Last post for a while...

Hi Everyone,

I'm sorry to say that this will probably be the last post for a good while. I start my last year in the nursing program(RN) on tuesday. It's going to be a grueling three months-almost overwhelming. If anything major happens with the bunnies I'll definately post-hopefully not but you never know.

I treated each bunny today for ear/fur mites with an oral Ivermectin paste. As of now there aren't any reactions but they will all be monitored over the next 24 hrs. I pray that we have good results with the treatment and this time next month they will be free of pests and healthy! I'm really considering breeding Piper on the 15th of October to Big Daddy(he's almost four and well, the biological clock is a ticking). I *really* want a Big Daddy baby just in case something were to ever happen to him. Piper is big and wide, she's the perfect brood doe candidate. Hubby bought me one new cage so I can only keep one Big Daddy baby.;-)

I'm sad that the summer has ended, but all good things come to an end I suppose! I'll try to keep in touch with those I post on their blogs, I just hope I have some time to get online. ((hugs)) to everybody and hope to check back soon!

"Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave." Proverbs 12:24

Hurricane Gustav...it's coming

There has been a lot of coverage about the hurricane that's headed straight for Louisiana and then the storm will hit my area middle of next week. Already they are planning on evacuation routes to begin tonight for the coastal residents and then those who live a little inland tomorrow. Shelters are opening up here in northeast Texas and Shreveport to accomodate everyone. A lot of media coverage has been on the news here and I'm getting posts from the local rabbit groups opening their rabbitries to breeders bringing their bunnies. What a selfless gesture! If I had more cages we would definately be doing this as well.

Please pray that we are all protected during this storm and that everyone is able to evacuate in time. My good friend is near the LA coast and I've been trying to contact her over the past couple of days and haven't heard from her. I hope everything is okay and are they getting somewhere safe. I hope all of her bunnies are able to be transported too. *sending prayers*

"The mighty oceans roar like thunder;
the mighty oceans roar as they pound the shore.
But mightier than the violent raging of the seas,
mightier than the breakers on the shore-
the LORD above is mightier than these!" Psalm 93:3-4

Pedigree design

After seeing my friend's blog post about his pedigree design program, I thought I would share what my future litter's pedigrees will look like. Eventually, I would like to find a pedigree program as I think it would be *much* easier and less time consuming since it would generate the whole pedigree quickly and I could save several crosses.

The design I have now, you have to use a text too to type everything in. (sigh) What I did was take a sample pedigree format and layer it over a desaturated picture of my logo. Combined the two layers in photoshop and then add text with the text too.

Sample(click for larger version):


It will work for now.:-)

Barn Plans

I've been doing a lot of thinking on how many holes or cages we should have when we move and have an established rabbitry. My initial number was 45, then deceided 30 would be better. Now, I'm thinking more like 20 holes. My goal is to focus on quality not quantity. This way, we can have 6 show bucks, 6 show does, 3 brood does, and then 5 extra cages for juniors/sale bunnies/ect. I think that is plenty of bunnies to care for and the perfect number for now.

So now is the time to look at potential buildings, I'm definately going to have to start saving. Lol! My dream barn would have lots of light(windows), sturdy and insulated, double doors with a lock, skylight ventilation, window unit A/C, and maybe even an overhead fan. Here's the building we'll probably get...I would like to add two skylights added to it.
http://www.elitedeals.com/cu10x8wostsh.html
Skylights:
http://www.elitedeals.com/veskforhahob.html

My dream barn or at least it comes pretty close! It's a little too expensive but I love the extra windows and look.
http://www.elitedeals.com/lcc-williamsburg10x10.html

As for cages, I'm going to stick with the same company I ordered the ones I have currently(http://www.qualitycage.com) OR I may try to attempt a setup like Tru-Luv Rabbitry's...I'm just not that handy when it comes to building things. We'll see, there's plenty of time.

There goes the empty cage space!

