Members of the Animal Liberation Front, an animal rights group, allegedly raided a rabbit ranch in South Carolina Monday evening, taking several animals.
Blue Chip Farms, owned and managed by Dean and Arlene Goforth, is one of the largest commercial rabbit farms in South Carolina. A recent Yahoo article reported that there was no sign of illegal activity on the farm. Blue Chip Farms is also regulated and inspected by the the Food and Drug Administration.
According to ALF's website, the animal rights group is threatening to take further action if the farm is not shut down.
February 22, 2007
February 20, 2007
"How farmers aim to save ancient animal breeds from extinction"
This article is about heritage livestock breeds in Britain, but I believe anyone would be interested.
How Farmers Aim to Save Ancient Animal Breeds From Extinction
"There are just a few thousand tigers left in the wild, and mountain gorillas are down to a few hundred. With figures like these, it's easy to overlook those less exotic animals closer to home that are facing extinction. But, while they might not grab the headlines, the plight of native British livestock breeds such as the bagot goat, the British lop pig, the boreray sheep and even the original Aberdeen angus beef cattle is no less critical." more...
February 16, 2007
Gut stasis
This is a little sad. A friend of mine just lost her sweet German Angora buck this week. I/we thought it may have been gut stasis at first, because he'd stopped eating. It turns out that it wasn't, since our vet didn't see any signs of intestinal problems in the necropsy. The vet thinks the rabbit may have contracted pneumonia, but we're really not sure.
Anyway, in the initial oh-my-goodness-the-rabbit-is-sick-what-does-it-have research frenzy, we learned some interesting things about gut stasis. For those of you who aren't familiar with the term, gut stasis basically means your rabbit's gastrointestinal system shuts down. Food is passed through the gut too slowly, allowing bad bacteria to multiply. The bacteria produce toxins, which poison the rabbit's liver. The rabbit's tummy often bloats up with gas too. It's a pretty serious condition, but I was happy to see that there are some things you can do to pull your bunny through it.
(I'm also slightly morbid about rabbit diseases. They speak to my inner mad scientist.)
So, if you also are morbidly curious about bunny diseases, here's some links for more info on gut stasis:
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html
http://www.lopsandcavies.com/woolblock_fur_block.htm
http://www.mybunny.org/info/gi_stasis.htm
http://cottontails-rescue.org.uk/gutstasis.asp
Anyway, in the initial oh-my-goodness-the-rabbit-is-sick-what-does-it-have research frenzy, we learned some interesting things about gut stasis. For those of you who aren't familiar with the term, gut stasis basically means your rabbit's gastrointestinal system shuts down. Food is passed through the gut too slowly, allowing bad bacteria to multiply. The bacteria produce toxins, which poison the rabbit's liver. The rabbit's tummy often bloats up with gas too. It's a pretty serious condition, but I was happy to see that there are some things you can do to pull your bunny through it.
(I'm also slightly morbid about rabbit diseases. They speak to my inner mad scientist.)
So, if you also are morbidly curious about bunny diseases, here's some links for more info on gut stasis:
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html
http://www.lopsandcavies.com/woolblock_fur_block.htm
http://www.mybunny.org/info/gi_stasis.htm
http://cottontails-rescue.org.uk/gutstasis.asp
February 13, 2007
Will she like it?
Does this particular post really belong in a bunny blog? Well, perhaps...
Guess what? I finally bit the bullet and submitted a rabbit-related article (along with a few photos) to a magazine. The editor emailed late last week to let me know that she'd recieved my submission, but I won't know for at least a week if they'll be able to use it or not. Rejection slips are something I'll have to deal with if I pursue free-lance writing full-time, but as a rank beginner, I still hope I'll be lucky the first time around.
Here's the kicker: besides writing for my websites and this blog (my website writing really isn't that hot, trust me :-) ), I've never queried an Real Live Editor. And I had the nerve to submit my little piece in hopes of payment! (Goodness, is she a little nuts or what?) Hopefully the *subject matter* is unique enough to warrant a closer look from this publication.We shall see!
Keep your fingers crossed!
