The Sell Out Blues

A LOT of folks have been selling out lately- some due to financial reasons, some due to stress reasons and some for both.

I just wanted to take a few minutes to give some ideas on how to reduce the money you put in to the hobby, the time commitment etc.

Multiple Breeds
If you have multiple breeds, pare it down. It hurts, but it'll hurt less in the long run. Get rid of the breed you are the weakest in, has the most upkeep (ie wooled), the largest... or just your least favorite. Less breeds means less rabbits, which means less time to clean cages, feed lasts longer, etc.

Color Projects
Got a color project on the side? Cut it out- or else make it your main focus.

Sell Cages
Whaaaaat? Oh yes. When you sell some animals, sell some cages as well. I could have 50 cages, get down to 20 rabbits and before I could blink, those 50 cages would be full again because I tend to want to keep EVERYTHING. However, if I sell down to 40 cages, I HAVE to sell animals because I can't keep them otherwise.

Evaluate the Entire Herd
EVERYONE keeps hanger ons. Take a look at your herd and evaluate the quality of every buck and doe. Is that doe one that only has singleton litters and is 2 1/2? SELL HER, unless she's producing BOB Convention type babies. That doe that you need to "fix" a lot on...sell her! That buck is part of every pedigree in your barn- so move him on out.

Cut down shows or show entries
I KNOW it's fun to go to a show every...single...weekend. Or to show every animal in the barn... but if your reasons for selling out are financial, consider cutting back on your shows and your entries! Really, 6 senior bucks in the same class is a waste! Pick the top 2-3 and either show the others next time or consider them in your herd evaluation.

These are just a few suggestions. If you really don't want to deal with rabbits anymore, they aren't going to help. If you're just feeling overloaded and stressed- they definitely will help.

-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry

Selling Animals

It's hard to decide who to sell. So many factors go in to making a fair price for the animal, especially when it's a brood animal or a baby.

I find it even harder to let go of an animal that has made a huge impact on my herd.

I'm selling Lil Bit Farm's Zapp. This rabbit is what kept me from selling out the hollands. If not for him, I would be doing just jersey woolies, with the side project of hares. He has made beautiful babies with every doe I've bred him to. Not only that, he's given me a shot of color through the herd- I've got siamese sable babies in the box thanks to him.

I went outside to get new pictures of him and it honestly hurt my heart to hold him and think that he could be gone in 2 weeks. I've had him for over a year and a half. He means so much to me. I look at him and I know in another generation I'm going to be wishing desperately that I had him back.

Ugh. Have I mentioned lately I hate selling animals? :( I wish I could keep them all forever.

-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry

Starlite Fuzzies- Sell Out

My friend Katie out in California is selling out her herd. This breaks my heart and I wish I had room to buy a trio from her- Katie's doe Harmony won BOSV at CONVENTION last year.

The following is her sales list. Please contact her directly at kagee2003@aol.com

American Fuzzy Lops

Does

Seniors

Lil'Bit Farms Harmony- $275 *Inquiry Pending*

Tort Senior Doe, DOB: 7/17/07

(THF Saynora's Bernie x THF Saynora's Chantia) Fuzzy Holland

Multi. Legs, BOSV 2008 ARBA Convention as a SSD beating out 53+ rabbits in her class, Multi. Honorable Mentions In Show in tough CA Competition. Proven.

L&R Sara- $80

Sable Point Senior Doe, DOB: 6/7/08

(L&R Logan x L&R Brownie) Fuzzy Holland

Has not been shown. Broke her upper leg as a junior so I was unable to show her, but man, if she didn't have a broken bone this would have been an AWESOME show doe. Incredible L&R Holland lines and very clean color.

THF Saynora Puff Ball- $200 *Inquiry Pending*

Tort Senior Doe, DOB: Not exactly sure, but she turned Senior a couple months ago.

Fuzzy Holland

This is an awesome awesome doe. Excellent buck-like head, perfect crown and ear shape. Shake and show coat. I only showed her a couple times but she won those times, including BOSB her first show as a molty junior. Judge Chris Zemny raved about her and said she would have taken the breed if her coat was a touch in better condition. Typey rabbit. I don't think I have to mention how gorgeous the hollands are in her pedigree. Proven, and her babies are gorgeous like she is. No pedigree as I never had it sent to me. I believe she is a daughter of THF Saynora Qwade.

THF Saynora tort doe- $100

Tort Senior Doe

Fuzzy Holland

This doe has bone for days. I would say she is more of a brood doe. Excellent big fat head. She produces NICE babies. Very typey rabbit that will do wonders for a breeding program if you want to add "chunk". No pedigree on her either. Proven.

