Yesterday, I moved the boys and youngsters out to the Summer House. Shouldn't see too much cold weather from here on in, so it's time. Takes half the cleaning work off me so I can spend more time in the gardens. That pretty much took the whole day. I had to decide who goes where, and then change my mind if a couple (like Black Tye) were being too randy with their neighbor. Can't have him splitting the lip of a show bunny. I clipped everyone's nails as I moved them, and whatever other grooming they needed. I carry them out 2 at a time in the little single carriers so about 9 or 10 trips to get it all done.
Then it was fun to just sit back and watch them check out the new digs. Bunnies really seem to enjoy a change of scenary and neighbors. They played with their wood and hay, but it might have been a bit of showing off for the others. Silly rabbits.
I wanted to set up a photo shoot for the babies, but kinda ran out of gas after that. They are about 4 wks old now, and that's the cutest age. I'll try to get to it today.
Got some promising babies and lots of does. Yay! Does have been scarce in litters lately. I think both BEWs are does, but haven't been able to sex the chestnut VMs yet. The black VM in Misty's litter (her only child) is a doe. There's several broken and solid black does. I'm pretty sure Black Dahlia's only child (x Axl) is a broken Sable Point doe. That's a first. Unfortunately, she doesn't have enough showable pattern, and Sable Pt might not show well as broken anyways. But she's a doe so probably a keeper. Iron Maiden's 2 smoke babies are bucks I think. I thought (hoped) one was a doe, and that could still change.
The 2 out of Hamilton's Infiniti (x Black Tye) are does. Ohyeah!!! These are special. This darn doe gave me fits (she's gone now). She missed and missed. When she finally had a litter, she ate on them. Gross! Her last litter I got lucky and she had them before night. I was able to save 2 of them. She had already taken the head off the 3rd. I whisked them into another doe's nestbox. The solid black is gianormous, but boy is she something! She has the signature import fur and is solid all over. The broken black is marked just like her daddy, and so far I'm loving her too. She might be small enough to be a show bunny. I hope Tye shortened them up. Looks like he might have. The dam was a big and long doe, although she was a true dwarf (threw peanuts). Tye was the best option for her being my shortest broken buck.
Got a few litters due this weekend. There's a NC show this weekend too, but have pretty much decided to take a break this week. Remembering the litters due has clinched it. I've been to shows 3 out of 4 wks this month, and 2 were in NC. I could use the break (and save the money) to work on some other things that need my attention. Next show will be the Knoxville (not in Knoxville this year) triple May 9.
tnt
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
1st Day of Spring
Aaah, my favorite time of the year. Daffodils are in full bloom and some of the flowering trees and shrubs are popping. It's been real nice weather-wise. A little rainy, but we need rain. Altho, it dipped back into the low 30s this morning, and same is predicted for tomorrow.
The 3 wk old litters are hopping out of the box. The best age! I attempted to confirm the early teat-sexing yesterday, and I think most of my first impressions are correct. Looks like lots of does...yay.
A lot of promising babies. A pair of smoke pearls, lots of blacks and broken blacks. Unfortunately, none of the brokens out of my beloved Silverado have pattern. I'll keep trying him on broken does. I did get a real nice broken seal buck out of Silver, but I sold him. Just don't have room for too many unshowable bucks.
Oh yeah and BEWs! I finally got some BEW babies! It's been so long since there were blue eyes in the nestbox. Moonbaby x Ford's Parti Boy (her 3rd try) had 2 BEWs, 2 chestnut VMs. All very cute at almost 2 wks old. The chestnut VMs are fun. I haven't had agouti in the box since the beginning of the rabbitry. They have cool markings, too.
I wasn't sure she was feeding them at first. Black Dahlia had a litter in time to take on some of them. I gave the BEWs to Dahlia because I trust her. Dahlia's litter wasn't as good as usual. She has 1 live left, and I think it's a broken sable pt. That would be a first.
I'm in show mode for Mocksville today. I'm not showing as many buns as usual. Just 5 bucks. Don't really have anything else except for some in the same varieties. Not a lot of point in showing against myself. Or the ones who haven't done as well on the table. No sense wasting fees on them.
I should thin out the broken black bucks, but they each have something to offer so I'm not ready to let them go yet. They all have such fun personalities and a place in my heart. If they were unfriendly, it would be easier to move them on.
Show season is in full swing. I have another NC show next weekend, and again the 1st week in April. A couple TN shows in May.
I decided I needed another blog to cover the gardens, so news about that can be found at Natureschild Gardenworks. It's now under "Other Blogs" to the right.
tnt
The 3 wk old litters are hopping out of the box. The best age! I attempted to confirm the early teat-sexing yesterday, and I think most of my first impressions are correct. Looks like lots of does...yay.
A lot of promising babies. A pair of smoke pearls, lots of blacks and broken blacks. Unfortunately, none of the brokens out of my beloved Silverado have pattern. I'll keep trying him on broken does. I did get a real nice broken seal buck out of Silver, but I sold him. Just don't have room for too many unshowable bucks.
