Book Spotlight

Today I am doing a book Spotlight. The title of the book is "Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits" by Bob Bennett.

Originally it was written in 1936 it has been updated several times. This book is an excellent resource for anyone raising rabbits. It covers so much information you need to know and really helped me to get us started on the right foot with our rabbits. From why raise them, to how to pick the right breed for you it moves on to housing and equipment needed, feeding rabbits, and breeding how to's it also covers things to look out for that could be a problem and marketing, composting for the garden, showing rabbits and in the back it has a little bit about cooking them as well if you decide on meat rabbits. This is a book that I still refer back to when I have an issue pop up.

The only draw back to this resource is that since it was written in the 1930's the price guides have never been updated, and things cost more then the author talks about them costing back then. So ignore the price check guides and you will have an amazing resource to help you improve on your rabbit raising journey.

Stillwater Tulsa RBA Show March 27th

We have had a blast today in Stillwater at the Tulsa RBA show. Our broken black junior New Zealand doe Kestrel won Best of Breed in show A.

Our youngest daughter got to attend her very first show as an exhibitor and she had a wonderful time.  I am one proud mama today to see all her hard work pay off.  She spent all week before the show working everyday with picking up and carrying her rabbit safely, learning how to weigh him and trim his nails as well as all the grooming and pre-show work that goes into getting ready and attending a show.  I see a lot of shows in her future.  She had such a great time.

A Moment of Sadness

Can I just share my sadness for a moment today. We lost an entire litter from one of our first time mama's today. She weaned them too soon and they ended up with weaning enteritis/bloat. It is the sad moments like this after fighting for them and trying to help with with all the things I know to do and it just isn't enough that I question my sanity with wanting to raise and care for animals. But it also makes me grateful for all the good days and that in general they out number the bad ones.

New Focus and Direction for our Mini Lops

 As you know we recently started raising Mini Lops and our first few litters were a great success.  We have even had a few that have shown well and we have finally found our focus.  We are going to be raising two separate lines.  Our first line is going to be solid and broken chestnuts and our second line is going to be solid and broken chinchillas.  We are pleased to say that we have tried to start with  good bloodlines and we are looking forward to seeing how we can develop them further in the future.

Rabbits Seeking New Adventures

It's that time of year when we have to let a few of our tried and proven rabbits find new barns and adventures plus we have youngsters looking for new digs. This is a list of what is currently available Feel free to send me a message for more details and photos using the contact form on the blog or by looking us up on Facebook.

English Spot:
1 lilac buck
2 chocolate bucks

Holland Lop:
1 SR broken blue buck
1 older SR black tort buck retired from breeding needs a pet home
I have babies in the nest box who will be ready soon.

Mini Lop:
1 SR seal buck
1 JR chestnut buck
1 young harlequinized chestnut buck
1 young black chinchilla buck
1 chestnut doe
I have babies in the nest box who will be ready soon.

Mini Satin: none at this time. But I have a couple babies in the nest box who will be ready soon.

New Zealand:
1 SR broken black buck super nice registered grand champion and RIS in our last big state fair
1 young black buck
1 young broken black buck
1 super nice proven SR broken black doe 2 legs and a BOSV she can leave when her current babies are weaned
1 SR black doe with a BOV win she can leave when her current babies are weaned
1 SR white doe just got to breeding age
I have a bunch of babies in the nest boxes that will be ready soon.

New Zealand (non-showable): no pedigrees
2 young broken steel bucks
1 young broken steel doe

11 New Zealand Babies all Growing Up Together

This mama is amazing. Can you imagine raising 11 babies all at the same time? Well our doe Batton's Bubbles is doing an exceptional job. Born on 12-8-20. Sire is our registered grand champion Batton's Duke Frederick. We are looking forward to having some new members of our show team from this litter.

Hard Lessons and Loss

Some days are harder than others. The last couple of days have been difficult here at the Bowery. One of our first time English Spot mamas decided she was done raising her three week old babies and weaned them too soon. We have tried everything we know of to help the ten little ones survive with absolutely no luck. We lost the last one this evening. My daughter cried and when asked if she wanted to talk about it she said "Well my prayers were answered mom. I prayed that Heavenly Father would take this little guy home so he wouldn't have to suffer anymore. At least they were all fed and warm and loved when the time came." Raising farm animals teaches you some of the hardest and most valuable life lessons you could ever ask for. And even on the hard days like today I wouldn't trade it for the world.