foresthomemama
Active member
Well, it seems I have only had time to post to this forum when something goes wrong with my rabbits. My doe had her second successful litter (after losing an entire litter of 11). The litter had 4 (One stillborn), so we have 3 adorable kits. Due to the afternoon heat and the fact that I believe Rosie's last litter died from the heat in her hutch, I have been bringing in the nestbox during the hot hours of the afternoon. This was working really well, and Rosie seemed to enjoy the break.
My daughter picked up one of the kits and it "popped" and fell right on the floor. This was a few days ago and my husband, who is a softy, felt we should give the bun a chance and see if she heals. I think its time to put it out of its misery. I don't think it will get better, I believe its back or neck is injured.
We use an air rifle to dispatch. I guess I will need to do that when my husband gets home. I do the butchering around here, but my husband usually does the dispatching, though he is a softy and would love it if I would do that as well. I just need him to show me how to work the air rifle.
It seems silly to have to use the air rifle to dispatch such a young rabbit, but I don't know that I could dispatch with my hands. I guess I'm a wimp.
I was so happy with this little litter after the trouble and learning curves I've gone through over the summer, but I suppose that's the way it goes.
THe upside is that the two healthy buns are very healthy and hearty. There is one buck and one doe. I have processed 9 buns over the last month from previous litter and am keeping 2 does and one buck from my first litter for breeding. They are extremely sweet buns and love attention. I'll be making new hutches to expand beyond my four hutches in September/October.
My daughter picked up one of the kits and it "popped" and fell right on the floor. This was a few days ago and my husband, who is a softy, felt we should give the bun a chance and see if she heals. I think its time to put it out of its misery. I don't think it will get better, I believe its back or neck is injured.
We use an air rifle to dispatch. I guess I will need to do that when my husband gets home. I do the butchering around here, but my husband usually does the dispatching, though he is a softy and would love it if I would do that as well. I just need him to show me how to work the air rifle.
It seems silly to have to use the air rifle to dispatch such a young rabbit, but I don't know that I could dispatch with my hands. I guess I'm a wimp.
I was so happy with this little litter after the trouble and learning curves I've gone through over the summer, but I suppose that's the way it goes.
THe upside is that the two healthy buns are very healthy and hearty. There is one buck and one doe. I have processed 9 buns over the last month from previous litter and am keeping 2 does and one buck from my first litter for breeding. They are extremely sweet buns and love attention. I'll be making new hutches to expand beyond my four hutches in September/October.