Recent content by Higher Ground Rabbitry

  1. Higher Ground Rabbitry

    Raising Meat Rabbits

    As I understand it, the shorter the break, the quicker the doe wears out. Some commercial meat breeders rebreed before weaning the previous litter, even as soon as 2 weeks after kindling, and just plan on needing replacement does in a couple of years. Others, especially show breeders, will...
  2. Higher Ground Rabbitry

    Pregnant rabbit

    You tube has several videos on palpating rabbits if you want to try. If the crazy link below works, that video talks about palpating at 12 - 14 days AND feeling kicks at 20+ days (didn't catch the exact number.) It's possible that commercial type New Zealands are a little different than her...
  3. Higher Ground Rabbitry

    Looking to get some Rabbits

    If I was starting over, I'd ask more questions about the mothering abilities of the herds I was buying from! We bought a trio of nice looking red New Zealands. Both does lost their first litter. We culled one so we wouldn't have to put up with her attitude anymore, and the other one failed to...
  4. Higher Ground Rabbitry

    Pregnant rabbit

    Thought that was you. I commented, I'm Laura. Maybe @Bunnylady will have some hints on feeling for babies, but at two weeks pregnant I suspect you felt her gut moving, not babies. We just bred two does, so I'm going to look again at how to palpate a doe. If I get a chance to research it...
  5. Higher Ground Rabbitry

    Rabbit

    And some rabbits make a lovely nest RIGHT before they give birth, while some (especially first time moms) make a less than ideal nest or no nest at all.
  6. Higher Ground Rabbitry

    Pregnant rabbit

    I've read about how to palpate a rabbit but I clearly need more practice. They say the embryos are about the size of a blueberry at day 10 and the size of a grape at day 14, and that is supposed to be the best window to verify pregnancy. I didn't feel any embryos when I tried it, and both...
  7. Higher Ground Rabbitry

    Bunny Doe picking up her babies and throwing them??

    How sad! That's especially hard on the kids, and even more so when the bunnies are at their cutest. More good luck wishes on Caramel and Cashmere.
  8. Higher Ground Rabbitry

    Bunny Doe picking up her babies and throwing them??

    It sounds like you're doing awesome with supplemental feed if they've made it to 3.5 weeks! They will probably start nibbling on pellets, hay, and greens soon, if they haven't already. I would make sure they have some available that they can reach easily. So if they can just hang in there a...
  9. Higher Ground Rabbitry

    What Rabbits Do You Have? Show Off Your Rabbits Here!

    We're down to only eight rabbits at the moment. :rolleyes: It's supposed to be five or six, but we're testing genetics. They're all New Zealand, raising them for meat/4H sales/pets/any other reason someone wants to buy one. I'm interested in showing, but I'm not sure if I'll ever be willing to...
  10. Higher Ground Rabbitry

    First time rabbit parents. Eep!

    I'm glad she's doing good. The fur on top keeps them toasty warm until their own fur grows in. And I'm sure she will appreciate the flood free nest if she ever understands the danger! Since she seems to be a good momma, and knows where her babies are, it should be smooth sailing. Rabbits may...
  11. Higher Ground Rabbitry

    First time rabbit parents. Eep!

    My New Zealand's are caged for their protection, but our does have acted pretty normal the whole time they were pregnant and nursing. Some does can get crankier when pregnant, so a little extra caution is wise. But if they don't mind you handling them, they shouldn't mind you handling their...
  12. Higher Ground Rabbitry

    rabbit attitude

    You might try taking baby steps. Make sure he gets a chance to check out the new harness, smelling it all over. Maybe put it on him for just a minute and take it right back off, that sort of thing, and gradually work up to wearing it longer and then going outside. I would probably offer him a...
  13. Higher Ground Rabbitry

    Finding the hidden steel gene in rabbits

    :he I appreciate all the tips. If I accept that my "blue" doe is A_ddEse, the riddles start to get easier... but the breeding gets harder! I knew I didn't have a full extension gene in my barn. Now I may not have a self gene, either!! Apparently I'll be asking for a bunny for Christmas...
  14. Higher Ground Rabbitry

    Finding the hidden steel gene in rabbits

    No need to apologize for having good priorities. :). I'm just excited to have someone to talk to who doesn't think the "self" rabbit is the one hogging all the food! :lol:. If you're plain not interested, I won't be offended at all. I'm kinda obsessing over this right now because I'm trying to...
  15. Higher Ground Rabbitry

    Finding the hidden steel gene in rabbits

    I don't know why I didn't think about our Flemish cross before starting this thread. We had a black Flemish doe that we bred to the same wideband steel NZ buck. She only raised 6 kits in two litters. Her first litter had a chestnut and two steels (if I remember right). Her second litter had...
See more
Back
Top Bottom