Hobbs'/Moore's Ado Annie- $40

Fawn Senior Doe

(PSP Taboo x Fairy) Does have HL in pedigree

Really cute doe. Has ear control. Goes back to PSP Taboo who was a buck that placed well at Convention. very colorful pedigree, and she has VERY clean fawn coloring.. .and she produces super clean agouti babies. Proven.

Starlite's Vixen- $35

Sable Point Senior Doe, DOB: Can look up

(Sky High Walker x Starlite's Violet)

Very cute doe, but small. She is quality in a small package! I like a lot about her including her nice coloring, shake and show coat, and sweet personality. Nice fat head on her. Starting to look a LOT like her mother Violet, who is just gorgeous. She was bred and due 7/17, so if you pick her up before then the litter is yours. I bred her to Lil'Bit Farms Nova.

Hobbs' Moxee- $40

Broken Tort Senior Doe, DOB: Can look up

One of those awesome Hobbs lined does. Bigger doe, so I would say brood doe. If her ears were shorter she would be nice to show. I would say she is over 4lb, though I haven't weighed her. Throws orange a lot. Her sire won his class at Convention in 2007. Proven.

SS Lucky- $20

Chocolate Otter Senior Doe, DOB: 6/28/08

(Chotter x OMF Nemo) Fuzzy Holland

Very cute doe. Chocolate otters are super rare in fuzzy lops. Nice chocolate color and her tan pattern looks good! Does have some ear control. I really like her for an otter, and especially the color. Proven.

Juniors

L&R ____- $100

Broken Tort Junior Doe, DOB:

( x ) Fuzzy Holland

Has not been shown. Gorgeous rabbit. She's going to have tons of depth and a super buck-like head. I only bought her a few weeks ago, and am asking a bit less than I paid. Has those famous L&R Hollands behind her.

Lil'Bit Farms _____-$50

Black Junior Doe, DOB: 3/19/09

(Lil'Bit Farms Carls Junior x Lil'Bit Farms Jinger) Fuzzy Holland

Younger doe, very cute! Good wool. I like the bone on her, and her body. Should be a really nice show doe!

Lil'Bit Farms _____-$50

Black Junior Doe, DOB: 03/11/09

Lil'Bit Farms Lane x CN's J1) Fuzzy Holland

Cute little doe. Moulting her head, should have nice wool and be very compact. Show her!

Lil'Bit Farms _____-$55

Tort Junior Doe, DOB: 2/15/09

(Lil'Bit Farms Sheridan x Lil'Bit Farms Zoyia)

Nice doe. Still molting out her head. I really like her and her body, especially her depth. Nice nice lines.

Hobbs' ______ -$40

Broken Chestnut Junior Doe, DOB: Unknown

Very cute doe. I really like her, and once she finishes her coat out, I planned to show her! Big thick head on her with nice ears placement. I don't have a pedigree on her.

Starlite's ______-$40
Tort Junior Doe- DOB: Can look up
(Starlite's Jamba x THF Saynora tort doe) Has HL in pedigree
I really love this little doe, should have an awesome head/ear/crown, and body should widen out. She looks very buck-like. Very fuzzy holland looking.

Bucks

Seniors

Lil'Bit Farms Nova- $85

Tort Senior Buck, DOB: 6/26/08

(Lil'Bit Farms Logan x THF Saynora's Jeanie) Fuzzy Holland

3 Legs, Multi. Honorable Mentions In Show, Smaller buck but makes nice babies!

Lil'Bit Farms Wrigley- $40

Broken Black Otter Senior Buck, DOB: 10/7/08

(Lil'Bit Farms Cache x THF Saynora Jeanie) Fuzzy Holland

Non-recognized color in Fuzzy Lops, has ear control, nice rabbit if you plan to work on otters!

HBB's Abe- $20 *Inquiry Pending*

Blue Otter Senior Buck, DOB: 12/1/07

(AK's Percy x Blue Hills Agnes)

Non-recognized color in Fuzzy Lops. Only asking what I paid for him. Awesome awesome rabbit. HUGE head.

Hobbs' Grant- $30

Tort Senior Buck, DOB: Can look up

( x ) Can look up

Smaller buck, but very solid body. His ears are a little thin, and is molting at this time. Great Hobbs lines behind him. Very bright colored tort.

Hobbs' Oh Da Man- $30

Tort Senior Buck, DOB: 10/11/07

(Naragon's Callahan x Hobbs' Oh No!) Has HL in Pedigree

Good buck, does have some ear control in one ear. Molting currently. Strong bone and wonderful lines!

THF Saynora King Kong- $100

Black/Seal? Senior Buck, DOB: Unknown but he is about 1 year.

Nice looking buck. Bought as a black but I think he is actually a seal. Throws really nice babies. Never got his pedigree. Has those awesome THF Saynora lines. Asking significantly less than I paid.

