Tre3hugger's Rabbit Thread

[Tre3hugger]

I finally got my buns on Friday! They are pedigreed American Chinchillas, an endangered heritage breed. Here are some pics of the cuties.
Buck: He was born 6/25/2020, and his parents weighed 9lb10oz and 9lb13oz.

This is the Doe: She was born in April 2020 and her parents weighed 10lb12oz and 9lb4oz.

I chose this breed because they are the only "endangered" American heritage breed rabbit at this time. They were the most popular rabbit in the USA from the 20s to 40s until a drop off in the fur trade shifted the meat rabbit market to preferring white furred carcasses.

My plan for these buns is to round out the trio with a New Zealand white meat rabbit doe. The pure American Chin litters will be pedigreed. I will keep the best (fastest growing, best meat/bone ratio.), eat the middle sized ones, and sell the smallest as pedigreed pets. The NZ/AmChin mixes will hopefully be VERY productive meat litters, with their nice genetics and hybrid vigor. This plan will hopefully fill the freezer and make me a couple bucks while maintaining this beautiful breed and creating a nice meat line on my farm. This will be my first foray into breeding animals and I will be documenting it here! Thank you for reading.

 

[Tre3hugger]

The doe is so silly! She does zoomies around her cage when I go to feed her, and loves to flip her cage stuff around! The buck, so far, is a lot more laid back.

 

[Skye'sDucks]

They sound adorable and fun! And it sounds like a great plan, I hope it goes well for you!

 

[Tre3hugger]

They sound adorable and fun! And it sounds like a great plan, I hope it goes well for you!

Thank you!! I think I will attempt to breed them on wednesday!

 

[Tre3hugger]

Spent quite a bit of time with the buns today. Went and found them some apple tree sticks and pine cones to munch on. Also made them cardboard hidey boxes. They have cardboard pads to rest their feetuntil their fancy plastic rest mats come in the mail.
Here you can see a bit of my setup.

Cages are suspended in the chicken coop in an L shape against the far and left walls. There are plastic roof panels I zip tied at a slant under the cages to direct waste to a bucket in the corner. I also stapled old feed bags (knew I was saving them for a reason!) to the walls adjacent to the cages to protect against any potential urine spray.

Each cage has a foot rest pad, a hay manger, feed manger and water obvs, and some apple branches and pine cones to chew/play with. I'm looking forward to warmth so I can switch from the water crocks I am currently using to the tube/nipple system pictured.

Tomorrow, I will attempt to breed them!

Here is the doe enjoying her stick and over all being very adorable.

And my curious little man

 

[MissE]

The doe is so silly! She does zoomies around her cage when I go to feed her, and loves to flip her cage stuff around! The buck, so far, is a lot more laid back.

Congratulations!

If she's tossing her cage, she's ready for some lovin'.

My bucks were always chill but the does were something else some times.

For those of you who have never seen rabbit porn, check out YouTube. Quality entertainment.

 

[Tre3hugger]

Congratulations!

If she's tossing her cage, she's ready for some lovin'.

My bucks were always chill but the does were something else some times.

For those of you who have never seen rabbit porn, check out YouTube. Quality entertainment.

Thanks! She really is a pip. She did let me scratch her ears for a few minutes today though. I was saying to my partner earlier that I thought she may be displaying receptive signs, but I didn't feel near experienced enough to feel confident about it. Appreciate you confirming my suspicions. Hopefully things go well tomorrow and in about 31 days...babies!!

 

[Tre3hugger]

Going to attempt to breed them in a little while!

 

[Tre3hugger]

So the buck was more than willing, but the lady was not very cooperative. She would kind of hunker in the corner, and wouldn't let him catch her. Or lift her butt.

Kind of frustrating because she keeps tossing her cage and rubbing her chin and acting like she needs some attention. It is both of their first times so hopefully they will figure it out soon!

 

[MissE]

So the buck was more than willing, but the lady was not very cooperative. She would kind of hunker in the corner, and wouldn't let him catch her. Or lift her butt.

Kind of frustrating because she keeps tossing her cage and rubbing her chin and acting like she needs some attention. It is both of their first times so hopefully they will figure it out soon!

Keep trying. Some say you can hold the doe in position, but my best buck wanted free chase or nothing. Do you have a round pen, like a dog x pen? Sometimes they need neutral territory and round means she can't hide in the corner. It might take a couple days for them to settle into their surroundings too.