Okay, lets see. First off, we wanted to write blogs bi-weekly or daily.. That just is not happening. You are lucky to be reading a blog at all from me this month LOL!
Life has been insanely busy. We have cut down to 50 rabbits, actually less then that as we haven't weaned the juniors yet so the rabbit barn is very empty and it feels great!!
I think we have around 40 cages w/rabbits and then approx 10 empty but maybe not quite that many. We maybe cut down a bit too much... But we shall see we have lots of promising animals coming up.
I will go week to week from my last blogs...
I still have to go wedding shopping for shoes and a couple of little things, and I need to get a haircut before then too. (less then 2 weeks to the wedding now)
I have a bunch of shifts this week 9-5:30, by the time I get off and get chores done it is 7:00 and then I have to take the dogs out for a run, and check e-mail and work on wedding stuff..... So there isn't a lot of time for anything else these days! Before the show this weekend I worked on the rocks for each guest(labeled). My friend had done most of them, but I finished them up. Then I finished all the wedding guests "party favours". All 100 of them... Each piece of lace had to be folded, tied, a bow or something on the top, filled with the candy, and then put into a safe box for the wedding.. 100..... That took a couple of nights 3-4 hours a night...
Our mom had a super busy weekend painting fences, and now the basement floor and getting ready for all the guests we are having here. Stan took his 3 stackers(our 3 from Grand View rabbitry) and his 20 feeders so that was good to get all of that stuff gone, and wendy took her 13 feeders. We sold a bunch of EZ mats and dishes/water bottles.
We are getting a few sheep as well, so we have been busy researching breeds and we went to coombs fair last weekend and down to a sheep breeder in Saanich, and then the fair this weekend as well. We entered 9 Mini lops... We did only okay on Saturday under Cathy Armstrong- our first show under her. We managed to pick up a jr leg on a chestnut doe, and 1st solid jr buck but not enough for a leg, black Jack was 2nd/5. So okay, not great. Yesterday we took BOB with a solid jr doe out of Braxtin/Ada! And we took 1st broken jr doe. Saturday we had 1st, 2nd and 3rd solid jr does. We had nothing that wasn't moulting in the barn so we just picked what we had to pick from as far as coat goes!!! A doe we did a breeding to, to Amanda Swan was BOV broken yesterday- a gorgeous broken opal doe out of Adson. And a buck out of Posey's Phebe was BOSV broken yesterday that Jody bred out of her buck Mitchell's Link.
We didn't sell any rabbits, we took 3 to sell but 2 were pet stock(thought there might be someone wanting a pet mini lop) but as it was not many people sold anything. I think the holland breeders only sold 4 which is amazing as usually hollands sell out at that show!
Congrats to Kathy Mannweillers BIS with her Havana under Cathy and RIS went to Stan Mobey and Kathy Johnsons Mini rex, and then BIS Sunday was Judy Currie's New Zealand and RIS was Amelia Marchetti's Fuzzy lop.
It was so hot on Saturday we almost pulled our entries as we were very worried about the rabbits. It was 37 degrees out, and with all the people in the show room, and no breeze at the end of the barn where we were, we were very worried. Thankfully all was fine, and we had a spray bottle, and frozen ice bottles that we took for all the rabbits so we made out okay. But, they just aren't used to that heat. When we got to the barn it was 31 in the barn, which is the hottest it has been all summer in the barn, we quickly got it down to 29 degrees. That was a soaker hose on the roof, 4 fans including an industrial fan going and it was still that warm.
This week we have so much to get done... Oh to top it off, because we are getting sheep we had to put wire up in the cow area so the sheep couldn't get out and put wire on the gates, cut down thistles, and walk the pasture, and just all of that kind of stuff for the sheep. We had to get our show stuff ready to go, and all the stackers and feeders, and we cleaned our uncles house and anyway.. it was just a really crazy week last week. We also babysat our Aunt and Uncle's dog(s) X 3 one evening, and had company another.
Anyway... will write another blog again soon with rabbit updates.... : )
Monday, August 18, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Too many that we like too much!
