The Greensboro show (NCRBA puts it on and it is our State Convention) is coming up very soon! Joni over at Lyle Creek is coming to stay Friday and Saturday. I can't wait, I plan on putting her through her paces as soon as she gets here- we had better hope for good weather, because I want her to take a look at everyone in the barn!
I am especially looking forward to having her confirm or deny my choices of several rabbits to sell. I value having someone else look at the faults and strengths of a rabbit. If an animal has too many faults, it never makes it to the sales list!
Greensboro is one of my favorite shows. We always have such a great turnout. It's well run and we get a ton of different judges (ones we don't normally see) and the awards are usually so nice and unique!
I'm starting to think of who I am going to bring- usually it falls that I have so many I WANT to show I have to make hard cuts! I'm especially tickled this year because I think I'll have some animals in classes I don't normally show in. :).
-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry
Friday, March 11, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Update
Well this imaginatively titled post "Update" is going to be a bit plain.
Poor Keep's Cupid. In her first litter since she's returned home from her fruitful "vacation" in Pennsylvania, she kindled several days too early and none of her four kits survived. They were slightly underformed and even if she had made a better nest, I don't believe they would have survived.
It was very depressing to find, especially since Cupid is a very expressive doe. She told me louder than words that she was sad her babies hadn't made it- but she was proud of them all the same. I gave her a head rub and to her distress took her nestbox away. I plan on giving her a bit of a rest and then breeding her again.
I'm getting requests for Convention animals already! I appreciate the folks who have inquired, it's been a very pleasant experience so far, with everyone giving me a good idea of what they are looking for and in a nice tone! Now we'll have to see if the rabbits comply with the color and gender requests. I have high hopes for this breeding season, judging by the luck I've had with litters so far!
Keep's Chapel Hill still hasn't kindled, though she spruced her nest up a bit today. If she doesn't kindle tonight, tomorrow I plan on giving her some Tums to help stimulate labor. She's very overdue and I'm starting to worry. I'm not really expecting live babies at this point, though I did have a doe go to Day 38 and kindle a live litter!
I'm waiting on two does now who were due Tuesday and another pair that are due tomorrow. I tend to "schedule" their due dates as a day or two in advance of their actual due dates. That way I know that even if the girls go early, they'll have their nestboxes already in.
-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry
Poor Keep's Cupid. In her first litter since she's returned home from her fruitful "vacation" in Pennsylvania, she kindled several days too early and none of her four kits survived. They were slightly underformed and even if she had made a better nest, I don't believe they would have survived.
It was very depressing to find, especially since Cupid is a very expressive doe. She told me louder than words that she was sad her babies hadn't made it- but she was proud of them all the same. I gave her a head rub and to her distress took her nestbox away. I plan on giving her a bit of a rest and then breeding her again.
I'm getting requests for Convention animals already! I appreciate the folks who have inquired, it's been a very pleasant experience so far, with everyone giving me a good idea of what they are looking for and in a nice tone! Now we'll have to see if the rabbits comply with the color and gender requests. I have high hopes for this breeding season, judging by the luck I've had with litters so far!
Keep's Chapel Hill still hasn't kindled, though she spruced her nest up a bit today. If she doesn't kindle tonight, tomorrow I plan on giving her some Tums to help stimulate labor. She's very overdue and I'm starting to worry. I'm not really expecting live babies at this point, though I did have a doe go to Day 38 and kindle a live litter!
I'm waiting on two does now who were due Tuesday and another pair that are due tomorrow. I tend to "schedule" their due dates as a day or two in advance of their actual due dates. That way I know that even if the girls go early, they'll have their nestboxes already in.
-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry
Sunday, March 6, 2011
BABIES!
I'm so happy!
Keep's Smoke (Smoke Pearl Point) finally kindled two beautiful, healthy babies!
Lyle Creek's Minx (broken seal) kindled 4! Two are himis/broken himis though and will not go in to the breeding program.
Keep's Bahama (siamese sable) kindled 4, a peanut, one that didn't get out of the birth sac and two healthy babies!