Oh yeah and BEWs! I finally got some BEW babies! It's been so long since there were blue eyes in the nestbox. Moonbaby x Ford's Parti Boy (her 3rd try) had 2 BEWs, 2 chestnut VMs. All very cute at almost 2 wks old. The chestnut VMs are fun. I haven't had agouti in the box since the beginning of the rabbitry. They have cool markings, too.
I wasn't sure she was feeding them at first. Black Dahlia had a litter in time to take on some of them. I gave the BEWs to Dahlia because I trust her. Dahlia's litter wasn't as good as usual. She has 1 live left, and I think it's a broken sable pt. That would be a first.
I'm in show mode for Mocksville today. I'm not showing as many buns as usual. Just 5 bucks. Don't really have anything else except for some in the same varieties. Not a lot of point in showing against myself. Or the ones who haven't done as well on the table. No sense wasting fees on them.
I should thin out the broken black bucks, but they each have something to offer so I'm not ready to let them go yet. They all have such fun personalities and a place in my heart. If they were unfriendly, it would be easier to move them on.
Show season is in full swing. I have another NC show next weekend, and again the 1st week in April. A couple TN shows in May.
I decided I needed another blog to cover the gardens, so news about that can be found at Natureschild Gardenworks. It's now under "Other Blogs" to the right.
tnt
Friday, March 6, 2009
In like a lion
We had another winter blast this week. That lion was white as we got an inch of wet snow March 1st. Dipped into low teens for 2 nights, and barely to freezing for the daytime. But it's better now and I hope that was the last of it. They say 70s for the weekend. Aaah. Just in time for the big Dalton, GA show.
There's quite a few babies in the boxes now. I learned a nifty new trick for sexing early thanks to a forum member. Look for teats which would be does. It was easier on dark bellies....they light up like little LED bulbs. I'm not commited to all the brokens' sex yet.
I've been bringing the boxes in at night because it's been so cold. Can't afford to lose any of these babies. Born Feb 24-26:
Angeni x Dot.com - 2 black buck & doe, 2 broken blacks. After rough first tries, Angeni is an excellent mom.
Misty Moon x Moonwalker - 1 black VM doe. Misty is also raising 2 from other litters. She's so funny. She's very vocal and complains loudly when I take her box in and out. Proving to be a very good mom.
Lorelai x Dot.com - 1 black doe, 1 broken black buck. She's also raising a fosterling.
Iron Maiden x Broken Rule - 1 blue doe, 1 smoke pearl buck, 1 broken buck. Can't tell the broken's color yet, doesn't have much pattern. This was Maiden's 2nd try and she's doing fine. She's a nice looking little doe, but wasn't shown much because she hated show biz. She's a calm brood doe. The broken was fostered to even out the numbers in the boxes.
Minerva x Silverado - 1 broken buck. Either blue or smoke. Not enough color to tell. It was fostered.
I can't remember who got which fosters. I made notes in the barn, but it's not in front of me right now.
Hamilton's Infiniti x Black Tye - 1 black doe, 1 broken black buck. Finally got a live litter out of this doe! She was frustrating. She ate her last litter to pieces and I couldn't tell if they were alive when born. She doesn't build a nest. I got lucky this time. She had them late in the evening and I caught them in time. Whisked them into other boxes. Misty has the black, and Lorelai has the broken. There was another broken but she had already taken its head off. Grrr and yuck!!! Trying to decide whether she's worth rebreeding. Leaning towards not.
Painted Lady and Black Majik failed again. DOA.
In the older litters, now about 6 wks old:
Nahani x Axl - 1 himi buck. I'm sure it's an "ee" (non-extension) himi....very little point color. Coming from 2 sable pts, it will probably have washed out points. But that's ok. If type is worthy, he will be useful with sable pts.
Ayasha x Dot.com - 2 black bucks, 1 broken black buck. The broken was fostered to Nahani. Has a nice blanket pattern and promising type. 1 of the solid blacks might be a keeper, the other is a BUB and will be petted out.
Jean Geni x Axl - 2 sable pt bucks. 1 is very small and cute, possible keeper. The other is a petable BUB. There was also a himi but it died of enteritis at 3 wks. Happened so quickly, wasn't time to attempt to save it.
Dreamboat Annie x Garner's Gunn - lost hers at various ages to fading. She raising a broken (charlie) black from Broken N Happy.
HBB's Broken N Happy x Dot.com - 3 broken black bucks. 2 with nice pattern fostered to Broken Trust. Broken Trust's kits died of fading. The other broken is now the lone survivor with Annie. I think it's a true charlie doe.
Dot.com is throwing excellent pattern. All of his babies have showable markings, but not the same cool dottiness. I wish he's throw some more dalmations.
I'll be rebreeding the open does today. Would have done so earlier but I was waiting so the litters are due the middle of the week. If I breed Fri - Sun, litters will be due Mon - Wed. That gives leeway for show weekends. Also waited for warmer temps.