As you already know we have cut way back on the number of rabbits we are keeping. But! We were pulling some juniors out that we were going to sell and we were like. But... we really like you! We want to keep you! They were our picks as babies but we didn't think we had room to keep them. We are trying to figure out if we can! The sable chin from Black Beauty was our 2nd favorite of the litter, she is looking gorgeous again! Katie from Addison, all the babies from Arabia are VERY nice, and the chestnut doe from Ava.. If we were to keep all these guys it would only still put us up to 41. With 50 holes.. So we would still be just fine.
We are having a very lazy, lazy morning. I went outside and took the dogs out for a pee and a romp. And came back into the house ate shreddies for breakfast and have been playing on the computer all morning. It is a beautiful day outside.. I should go do something.. but after digging a new septic line for 2 days, all our painting and house renovations etc.
Monday the 11th Star the dog starts dog training for her bad behaviour towards strangers, especially men... Hopefully this works!(she is 10).
This afternoon we are going to the river to find rocks for the wedding. We will paint them, put each guests name on them and our mom is buying lace today to make up gift bags for each guest... (with chocolates, candies etc)
Yesteday 2 pet mini lop babies went to their new home with 2 young boys(about 9 and 11). They will be spoiled rotten bunnies that is for sure!
We got a whole new septic line dug and put in. That was a lot of work! Everyone in the neighbourhood is finding their septics are going. I guess the septics around here were all put in around the same time, and they keep talking about putting sewers in but have never done it.
We were debating about going garage saleing this morning but couldn't find any adds in the paper. I wasn't looking in the right spot because I found nothing but I gave up and decided to go onto other things LOL
We started to type our youngest litters and are very pleased with some of the babies. Godiva and Butterball have the standout litters! Really nice babies in those litters! Midnight has a buck and a doe that are looking really nice, and Portia oh I forgot about her for a second there- she has a gorgeous, gorgeous chestnut doe and 2-3 others we like. The least liked litter is Midnights but it was a full brother/sister cross and we got the best and worst of both which we expected/was to be expected. However, still 2 really nice babies! All way too young to know for sure but at least on first typing : )
Our first show since early June(besides sending the 2 rabbits to WA State Convention) is on the 16/17 so only 2 weeks from this weekend. We are looking forward to it, and should have quite a few to show if they ever stop moulting. We tried to breed 3 does yesterday but didn't have much luck. Black Beauty X As You like it- no connecting that we saw, Audrey X Brayden- they did connect, should be a litter with dilutes! And Ocean Pearl X Imagine- another litter with dilutes we hope but no connecting either. We will keep trying! Ocean Pearl is being a pill to get bred. I think our first and only Mini lop so far!
Well I am rambling!!!
We are having a very lazy, lazy morning. I went outside and took the dogs out for a pee and a romp. And came back into the house ate shreddies for breakfast and have been playing on the computer all morning. It is a beautiful day outside.. I should go do something.. but after digging a new septic line for 2 days, all our painting and house renovations etc.
Monday the 11th Star the dog starts dog training for her bad behaviour towards strangers, especially men... Hopefully this works!(she is 10).
This afternoon we are going to the river to find rocks for the wedding. We will paint them, put each guests name on them and our mom is buying lace today to make up gift bags for each guest... (with chocolates, candies etc)
Yesteday 2 pet mini lop babies went to their new home with 2 young boys(about 9 and 11). They will be spoiled rotten bunnies that is for sure!
We got a whole new septic line dug and put in. That was a lot of work! Everyone in the neighbourhood is finding their septics are going. I guess the septics around here were all put in around the same time, and they keep talking about putting sewers in but have never done it.
We were debating about going garage saleing this morning but couldn't find any adds in the paper. I wasn't looking in the right spot because I found nothing but I gave up and decided to go onto other things LOL
We started to type our youngest litters and are very pleased with some of the babies. Godiva and Butterball have the standout litters! Really nice babies in those litters! Midnight has a buck and a doe that are looking really nice, and Portia oh I forgot about her for a second there- she has a gorgeous, gorgeous chestnut doe and 2-3 others we like. The least liked litter is Midnights but it was a full brother/sister cross and we got the best and worst of both which we expected/was to be expected. However, still 2 really nice babies! All way too young to know for sure but at least on first typing : )
Our first show since early June(besides sending the 2 rabbits to WA State Convention) is on the 16/17 so only 2 weeks from this weekend. We are looking forward to it, and should have quite a few to show if they ever stop moulting. We tried to breed 3 does yesterday but didn't have much luck. Black Beauty X As You like it- no connecting that we saw, Audrey X Brayden- they did connect, should be a litter with dilutes! And Ocean Pearl X Imagine- another litter with dilutes we hope but no connecting either. We will keep trying! Ocean Pearl is being a pill to get bred. I think our first and only Mini lop so far!
