stuff..

Actually, it's not a birthday party. It's a reunion and I was thinking of putting on a little show to go with it. I was planning to bring my own table set up in advance and everything. But, you're right. It may be a little too much with four rabbits and a kitten. Might get kinda tired after the third rabbit. I was going to add some comedy, of course. They want a clown, after all, not a magician. Of course I wouldn't let them see all the rabbits, lol. That would ruin the whole trick.

Thanks for the input.

Before I go any further let me say that I am not a member of "People for the ethical treatment of Animals" but I have been a Magician for over thirty plus years and I never had to use a live Animal. I believe it to be torture for the Animals. They are kept in a very confined dark compartment for an inordinate amount of time, then subjected to the innocent unwanted pawing by Children not realizing that they can harm or hurt the Animal.

There are many tricks using make-believe life like animals. One is Rocky Racoon who is extremely life like and spring loaded. He doesn't bite, need water or food and can seem to crawl up your arm when ever he wants to. My Rocky is almost Forty Years old.

I was once sitting at a table during a Magician's Banquet and we were all swapping stories. On e magician related a story that has always come to my mind when talking about Animals in Magic. He was using a Rabbit in a trick and when he produced it, it was dead, possibly from old age or sickness and not likely from the confinement, but it was Dead.

Please think twice about using live Animals.
Thank you,
Yours in Magic and Clowning
Harry W.
AKA
Harrythemagician
&
Uncle Willie Silly

Before I go any further let me say that I am not a member of "People for the ethical treatment of Animals" but I have been a Magician for over thirty plus years and I never had to use a live Animal. I believe it to be torture for the Animals. They are kept in a very confined dark compartment for an inordinate amount of time, then subjected to the innocent unwanted pawing by Children not realizing that they can harm or hurt the Animal.

There are many tricks using make-believe life like animals. One is Rocky Racoon who is extremely life like and spring loaded. He doesn't bite, need water or food and can seem to crawl up your arm when ever he wants to. My Rocky is almost Forty Years old.

I was once sitting at a table during a Magician's Banquet and we were all swapping stories. On e magician related a story that has always come to my mind when talking about Animals in Magic. He was using a Rabbit in a trick and when he produced it, it was dead, possibly from old age or sickness and not likely from the confinement, but it was Dead.

Please think twice about using live Animals.
Thank you,
Yours in Magic and Clowning
Harry W.
AKA
Harrythemagician
&
Uncle Willie Silly

Actually, you're too late. I already decided that it would be too complicated to perform the trick with live animals, humanely. That being said, I actually do believe there are humane ways to perform magic tricks with animals. I just was having a difficult time deciding how to do it for this particular trick, both humanely(for the rabbits) and conveniently(for me). Also, I don't believe that small children should ever handle small animals, certainly not without close supervision, which is difficult at best during a gig. I probably will do the trick --- with Buttercup, my yellow rabbit puppet. Now I just need to figure out how to pull Buttercup and still have control of her (she's a hand-puppet) so I can talk to her.
It probably would've been simpler with the real rabbits, lol!

I used to have a rabbit puppet that had a hat... There was a hole in the hat where the hand went...

My puppet is just a puppet. I was thinking more of the manipulation of the puppet so I don't have to twist around underneath at the same time as pulling Buttercup out. I was thinking of pulling her out by the ears(or the scruff of the neck, with a message about never picking a rabbit up by the ears, but my hand would pretty much have to still be inside already.

I have to disagree with the sentiment that performing with live animals is like abusing them.
All we hear is one side of the story. And that one side is extremely prejudiced. They do not even want you to have house pets (PETA). They consider a house pet animal imprisonment and akin to to torture and mutilation. (Look it up on the web, they believe owning a house pet aids and abets people who drag animals behind their cars)

So you know, they own the "microphone". And they abuse REAL animal lovers. Much like the above statement assuming that a bunny breeder would _kill_ his pets.

They (PETA) regularly and unfairly attack circus's using a prejudicial lens to destroy the performing animals industry. This is bad for human children who may never get to see a lion or tiger or bear --oh my! This is bad for the herds of circus animals who once stolen from a healthy environment are forced to live in a pen in a far away ranch somewhere. It is like breaking up a family.

