ZOMFGBUNNIESFTWBUAHAHAHAHA

DustyVinci · May 2010

OMG I'M GONNA BE A RABBIT BREEDER! ... Sorry, just very excited xD So here's the story: My parents got back from a book fair thing and they brought home some wheat or something and we're gonna grow our own wheat and make our own bread. So I complained about how we're becoming farmers before ranchers (we've planned on getting sheep and chickens for a few years and still haven't done it). So I casually and half-jokingly told my mom I decided I would start breeding rabbits (which is something I've been wanting to do for a while anyway). And she said... Okay o__o It was so easy I couldn't believe it... So yah that's the story... So my favorite kind of rabbit is a holland lop - I am hoping to be able to breed those. But I just started researching so it might change. I know some of you breed rabbits yourselves, so I would REALLY appreciate it if you could give me some tips/suggestions

I'll be keeping the whole shibang in out in my barn (it will be predator-proof - don't worry) Thanks for readin ;D

Minx · May 2010

I am getting ready to sell my first litter xD and i think im bout to get 2 holland lops soon XD

RoyalRaccoon · May 2010

lol. I love those situations where you either spend forever fretting about it, or jokingly suggest it and the answer is "Yes. " Kind of makes you go "Uhh, wut?"

DustyVinci · May 2010

=O Vampy breeds bunnehs, too? I shall have to PM you soon! xD So what breed are you currently breeding? ^^ XD I know right? I was really speechless when she answered... my mind hadn't caught up to what she was saying lol

Garnet · May 2010

Cuteness! Vampy is breeding California's right now lol She decided not to get the netherland dwarfs >.> *sniffles*

Minx · May 2010

Garnet wrote:

Cuteness! Vampy is breeding California's right now lol She decided not to get the netherland dwarfs >.> *sniffles*

I do indeed have a 3 week old litter of californians. Id post some more recent pictures if i were on my computer and not my mothers... and i still might get the ND's but itll be a while

Minx · May 2010

These are my beautiful buns so far... Jax isnt the daddy of my buns so im keeping a female cuz she can be bred to Jax also along with Rosie My Buck Jax: <img src="http://i42.tinypic.com/2md2e5h.jpg"; alt="http://i42.tinypic.com/2md2e5h.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> My Doe Rosie: <img src="http://i41.tinypic.com/24g2ah0.jpg"; alt="http://i41.tinypic.com/24g2ah0.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> The Kits: <img src="http://i40.tinypic.com/2lsjmm9.jpg"; alt="http://i40.tinypic.com/2lsjmm9.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> <img src="http://i44.tinypic.com/n3p1sn.jpg"; alt="http://i44.tinypic.com/n3p1sn.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> The Rabbitry: <img src="http://i43.tinypic.com/bfo0sz.jpg"; alt="http://i43.tinypic.com/bfo0sz.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> The cages are hanging up now though

Garnet · May 2010

hah you can see Tawny in the background xD

DustyVinci · May 2010

Oh wow, so you just have one pair that you breed? (I was thinking of getting 2 males and 4 females) How many litters do you usually get in a year? (or how many have you gotten so far?) I've been shopping for cages - so far my best bet would be craigslist because they're cheap but still good. All I have right now is a large, off the ground rabbit hutch - and I just thought of a question xD Would I be able to put more than one female rabbit in the hutch or would they not get along or something? Do they ALL need separate cages? (I'm betting the males do) Also, could I put all the kits in the same cage with each other (with their same- maybe as well as multiple other litters), after they've stopped needing the mum's milk? Thanks for posting pictures ^^

Minx · May 2010

DustyVinci wrote:

Oh wow, so you just have one pair that you breed? (I was thinking of getting 2 males and 4 females) How many litters do you usually get in a year? (or how many have you gotten so far?) I've been shopping for cages - so far my best bet would be craigslist because they're cheap but still good. All I have right now is a large, off the ground rabbit hutch - and I just thought of a question xD Would I be able to put more than one female rabbit in the hutch or would they not get along or something? Do they ALL need separate cages? (I'm betting the males do) Also, could I put all the kits in the same cage with each other (with their same- maybe as well as multiple other litters), after they've stopped needing the mum's milk? Thanks for posting pictures ^^

yea i just have one pair for now but im getting a pair of hollands soon and im keeping one of my females from this litter since she woulnt be related to Jax. 1) Rabbits dont have a heat cycle so you can breed em at any time. Ive had this female for 2 months and im about to sell my first litter so id say about 3 months for a litter... 1 month for the pregnancy.. 1 month for raising the litter and 1 month to let the mothers body recuperate from pregnancy and nursing 2) Every adult rabbit needs its own cage. Males are worse BUT females do fight each other. 3) After my buns dont need Rosie im putting her in another regular cage and keeping my 7 buns in the birthing cage since its bigger. If your gonna KEEP any of the babies they will need their own cages. But as long as you can tell the babies apart and you can make sure you know which the parents are i think youll be fine with putting them together. Also you wouldnt need 2 bucks for 4 females. i think the ratio is 1 buck for every 15 females

kitty_kat · May 2010

I love netherland Dwarfs My favorite breed but mine died last summer. My sister has a female ND that she is showing ( i may get a buck and do some research and breed them), then I have two other males not sure on breeds at all one was given to me becuase they couldnt keep it in there apartment and the other we got at a pet store and was origonally my brothers but he lost interest..

DustyVinci · May 2010

Thanks for the help Vamp

I think I'll start out with 1 male and 2 females now... lol don't want too many to start with Is it really common for a few in the litter to die soon after birth? (I've read so)

Garnet · May 2010

Vampy started with 8 and one died =( it was sad..

