10 Days Old

Eyes are opening on Sunshine's litter! I emptied the nestbox out today in preparation, but saved all the cozy fur. I have found that when I started to do this, there was a distinct reduction in "nestbox eye" with the kits as compared to when I waited longer. I place wood pellets at the bottom on the clean wood, then add grass hay (I shake it off before I build a "nest" with it in the box to reduce dust). Finally, I add the rest of the clean fur back in. Then I know it is sanitary like it was when it was first given to the doe.

Anyhow, here they are waiting to return to the nestbox:

My husband enjoyed visiting with them, too:

He said he thinks it will be harder to make our selections later on now that those that don't make the cut for breeding or show won't be going to pet homes. I would probably still place one in a special pet home because there have been a few over the years that were truly exceptional, but otherwise I think this is the best decision for them and for us. In the meantime, we will enjoy spoiling them rotten and loving them every chance we get. :)

Updated Breeding Plans

Just a quick rabbitry update in between chores. The kits are all doing great and should be opening their eyes soon. I'll probably plan to take new pictures of them on day 10 or so. They are so cute! I've also decided from here forward I'm going to try to weigh them every 2 weeks and see how they compare to each other and to other breeds. So I'll start at 14 days as a baseline, then 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. Rabbit fryers are usually processed between 8-12 weeks of age (when they weigh 4-5.5lbs), though higher weights are usually for more typical commercial breeds like New Zealands or Californians. I am curious to see how Harlequins compare and whether I can improve on their growth through my selections. Hopefully I will have several keepers as replacements for older stock though.

Speaking of the older Harlies, Kari was bred to Spock today successfully at least 3 times. I also placed Valkyrie with Apollo, though I never saw completion with the pairing this time around. I'm giving them a break and will try again later tonight. I'm hoping to also breed Apollo to Kurayami, but I may end up breeding one of my chocolate bucks to her if Apollo is still preoccupied with Valkyrie. I think 2-3 litters at a time is a good number for now so the does can help each other if someone has too many kits, not enough milk, etc.

I can't believe it is almost 2015! I better start writing my goals list soon!

New Kit Pix!

Here are Tacoma's chunky-monkeys on Christmas Day:

We have fur! Isn't it amazing how rabbit kits transform from pink little sqiggly things to colorful popples in such a short time?

Here are Sunshine's lovelies:

I'm pleased with markings on some of the kits in this litter, although the rufus is particularly strong with Tacoma's. My goal by producing these is to be able to select some replacement breeding stock for some of my old guys and gals. The nice thing about Harlies for show folks is that they can pick their show-marked kits from the nestbox, just like with Dutch. While it would be great if one of the nicely marked kits had it all and I could show him or her, with these litters I am looking at factors such as growth rate and body type first and foremost. I'm also hoping they aren't all bucks or all does- which has happened to me plenty of times before, lol. Happy Saturday!

A Rabbit Lesson

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

In the meantime, I have been quite impatiently waiting on Valkyrie. I am really not too sure what she is up to as she stopped nesting days ago suddenly and has just been using her nestbox as a king size bed. I have been checking on her for days because it has been cold and humid and I worry with first time moms. She is somewhere between day 32-36 since she was with the Apollo for a few days in a row.

If you don't already know from my posts or from meeting me in person, I like to get things done and keep it moving. Rabbits have taught me that is not always possible, though. In the wise words of Yoda, I am reminded that:

Even though Valkyrie had all of the signs of being pregnant, she may not be. She may have miscarried or any other number of possibilities. She is reminding me that for all of my years of raising rabbits now, that I still know very little and that nature trumps all manner of planning. Valkyrie is essentially telling me me that I must listen to the lessons that rabbit has to teach me.

So instead of being an insane rabbit owner trying to check up on mama too frequently, I have backed off. Could she have kits on the wire? Yeah. And they will pass if that happens. But the other litters are doing fine. Valkyrie will either get it right or she won't.. or she may not even be with kits at all. So, I spent the day yesterday with my family and dogs and later today I will go check on her again only when it is time to feed. Other than that I will let nature take it's course and heed the lessons that rabbit, like Yoda, had to share. 

Merry Christmas

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season,
and a New Year filled with peace and happiness.

May your Christmas be happy and bright- from our family to yours!

Kit Updates

Today Tacoma suddenly started nesting frantically and kindled a big and beautiful singleton kit. I'm still not sure what Valkyrie is up to as she quit building a nest last night and has just been relaxing today. Sunshine's litter of 5 are looking fat and happy. Here is a pic of the group:

And Tacoma's chubster:

Proud mama:

Hopefully Valkyrie will let us know something one way or the other. I will need to move kits around so the singleton isn't alone in the nestbox, but I'd prefer to do it once I know the final head count. Either way I am thrilled to finally have some babies in the nestbox.. good job old gals!

Edit: I just found another kit in Tacoma's nestbox, so make that 2 chunks! :)

Hi From Valkyrie (Edit: And Kits!)

"Now get out of my way. I'm busy building a nest!" Okay, okay girl.. I'll give you some space. :)

I'm trying my best to let them be, but both does are first timers and it is chilly. I keep peeking in on them.. as discretely as I can, anyway. Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!

Edit: While I was posting this, Sunshine kindled 6! Unfortunately it looks like she struggled to deliver 1 (it had already passed), but the other 5 look big and healthy. Valkyrie has not pulled fur yet, but she has been arranging hay for quite some time now. Fingers crossed!