I'VE FINALLY DONE IT!

Well....for the most part anyway, LOL! I'm cutting back, no more random breeds in the rabbitry that I'm playing with, I'm putting my foot (and wallet) down. I sold a pair of rabbits this past weekend, a holland doe and a mini rex buck. The holland was the last one left from the breeding rabbits I picked up in CT for my boyfriend, he is holding onto one tort buck for a pet as he has fallen in love with him. I sold a red mini rex buck who had an AWESOME body, but his ear smut just wasn't cutting it for the show tables. I bred him, hoping the doe took before he left! She hasn't been showing any real signs of being broody, and today was the day she was supposed to be due. I also have a black litter due the 22nd, hoping she took, because I've had a lot of interest on my black buck Kang, and he will probably be leaving here shortly. I'm going to cut back drastically on Mini Rex, if I get some good red kits, I'll keep a few, but as of now I just want selfs and otters. I'm keeping the Jersey Woolies, obviously, and I REALLY want to keep the Hares, I love the arched breeds, but I have no outside buck to breed to and my doe is going to be 2 in a few months so I really need to get her bred, if anyone could help me out with a buck, even if I could just borrow him, that would be REALLY appreciated. I'm also bringing in Checkered Giants in the spring, and that is it for my breed roster, for the time being. I really haven't found any other breed sparking my interest, but you never know!

General Updates

The highs and lows in temperature this week have really been taking their toll on the rabbits fur, they don't know whether they should be growing out their thick winter coats or shedding them out! Almost every rabbit in the barn is in a molt right now, joy. Thankfully I don't have any shows coming up until January, so the herd molt isn't that serious.

I sold 2 rabbits this afternoon, woo-hoo :) Ran to feed store...but they were closed. I'll have to get grain tomorrow morning. I've decided to switch grain. The Purina Show Formula just isn't quite doing it for me, so I ordered some bags of Manna Sho Formula instead. I used Manna Sho wayyyyy back when I first started breeding and showing rabbits. At the time I had Satins and Jersey Woolies, after I switched to Manna I started winning BIS's & RIS's at almost every show I attended, once even taking BIS & RIS at the same show. The rabbits fur was gorgeous, and flesh condition was amazing, so I decided to make the switch back. Hopefully I'll see the same results I did almost 6 years ago.

Another note, I really, really want Checkered Giants. I located a breeder in Maine, I'm hoping the information the woman from the ACGRC is up to date and he is still breeding, because he's close to me. I am very excited...I have sold out of Holland Lops, am cutting back on Mini Rex and may sell out of them completely, and am going to be selling the Hares. I love the Belgians, but I have NO outside breeding stock, everything I have is related and I can no longer breed the lines I have and for 2 years have not been able to get an outside lined buck in my rabbitry, so I'm giving up. I tried my hardest to promote and breed this lovely Arched animal, but I'm at a stand still and can't find a way out without importing very expensive animals which I can't do right now.

Anyway, I'm hoping to have these Checkered's in my rabbitry before the snow hits the ground. C.G's and the woolies are going to be my main focus, after my 2 Mini Rex does kindle I'm going to keep the best one from each litter and show them on a very limited basis, I'm not sure I'm going to continue breeding them.

-Domonique

Breed changes in my future?

Checkered Giant, just gorgeous!

I'm sure we've all gone through this, contemplating whether or not one of those breeds out in the barn is something that works for us. Sure the size has made us keep them, lack of space they need, food they consume, they're popular so you never have trouble finding competition at local shows. We've gone through all the reasons as to why we SHOULD or potentially want to keep them, but at the back of your mind, you know that they just aren't a breed you're passionate about.

Right now, that's how I'm feeling with my Mini Rex. Don't get me wrong, I've got some GREAT stock, from some of the best lines obtainable, but...for the past few weeks I've just had this little question mark stuck in the back of my mind..."is this really the breed for me?". I think what first attracted me like so many other people, was that plush fur! I have NO trouble finding competition at shows for these guys (with the exception of my reds), and they sell very well. I like the cobby body type and gentle nature. However, though I do like them as a whole, I don't know if I like them ENOUGH to devote a lot of cage space, time, and patience to them as a breed. Right now they're competing with space for my Jersey Woolies, and when push comes to shove, somethings got to give.

I am not going to give up though! I am willing to get my litters in the nestboxes, play around with the breed some more and give them a little time to warm up to me. I just see A LOT of holes filled with Mini Rex right now that I would like to see Woolies in, and my numbers of Mini Rex are forcing me to keep lower numbers in my Woolies, and I'm just not okay with that.