Well I am rambling!!!
We got an award!
Thanks so much to Tru Luv Rabbitry for the Brilliant Web blog award! I read Tru Luv's blog every day actually, and he gave out these awards(as he won one as well) a few days ago. I just haven't had time to get it up here yet!
And, as asked to pass on the tradition I would like to give the web blog award to the following blogs.
1) Velotta's Rabbitry
2) LHHR's Rabbitry
3) Three little ladies Rabbitry
4) Keep's Rabbitry
5) Tru Luv Rabbitry
6) Northern California Blog
7) Twig's Rabbitry
Please pass the award on to your favorite blogs : )
Thursday, July 31, 2008
New Born to now
Warning this blog has many pictures, and will make you go "Aww" a lot!
Cristina and I knew that this would be the last litter of kittens we would have in many years, unless we rescue a cat that is pregnant. (which is not likely to happen
since we are at very comfortable numbers).
Anyway, we have taken pics of the kittens weekly...
All the other cats are fixed, and these 2 and mom will be shortly as well. I hope you enjoy! We have had a lot of fun with these guys. They are 7.5 weeks will be 8 weeks on Tuesday. The time has flown! I can't believe how fast summer is going : (
We've named them Dexter- the long haired dark tabby boy, and "Abby" the tabby tortie female. Their personalities are completely different. Abby is outspoken and outgoing, not afraid of most things. Dexter is more shy and reserved. He spooks easily and loves playing with his sister, yet he will cuddle right in for snuggle time. Neither kittens are overly cuddly(their mom was feral/is feral although is 100% fine with us now).
Lets start with Mom:
2 days before she gave birth we figured out she was pregnant. She is that small of a cat, and although she has been and is very healthy she is very petite. I think it helped being fed the expensive cat food throughout her pregnancy that we had no idea on. She had NO problems with the litter at all. 2 babies, no still borns or any sign of her even having them.
Born sometime on June 9th. 1 day old in these pics. Still that shiny newborn look.
1 week old
Getting cuter, more curious and starting to move around. Oh, I should put... They were born in our hay bin. When I realized that I thought she was pregnant we made a bed for her at the front of the barn. Then one in a empty solid bottom cage in a 5 hole stacker that she would climb through the feeder hole and go to sleep. Figured she would have them in there! Nope! She had them in the hay bin!! We had to buy new bales of hay to feed the rabbits and move them to the back of the room(the hay not the cats)
2 weeks old approx- eyes opening, starting to venture around even more.
3 and 4 weeks old- these weeks I think got jumbled into each other : )
There first time outside!
This is with the cheap digital vs the expensive one we normally use. So these pics aren't the greatest. Too bad since they were just getting so cute at this stage! : )
Week 5- no clue what happened on this week but no good pics. Added the couple I do have!
Week 6 and Week 7- lots of pics of these weeks. They are getting really frisky now, and since they are going into week 8 in a few days they are running all over the place. They are pitiful eaters though when it comes to Nutro Kitten food. They only like Royal Canin which is even more expensive(figures LOL)
And today.... Sound asleep... Too much playing and eating.... Hope you enjoyed their blog! I will keep blogging about them : ) And get new pics this weekend of them outside!
Cristina and I knew that this would be the last litter of kittens we would have in many years, unless we rescue a cat that is pregnant. (which is not likely to happen
since we are at very comfortable numbers).
Anyway, we have taken pics of the kittens weekly...
All the other cats are fixed, and these 2 and mom will be shortly as well. I hope you enjoy! We have had a lot of fun with these guys. They are 7.5 weeks will be 8 weeks on Tuesday. The time has flown! I can't believe how fast summer is going : (
We've named them Dexter- the long haired dark tabby boy, and "Abby" the tabby tortie female. Their personalities are completely different. Abby is outspoken and outgoing, not afraid of most things. Dexter is more shy and reserved. He spooks easily and loves playing with his sister, yet he will cuddle right in for snuggle time. Neither kittens are overly cuddly(their mom was feral/is feral although is 100% fine with us now).
Lets start with Mom:
2 days before she gave birth we figured out she was pregnant. She is that small of a cat, and although she has been and is very healthy she is very petite. I think it helped being fed the expensive cat food throughout her pregnancy that we had no idea on. She had NO problems with the litter at all. 2 babies, no still borns or any sign of her even having them.
Born sometime on June 9th. 1 day old in these pics. Still that shiny newborn look.
1 week old
Getting cuter, more curious and starting to move around. Oh, I should put... They were born in our hay bin. When I realized that I thought she was pregnant we made a bed for her at the front of the barn. Then one in a empty solid bottom cage in a 5 hole stacker that she would climb through the feeder hole and go to sleep. Figured she would have them in there! Nope! She had them in the hay bin!! We had to buy new bales of hay to feed the rabbits and move them to the back of the room(the hay not the cats)
2 weeks old approx- eyes opening, starting to venture around even more.
3 and 4 weeks old- these weeks I think got jumbled into each other : )
There first time outside!
This is with the cheap digital vs the expensive one we normally use. So these pics aren't the greatest. Too bad since they were just getting so cute at this stage! : )
Week 5- no clue what happened on this week but no good pics. Added the couple I do have!
Week 6 and Week 7- lots of pics of these weeks. They are getting really frisky now, and since they are going into week 8 in a few days they are running all over the place. They are pitiful eaters though when it comes to Nutro Kitten food. They only like Royal Canin which is even more expensive(figures LOL)
And today.... Sound asleep... Too much playing and eating.... Hope you enjoyed their blog! I will keep blogging about them : ) And get new pics this weekend of them outside!
Friday, July 25, 2008
It should be easier!
With all of our downsizing, we should find things easier. Right now, we are finding the rabbits more of a chore instead of a hobby. And when it gets to that point you know that you need to either cut down or get out. We love the rabbits, the shows, and our friends in the hobby too much to sell out. We would be lost without them! however, we do need to cut down. Cleaning twice a week or more, 150 holes, then 92 holes, then 76 holes was/is just getting to be too much. We don't have time with websites, book keeping, Shar Kare, dog training, the wedding, rabbits, the cats, the dogs, watering eons of plants(for the wedding) to spend so much time with the barn. And we like a clean, tidy, neat barn that we are proud of. With all that is happening the barn isn't lacking but our "me" time is! The heat doesn't help because between 3pm and 6pm we basically have to plan to be at the barn if the weather is anything above 24 degrees Celsius because despite a soaker hose on the roof, 4 fans(including an industrial fan), and frozen pop bottles the barn still can climb up there(it never goes above 28, 30 if it is 36 or more out) but it is uncomfortable for us and the rabbits. Anyway, this will be easier, better, and more fun! If that makes any sense. I talk fast, and I type fast and sometimes it just doesn't come out "right". I'm sure Andrea will be laughing at that comment LOL
One 4-hole stacker is sold w/duratrays. One 4 hole is spoken for. That leaves Andrea's stacker's, and we have 4 more stacker's to sell as well. The website for sale page is constantly updated through the day so just keep checking it out! No more stock to be posted for sale, but more senior stock will be for sale this fall after litters I'm sure. Although quite a few ARE spoken for.
Anyway I figured out we are keeping 36 animals, and we will be keeping 5 babies from our 5 litters.. Possibly a couple more if there is anything "really" nice : ) Like Ava had to go and have 3 gorgeous kids... so we had to of course keep all 3 : ) And Steal My Heart has 2 gorgeous kids we are keeping.. Even though we keep saying- we can only keep 1.. yeah that is working SO well LOL
Anyway we have exactly 50 holes we are keeping. 42 hanging cages, and 2-24 by 30 stackers. They are these gorgeous stackers with legs and they are so nice to clean and keep clean and wire brushing is so easy with them.. They had to stay LOL
I should be going to bed.. But I think my brain is going too many ways to sleep yet. So much has to be done this month before the wedding.