I had a good chat with my friend(Molly of Bleu's Woolies) from south Louisiana yesterday. We've talked several times over the phone about our bunnies and just to chat in general. She mentioned that one of her best bucks wasn't doing too good a week ago so I thought I would call to check on things. Anyhow, to make a long story short, she graciously offered a little smoke pearl doe out of Max(2 time BOB winner and won 2nd in Nationals out of a large shaded class) and a GC broken doe with 7 GC legs. This little girl is NICE, I can't wait to see her!! We'll also be getting a REW buck that is out of a Bommer son(has 14 GC legs) and another GC REW doe. He's gorgeous! We'll pick them both up hopefully at the LA Youth Scholarship show in Nov.

So...I have 7 holes and come november I'll have 0 empty holes. That means NO breeding unless I can convince my better half to get me new cages for Christmas.;-) At this point it's unlikely since we'll be moving over 600 miles away in May. We'll see.

Just had to share the exciting news, the only downside is that we can't have litters yet. I was looking forward to it but that's how it has got to be for now.

Lazy morning

I borrowed my mom's camera that is able to take short video clips-I just love this feature! Here's a couple of clips taken this morning of Big Daddy(on left) and Piper on the right. Sorry the first video was taken before the cage was cleaned out!:-)

The perfect bunny mom!

Well after yesterday's negative and somewhat depressing post, I have wonderful, happy news. Caiman has found the perfect home and forever family!

I want to apologize to all pet owners as I kinda gave them a negative stereotype, not all pet owners are neglectful or deceide to give away their pets after the new-ness wears off. Indeed, Caiman has the perfect bunny mom! She came to get him yesterday and we talked about an hour about rabbit care in general and nutrition/grooming. She is the sweetest lady! I quickly learned that rabbits weren't all that new to her as she had a house rabbit as a little girl-how neat! She plans to litter train Caiman and of course he'll be the new house bunny. She even mentioned having him neutered-which is Wonderful!! I think all pet rabbits should be altered, not only to improve their temperment but also they are much easier to litter train. Now if all of my perspective pet owners would garantee that their rabbits will be neutered/spayed, I'd be a happy girl! Anyway, she has informed me that he has a lot of bunny toys and is showered with attention.;-)

This whole experience with Caiman and his new bunny parents has really changed my mind about culling vs. selling. I have deceided to find good homes for the pet babies through careful screening and maybe even a written contract or something to discurage backyard breeders from attaining my babies for breeding mixes. If they all could be altered by their new owners that would be even better.:-)

Cheers to Caiman and his new bunny mom!

'Culling' VS. Selling

Hmm....what a debate. Every breeder of purebred rabbits has to deceide wether to sell the 'pet' quality babies or cull them. Now by cull I mean, to put them down or kill them, to be quite honest. I haven't deceided what to do yet, I don't have any litters yet, but when I do, the decision needs to be made. Let's talk about both choices-I'd love to hear your opinions too.

Selling- Selling babies that do no conform to breed standards as pets can be rewarding as their new owners are thrilled to have their new pet. You can make a little money by selling pets(raising babies for money should never be the breeders intentions though!-it makes me mad when backyard breeders have bunny mills all to make a dollar!!) and if there is a market in your area, a pet rabbit may spark the interest in buying show quality stock later on and strive to better the breed-you never know. *The down side to selling babies as pets is that after the cuteness wears off, people don't want them. They end up being turned loose outside to suffer and fend for themselves or at the local shelters. The thought of one of my babies suffering and being neglected would break my heart.:-(

Culling- Most people are repulsed by this as even being a 'choice' and honestly, I, myself could not kill my babies. It would scar me mentally-really! Now my husband says he could do it for me-I believe him. lol Many breeders do choose to cull once the kits are born. If there is a visible peanut or a mismarked kit they will cull them then. And then cull once more when they are about 12-16 weeks when you can tell what kind of type they will have. In a way, it does better the breed...the rabbits with many faults aren't sold to other breeders to keep those faults in the breed. You breed the best and keep the best. Culling prevents overpopulation of pet rabbits that end up at shelters. I'm sorry if I make pet owners sound bad, they aren't all bad, it just seems like here lately I've seen a lot of ads for 'free rabbits' all because they no longer want them. Hopefully some pet bunnies will find good homes, but with woolies most folks don't keep pet rabbits in their houses. Woolies would die in any heat above 90 degrees.

So which method is better for everyone and the breed as a whole? I don't know. What will I do?...I still don't know. Lol I don't want to add to the overpopulation problem and increase my babies chances of animal abuse but I also don't think I have what it takes to kill them. If that makes any sense at all... What are your thoughts on this?

