LadyKarli,
I would think long and hard about antibiotic use in your herd. Do you want to raise naturally healthy animals that are disease resistant and easy to care for? Or are you willing to commit to medicating your herd on a regular basis? Do you want to eat meat that has been raised as organically as possible, or are you willing to eat animals that have been treated?
I know it is a hard transition to make from the mentality of "pet owner" to "producer", but you need to look at your operation long term. You have had a lot of "drama" already with your herd- do you want to continue that way, or do you want to simplify your life?
I know my answer- and it means culling the unthrifty and unproductive animals, and keeping only the "easy keepers".
My family was horrified when I culled our herd sire "Black Floyd" due to an enormous abscess without attempting any treatment. I have always been of the view that "where there is life, there is hope", so it was a great shock to them that I acted so quickly and seemingly without mercy. They understand now that I acted so swiftly to protect the other members of our rabbit herd, and when I recently had to cull a kit due to a "snotty nose" they were accepting of it.
I am not saying it will be easy- it isn't- but I think it is the kindest course to take for the future of the animals I intend to bring into this world. I want healthy, happy animals, not ones prone to illness and suffering... and I see it as my responsibility to ensure that with the choices I make in breeding and husbandry.
((Hugs))