Tomorrow I am going to take the time and give the dogs a bath, then advantage them again. I haven't seen them scratch but Star just started a 2nd ago so maybe she got a flea. Sigh!! Damn things!!
With the does we are keeping :
These ones will be bred in August and September... We will breed a couple of does each month. Even though we are cutting back so much! Some of these aren't senior until end of September so won't be bred until then.
Cassady X As You like it- rebreed of Good as Gold
Ada X Braxtin- rebreed of her awesome s.tip doe that she has now!
Ocean Pearl X Brayden- then after that litter to be bred to Imagine. Both litters should produce blue chins : ) We will fill the waiting list hopefully!(and our barn with blue chins that are gorgeous hopefully LOL) love the color!
Heather Rose X Turtle- half sibling cross- expecting chocolates and lilacs Turtle is a REG/GC Chocolate buck
Velotta's Broken steel doe- not until end of September X Braxtin
Maggie X Braxtin(rebreed of the 2 she has now which are awesome, then Maggie will be retired and live out her days as a pet)
Brooklyn X Imagine- expecting Blues, Blue chins, after that litter next spring we will breed her to Brayden.
Steal My Heart X Black Jack
Black Beauty X As You like it
Penny if she doesn't sell X Turtle- 100% chocolate and lilac litter
And Addison and a few others will be bred as well but they are all on the show team for this summer. Black Beauty may be shown trying to get that last leg, and Steel My Heart we would love to show but she is over the max weight right now just weaning her litter... we shall see!
One 4-hole stacker is sold w/duratrays. One 4 hole is spoken for. That leaves Andrea's stacker's, and we have 4 more stacker's to sell as well. The website for sale page is constantly updated through the day so just keep checking it out! No more stock to be posted for sale, but more senior stock will be for sale this fall after litters I'm sure. Although quite a few ARE spoken for.
Anyway I figured out we are keeping 36 animals, and we will be keeping 5 babies from our 5 litters.. Possibly a couple more if there is anything "really" nice : ) Like Ava had to go and have 3 gorgeous kids... so we had to of course keep all 3 : ) And Steal My Heart has 2 gorgeous kids we are keeping.. Even though we keep saying- we can only keep 1.. yeah that is working SO well LOL
Anyway we have exactly 50 holes we are keeping. 42 hanging cages, and 2-24 by 30 stackers. They are these gorgeous stackers with legs and they are so nice to clean and keep clean and wire brushing is so easy with them.. They had to stay LOL
I should be going to bed.. But I think my brain is going too many ways to sleep yet. So much has to be done this month before the wedding.
Tomorrow I am going to take the time and give the dogs a bath, then advantage them again. I haven't seen them scratch but Star just started a 2nd ago so maybe she got a flea. Sigh!! Damn things!!
With the does we are keeping :
These ones will be bred in August and September... We will breed a couple of does each month. Even though we are cutting back so much! Some of these aren't senior until end of September so won't be bred until then.
Cassady X As You like it- rebreed of Good as Gold
Ada X Braxtin- rebreed of her awesome s.tip doe that she has now!
Ocean Pearl X Brayden- then after that litter to be bred to Imagine. Both litters should produce blue chins : ) We will fill the waiting list hopefully!(and our barn with blue chins that are gorgeous hopefully LOL) love the color!
Heather Rose X Turtle- half sibling cross- expecting chocolates and lilacs Turtle is a REG/GC Chocolate buck
Velotta's Broken steel doe- not until end of September X Braxtin
Maggie X Braxtin(rebreed of the 2 she has now which are awesome, then Maggie will be retired and live out her days as a pet)
Brooklyn X Imagine- expecting Blues, Blue chins, after that litter next spring we will breed her to Brayden.
Steal My Heart X Black Jack
Black Beauty X As You like it
Penny if she doesn't sell X Turtle- 100% chocolate and lilac litter
And Addison and a few others will be bred as well but they are all on the show team for this summer. Black Beauty may be shown trying to get that last leg, and Steel My Heart we would love to show but she is over the max weight right now just weaning her litter... we shall see!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Some pictures for the blog
Again, I really don't have much to blog about. We did get a few pics late last week and this weekend of some more juniors, we have about 1/2 the juniors on our website now.. Still have that many again to get pics of when they are more out of ganglies! : ) We have 29 junior holes, 25 senior doe holes, and 8 senior buck holes for a total of 62... This will be much nicer for us, as we can spend more time with the rabbits instead of constantly cleaning, hauling in feed, hay, shavings, etc etc. We still plan to have 2-5 litters each month. Although we don't have any litters planned for August. We are giving all the girls a good break. We will start breeding mostly first timers again in September.