Sure if I had a rabbitry of a bigger size, 50+ holes, I'd have no problem filling some holes with Mini Rex, but I don't have a rabbitry of that size, and currently only operate on 25-35 holes maximum (for the moment, hehe). Since I've been thinking of letting go of the Mini Rex, this has led me to thinking about what breeds I would want to come in and take their place in the spring once I add more holes to the rabbitry. I am very strict on the practice of never breeding more then 4 breeds at a time, preferably I like to keep it at a maximum of 3.

Currently, there are 7 different breeds in my barn, LOL! Three of them are my actual show breeds that I actively breed/show, the others are mostly single animals of various breeds that are strictly my spoiled pets. The show rabbits are spoiled to, the pets however are allowed to get fat ;D Here are the pets:

1 Black Himalayan Sr. Buck - Arata's All My Mojoe McCool:
"Joseph" I bought a while back at the CCRBA Late show. I raised Himalayans back in my youth days, and the first EVER BIS I won, was with a Black Jr Buck named Rowdy. I'd also like to add that my first BIS was also an OPEN BIS win, boy was I ever excited, I was probably 13-14 at the time. Anyway, I saw the breeder had put a FOR SALE tag on his cage after the judging that day, so I inquired about him, only to find out he was being sold as a pet because one testicle never descended. After I picked him up I just couldn't resist, so I bought him, and he came home to live the spoiled pet life with me & the show bunnies.

1 Florida Whire Sr. Buck - Space Ghost:
Ghost I bought for my boyfriends brother after he developed a fond love of rabbits, and wouldn't leave my show bunnies alone! When purchasing pets, I always like to opt for Rescue's, giving an animal a new, loving home who has faced hard times always makes me feel better. I picked Ghost up for $10 from a farm stand selling rabbits, he was dirty, bullied by his 4 other cage mates, and underfed. He came home to live with us and is now a very spoiled, and FAT little bunny.
(Ps. In the future, I am planning on devoting 10 holes to strictly rescue rabbits and operating a very small Rabbit Rescue. We will rehabilitate, and place these rabbits up for adoption through our main rabbitry site, each bunny will be posted with his/her story and the progress they are making. We plan on charging a very low adoption fee to cover the cost of feed for the bunnies still in the rescue program, vet bills and to help rescue other bunnies from bad situations. Of course, public donations will be welcomed as well.)

1 Black 6-8 Flemish Giant Buck- Wood's What Aye Woodstock:
Woody just never found himself a girlfriend, I show him on a regular basis however. So until he gets a lady friend, he's living the pet life :)

2 Holland Lops:
I'm getting lazy adding names, ugh. My boyfriend thought he was going to breed Hollands. He decided now wasn't the right time, and let me have all the more room for my breeds instead :). His buck will be a neutered pet, the doe we are reselling because she has National placing animals in her background ;D

After a while, my wrists start to hurt from all this typing, geesh! I don't even feel like finishing this blog, but I must!

Continuing on with my talk of new breeds, I have been HEAVILY considering a marked breed....yes I said it. A MARKED breed. Oh they are tricky little buggers to get right for the show tables, but they are so gosh darn lovely! My future breed considerations:

-Checkered Giants (REALLY thinking about bringing in a pair this spring...)
-Rhinelanders (gorgeous, I love arches!)
-Silver Martens (that color combo just drives me wild! *drool*)
-Creme/Champagne D'Argents
-Mini Satins (gotta have a small option right?)
-Satin Angoras (love fluff)
-New Zealands (maybe? I just love that rock solid body type)
-Standard Chinchilla (I like chin...who knows)

That's a lot of breeds to consider, and who knows, over the years maybe I'll try them all out until I find another breed that just FITS.

-Domonique

My Rabbitry first aid kit & the importance of having one

Westover's Glory Boy Brkn Chestnut Sr. Buck
(Gary was another really nice rabbit from Brenda Westover. He had a head to die for and the thickest, most correctly shaped ears I have to this day, ever seen on a Jersey Wooly. He never had the 10% body color to be shown, and he developed a lot of health problems later on so I never bred him. He was a true sweetheart, and a handsome boy.)

GC Westover's Shalinka REW Sr. Doe - 3 Legs all for BOB
(Shelly was a REALLY nicely typed doe from Brenda Westover I had a year ago, I regretfully sold her because I thought I was going to get out of the breed with an at that time lack of Jersey Wooly stock available, I'm really kicking myself for that one -.- I have a blue buck right now that I know would have produced VERY nicely with her...*sigh*)

This post is really for ANYONE who raises any type of livestock, and also for the every day person who doesn't own an animal! A first aid kit is always an ESSENTIAL in any home/barn/office/work space. You never know when something is going to go wrong, or when someone is going to get sick or injured.