Guess what? I finally bit the bullet and submitted a rabbit-related article (along with a few photos) to a magazine. The editor emailed late last week to let me know that she'd recieved my submission, but I won't know for at least a week if they'll be able to use it or not. Rejection slips are something I'll have to deal with if I pursue free-lance writing full-time, but as a rank beginner, I still hope I'll be lucky the first time around.
Here's the kicker: besides writing for my websites and this blog (my website writing really isn't that hot, trust me :-) ), I've never queried an Real Live Editor. And I had the nerve to submit my little piece in hopes of payment! (Goodness, is she a little nuts or what?) Hopefully the *subject matter* is unique enough to warrant a closer look from this publication.We shall see!
Keep your fingers crossed!
Bunny pics & nature walk
Whew, another photo shoot. The Nursery page on our Angora website finally got an update, and [drum roll...] we have a whole photo album with pictures of each of the Angora babies! Woohoo! Take a look...they're CUTE. [grin] (I'm developing another website right now, so keeping the blog and the bunny sites up-to-date have been put on the back burner.)
My loving family-of-the-warm-bodies (see earlier post about warming baby bunnies) threw me out out of the house Sunday. I've been spending a lot of time on the computer lately, so this week I came dangerously close to communicating solely in a series of grunts and burps, wearing animal skins, and putting a bone in my nose. It took a while to pry the mouse out of my cold, stiff fingers, but I'm really glad now that I didn't miss out.
We took a hike with the dogs through the woods behind our pasture. The sun was out, and it was surprisingly warm for a February afternoon. Leaves crunched underfoot, and the birds that haven't flown south were out en masse enjoying this beautiful winter day. To top it off, I even remembered the camera! Attached is a couple of shots, one of pine trees against a winter sky and another of a bird's nest we found along the trail.
My loving family-of-the-warm-bodies (see earlier post about warming baby bunnies) threw me out out of the house Sunday. I've been spending a lot of time on the computer lately, so this week I came dangerously close to communicating solely in a series of grunts and burps, wearing animal skins, and putting a bone in my nose. It took a while to pry the mouse out of my cold, stiff fingers, but I'm really glad now that I didn't miss out.
We took a hike with the dogs through the woods behind our pasture. The sun was out, and it was surprisingly warm for a February afternoon. Leaves crunched underfoot, and the birds that haven't flown south were out en masse enjoying this beautiful winter day. To top it off, I even remembered the camera! Attached is a couple of shots, one of pine trees against a winter sky and another of a bird's nest we found along the trail.
February 6, 2007
Wild parties - breeder style!
Anytime you're expecting six litters of rabbits during the coldest night of the whole winter, something offbeat is bound to happen! This party started Sunday afternoon. Doe #1 (Californian) kindled a bouncing litter of nine live kits, and really didn't pull a lot of fur. The kits got chilled and my wonderful family stepped in and helped warm them up. So, we're good there. The kits made it through the night just fine and everyone was happy.
Until Monday afternoon, that is. My father called from work yesterday to warn us that the temperature was supposed to drop pretty low during the evening. Then I heard the weather report: "Low temperature advisory: temperatures in the single digits. Some areas will experience a windchill of -15 degrees. If you must venture outside, wear a hat and gloves to prevent frostbite."
Being an intelligent, level-headed individual, I naturally reacted with calmness and self-control. "OH MY GOODNESS, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE -15 TONIGHT?! I have an OPEN RABBIT BARN! THEY'RE ALL GOING TO FREEZE TO DEATH!" There was only one thing for I and my brave comrades to do: protect the innocent bunnies and ducklings at all costs! (Oh yeah, that's right. I forgot to tell you that we also have a three ducklings and a chick that a very dedicated hen hatched in the middle of January.) And so, the newborn litter of eight found themselves safely sheltered in my bedroom from the bitter cold. Not to spoil the fun, the ducklings also joined the party. (This particular room used to be a laundry room, so it has a washable linoleum floor.) Then, I remembered poor Lacie the Angora and her five-week-old litter. If the rest of my rabbits were going to freeze to death, I wasn't about to lose my fuzz babies too! So, they also settled in for a sleepover, sharing a nice big dog crate pressed into service for the night. (Ribo, my spoiled spaniel, had something to say about that, but when you're facing the annihilation of your barn, nothing stands in the way!)