I think we are planning to breed:
Ocean Pearl X Brayden
Audrey X Black Jack
Heather Rose X Turtle
Butterball X ?
Black Beauty X Next Best Thing(borrowing him from Amanda until mid August as of the 30th of this month, thanks Amanda! :)
And maybe a few more.. Then we will start breeding some more does in October etc. Olive, Penny, Milky Way, the new Velotta doe will all be bred later this fall plus a bunch more that I am currently forgetting! : )
Babies are all fine. We haven't figured out colors or sexes yet(maybe a week old now) but all 28 are doing great. We had 30 but Penny lost her 2(both broken lilacs) we are debating about how to breed her too next.
The pics are the new calico long haired cat- "Karina", Bear's 2 kittens and Bear herself. We couldn't afford with the 6 vet bills between Harley and Luke($1200) to get Bear fixed and thought we would be safe a little longer(this was this spring/early summer) as she never went into heat(or so we thought.. Anyway she had 2 kittens. We have been calling around to find out the cost for her and the 2 kittens.
And then a pic of the decks we have been staining!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Something to write about
I've been wanting to write a blog for a few days, but I haven't had anything to write about. Thursday I filled in for someone where I used to work for the day. I offered to work Monday through Thursdays for them if they needed extra help.
Most of the Book keeping and accounting work happens after 4pm or on weekends, so it should work out fine. Will give me Sundays off. Today I am painting the back stairs, just finished. And debating about starting to paint the fence. Mom and Norm are painting the ramp and decks right now.
Rabbits are all fine. Lots of broken blacks, steels, silver and gold, seal/siamese sable? babies in the boxes. Some chestnuts as well. Hopefully some "color" litters in September-October. we have not bred anyone for August litters.
New barn cats are doing excellent. We will post the pics of Karina tonight or tomorrow, our 2nd new addition. She is a gorgeous long haired calico. Kitty(the tortie) is doing excellent and the cats are all "starting" to get along.
It is quite warm already out. I haven't checked but probably 24-25. And it isn't even 1:00 yet. We have been very lucky with excellent weather for the past few weeks. It has not gone below 20 degrees celcius, and we only had one morning that was cloudy. It hasn't rained in weeks!
We are going shopping for the wedding next weekend- shoes and accessories!
The big duncan parade is this weekend, we are staying away from downtown. We have to stock up on feed before first week in August because it is the big games that are happening, and they are expecting millions of dollars of revenue. They are telling everyone if you don't have to go into Duncan when the games are on, don't. As parking will be a nightmare! So we will stock up well before that point until the 10th of August.
Most of the Book keeping and accounting work happens after 4pm or on weekends, so it should work out fine. Will give me Sundays off. Today I am painting the back stairs, just finished. And debating about starting to paint the fence. Mom and Norm are painting the ramp and decks right now.
Rabbits are all fine. Lots of broken blacks, steels, silver and gold, seal/siamese sable? babies in the boxes. Some chestnuts as well. Hopefully some "color" litters in September-October. we have not bred anyone for August litters.
New barn cats are doing excellent. We will post the pics of Karina tonight or tomorrow, our 2nd new addition. She is a gorgeous long haired calico. Kitty(the tortie) is doing excellent and the cats are all "starting" to get along.
It is quite warm already out. I haven't checked but probably 24-25. And it isn't even 1:00 yet. We have been very lucky with excellent weather for the past few weeks. It has not gone below 20 degrees celcius, and we only had one morning that was cloudy. It hasn't rained in weeks!
We are going shopping for the wedding next weekend- shoes and accessories!
The big duncan parade is this weekend, we are staying away from downtown. We have to stock up on feed before first week in August because it is the big games that are happening, and they are expecting millions of dollars of revenue. They are telling everyone if you don't have to go into Duncan when the games are on, don't. As parking will be a nightmare! So we will stock up well before that point until the 10th of August.
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