I can not stress enough the importance of keeping one in your rabbitry. I wouldn't own animals if I didn't have a first aid kit handy. All sorts of things from the simple weepy eye to the more serious enteritis, coccidiosis or gaping wounds could pop up at any moment when you're least expecting it, and the least you can do, is be prepared!

My First Aid kit MUST HAVES & estimated cost of each item: (I purchase my first aid essentials from KW Cages & Equipment)

• Wormer $4.99: Ok, so this really isn't a FIRST AID must have, but I worm all my rabbits on a yearly basis. Roundworms & pinworms can do harm, soaking up the goods of your expensive grain that the rabbits are ingesting, and denying your animal the nutritional benefits and robbing them of much needed body condition and weight.
• Penicillin G Drops $5.99: This is an oil based formula that can be directly applied to spots of infection such as vent disease and can be used in the treatment of wry neck.
• Mycin Nose Drops $6.99: Aids in the treatment of Pasturella Multocida and helps relieve symptoms such as snuffles and respiratory problems. This is an absolute must have for me, I have known people who have lost rabbits to this disease. It's very deadly, and must be treated ASAP upon detection. It is also highly contagious. You apply this directly to the nostrils of your rabbits.
• Sure-Clot Styptic Powder $6.19: Helps stop bleeding from the tattooing process, short cut nails, scrapes or punctures etc.
• Pennicillian G 100cc Injectable form $12.95: This is the injectable antibiotic form of the oil based drops. The drops help relieve infection symptoms, while this aids in CURING the actual infection. Great for Pasturella Multocida, Snuffles, Mastitis, Metritis, Abscesses etc.
  
• Bene-Bac PetGel $6.99: Given orally, this paste helps cut loses due to Enteritis. Use during times you can expect when numbers of beneficial intestinal bacteria will be low i.e., weaning, post weaning, after shipping, or during & following antibiotic therapy.
• Acid Pak 4-Way $6.49: A supplement source of live,naturally occurring microorganisms, acidifiers, electrolytes and enzymes. A water soluble alternative to Bene-Bac PetGel. Cuts loses to Enteritis.
• Vital vitamins & electrolytes $3.89: Helps to combat stress and encourage appetite in rabbits off feed while providing them the essential vitamins they need. Great for show rabbits who are subjected to traveling long distances such as ARBA conventions and rabbits being shipped.
• Nutrical $6.89: A paste given to sick rabbits who have gone off feed. Filled with essential nutrients to keep them sustained until they regain their appetite.
• Oxbow Critical Care $8.99 (5oz pouch): A complete syringe feeding formula for convalescing rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and other small herbivores. For lack of appetite due to illness, post surgical recovery or pain. (This is for the more serious reasons as to why a rabbit would go off feed, I suggest the above 2 formulas for rabbits recently off feed due to stress such as ARBA conventions etc, save this one for the more serious stuff).
• Sulfadimethoxine Solution $17.99 (8oz liquid): Helps to control/eliminate the Coccidia bacteria which causes Coccidiosis.
• Dri-Tail $3.99: For the treatment of diarrhea/scours.
• Syringes w/needles $.50-$.65 ea: I keep 3cc and 1cc syringes with needles on hand at all time in case I have a rabbit that needs antibiotic injections. 3cc is used to administer a larger dose, while the 1 cc is for low doses. I keep 3 of each size on hand.
• Curve Tip Syringe w/o needle $1 ea: Used to force feed. I would use this to administer the Oxbox Critical Care formula. I keep 3 on hand.
• Bandages, gauze, rags, rubbing alcohol, bag balm salve etc: All the basics for cleaning up cuts/runny eyes, cleaning ears before/after tattooing and treatment of sore hocks.

It's also important to quarantine any animals who are extremely sick that carry contagious infections and administer proper treatment or dispose of the animal humanely. I also keep old bath towels or beach towels I no longer use on hand in the case of a stressed animal off it's feed, I can throw a towel over their cage to make them feel more secure and thus help in regaining their appetite.

-Domonique
www.northrunswild.webs.com

ps to make my blogs more interesting to look at, I posted photos of rabbits I used to have!

Excited!