Caiman

I took a couple of pictures of Caiman last night to show the difference in coat color from his baby pictures and present coat. It's changed colors as the junior coat is dying and shedding out, he's moulting so the new darker senior coat is coming in.

Baby pic-3 mo.


Recent-4 1/2 mo.

It's been a while...

I am so far behind on posting! This past week has been so busy with the kids starting back to school soon. Big Daddy is doing great, always a ham at turnout time. He can really kick those back legs out! Kathy recently posted on her website that PP's Mermaid had her litter-2 REWs and 1 shaded baby from Big Daddy! I'm so proud, even though I haven't seen a picture of them, I'm sure they are precious. Piper is doing fine, although she really tried to bite me this morning when I was attempting to clip her nails. I have never seen a vicious side to her until now. I stopped the 'clipping' session and held her/groomed her to calm her down some. Caiman will be going to his new home this thursday, he will be definately pampered that's for sure! Just less than two more weeks until the Duncan, OK show and we'll be getting some new stock from Marie Gulledge! I'm so excited and literally counting the days.;-)

Keep cool everyone!

Thick Callous...

Took Big Daddy out today to groom him. Flipped him over to check teeth, nails and feet as part of our weekly 'check up' routine. I noticed he's got a thick oblong callous formed on his left hind foot(hard to see in the picture but it's there). It's not a hock sore yet, thank goodness I caught it early-I hear hock sores are difficult to heal. So I pulled out his 'foot rest pad' and put a flat tile in(upside down so there is better traction). I have heard horror stories about bunnies breaking their backs on the slick part of the tile. It will have to do for now until I can find something better.

Let's Judge!

Still haven't heard back from the breeder about posting pictures of the does yet so while I wait I figured we can have a judging session.;-)

Both of these woolies are juniors(same age actually but different bloodlines). Keep in mind, #1 is a doe and #2 is a buck. It's amazing the difference in look between bloodlines and pretty obvious here.

Side Profile:
Body is to be short and compact, with depth and a curvature of the topline. The high point should be right over the loins(should meet the toes of the hindfoot). #1 has a Beautiful topline and follows the standard nicely!! #2 is very long and flat over the topline.


Top Profile:
When viewed from the top I was told that the body needed to resemble the shape of an 'egg' or have an oval shape with the hindquarter filling out nicely to the table. #1 is Very compact and has good width through the shoulder to the hindquarter. #2 is a little longer but has good hindquarter.


Head and Ear:
Alright, I couldn't get a good side profile of the head, it was hot outside and both wanted to be done with the pictures and get back in the A/C. But, I did get frontal shots to show ear carriage. The ears should NOT make a 'V' but should be erect(not necessarily touching but close together. #2 shows the 'V' and #1's ears could be closer for my personal preference but not bad at all!


Ear Length:
Ear's should be short and well furred. Ideal ear length is 2.5", MAX length is 3"!


Overall, I absolutely love #1, would only fault on the head not being rounded or having a 'mughead' but she's a baby and has yet to develope. #2 has nice hindquarter but is long and lacks good head and ear. They both got some oat treats for doing a good job.;-)

Attempting a Photo Shoot...

Note that I said 'attempt'. Lol! Today I got Big Daddy out for a quick photo shoot with the kids. Hannah, my daughter, is really attatched to Big Daddy and has to be the one to give him his daily hay and feed. She likes him because, "He doesn't bite me momma, he's my special bunny!" and so I wanted a nice picture of them both. Here's only 3 of the shots because little brother wanted to steal the lime light.;-)

"Okay Hannah, let me get a good picture of you and Big Daddy! Smile...Smile!"

"Momma, I just want to hold him like this..."


"Okay, okay, well move your hands and let me take a picture of YOUR bunny to put on your wall...say 'Daddy patty fatty'!" Yay, she smiled! ;-)


Ah...this picture speaks for itself!! Total take over by little brother, I don't think these kids love this bunny...do you??;-)

New Does

I'm excited to say that we will be getting two very nice does from Daykota Moat of Jersey Girl Woolies!! The two have impressive lines and body type. If I get permission to post photos, I'll introduce them both.:-) Stay tuned...