Things were getting pretty cozy. We had the outside critters bedded down as best we could and the zoo inside was settled in. Ah, we could finally relax with some popcorn for our Monday night Heroes tradition. After the show was over, I stepped into the bedroom and flicked on the light to check the menagerie. Oops! Six saucy little pixie faces blinked up at me from the middle of the floor. Those naughty little English Angora bunnies had somehow squeezed out of the wire dog crate! ("Goodness, it's a good thing the other dog hadn't found them. He's only a pup and he wouldn't know not to hurt them!") So, I ushered the little furry rascals back to bed and stopped up the gap along the bottom of the crate. Problem solved.
I, my roommates, three dogs, four birds, and 18 rabbits of various sizes finally settled down for bed. But, I just had to check the rabbits one more time before bed (this was about midnight). After donning my down jacket, wool stocking cap, insulated gloves, and heavy boots (remember the weather report?) I stepped out into the Artic tundra, fighting my way across the field through a swirling blizzard to check on the poor snowbound bunnies. (Errr, a slight exaggeration...) Ah ha! Doe #2 (Butterscotch the Creme d'Argent) had kindled! Seven kits! Again, they weren't covered, but they were slightly damp and completely warm. Must be only a few minutes old. Well, back to the house with them too.
Twenty-five rabbits. Three dogs. Four poultry. Plus people. In one room. (Does that set some kind of record?)
I finally was able to get to bed, but suddenly I heard this...splashing sound. Ducks! They had woken up and, doing what ducks do best, demanded a midnight swim. (I woke them up going outside. My poor sister.) Well, another night in the Bennett house. :-)
When all was said and done, the temperature only dropped in the 20's. Figures.
Until Monday afternoon, that is. My father called from work yesterday to warn us that the temperature was supposed to drop pretty low during the evening. Then I heard the weather report: "Low temperature advisory: temperatures in the single digits. Some areas will experience a windchill of -15 degrees. If you must venture outside, wear a hat and gloves to prevent frostbite."
Being an intelligent, level-headed individual, I naturally reacted with calmness and self-control. "OH MY GOODNESS, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE -15 TONIGHT?! I have an OPEN RABBIT BARN! THEY'RE ALL GOING TO FREEZE TO DEATH!" There was only one thing for I and my brave comrades to do: protect the innocent bunnies and ducklings at all costs! (Oh yeah, that's right. I forgot to tell you that we also have a three ducklings and a chick that a very dedicated hen hatched in the middle of January.) And so, the newborn litter of eight found themselves safely sheltered in my bedroom from the bitter cold. Not to spoil the fun, the ducklings also joined the party. (This particular room used to be a laundry room, so it has a washable linoleum floor.) Then, I remembered poor Lacie the Angora and her five-week-old litter. If the rest of my rabbits were going to freeze to death, I wasn't about to lose my fuzz babies too! So, they also settled in for a sleepover, sharing a nice big dog crate pressed into service for the night. (Ribo, my spoiled spaniel, had something to say about that, but when you're facing the annihilation of your barn, nothing stands in the way!)
Things were getting pretty cozy. We had the outside critters bedded down as best we could and the zoo inside was settled in. Ah, we could finally relax with some popcorn for our Monday night Heroes tradition. After the show was over, I stepped into the bedroom and flicked on the light to check the menagerie. Oops! Six saucy little pixie faces blinked up at me from the middle of the floor. Those naughty little English Angora bunnies had somehow squeezed out of the wire dog crate! ("Goodness, it's a good thing the other dog hadn't found them. He's only a pup and he wouldn't know not to hurt them!") So, I ushered the little furry rascals back to bed and stopped up the gap along the bottom of the crate. Problem solved.
I, my roommates, three dogs, four birds, and 18 rabbits of various sizes finally settled down for bed. But, I just had to check the rabbits one more time before bed (this was about midnight). After donning my down jacket, wool stocking cap, insulated gloves, and heavy boots (remember the weather report?) I stepped out into the Artic tundra, fighting my way across the field through a swirling blizzard to check on the poor snowbound bunnies. (Errr, a slight exaggeration...) Ah ha! Doe #2 (Butterscotch the Creme d'Argent) had kindled! Seven kits! Again, they weren't covered, but they were slightly damp and completely warm. Must be only a few minutes old. Well, back to the house with them too.
Twenty-five rabbits. Three dogs. Four poultry. Plus people. In one room. (Does that set some kind of record?)
I finally was able to get to bed, but suddenly I heard this...splashing sound. Ducks! They had woken up and, doing what ducks do best, demanded a midnight swim. (I woke them up going outside. My poor sister.) Well, another night in the Bennett house. :-)
When all was said and done, the temperature only dropped in the 20's. Figures.
February 4, 2007
The rare breeds are coming!
Guess what? Rare breeds are taking off in Virginia. Besides yours truly [wink], there's several other folks here in the Old Dominion state with heritage bunns:
Heidi Brashear, Roseline Bunnies - Silver Fox
Ranch Phoenix - American Chinchillas (just found this link yesterday, so don't ask me any questions about them)
Cher Brown, Rabbits of Harvest Moon - Beverens and Creme d'Argents
Heidi Brashear, Roseline Bunnies - Silver Fox
Ranch Phoenix - American Chinchillas (just found this link yesterday, so don't ask me any questions about them)
Cher Brown, Rabbits of Harvest Moon - Beverens and Creme d'Argents
The rare breeds are coming!
Guess what? Rare breeds are taking off in Virginia. Besides yours truly [wink], there's several other folks here in the Old Dominion state with heritage bunns:
Heidi Brashear, Roseline Bunnies - Silver Fox
Ranch Phoenix - American Chinchillas (just found this link yesterday, so don't ask me any questions about them)
Cher Brown, Rabbits of Harvest Moon - Beverens and Creme d'Argents
Heidi Brashear, Roseline Bunnies - Silver Fox
Ranch Phoenix - American Chinchillas (just found this link yesterday, so don't ask me any questions about them)
Cher Brown, Rabbits of Harvest Moon - Beverens and Creme d'Argents
It All Evens Out
Who'd have thought it: today we *almost* had a repeat of the disaster with Liberty last week. I think I'm developing a complex!
Anyway, one of my Californian does kindled this afternoon (a whopping litter of nine!). I remembered the nestbox *this* time, but the ol' girl didn't pull much fur. I can't say as I blame her: it was COLD and WINDY this afternoon. They were chilled when I found them. But - they were alive! Even better, their breathing and circulation was still good. Thank God. After some skin-to-skin cuddling from my obliging family, all the bunnies were warmed up safely. With the addition of some extra nestbox fur, the babies are warm and dry now! If it was a small litter, I'd probably also fill a small pop bottle with hot water, cover it with a handtowel (hot water bottle thing) and nestle it down in the nest so the babies would have another heat source.
So class, what did we learn this time? [grin]
Anyway, one of my Californian does kindled this afternoon (a whopping litter of nine!). I remembered the nestbox *this* time, but the ol' girl didn't pull much fur. I can't say as I blame her: it was COLD and WINDY this afternoon. They were chilled when I found them. But - they were alive! Even better, their breathing and circulation was still good. Thank God. After some skin-to-skin cuddling from my obliging family, all the bunnies were warmed up safely. With the addition of some extra nestbox fur, the babies are warm and dry now! If it was a small litter, I'd probably also fill a small pop bottle with hot water, cover it with a handtowel (hot water bottle thing) and nestle it down in the nest so the babies would have another heat source.
So class, what did we learn this time? [grin]
- Checking rabbits that are due is a good thing. Getting up at 2 A.M. to check does is another good thing if you can drag yourself up that early.
- Having cool family members with warm bodies is another good thing.
