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Cute bunny syndrome a problem out west

8/31/2013

Being that rabbits are a very multi-purpose animal, having them be used in their various ways is a good thing.

Perhaps for some people, not an easy thing, but still a good thing overall.
Rabbits make for a good white meat. They aren't just pets, they aren't just wool-producers, and they aren't just show animals. Rabbits are food for not only animals but for people as well.

There is a good market in Ontario and Alberta for rabbit meat.

Alberta is having some troubles though. They want to produce more rabbit, but they are needing to import it rather than support local growers, due to the slowness in getting a federally inspected plant up and running.

It’s another white meat. And, according to Alberta producers, Canadians would be eating a lot more of it if the slow-moving government would grant a licence to slaughter the fecund little critters more quickly.

so what do you think is better.... supporter local growers? or importing meat from sources that quite potentially won't have as high a standard for care?

Hmm... support local sources. You'll get a fresher, better quality product and you'll know that overall the standard of care is good. It will also gain you a cheaper end run product... supporting the local economy as well. :)

“We can produce these animals locally at home — where there are better quality forages — at less cost than anywhere else in the world,” she said.

Let's hope the folks in Alberta can get the federal plant that they need eh? Support our local farmers!

Rabbits and Flystrike

8/31/2013

Here's a story of a rabbit who had to deal with FlyStrike.

Flystrike is not a fun thing to have happen with your rabbits.
You need to get rid of ALL the maggot and any unhatched eggs.
You need to treat your rabbit for shock if at all necessary.

Hopefully your rabbit will make it.

So here we go

Who is susceptible?
Rabbits that are old and/or are just unable to clean themselves well. This includes fat rabbits, rabbits with bad teeth, arthritic rabbits etc.
Rabbits kept in wet, dirty conditions.
Rabbits with wounds on them.
Rabbits with wet/dirty groins.
These rabbits are apt to get flystrike.

What will I see?
- generally a lethargic bunny with maggots on it.
- rabbits are not always lethargic though

What do I do?
ASAP - remove all maggots. This means cleaning out ALL maggots. for longer haired animals removing the long hair, checking over the rabbit thoroughly to find where all the maggots are and they burrow in very quickly. EVERY SINGLE ONE needs to be removed and flushed away.

Shock is a real factor in flystrike so you need to move quickly and stress your rabbit as little as possible. You will need to watch for secondary infection and be prepared to treat as necessary. Your rabbit may need the attentions of a rabbit-savvy vet.

Other sources:

Medicanimal.
Hopping herd of Hares.
Medirabbit.

Housing Rabbits Outdoors

8/31/2013

I've had a few people this year asking me questions about raising rabbits out of doors. Some seem surprised that this is possible, others were planning to do it all along. They all ask how I do it and what to watch for.

I will tell you what I do, and what I've done in the past as well.

In the past I had a 4 x 2 x 2 deep, three level cage that I kept rabbits in.
On cold blustery days (and overnight) I tarped the whole thing, on nice days I left it open.

It was wood on three sides, with wire bottoms with pull out trays, and wire on the front. The rabbits did really well in this.

I also made some wood pens out of old pallets. They were wire bottomed and two sides were wire as well. the rest was wood. I would also tarp these when the weather was very cold and blustery.

For the most part I know longer use these cages. They are emergency use only (for sick rescues and the like). I now keep my rabbits in wire cages (good for keeping them clean and safe). They are housed inside a car port.

These are my cages for young stock and for rescues.

In the winter I throw an additional tarp overtop.
I do this for a couple of different reasons.
First to protect my car ports from snow load.
Second to provide an extra layer to help maintain heat.
and third, to provide shelter for me going to the feed and hay sheds. (might as well keep myself comfortable).

Car port over tarped. In front you see cat nip drying on a cage that was under repair.

I am not sure why people are often surprised that I keep my rabbits outside 24/7. Even in the winter. Rabbits come with fur coats. Keeping themselves warm is not an issue. I have a harder time in the summer keeping them cool, than I do to keep them healthy in the winter.

I do have to deal with frozen water bottles, so in the winter I switch to crocks (bowls)...which surprisingly often don't freeze solid until into January, and during warmish winter days, often don't freeze at all.

Biscuit and her cage

My Biggest rabbit Biscuit has her very own cage. We built it because biscuit isn't real keen on being near other rabbits. She really likes having her own space. She is litter boxed trained, the cage is 4 x 4, wired on three sides. In the winter I put plywood on two sides and leave the wire side open with a piece of plywood I can place in front during inclement weather. She is VERY happy/content in this cage. It is just high enough that I can leave the top open and she can jump out and visit me while I am gardening. She's a good bun who comes when called.

Most people who want to keep their rabbits out of doors I tell them the following.

put your rabbit under shade
keep your rabbit cool in the summer (frozen water bottles help, nice shady tree, constant access to water).
in the winter make sure that cold wind can not blow up under them.
in blustery weather make sure the rabbit has some way to get out of the wind. Snow won't bother them but wind on their bellies is a good way to get a sick rabbit.

People who take my advice have rabbits that do just fine for them. And that's just the way it should be. :)

Rescue looking for a new home

8/31/2013

Tentatively named Jill, this girlie is looking for her own home.
She's larger than many harlequins, thinking she's a harlequin new zealand cross.
Nice rabbit. easily handled. well adapted to a variety of feeds.
Nails trimmed today, didn't make a fuss at all.

Asking $20, or willing to trade for three wooden nz sized nestboxes.

Two kits to new homes

8/31/2013

Sage x Cross - June 22, female. pet home Port Elgin.

Sage x Cross - June 22, male, pet home London.

Instinct of Colour

8/30/2013

This is just fun to watch. My lad enjoyed it immensely. :)

Jack, off to a new home

8/29/2013

This adorable boy Jack has gone off to a new home. He's going to be the much adored pet living in Toronto. He was a such a sweet good boy here. :) I am so pleased that he found a home immediately. :)

Jack in his new digs. :)

Buying and Selling, Happiness

8/27/2013

Yesterday I sold this cage.

I sold it to a family that wanted it for their guinea pigs. I had a delightful time just talking with them mom and her two girls. They had done some research on guinea pigs, and they asked me good questions. They won't be getting the guinea pigs from me as they are looking for Abysinnians, but it was such fun chatting with about the cage, and guinea pigs and such like.

This is what I like about selling pet animals. The meeting with people, helping them learn more, seeing the joy and excitement on their face, just very cool that. :)