Garnet · May 2010

Also, if the momma doesn't get enough to eat she will kill one of the babies to eat for her survival so that she can keep the other babies healthy and alive. Vampy told me that the other day when i was at her house =(

DustyVinci · May 2010

=O ...I guess I know to keep momma fed then lol maybe I'll glue her mouth shut till the babies are old enough to leave the cage >D ..... jk of course Hm I read that the entire first couple of litters can die soon after birth or be stillborn. I'm hoping at least a few babies survive the first time with mine

How about ideas on how the buns would be able to run around in the grass/outside of my barn without running all the way to Mexico. Like, enclosure-type things? I was originally thinking I'd attach a long pen that goes around the cages and leads outside - that way I'd simply open the cages each day and they would be able to go outside as they please (keeping the male away from the females of course) Any ideas..?

Minx · May 2010

Indeed indeed. For larger or meat rabbits who have bigger litters like my californians its common for the runt or the smaller babies to be too weak and not make it. My runt died because he was too weak but the rest of my babies are all still happy and healthy little guys. Its really not as hard to deal with as you think. Yes my runt did die and i am sad about it.... but its just kinda the nature of things. AND YES! As Garn says... if you dont have feed in the mothers feeder at ALL times she will kill the smallest so she has food to feed the rest of her litter. You needa monitor how much you feed none nursing rabbits. *pregnant rabbits get the same amount of non pregnant rabbits but nursing rabbits get full bowls!* because they will not stop eating and they will get so big that they cant breathe and youll be suprised at how little they need. ive had 2 rabbits for 3 months.. including the litter of bunnies and im JUST NOW about to go buy my 2nd bag of feed. This litter has pretty much paid me back everything i paid out of pocket for the parents and food. I already had the cages so i didnt have to buy that. So im really loving breeding my guys and im sure you will too!! But i do have to point out that ALL my advice is from the prospective of a celifornian litter and stuff my bunny experts have told me along with a LOT of internet research. I cant say that all this stuff is COMPLETELY accurate for holland lops like it would be with my Cali's but im pretty sure a little bit of research will help you figure it all out ^-^

NixII · May 2010

OHMYGOD, they're so cute. i want a bunny now

Minx · May 2010

&&_blur wrote:

OHMYGOD, they're so cute. i want a bunny now

I recommend it! They are REALLY fun and cute. As soon as i can afford it i plan to get registered with the ARBA and register my rabbitry and get some stuff online so i can get higher intrests in my rabbits. Possibly sell em for other county shows and not only my own

NixII · May 2010

VampireVenom wrote:

&&_blur wrote:

OHMYGOD, they're so cute. i want a bunny now

 I recommend it! They are REALLY fun and cute. As soon as i can afford it i plan to get registered with the ARBA and register my rabbitry and get some stuff online so i can get higher intrests in my rabbits. Possibly sell em for other county shows and not only my own

haha, i don't think my mom will go for it. we have a guniea pig already and i think that's enough rodents in the house for her xD

DustyVinci · May 2010

VampireVenom wrote:

Indeed indeed. For larger or meat rabbits who have bigger litters like my californians its common for the runt or the smaller babies to be too weak and not make it. My runt died because he was too weak but the rest of my babies are all still happy and healthy little guys. Its really not as hard to deal with as you think. Yes my runt did die and i am sad about it.... but its just kinda the nature of things. AND YES! As Garn says... if you dont have feed in the mothers feeder at ALL times she will kill the smallest so she has food to feed the rest of her litter. You needa monitor how much you feed none nursing rabbits. *pregnant rabbits get the same amount of non pregnant rabbits but nursing rabbits get full bowls!* because they will not stop eating and they will get so big that they cant breathe and youll be suprised at how little they need. ive had 2 rabbits for 3 months.. including the litter of bunnies and im JUST NOW about to go buy my 2nd bag of feed. This litter has pretty much paid me back everything i paid out of pocket for the parents and food. I already had the cages so i didnt have to buy that. So im really loving breeding my guys and im sure you will too!! But i do have to point out that ALL my advice is from the prospective of a celifornian litter and stuff my bunny experts have told me along with a LOT of internet research. I cant say that all this stuff is COMPLETELY accurate for holland lops like it would be with my Cali's but im pretty sure a little bit of research will help you figure it all out ^-^

I've been talking to a holland lop breeder who lives very nearby where I live and they've planned on having me over within the next few weeks so I can learn more about the business. She says that it is very common for at least one baby to die in each litter (for holland lops, I mean). She said one of her females has had five litters and at least one baby was stillborn in each of them. Oh wow - I was expecting to buy a whole 50 lb bag every month but I'm glad to hear they don't eat much XD Aw, that's so sad that she'd eat her own young

But like you said, it's the nature of things. Yeah, right now all I have is one large rabbit hutch [from my previous bunny;;]. I plan on buying another cage or two so that none of them will be sharing cages. I also need food, food bowls, water bottles, outdoor pens and harneses/leashes. I am planning on teaching the kids at my church about rabbits, too (later this year) so I'll need something to transport a couple of them in. But the money shouldn't be too difficult to raise with my current job (taxidermy/tanning). Um so do you put anything in the water? Nutrients or whatever? I used to do this with my old bunny and I'm not sure if it's necessary...

Minx · May 2010

Its not really necessary. Eve nfor my showrabbits i dont. I just give them a salt lick

danae11 · May 2010

I'd love to get into breeding French Lops but I'd need a hell of a lot more room than I have lol. I have a ND mix now who's lovely if very skittish

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ZOMFGBUNNIESFTWBUAHAHAHAHA

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