TB's China Dolla ended up having 2 DOAs, but she'll be rebred soon, along with the other two does that didn't take.
I have two does due on Tuesday that are nesting! After that, I have a few does due on Thursday, then a few more due after that. :)
I'm so happy with the litters! I'm going to evaluate Smoke's litter maintenance ability. If her babies seem to be getting along well, I may foster off Bahama's kids so I can keep her open for Convention babies! Her son Panda is the one who took 3rd at Convention this year, so I definitely want to have more juniors out of her ready!
-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry
Keep's Smoke (Smoke Pearl Point) finally kindled two beautiful, healthy babies!
Lyle Creek's Minx (broken seal) kindled 4! Two are himis/broken himis though and will not go in to the breeding program.
Keep's Bahama (siamese sable) kindled 4, a peanut, one that didn't get out of the birth sac and two healthy babies!
TB's China Dolla ended up having 2 DOAs, but she'll be rebred soon, along with the other two does that didn't take.
I have two does due on Tuesday that are nesting! After that, I have a few does due on Thursday, then a few more due after that. :)
I'm so happy with the litters! I'm going to evaluate Smoke's litter maintenance ability. If her babies seem to be getting along well, I may foster off Bahama's kids so I can keep her open for Convention babies! Her son Panda is the one who took 3rd at Convention this year, so I definitely want to have more juniors out of her ready!
-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry
Friday, March 4, 2011
Waiting Game
Well, I'm slap in the middle of a waiting game.
Minx (broken seal) and Chapel Hill (black) have had nests built for days. Chapel Hill hasn't pulled wool yet, but Minx seems to be adding to it daily. Her wool is so loose on her right now that I accidentally pulled a hunk out- it had NO resistance! I'm thinking she'll go soon.
I have seen no interest in the nest box from Sweet Dreams (tort) and Flirt (black). China Doll (chestnut) kicked all her hay out the first night and has ignored it since then.
Smoke, my Smoke Pearl Point, ate all the hay out of her box last night. I went in this morning and she'd gathered up the few pieces she missed and pulled a tiny bit of wool and tried to make a nest out of it. Stupid rabbit, don't eat all your hay, THEN make a nest! I rebuilt the nest, gave her some munching/play hay and rearranged her wool. Maybe this means she'll FINALLY give me a litter! I was thinking about letting her roll if she didn't kindle this time.
So, hopefully we'll have some litters very soon! My next does are due Tuesday and Thursday of next week, so boxes will have to go in soon for them as well.
If I get any particularly small litters, I am thinking about doing some fostering around. That way I can leave more does open to breed for Convention babies later on. We'll see how it works out though.
-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry
Minx (broken seal) and Chapel Hill (black) have had nests built for days. Chapel Hill hasn't pulled wool yet, but Minx seems to be adding to it daily. Her wool is so loose on her right now that I accidentally pulled a hunk out- it had NO resistance! I'm thinking she'll go soon.
I have seen no interest in the nest box from Sweet Dreams (tort) and Flirt (black). China Doll (chestnut) kicked all her hay out the first night and has ignored it since then.
Smoke, my Smoke Pearl Point, ate all the hay out of her box last night. I went in this morning and she'd gathered up the few pieces she missed and pulled a tiny bit of wool and tried to make a nest out of it. Stupid rabbit, don't eat all your hay, THEN make a nest! I rebuilt the nest, gave her some munching/play hay and rearranged her wool. Maybe this means she'll FINALLY give me a litter! I was thinking about letting her roll if she didn't kindle this time.
So, hopefully we'll have some litters very soon! My next does are due Tuesday and Thursday of next week, so boxes will have to go in soon for them as well.
If I get any particularly small litters, I am thinking about doing some fostering around. That way I can leave more does open to breed for Convention babies later on. We'll see how it works out though.
-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Feed Situation Update
Well- I can scratch one potential brand of feed off my list! The only feed store in 50 miles that can carry it doesn't have it, doesn't care enough about my business to order it and was so flippant and unhelpful that I wouldn't trust them to carry it anyway! Boo!