Real show animals love their trainers and the audience. The animals live a low stress
high loving
life. They become addicted to the stage and express an animal joy at being in the spotlight.

Back to the subject at hand....

If you want to fill 15 minutes or so and share the LOVE of animals with people, add a live animal.

Seriously, treat the animal as you- yourself- would like to be treated. Put her up on the table, have a parent stand next to you as you guide the mutual expression of love. Be sensitive to the animals needs. Remember using a live animal can be enriching for you the animal and especially, lest we forget, the audience really is impacted on a profound way.

I also want to apologize to Uncle Willie Silly if I abused him in any way.
It would be nice if he put the story in context of how many hundreds of magician's animals he knows that lead a 'normal' life.

I have a question for the Bunny Breeder Clown,
There are animals that dont like the spotlight, the pa-pa, pa-pa-razzi and being on the cover of Rolling Stone. Is there a way that I can find, when shopping for a show animal, the kind of bunny that will enjoy bringing smiles and looks of wonder to the faces of thousands?

What do I look for?
Should I not go to the Walmart and get my bunny?
Should I go to you?

I'd go to someone local. Preferably someone with friendly, public-loving animals. Not all animals love the spotlight, just like people, and that should always be taken into consideration. I do not believe an animal should ever be shipped. Now, SHIPPING animals is cruel.

Like I said, I don't believe using an animal for a show is cruel, any more than it's cruel to bring a child on stage. However, the animal's safety and comfort must be a priority.

If you're truly looking for a live animal to take on stage, find a reputable breeder or the Humane Society and other animal shelters have TONS that need to find homes! Most of them are mixed-breeds, but the kids won't care!

I have to disagree with the sentiment that performing with live animals is like abusing them.

It all depends. I have seen videos on You Tube where the animals were mistreated/handled during a performance. I have also seen old pictures of magicians holding a rabbit by the ears. It really depends on the performer. If a person enjoys having pets in advance, they are an animal lover. I see no problem for that person to try using pets in their show because they already know how to treat pets. But if a person purchases animals just to be part of their show, that person does not have any interest in animals.

Zippy Zoo, if you think about using a live pet again, you might want to use the "Duck Bucket". You will be able show it empty at first, next produce a live pet. It is very simple to perform with.

Here's a simple axiom:
IF shipping an Animal is cruel?
THEN isn't packing or stowing an Animal in a Trick compartment for two or so hours the same?

shipping animals isn't cruel.. I work at a pet store. most animals that don't come from breeders come from pet stores.. Where do you think pet store's get their animals? we have our supplier bring them to us.. and certain animals are sent via fedex.. Fish are shipped in plastic bags much like when you buy them from a pet store only much heavier duty.. Betas are shipped in a small plastic sealed bag that is about the size of those sour cream packets at restaurants.. with a couple teaspoons of water. all of our small animals (hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats, ferrets) are shipped in big plastic tubs with sawdust. (and they stink!) reptiles come FedEx and are shipped in small plastic boxes packaged inside of larger cardboard boxes lined with styrofoam with either heat packs or cooling packs in the box.. they are all overnighted so they are only in the packaging for a very small ammount of time usually 16 hours or less..

You mentioned PETA.. they are a bunch of idiots.. there's no other word for it.. they are more cruel to animals than the people they are trying to overcome.. they have no grasp on reality and how it would work if their ideas were put forth.. plus they are very violent and radical almost terrorist group... any radical group is idiotic.. no matter what their cause..

thank you *steps down from soap box*

You mentioned PETA.. they are a bunch of idiots.. there's no other word for it...

Moron
Daft
Dolt
Halfwit
Imbecile
Ignoramus
Dunce
Ass
Nincompoop


Heheheheheheh... and the best one...
(Never mind)

I have seen videos of clowns abusing children, do you want me to judge you by you tube B.S.?
Is it ok to judge all clowns and magicians by the occasional you-tube?

That is your justification for judging that someone on this list would pick up a rabbit by its ears.

I am not sure of what magician would need to hide his animal for 2 hours before a show?
2 hours before a show on a weekend I either doing another show or traveling to the show.
The truthis that certain animals have been sel;ected over time because they naturally go into a rest state as they sit in the bag or box.
Imagine if I were to put you in your bed and told you to sit tight till I pulled you out for lil' Jimmies B-Day party, red nose, big shoes and colorfully costumed... Would you say I abused you?

