Stormcrow's Hobby Farm

[NatJ]

Fames had 6 kits last night - great litter size for a New Zealand white.

What makes you say that is a great litter size? I had thought 8-10 was a better litter size for meat-type rabbits. (Of course it doesn't matter much when they all die anyway.)

None made it to morning. Bellum is next in line. Debating whether to give Fames another opportunity in three months or not. This is her second failed kitting.

What is the reason for waiting three months? If she was mine, I would be inclined to rebreed in about a week, and either cull her or not depending on how she does that time.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

What makes you say that is a great litter size? I had thought 8-10 was a better litter size for meat-type rabbits. (Of course it doesn't matter much when they all die anyway.)



What is the reason for waiting three months? If she was mine, I would be inclined to rebreed in about a week, and either cull her or not depending on how she does that time.

6-ish is what works for the wife and I - that would have been plenty of rabbits for freezer camp in a couple months, and I'd rather have 6 large-ish babies than 10 small-ish babies. Particularly now when we are near freezing at night.

 

[NatJ]

6-ish is what works for the wife and I - that would have been plenty of rabbits for freezer camp in a couple months, and I'd rather have 6 large-ish babies than 10 small-ish babies. Particularly now when we are near freezing at night.

That makes sense. I wasn't sure if you were basing it on experience of what works for you (good) or on something you read (good or bad, depending on the source and the rationale involved.)

 

[JacinLarkwell]

What makes you say that is a great litter size? I had thought 8-10 was a better litter size for meat-type rabbits. (Of course it doesn't matter much when they all die anyway.)



What is the reason for waiting three months? If she was mine, I would be inclined to rebreed in about a week, and either cull her or not depending on how she does that time.

My doe had between 6-9 for her litters. Even with 9, they still were rather nice chunks. When we had a failed litter, we rebred about 4 weeks later. Failed pregnancy was 2 weeks later, if the weather was safe each time

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Took four rabbits, paired up two for next month, moved some bunnies around - my smallest female was in m biggest cage. Next month mama is going there in 48 hours. My continental is so big I don't dare put her in anything other than her 4' cage.

I should seriously give thought to getting a few more cages. Whether for bunny overflow or chicken math, doesn't really matter - right now, there just isn't any empty space for rearranging critters. Or building more cages -but wasn't happy with the last effort.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Took four rabbits, paired up two for next month, moved some bunnies around - my smallest female was in m biggest cage. Next month mama is going there in 48 hours. My continental is so big I don't dare put her in anything other than her 4' cage.

I should seriously give thought to getting a few more cages. Whether for bunny overflow or chicken math, doesn't really matter - right now, there just isn't any empty space for rearranging critters. Or building more cages -but wasn't happy with the last effort.

You can almost never have too many cages for breeding rabbits.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Have you ever considered raising hair sheep for meat?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Have you ever considered raising hair sheep for meat?

Sheep or Goats, not both. They share parasites, and the csheep can't take the copper the goats require.

Yes, considered sheep. Settled on goats.

 

[Sally PB]

Yes, considered sheep. Settled on goats.

What tipped decision in the goats' favor?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

They were available locally.