So now I'm left trying to either convince Tim that a 45 minute drive (one way) is really the best way to go as far as getting rabbit feed, or else come up with some other type of game plan. It's looking like I may have to start mixing feed. Joy!
I did email Purina to let them know I am having trouble with their feed. I am hoping that they do something about it or at least get back to me and it's not a situation where I offend them by saying "hey...this isn't really going great right now." I've always loved Purina and I've been a big supporter of them in the past. I really hope that we can have a respectful dialogue on the problems I'm experiencing!
-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry
So now I'm left trying to either convince Tim that a 45 minute drive (one way) is really the best way to go as far as getting rabbit feed, or else come up with some other type of game plan. It's looking like I may have to start mixing feed. Joy!
I did email Purina to let them know I am having trouble with their feed. I am hoping that they do something about it or at least get back to me and it's not a situation where I offend them by saying "hey...this isn't really going great right now." I've always loved Purina and I've been a big supporter of them in the past. I really hope that we can have a respectful dialogue on the problems I'm experiencing!
-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Jersey Wooly Sell Out- courtesy listing
As most of you know, I sold most of my herd a couple of months ago....I only kept the best of the best...now again, I am offering what I have left for sale due to personal reasons. This is a ONE time shot (meaning if they don't sell by friday of this week 3/4/2011) they will no longer be offered for sale. This is also a package deal only!
BL'S Mellow-REW senior doe (she is reg. and has 5 legs) been shown in youth nice doe and great mother
BL'S Ruby-REW senior doe (13 legs) great show doe and excellant mother--has one baby on her now from TB'S Rickie
BL'S Gone Cajun-Black doe.Show wonderful nice head and ear (5 legs)
BL'S Widit- Smoke pearl doe senior has never been shown (lays flat on the table) but has a wonderful head and ear
BL'S Kuluha-black tort senior doe...never been shown
TB'S Rickie-REW senior buck (11 legs) producer of many champions and still shows great himself
McKie's Kacycee Q-Broken tort senior buck ( 3 legs) produces show quailty babies and still shows well himself
I also have 2 36 X 36 english lop cages, 1-6 hole stacker and 6 24 x24 single cages all with pans.
I am asking $750.00 for everything and would be willing to deliver to NC, SC or VA for an extra $100.00
I WILL NOT SEPERATE ANY OF THIS...IT ALL HAS TO GO TOGETHER AND MUST TAKE PLACE BY 3/4/2011.
Thanks,
Brandi
If you are interested in Brandi's sell out, please let me know and I'll put you in contact with her!
Brandi is also offering transport! She will move anything, living (goats, chickens, rabbits, dogs, etc) or any stationary items (cages, furniture, etc). She's asking reasonable rates!
-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry
BL'S Mellow-REW senior doe (she is reg. and has 5 legs) been shown in youth nice doe and great mother
BL'S Ruby-REW senior doe (13 legs) great show doe and excellant mother--has one baby on her now from TB'S Rickie
BL'S Gone Cajun-Black doe.Show wonderful nice head and ear (5 legs)
BL'S Widit- Smoke pearl doe senior has never been shown (lays flat on the table) but has a wonderful head and ear
BL'S Kuluha-black tort senior doe...never been shown
TB'S Rickie-REW senior buck (11 legs) producer of many champions and still shows great himself
McKie's Kacycee Q-Broken tort senior buck ( 3 legs) produces show quailty babies and still shows well himself
I also have 2 36 X 36 english lop cages, 1-6 hole stacker and 6 24 x24 single cages all with pans.
I am asking $750.00 for everything and would be willing to deliver to NC, SC or VA for an extra $100.00
I WILL NOT SEPERATE ANY OF THIS...IT ALL HAS TO GO TOGETHER AND MUST TAKE PLACE BY 3/4/2011.
Thanks,
Brandi
If you are interested in Brandi's sell out, please let me know and I'll put you in contact with her!
Brandi is also offering transport! She will move anything, living (goats, chickens, rabbits, dogs, etc) or any stationary items (cages, furniture, etc). She's asking reasonable rates!