Today, I'm in show mode for Dalton, GA tomorrow. Been over a month since the last show and I'm looking forward to it. This is a pretty big show. I also get to see friends I don't see much on the other side of the mountains.
Signs of spring:
Daffodils have buds, and daylilies have sprouted. I have to get dirty and take care of spring cleanup. One thing about the south is the winter weeds. Bluebirds are staking their claim on real estate. There's several bluebird houses scattered around the property to choose from. Robins have appeared, and for a few days, a huge flock would poke around the lawn. Robins don't usually flock, but these might be migraters on their way farther north. Goldfinches beginning to put on their bright yellow spring finery. Song Sparrows singing their spring songs, as well as other birds. I'll be opening the windows when it's warm enough to let in the fresh air and bird song. I love spring!
There's quite a few babies in the boxes now. I learned a nifty new trick for sexing early thanks to a forum member. Look for teats which would be does. It was easier on dark bellies....they light up like little LED bulbs. I'm not commited to all the brokens' sex yet.
I've been bringing the boxes in at night because it's been so cold. Can't afford to lose any of these babies. Born Feb 24-26:
Angeni x Dot.com - 2 black buck & doe, 2 broken blacks. After rough first tries, Angeni is an excellent mom.
Misty Moon x Moonwalker - 1 black VM doe. Misty is also raising 2 from other litters. She's so funny. She's very vocal and complains loudly when I take her box in and out. Proving to be a very good mom.
Lorelai x Dot.com - 1 black doe, 1 broken black buck. She's also raising a fosterling.
Iron Maiden x Broken Rule - 1 blue doe, 1 smoke pearl buck, 1 broken buck. Can't tell the broken's color yet, doesn't have much pattern. This was Maiden's 2nd try and she's doing fine. She's a nice looking little doe, but wasn't shown much because she hated show biz. She's a calm brood doe. The broken was fostered to even out the numbers in the boxes.
Minerva x Silverado - 1 broken buck. Either blue or smoke. Not enough color to tell. It was fostered.
I can't remember who got which fosters. I made notes in the barn, but it's not in front of me right now.
Hamilton's Infiniti x Black Tye - 1 black doe, 1 broken black buck. Finally got a live litter out of this doe! She was frustrating. She ate her last litter to pieces and I couldn't tell if they were alive when born. She doesn't build a nest. I got lucky this time. She had them late in the evening and I caught them in time. Whisked them into other boxes. Misty has the black, and Lorelai has the broken. There was another broken but she had already taken its head off. Grrr and yuck!!! Trying to decide whether she's worth rebreeding. Leaning towards not.
Painted Lady and Black Majik failed again. DOA.
In the older litters, now about 6 wks old:
Nahani x Axl - 1 himi buck. I'm sure it's an "ee" (non-extension) himi....very little point color. Coming from 2 sable pts, it will probably have washed out points. But that's ok. If type is worthy, he will be useful with sable pts.
Ayasha x Dot.com - 2 black bucks, 1 broken black buck. The broken was fostered to Nahani. Has a nice blanket pattern and promising type. 1 of the solid blacks might be a keeper, the other is a BUB and will be petted out.
Jean Geni x Axl - 2 sable pt bucks. 1 is very small and cute, possible keeper. The other is a petable BUB. There was also a himi but it died of enteritis at 3 wks. Happened so quickly, wasn't time to attempt to save it.
Dreamboat Annie x Garner's Gunn - lost hers at various ages to fading. She raising a broken (charlie) black from Broken N Happy.
HBB's Broken N Happy x Dot.com - 3 broken black bucks. 2 with nice pattern fostered to Broken Trust. Broken Trust's kits died of fading. The other broken is now the lone survivor with Annie. I think it's a true charlie doe.
Dot.com is throwing excellent pattern. All of his babies have showable markings, but not the same cool dottiness. I wish he's throw some more dalmations.
I'll be rebreeding the open does today. Would have done so earlier but I was waiting so the litters are due the middle of the week. If I breed Fri - Sun, litters will be due Mon - Wed. That gives leeway for show weekends. Also waited for warmer temps.
Today, I'm in show mode for Dalton, GA tomorrow. Been over a month since the last show and I'm looking forward to it. This is a pretty big show. I also get to see friends I don't see much on the other side of the mountains.
Signs of spring:
Daffodils have buds, and daylilies have sprouted. I have to get dirty and take care of spring cleanup. One thing about the south is the winter weeds. Bluebirds are staking their claim on real estate. There's several bluebird houses scattered around the property to choose from. Robins have appeared, and for a few days, a huge flock would poke around the lawn. Robins don't usually flock, but these might be migraters on their way farther north. Goldfinches beginning to put on their bright yellow spring finery. Song Sparrows singing their spring songs, as well as other birds. I'll be opening the windows when it's warm enough to let in the fresh air and bird song. I love spring!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)