Lil'Bit Farms Tulsa- $90

Tort Senior Buck, DOB: 7/17/07

(THF Saynora's Bernie x THF Saynora's Chantia) Fuzzy Holland

Nice buck. Full littermate to my Harmony who was BOSV at Convention in 2008. My only complaints about him is that he's longer in the shoulder and has soft wool. But a really nice buck otherwise. He is currently molting so maybe his wool will have more texture this time around.

Starlite's Jamba- $45

Orange Senior Buck, DOB: Can look up

(PFF's Tonka x Hobbs'/Moore's Ado Annie)

Smaller buck, the cleanest orange I have ever seen. Very bright. Super super cute. Compact rabbit. Great personality. A judge told me that one of his nails are really light on one of his front legs. I have never seen any problems with light nails/toes in his lines, so I would breed/show him. His babies have never had any issues either. I think he is just really clean in his color.

Hobbs' Eoin- $60

Blue Senior Buck- DOB:

( Hobbs' Master x Fairy) Has HL in Pedigree

Nice buck, excellent head, good blue coloring. I really like him. Super thick ears, rock solid body. Molting right now. May be a tad long in the midsection, but great buck, especially if you want to work with dilutes. I've had a lot of people drool over him at shows, especially over his fat head! Currently in a molt.

Juniors

Lucky Lops ____- $25

Broken Orange Junior Buck- DOB:

Fuzzy Holland

Going through semi uglies right now so his ears appear longer than they are. I really liked him at 8 weeks old, so he should mature nicely. Priced low only because he is young and going through that awkward stage. No pedigree on him.

Lil'Bit Farms _____ -$60

Broken Tort Junior Buck- DOB: 3/11/09

(Lil' Bit Farms Zero x THF Saynora's S227T) Fuzzy Holland

Awesome pedigree that includes some famous THF Saynora hollands. Not to mention Zero, his sire, is VERY awesome. Going through the growing up stage, but I see lots of promise including the width that will come in for a nice nice head!

Lil'Bit Farms _____-$60

Broken Orange Junior Buck- DOB: 3/4/09

(Lil'Bit Farms Jorj Jr x Lil'Bit Farms Jade) Fuzzy Holland

Nice pedigree!! Very cute guy. Balanced, good coloring. Short ears. I see a lot of potential.

MG's Karate Chop- $50

Broken Tort Junior Buck- DOB: 12/6/08

(Gard's Waffles x MG's Galaxy) Has HL in Pedigree

Cute guy, should have a nice big head on him. His sire Waffles is a multiple BIS winner, and placed 2nd SSB at ARBA Convention 2008 in Youth. He is a bit narrow in his shoulders, and has white tips on the end of his ears. Bigger buck. His genetics should come together with maturity and he could be a nice breeding buck, or grow him out a bit and show him! Currently in a molt.

Starlite's ______ -$35

Chestnut Junior Buck- DOB:

(THF Saynora King Kong x Starlite's Gucci)

He was my pick buck of his litter and have been keeping him to show, and for my chestnut line. Super super bone on him. Appears to be a bit narrow in his shoulders, but should widen out some with age. Awesome chestnut coloring and ring pattern. He is getting length to his coat after I plucked him, and his face is starting to finish out.

Starlite's ______ -$35
Chestnut Junior Buck- DOB: Can look up
(PFF's Tonka x THF Saynora doe)
Pick of the litter. I really like him. Probably should be plucked soon. I love his ear shape and length/texture of wool for a chestnut. Should mature out nicely.

Starlite's ______-$35
Broken Tort Junior Buck- DOB: Can look up
(PFF's Tonka x THF Saynora doe)
Has the cutest half butterfly marking. I love his crown shape/placement at this age.. should turn out pretty nice!


Babies

I have a few litters that are still in the box, or just about weaning age.

2 Orange Babies (Starlite's Jamba x Hobbs' Moxee) $30 each, I think there is a buck and a doe
5 Orange Babies (PFF's Tonka x Hobbs'/Moore's Ado Annie) $30 each, repeat breeding of my Jamba, not sure on genders yet
2 Tort Babies (PFF's Tonka x Starlite's Violet) $30 each, I think there is a buck and doe
1 Chocolate Tort Baby (PFF's Tonka x Starlite's Violet) $20, not recognized color in fuzzies, but typey!


I also have 6 Lionhead adults available and 6 gorgeous babies. Let me know if you are interested in seeing that list.

Holland Lop

THF Saynora doe- $60
Broken Chestnut Senior Doe- DOB: 12/10/05

(Campo's Sebastian x Stardust's Abby)

Nice doe.. especially for her color! Does carry the wool gene if you want to add chunk to your fuzzies. I bred her to a fuzzy buck and got 3 wooled babies, and they are looking NICE!

Equipment

All equipment is Used

Tattoo Equipment

Ketchum clamp tattooer. I shipped this in from Canada. Best clamp tattooer on the market. Over $100 brand new. Selling mine for $60 which includes a set of numbers 0-9 and letters A-Z! I will also throw in any of my ink I can find.