-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry
Changing Breeds
A lot of times, the breeds we start out with aren't the breeds we stick with. We're inexperienced, we don't know about specialized care, how to pick a nice animal- maybe we get cheated or we get ignored by the other breeders (some breeds have a reputation for unfriendly/nasty breeders), or we just realize that there is another breed out there that suits us better. Some of us just rotate through several breeds until we find the one that screams to our hearts THIS IS IT! WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG?
Sometimes we're at the bottom of the pack when we decide to switch our focus, but sometimes we're at the top of the pack. My friend Whitney is an example of this- she took BOSB at Convention in Belgian Hares this year. She won 3 of the 4 classes and in the one class she didn't win, she took 2nd and 3rd. All this with a small rabbitry- yeah that's right, she has a very small number of hares. Now, her focus has switched and she's selling out her remaining hares to concentrate on her lovely rhinelanders.
It's so sad to see her get out of the hares. She was the perfect champion for the hare breed- conscientious, health-conscious and very strict on the conditions in which one of her animals would live. I have the sire to my Belgian Hares still here with me- he came from Whitney and the offspring from him went on to place VERY well at Convention and they produced some animals who placed even better than themselves- and he came from Whitney <3.
I can understand what motivates her though. Sometimes you just fall out of love with a breed. I had the Holland Lops and the Jersey Woolies and I originally got the woolies just as a secondary breed. Slowly they took over the barn and I found myself passing over the hollands to play with the woolies. Pretty soon I was eyeballing the remaining hollands, trying to figure out who I could sell so that I could convert that hole into an official wooly hole. I grealy loved my hares, but I didn't have the room to keep more than just a few, I had a lot of trouble getting them bred- the list of problems just went on and on (for my particular situation).
As you go through your rabbit "career", chances are you're going to change your mind, or fall out of love with a breed. It's pretty natural I think. Sometimes you find your heart breed and never look back- like the folks who have been in rabbits for 30 years and always with the same breed. Sometimes, even though you love a breed, you just don't have time to make it work. I know too many people who have had to switch off woolies or american fuzzy lops because they just didn't have the time to maintain the wool. Other things were more important to them and I can respect that they realized they didn't have the time to properly care for the animals and decided to go with something lower maintenance.
-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry
Sometimes we're at the bottom of the pack when we decide to switch our focus, but sometimes we're at the top of the pack. My friend Whitney is an example of this- she took BOSB at Convention in Belgian Hares this year. She won 3 of the 4 classes and in the one class she didn't win, she took 2nd and 3rd. All this with a small rabbitry- yeah that's right, she has a very small number of hares. Now, her focus has switched and she's selling out her remaining hares to concentrate on her lovely rhinelanders.
It's so sad to see her get out of the hares. She was the perfect champion for the hare breed- conscientious, health-conscious and very strict on the conditions in which one of her animals would live. I have the sire to my Belgian Hares still here with me- he came from Whitney and the offspring from him went on to place VERY well at Convention and they produced some animals who placed even better than themselves- and he came from Whitney <3.
I can understand what motivates her though. Sometimes you just fall out of love with a breed. I had the Holland Lops and the Jersey Woolies and I originally got the woolies just as a secondary breed. Slowly they took over the barn and I found myself passing over the hollands to play with the woolies. Pretty soon I was eyeballing the remaining hollands, trying to figure out who I could sell so that I could convert that hole into an official wooly hole. I grealy loved my hares, but I didn't have the room to keep more than just a few, I had a lot of trouble getting them bred- the list of problems just went on and on (for my particular situation).
As you go through your rabbit "career", chances are you're going to change your mind, or fall out of love with a breed. It's pretty natural I think. Sometimes you find your heart breed and never look back- like the folks who have been in rabbits for 30 years and always with the same breed. Sometimes, even though you love a breed, you just don't have time to make it work. I know too many people who have had to switch off woolies or american fuzzy lops because they just didn't have the time to maintain the wool. Other things were more important to them and I can respect that they realized they didn't have the time to properly care for the animals and decided to go with something lower maintenance.
-Kristen
Keep's Rabbitry
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