The point here is to tell the TRUTH.

Most show animals are treated better then wild or pet animals.
Yes I said it!
Wild animals do not have it easy, they get abused by predators and diminishing hunting grounds. Imagine taking your family dog and setting him free in the wilds of Africa.
Yes there are a few that are mistreated.
Yes, some dont like to loved by lots of strangers.

But please do not paint all animal performers as abusive.

It is not TRUE and it is not FAIR.

I have seen videos of clowns abusing children, do you want me to judge you by you tube B.S.?
Is it ok to judge all clowns and magicians by the occasional you-tube?

That is your justification for judging that someone on this list would pick up a rabbit by its ears.

I am not sure if you are understanding what I was describing above. I did not mention ALL performers are cruel to animals. Some are, and some are not. It all depends on the performer. Youtube will usually tell you a lot about how a performer treats his or her animals. If a performer mistreats his or her animals on Youtube or anywhere else, that person should not deal with animals. The performers that treats his or her animals with respect, are able to keep animals. I also use my multiple pets in my shows.

Some of you believe all performers should use animals. Some of you believe no performers should use animals. To me it depends on the performer.

And their love of animals.
By the way, it really depends on who's shipping the animal, as to whether or not they are cruel. Some shippers keep the animal for days in transit without food or water. Those are the general shippers to whom I was referring. Others ship for only a few hours and treat them with compassion and kindness. I only meant shipping is cruel if you don't know with whom you are shipping. I, personally, would not ship a rabbit. That is simply because I don't know everything about all the shippers. I simply do not have time for all the research. I have, however, had turtles delivered to my door. Fedex, I believe, within two days. Personally, I think animals should be brought to your door by you or an individual who cares about the safety and comfort of the animal.
It is not cruel to put an animal in a box, if you do it in a humane fashion. Just like cages, the main purpose is for the animal's safety. Of course they have to be checked on and given food and water, especially in this weather, but I've brought animals home in boxes and watched them carefully to be sure they were all right. I would never place an animal in a position where they would be in any danger. I have pets, myself, and would never do anything to harm them!
By the way, any rabbit that would have been in my act would've had food, water and an ice bottle to keep them cool. They get treated better than I do. I also had planned to have them in rabbit cages, not boxes, inside a table that had been covered with sheer black fabric. The kind that lets light through on one side and not the other, so that, although they would not be seen, they would be able to see out and enjoy the sun. I would also have supplied shade, since too much sun can be fatal to rabbits. I had thought this through, by the way, and come up with many ideas as to the most humane way to hide them, as well as presenting them.
One more thing. I NEVER pick a rabbit up by the ears! I wouldn't want it done to me and I wouldn't want to do it to a rabbit, who's ears are so much more delicate!

P.S. Sorry if I was "cruel" in this post.

the best way to pick up rabbits for their comfort and safety is to smooth their ears down to their neck and grab both them and the scruff of their neck.. it keeps them from kicking and breaking their back.. once you get them up to you you can hold then normally.. but picking them up to get to you if the rabbit isn't already really tame that's the safest way to do it..

I am not sure if you are understanding what I was describing above. I did not mention ALL performers are cruel to animals. Some are, and some are not. It all depends on the performer. Youtube will usually tell you a lot about how a performer treats his or her animals. If a performer mistreats his or her animals on Youtube or anywhere else, that person should not deal with animals. The performers that treats his or her animals with respect, are able to keep animals. I also use my multiple pets in my shows.

Some of you believe all performers should use animals. Some of you believe no performers should use animals. To me it depends on the performer.

I agree, people who abuse children or animals should have them taken and not be allowed near them ever again. Place the "scarlet A" on their shirts, but this time the A stands for abuser. The problem with animal abuse is that it's really easy to get animals even if yours are taken. All you have to do is look for the "free kitten/puppy" sign.
I wish I could use my pets in my shows. They're too spoiled and don't behave very well. My fault. I even got the huskies for that purpose, but, it turns out I'm not as much of a dog trainer as I once was. Not enough patience. I want to hurry everything and the dogs want to play. So I play with them instead.