ARCHIE - Red Sr. Buck

For those of you who don't know, I started breeding/showing Mini Rex rabbits of August this year. I have fallen in love with their type, fur and gentle yet quirky personalities. There is never a lack of breed competition on the show table in my area, although there is a lack of competition within certain varieties, and I decided I wanted to have one of the hardest varieties to find competition for in my area, REDS!

The last show I attended, there were only 4 in the whole variety, and 2 breeders. Myself & Sarah Brady of Lazee Bunny Farms. So, wanting to get more of this variety into circulation, I bred my pair of reds first, and my first litter is due November 17th, 1 week and 3 days away! I am however, a little skeptical if my doe took....

Shortly after I bred her, she somehow sustained an injury to her left hind leg and wasn't using it and it was awkwardly cocked in towards her stomach. I took her to the vets, and have had her on an anti-inflammatory medication for about a week now, she seems to be doing BETTER, but not 100%, and she is showing no signs of being broody. I'm wondering if this is because of her injury and she either reabsorbed the kits or just isn't being broody because of the injury, or if she just didn't take.

I'm hoping she took, the buck I paired her to is REALLY nice. What a deep, smooth body on him, and very even, consistent length/density of fur. He is a little smutty, because he is a black based red, but Lyra is a chocolate based red so I should get more chocolate based red kits out of the breeding.

Fingers crossed I'll have red babies in the nestbox next week! And then a black litter to follow 5 days later!

-Domonique
www.northrunswild.webs.com

Future Plans

I've been thinking lately, and I like the setup of my rabbitry at the time being. Along one wall underneath a high ventilation window I have 3 stackers of 3 holes totaling 9 holes along that wall. directly across from there I have the 3 large Belgian/Flemish kennels. Next to the Belgian cages I have a 6 hole stack. Then by the hay stall under the stairs to the attic there is a single kennel containing my boyfriends brothers Florida White buck. Totaling 18 holes in all at the time being. I REALLY like the cages I bought from Maine Cage Factory. They are of very good quality and look very nice in the barn.

But things could be better!

Ideally I'd like to get a spare stall in the barn cleaned out and house the rabbits in there along the 2 side walls and the back wall. I'd also like to convert all the cages over to the MCF cages in stacks. At the current time all the single seniors/juniors are housed in 18"x24" cages, which is fine.
My smaller breed brood does are kept in 24"x24" cages, which works, but ideally I'd like to get bigger holes for the brood does.

If I could have it perfectly the way I wanted it right now, I'd have all single seniors/juniors in 24"x24" cages and small breed brood does in 24"x30-36" cages. The large breeds I keep in those all wire dog kennels you can buy at pet stores, because realistically they are cheaper then having ACTUAL rabbit cages made in the sizes they need and they are easier to clean and have a longer life span then wooden hutches.

By the summer I'd like to get all the rabbits into the horse stall, whether or not I have all the cages converted over to MCF cages at that time. AND, ideally, this is how many holes I'd have in each size:

24x30-36 small breed brood cages: 2 stacks of 3 holes, 6 holes total. Or maybe just a single stack of 3 holes would work, I don't breed too many does at once.
24x24 small breed single senior/junior cages: 8 stacks of 3 holes, 21 holes total.
large breed single kennels: 6
large breed brood cages/kennels: 2

totaling about 33 holes, I'd add a few extra for a total of 35. Right now, 35 is the maximum # of holes I'd like to work with, it's not TOO small, and not too big. It gives me enough space limitation to prevent me from keeping too many juniors and buying too much brood stock. 35 is my ideal, and I'm hoping to have it by summer :)

Wish me luck,
-Domonique
www.northrunswild.webs.com

Breed Nationals & Leg Injuries.

KANG - Black Jr Buck: Current Herd Sire


So I've been thinking....thinking about attending Mini Rex nationals this May. By the time they arrive all of my animals will be Senior, which is fine with me because I have 2 litters due out of my best stock, and I'm REALLY looking forward to them. I'll have some time to show them as juniors before nationals arrive and get an idea of who I should bring and who I should leave home.

If all goes well, I'll be taking my now junior black buck Kang who will be senior by the time of nationals. He is looking better and better every day. He is now 4 months old, and still as tiny as ever.

On another note...my red brood doe Lyra somehow injured her leg and hasn't been using it. Took her to the vet about a week ago and there are no breaks or fractures, not even a dislocation, we think she may have torn some ligaments in her leg perhaps. I have her on an anti-inflammatory and I'm hoping she's feeling better soon, she has a litter due the 17th and I'd hate for her to kindle with a sore leg.

*sigh*

-Domonique