Nestboxes

$6 each.

1 wooden one used only once

6 or so metal KW ones sized for holland lop

1 metal KW one sized for netherland dwarf or small lop breed

Carriers

Numerous carriers... too many to list. I have a few 6 hole shipping carriers with solid tops as well, including one that was used one time (brand new condition). Numerous 1 hole and 3 hole KW and Carnahans carriers.

**I do not have the space to hold rabbits for any extended period of time, please look for transport options ASAP. Shipping is also available. Also note rabbits are sold first come first serve. Pending Inquiry means a rabbit is being temporarily held with interest, pending deposit/pick up.*


-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry

Waiting on Hares

I'm currently waiting on Jasmine, our Belgian Hare doe, to pop. She's been very easy to breed, but we have yet to get a live litter out of her.

She's obviously pregnant again, we just have to hope that the 3rd time is the charm. I'd love to see the hare babies grow and of course, I can't help with promoting the breed until she HAS SOME BABIES!

I'm not sure what I'll do if she doesn't take this time. We had to get her at Convention and wait several months for her to be old enough to breed- and she is kindling! She's even building nests and pulling hair!

We give her Wheat Germ to help promote healthy pregnancies... they just aren't coming out alive. I'd hate to have to get rid of her, she's an excellent match to Bandito.

Ah well, no use borrowing trouble just yet. We'll just have to see what happens.

-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry

Sick Rabbits?

I've seen this a lot on a rabbit forum I'm a part of, so I want to take the time to post a few things.

Heat: Heat can cause your rabbits to have wet noses. This is ok, just keep an eye on them and make sure they don't get over heated.

Sneezing: Ok, if you give loose hay, your feed has a lot of fines in it, it's a heavy allergen day (you can find out from your local weather), you've changed shavings, they are molting... your rabbits may sneeze. This is ok.

Boogers: Occasionally a rabbit may have a small booger. Keep an eye on it, this is ok.

Heat Changes: If it goes from hot to cold, your rabbit may develop boogers or start to sneeze. Without mucus, this is ok. Keep in mind there are many causes of sneezing in animals.

Snuffles: Snuffles is not a cutesy disease. Snuffles is deadly and horribly contagious. Snuffles is characterized by lots of colored mucus. You'll even see crusting on their inner front legs where they try to clean themselves. There is a lot of sneezing. If you think "I wonder if they are sick or if it's __________ " then they probably do not have snuffles. If you are worried about it, QUARANTINE and you can NOT even wear the same clothing or shoes when visiting the healthy rabbits after seeing the sick ones.


-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry

Saluting a beautiful animal.

picture courtesy of Jersey Wooly Wins

We cultivate rivalries in the world of rabbit showing. Sometimes they are cut throat, angry things, but I like to think most of the time it's all in good fun- an extra push to breed harder, cull harder and prep harder.

"DD" (I christened her DD for "Durn Doe"), a shaded doe owned by Tresia Burleson was one such animal. She caused us to give Tresia a lot of grief- though it was all out of good-natured jealousy. A beautiful animal, DD, pedigreed as Venus, went on an amazing run of BOB and BIS wins. We teased Tresia she needed to leave that girl home and get her bred, or else just needed to leave "that ugly old doe" at home. Tresia grinned and would put her rabbit up on the table and we knew we were doomed.

At last tally (correct me if I'm wrong), Venus was in 3rd place for Wooly of the year, an amazing feat, especially considering the kind of competition she was up against. She was the #2 Shaded Senior Doe at Convention this past year. She's won countless BOBs and several Best in Shows.

Venus passed away due to complications giving birth to what would have been her first litter. It's a hard, hard thing to deal with, especially when it's an animal not only as beautiful, but as special as Venus was to Tresia.

It's with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to "DD". We teased her, tried to pocket her and most of all, admired her.

-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry

Ways to induce labor

I've been working with Barbi trying to get her to pass her kit.

In my panicked state, I remembered several helpful things to do, and forgot even more. So I'm going to post them all here. Most of these are to help stimulate contractions, so forgive me if I don't state that every time :).

Massage: A light belly massage can help stimulate contractions and get things moving along.

Buck: Put a doe in with a buck and allowing him to hump her (or her him).

Raspberry Tea: I'm not sure about the fresh leaves or the fruit, but Raspberry tea (I brewed it, cooled it and put it straight in the water bottle) is supposed to help.

Lavender: I'm not sure if this is the flower or the leaves. My instinct is the leaves, until I find out for sure, avoid using this one :).

Exercise: Let the doe run around on the grass.

Tums/Rolaids: Calcium is supposed to help boost oxytocin levels.

Oxytocin: Given as a shot.

Do you have any others? Definitely share!

-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry