Lost the four I had left with her, she completely tore apart the nest when the kits were three days old. I don't know why, but her first litter was a wreck as well.
Her solo kit remains fostered to Juni.
Five kits from a breeding I didn't see happen and three days early.... Lovely nest. Five kits that are mismarks for being Dutch, all black. Lost the four I had left with her, she completely tore apart the nest when the kits were three days old. I don't know why, but her first litter was a wreck as well. Her solo kit remains fostered to Juni. Watch Me Grow
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Hi! You have purchased at least one of my rabbits as a pet or breeding animal. Congratulations. Whether you are a long-time rabbit owner, or a first time lover of rabbits, I find it’s good to learn how a rabbit breeder has kept their rabbits, as it helps in the transition of a bunny to new home. I focus on raising bunnies for health and temperament. I do my best to give you the best bunny I can. My bunnies are friendly, easy to handle buns. Breed DescriptionYou have brought home a Dutch rabbit. Dutch rabbits are known for their round, compact bodies, erect ears, curious manner and bicolour bodies. You can learn their history and markings explanation at the Dutch rabbit club. FeedingMy bunnies, depending on the season are fed, along with pellets, mixed greens (mostly the weeds from my garden), hay, and mixed grains. My dutch rabbits eat around 1/3 cup of pellets every single day. How much they get depends on the condition they are in. Due to my work schedule they normally get pellets in the morning. Along with fresh water. I feed pellets from the Hensall feed mill. It's a good 17% protein food. In the evening, during the growing season, they get a good handful of mixed greens. These mixed greens include a variety of weeds from my garden that are rabbit safe. Or they get some produce from my work at a grocery store. (various greens mostly along with melon rinds, strawberries etc). In the cold months they get hay, some mixed greens, or some mixed grains. Uncooked kitchen oatmeal works fine for bunnies (about 1 tsp). My mixed grain mix includes black oil sunflower seed, striped sunflower seed, rolled mixed grains, oatmeal and some stale dry goods like crackers, cheerios, etc. They don't get a whole lot and they LOVE getting it. :) HousingI always advise people to get the biggest cage they can afford or can make. Rabbits like room to roam but not all can be safely let out of their cages. A minimum cage size is 24 x 30 inches, larger is preferred. Solid or wire bottomed cages work well, as long as rabbits are kept clean and away from their litter. Wire cages do not cause sore hocks, wet and dirty conditions along with poor genetics cause that. Fresh Water DailyIn the cold months my bunnies are watered using crocks (stoneware bowls) that I switch out twice daily. I wash out any bowls that get dirty so bunnies always have access to clean, fresh water. In the warm months I use roller-ball style water bottles. I refill them as needed. Monthly/Weekly Check UpsOnce a month bunnies need to have their nails trimmed and have a general good health check up. These are things you can easily do at home. You will just be running your hands over your rabbits body checking for any abnormalities. Checking that their scent glands aren't plugged, and they haven't damaged their teeth, or picked up in bugs from the hay you feed them (like ear or fur mites). Anything alarming and you can go to your local rabbit savvy vet for help. Weekly check ups would include damage from fighting if keeping rabbits in pairs. Or unusual injuries. Rabbits can easily get small cuts from rubbing against sharp objects. Neutering/SpayingRecommendation is to only do this surgery if your rabbit requires it. I do not routinely recommend neutering as sometimes it won't correct behaviour and rabbits are very sensitive to anesthetic and can die during surgery. Their behaviour will indicate this need. 1. Mating behaviour that doesn’t dissipate. These behaviours include spraying (males and females), running around your feet honking, false pregnancies, moody females, etc. 2. Over-protective behaviour. Males and females being protective of their space. Males biting. Females acting pushy and growly. 3. Needs of a companion rabbit. Wanting to prevent offspring or trying to bond two same gender animals. I would advise calling around to different vet clinics about this surgery as prices vary. Additional ResourcesKimo was squeaking at Saddle through habitat walls yesterday so I suspected she was due fairly soon. She was fairly deliberate about telling him to stay away from her and he's such a good boy he listened! Anyways, she built a horrible nest so I helped her build a better one. She had a large litter and she's just a small girl. I have some does due in a couple of days so if she needs some help it should be available to her shortly. She has seven or eight kits. I thought I counted out seven kits, but when I look at the picture I'm wondering if there is eight. An update: we lost the entire litter. Something went through the rabbitry and freaked out the rabbits. Momma made some bad choices, the babies got cold and it went from bad to worse. Watch Me GrowMy first ever litter of dutch babies are finally here. Sabre is an experienced mom. She made a lovely nest with seven wee ones in it. She's doing a good job. Watch Me Grow |
AuthorI have been breeding rabbits for a quite a few years. I thoroughly enjoy them as animals and think they make great pets. I also like to take some of them to rabbit shows to see how they measure up to the standards. For the BEST rabbit forum I've ever found. Go to Rabbittalk.com. Good for the pet rabbit owner as well as the breeder for meat or show.
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