Category: Youtube

Jewel is off to a new home.

10/8/2016

I wish I knew why Jewel, one of the sweetest buns I knew, had a disability. But i don't. I do know I managed to get attached to her and that was a problem... with an impending move in our future, I didn't want to risk her continued health.

I faced three options.
1. risk her health (didn't like that option)
2. euthanasia to prevent decline (didn't really want to as she's a kind rabbit)
3. locating a new residence.

I am pleased that she managed to find a new residence, with a rescue that specializes in helping disabled bunnies. Pretty cool eh?

She's now with the Dancing Rabbit rescue.

You can find more information out about them here and on facebook.

As a rabbit breeder it's always a risk dealing with a rescue. Some are good and some well... leave something to be desired. I am hopeful that this will be a good thing I have done with Miss Jewel.

Thump! Thump!

6/5/2016

Thought this rabbit was funny and has his owner well trained

Rabbits in the Winter

2/14/2016

Found this video on Youtube about caring for rabbits in the winter. Thought it had some good points (protecting from the wind, changing how you water them, providing hidey holes for warmth). I didn't agree with everything in the video though.

What didn't I agree with?
1. feeding lots of sugary foods. Rabbits in the winter don't need extra feed, they just need GOOD feed and it's not a time to put them on a diet.

My rabbits get hay and pellets one day, a grain mix and pellets the next. Days alternate. The rabbits do well. In winters where the weather is up and down I add pineapple juice into their water. It seems to raise the freezing temp (so water doesn't freeze as quickly) and it encourages the rabbits to drink more.

2. Not breeding in the winter because the babies will freeze. Is there a risk that babies will freeze? Yes, but it happens less frequently than you might suppose. If momma does her job properly the kits will be born into a well made nest. AND one can bring babies in the house if its particularly cold out (they generally only have to come in until they are well furred). Litters of more than four rarely have to come inside.

So what do rabbits NEED in the winter?

1. recognition that they come with built in fur coats so don't make them too warm. No heat lamps necessary. They do need protection from the wind.

2. Good food. Not extra feed, but good feed. Not a time for diets unless you have a fat rabbit.

3. Water in bowls not bottles UNLESS you have heated water bottles. Give them new water at least twice a day.

4. Breeding is fine as long as momma does her job. Bring small kits inside for a week until their fur comes in.

5. Giving a box to sit in if rabbits are acting cold. Some rabbits don't get cold, others like to get up off the wire. So weigh out your rabbits needs.

Guinea Pig Pregnancy

12/25/2015

The guinea pig pregnancy duration is long - approximately 59- 72 days (the average is 65 days) - the duration decreases with litter size (i.e. the smaller the litter, the longer the pregnancy). The mean length of pregnancy for a litter of 1 guinea pig is 70 days; for a litter of 6 guinea pigs its 67 days. This is a written statement I found here.

I have found through personal experience the distance between litters can be as little at 62 days and as long as 2.5 months. Depends on the boar and sow involved and the size of the litter. Smaller litters are shorter in duration and the pups are significantly weaker. Larger litters are longer in duration and the pups are significantly stronger. The difference is very obvious in the litters born most recently around here. :) It will be fun watching them grow.

Some information the video didn't provide:
Pregnant guinea pigs have to be handled VERY carefully. You can't just pick them up. You MUST fully support their bellies.

A healthy female will need NO intervention. They will do just fine managing themselves. If you have a feeder up off the floor it is advised to put the food bowl on the base of their housing. This makes it easier for the female to eat without having to lug her big belly around.

Common litter size is 3-4. Often one pup will be born dead, particularly with first time moms or with litters with lots of pups. Sows with more than six pups in the litter often need medical intervention to survive.

Having a wide feed bowl is vital with larger litters as the bigger pups will push the smaller ones out of the way unless the smaller ones are quite feisty.

If you run a herd and have the sows pup at the same time, they will help raise each others' pups. Having a wise experienced older sow in the herd is often an aid in raising pups well. Even if she isn't having young any more she'll often assist in keeping pups warm and bundled together in the herd. This is especially important with larger litters. It's easy for mom to miss one, but an experienced sow will simply gather them in.

Things to be alert to

Pregnant sows need more vitamin C.
they can overheat easily
if having a large litter, reaching a high feed/water bowl can be a problem. Water bottles should be lowered to an easily reached height.
Ketosis.
Wean boys at three weeks, and the girls at four weeks.
Pups should be eating within a day or two of birth. guinea pig milk is weak. Pups that have lost their mother can be easily maintained on a diet of cooked pumpkin, oatmeal and mushed up pellets. Ready access to hay is very important at this time as well. Keeping them with a quiet older sow is very helpful in teaching them to eat well. :)

Christmas treats for Rabbits

12/15/2015

The above video is specifically for how to make a christmas treat for your rabbit, below is for general homemade treats for your rabbits.

Peter Rabbit and Christmas

12/15/2015

I thought this was cute and therefore am sharing it with you all. :)
Merry Christmas. :)

Bunnies and Wheelchairs

8/24/2015

So I was directed HERE by one of the rabbit boards I follow. It caused my curiousity to arise... about how many bunnies are out in wheelchairs.

I have to admit, I have strong concerns about the one that Bertha is in. When she lies down her back at at this huge angle which cannot be good for her. Imhave a stronger regard for this one.

I still don't like the angle that bunnies back will be at, but it's better than Bertha's don't you think? That ease of mobility? Neat isn't it?

So if your bunny suffers a back injury for whatever reason, this might be something you want to consider.

Some kid made this one for an injured cottontail.... CUT the sound to avoid the annoying music. it's unneeded to watch the video.

Sometimes indeed it might be kinder to euthanize the bunny. Seriously.
You have to weigh out the pros and cons...some bunnies won't like a restraint... like the one bunny I saw that kept nipping at his harness. And Bertha looked so disheveled in her get up and another I saw that I wondered if was truly good for the bunny.. or if it was just better for the owners feelings.

Consider your animal before you consider your own feelings. THAT is what must be looked at first.

Jewel is off to a new home.

Thump! Thump!

Rabbits in the Winter

Guinea Pig Pregnancy

Christmas treats for Rabbits

Peter Rabbit and Christmas

Bunnies and Wheelchairs

Rabbit Hutch Design

Bunny and Deer

RUN Rabbit!!!!!!

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