- Creme d'Argents that pluck themselves bald when they have a litter is another good thing - "Tulip's" fur is insulating the Cal babies now!
- Having a cage in the house for pregnant does would be REALLY nice if I had the room and I wasn't a Big-Evil-Commercial-Breeder-Who-Breeds-Six-Does-to-Kindle-on-One -Weekend. [grin again]
February 2, 2007
Awww, cute!
I snapped some pictures today of our five-week-old English Angora kits. The pictures didn't come out as well as I'd hoped, but the bunnies sure are cute! (You can see them at www.freewebs.com/cremerabbits/nursery.htm.)
Those little fluffballs are totally fearless. Gideon (dog) was chilling out in the living room when we had the bunns out and the rabbits were all over him. I think he was a *little* perturbed, but he eventually let the rabbits cuddle up to him. (yes, we do have a picture of that.)
Those little fluffballs are totally fearless. Gideon (dog) was chilling out in the living room when we had the bunns out and the rabbits were all over him. I think he was a *little* perturbed, but he eventually let the rabbits cuddle up to him. (yes, we do have a picture of that.)
Cool Link
Remember the post from two weeks ago on raising rabbits naturally? You'd never guess what I found: a whole forum on Yahoo! Groups dedicated to raising rabbits in colonies (family groups) and pasture pens! Click here to check it out.
"Colony Raising Rabbits" is a relatively new e-group, but it looks like there's some interesting messages in the archives. If you're thinking about ditching the rabbit cage, it would be worth your while!
Have a hoppy day,
Hannah
"Colony Raising Rabbits" is a relatively new e-group, but it looks like there's some interesting messages in the archives. If you're thinking about ditching the rabbit cage, it would be worth your while!
Have a hoppy day,
Hannah
Hard lesson
Egads! I realized I haven't updated the blog for two weeks: bad, bad.
I learned a hard lesson over the weekend. About a month ago, I bred a doe, but I didn't mark her exact due date down on the calender. I knew about when I needed to put in a nestbox, so when the day arrived, the rabbit got a nice nest full of bedding. No kits. "Oh well," I thought, "she must not have concieved."
Wrong.
I left the nestbox in for several more days, but eventually I had to pull the box out. The temperature dropped over the next few days and we had a bout of freezing, damp weather. Of course, she kindled a lovely litter of eight all over the floor of her cage. The poor babies were partially frozen when I found them the next morning. I felt so terrible about it. If she had a nestbox, that wouldn't have happened! That was not a fun lesson, but I think this breeder got the hint. When you breed your rabbits, make sure you know exactly when they're due so you can provide a nestbox!
On the upside, if you find newborn kits on the wire, you can sometimes save them. This doe's babies were beyond hope. But sometimes even if they appear dead, there's still a spark of life lingering. I've successfully warmed babies by cradling them next to my skin or by holding them in a bowl of warm (not hot) water. You want to make sure your kits are completely warmed before you take them back to Mom.
Until next time,
Hannah
I learned a hard lesson over the weekend. About a month ago, I bred a doe, but I didn't mark her exact due date down on the calender. I knew about when I needed to put in a nestbox, so when the day arrived, the rabbit got a nice nest full of bedding. No kits. "Oh well," I thought, "she must not have concieved."
Wrong.
I left the nestbox in for several more days, but eventually I had to pull the box out. The temperature dropped over the next few days and we had a bout of freezing, damp weather. Of course, she kindled a lovely litter of eight all over the floor of her cage. The poor babies were partially frozen when I found them the next morning. I felt so terrible about it. If she had a nestbox, that wouldn't have happened! That was not a fun lesson, but I think this breeder got the hint. When you breed your rabbits, make sure you know exactly when they're due so you can provide a nestbox!
On the upside, if you find newborn kits on the wire, you can sometimes save them. This doe's babies were beyond hope. But sometimes even if they appear dead, there's still a spark of life lingering. I've successfully warmed babies by cradling them next to my skin or by holding them in a bowl of warm (not hot) water. You want to make sure your kits are completely warmed before you take them back to Mom.
Until next time,
Hannah
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