Montana

[Bitterroot]

Depends on what time I can manage to roll DH outta the house. He likes to primp.

My rabbit of choice is florida whites. I'm trying to keep myself busy with these guys until spring, when I can really go nuts with animals.

 

[RoyalT]

Haha my hubby tends to sleep till 11 >.< By the time he gets up, I've made 3 trips to the barns to feed/water lol.

We'll probably be there in the afternoon. I'll PM you my cell # just in case

That's cool. Do they have red eyes? I can't handle the red eyes. I just have the Silver Fox rabbits

 

[Bitterroot]

He's used to working nights lately, and has had the last few days off. He's been going to bed at like 6, and getting up at the crack of hell no.

I'm starting to get cabin fever, and want to check to see if HD has any Christmas decorations on sale yet for next years' decorating, so I'm dragging him out of the house. I trust Missoula will be the usual pleasure to drive through.

They do have red eyes, which kind of gave me the heebies at first, but I'm starting to get used to it. It will definitely help when it comes time to send them to freezer camp, because they all look exactly alike. I like the silver fox, as well as a couple other breeds, but for now I'm sticking with these smaller meat buns, until I can get the barn fixed up for bigger cages next year. That's what we get for waiting until fall to buy a house. *sigh*

 

[Azriel]

OK, not to be indelicate here, but how do you guys kill bunnys. I would love to get some meat rabbits, but just don't think I could do the deed. I guess if I had somone to help me a few times, maybe, but they are just so cute. My Mom used to make the best barbecue rabbit, it makes my mouth water just thinking about it. I had Flemish Giants as a kid, but my Dad and Grandma did all the butchering, I just played with the bunnys, then they would be gone and we would have rabbit for supper.
I wanted to go the The Hobbit today, but its snowing pretty heavy, and I'm sure roads are going to be bad, so looks like I'll just be staying home and keeping the fire going.

 

[RoyalT]

I use cervical dislocation - http://rabbitwringer.com/
Works for birds, too - just have to hold the head.

Didn't work out to meet Bitterroot today, next time!

Well none of my Christmas day eggs hatched while I was in town... (3 testers to make sure the incubator was working before starting NYDH) but I did hear one cheep this morning, so hopefully soon...

We got a few inches last night. Supposed to get some more tonight!

 

[Bitterroot]

Yeah, hubby ended up getting called in to work. Bleh, only when I try and make plans ...

I use a bb gun to the back of the head. Instant death, and they bleed out. Rabbits are actually one of the easiest animals to process, imo. Hubby is the same way, he prefers to let me do the ugly part, while he just snuggles them and then enjoys them on his plate. City boys.

I try not to get too close to the kits, but do sort of make pets out of my breeders. I won't say I don't cry sometimes, but I know they lived a good life.

 

[Azriel]

I guess I thought the same thing about the chickens before I processed my 1st ones. But I did have a friend from the Philippines help me the 1st time. I'll have to see if she would help if I got meat rabbits. I would think 2 does and 1 buck would be enough to supply extra meat for 1 person.
It was cold here last night, it got down to -5, and so far only up to +8, we did get a nice 5" of snow. I haven't opened the chicken doors yet, I don't think they'll go out much today anyway. I've got to get out and toss the horses and cows some hay, but I'm being a wimp not wanting to go out in the cold.I do love it here, and love seeing all the snow on the mountains, and even think its pretty all over the trees and ground here, I just wish it wasn't so darn cold, but it looks like we will be back up in the 40s by New Years, much more my kind of weather.
Hope everyone is having a great Christmas day.

 

[Bitterroot]

We got a little bit of snow last night. I'd guess there's about an inch or two outside. I love looking at the Bitterroots while I'm making my morning coffee, but they're veiled in clouds this morning. I bet they'll look amazing, covered in sifted powder once the clouds roll out. This is why I love Montana so much. Everywhere you look, it's a postcard view, and people are genuine.

I'm getting around to getting a shower, then I guess I'll start on dinner. I love these lazy days. Merry Christmas, Montana peeps.

Azriel, that'd be plenty of rabbits. Or maybe you could work out a sweet deal with a rabbit breeder for some chicken products? I made a deal with our realtor, processed rabbit for processed chicken, and then eventually, beef for pork.

 

[karlamaria]

Oye your girls are so tough, I can not even think of processing the girls, I about faint over blood lol. Looking forward to seeing your peeps , and you selling me some ok. What I really want is some fresh chickens for my freezer, and not them Tough 2 year olds lol, do you girls raise meat birds to sell? If so put me down for ten! I have no room or would raise some, but again I can not kill anything so why do it .what I think you raise them 4 months and tHen there ready to dress out?
Any ways I hope you girls had a real nice Christmas, it was nice and quiet for us, got some extra work done, coop cleaned ( every two weeks ) pen cleaned, and so fourth.
I'm hoping for more snow, and of course I'm hoping for spring lol. Snow as we need it, spring as I need it!
Sleep well everyone, please post pics of your chicks ok

 

[Bitterroot]

Had a beautiful Christmas. Nice and quiet. No drama. Being just the two of us has its perks.




No meat birds here yet, but the more I think about it the more I think I'll try it eventually. I'm just getting our homestead up and running, and for now the only animals here are rabbits. Unless you want rodents or snakes, of course.

2013 will see chickens, turkeys, and a few emu added. I also need to put in a crapton of deer fencing for what will be the garden, orchard, and vineyard. I'm hoping to have the facilities and fencing in place for 2014 for cows. We're still back and forth on what breed we want - we sure love wagyu steaks, but the lowline angus are some neat little cows. Since angus and wagyu are often crossed, maybe we could work on a lowline wagyu? Might be neat.

Had a litter of bunnies born last night, out of the sole survivor of the mini rex fiasco. (Too tired to get into it now, but it involves trusting strangers, and lies for $$)


Hopefully both they and mom do well, since this was a really anticipated litter.

How are y'all doing? What'cha up to?