Bucks Picking at their Fur

[westridgeorganics]

Good morning! I am looking for a little bit of advice on an issue. I have two silver fox bucks, both of which have been pulling at their hair on the thighs. I don't see any blood or open sores, but they are hairy fellows so I can't be positive. Here is the first buck, Mr. Muffins



And his thigh



The other fellow, Scruffy, seems to be a little worse despite the poor photo.



His thigh



Any thoughts are useful!

 

[squidpop]

The are so cute I'm not sure what that could be. If you look closely can you see anything like flakey skin or redness? If you've never treated them for mites or worms, maybe regardless of what that is, now might be a good time. I use revolution for large cats or ivermectin.

 

[westridgeorganics]

I haven't treated them for anything. I'd like to develop the meat and fir organically, so I do not know which treatments are approved. I will have to do a bit of research to find certified organic solutions to that.

Honestly if just the breeding males have this problem, I won't complain too much. My fear is that the problem would spread beyond to the harvest.

 

[skip]

Totally talking out of my rear here, but do they always get that much spinach? My extremely limited understanding of spinach, kale, and some other dark leafy greens is that they have a chemical that can cause skin irritation and tingling when consumed in large amounts. Maybe they're just chewin' an itch? I'm not sayin' it's poison or anything, I feed a lot of spinach, I just also feed a lot of everything else too

What a couple of cuties. I love their big blocky heads.

 

[Dood]

:yeahthat:

Also they may need more roughage in their diet, do you offer grass hay or branches to nibble on?

 

[squidpop]

I'm totally all for organic, but I would still worm, and maybe use antiprotozoal like panacur as well to get rid of all the nasties and then after that, you wouldn't have to worry about the future generations of babies having bugs.

 

[Miss M]

Worming can also be done with pumpkin seeds.

As far as their picking their fur off, it's really odd that they're both doing it on the same spot. Some food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) rubbed into the fur in case it's mites, maybe?

I would definitely make sure they have some hay and maybe unfinished baskets or tuna cans or something to play with.

 

[westridgeorganics]

They don't get that many spinach and brassicas usually. They were from a harvest day at the farm, and I thought I would try them out. They discovered for themselves they prefer grass and buttercup as the main dish, rather than the heavier stuff. I will admit I haven't given them very much hay, though I do give them green rye and other seeding grasses.

Tuna cans to play with? I think you may be right, that they are bored and picking at themselves because there isn't a lot to do. So how do you entertain fellows, without going overboard?

I do want to use organic methods, so the meat can be certified organic. I don't mean chemical free, if it can be certified by the NOP. I haven't had any experience with that yet.

 

[Miss M]

They discovered for themselves they prefer grass and buttercup as the main dish,

Okay, here's where you really need a botanical name. Plants normally called "buttercup" are, as far as I've seen, toxic. Perhaps what you call buttercup is not the same thing. Make sure you identify that plant.

Tuna cans to play with? I think you may be right, that they are bored and picking at themselves because there isn't a lot to do. So how do you entertain fellows, without going overboard?

There are all sorts of things you can give them to play with! Just start looking at ordinary things like this:

Will it break into small pieces?
If it's not natural, is it easily eaten?
Could pieces of it cause gastrointestinal obstruction?
If it is natural, what's it made of?
Is it safe to eat?
Is it stained, painted, or lacquered?
Can it be grabbed and tossed?
Will it make cool sounds when it hits the cage?

Natural things that make good toys: pine cones, unfinished baskets (willow, grapevine, bamboo, etc.), pieces of wood from rabbit-safe trees (apple, for instance).

Man-made things that make good toys: whiffle balls (one member connects two of them with shower curtain rings, and says the rabbits like them much better that way), baby keys, baby rattles, measuring spoons/cups, empty tuna or other cans with the inner edge crimped down, soda can with a bean or two inside and closed with Duck tape, toilet paper rolls (can be stuffed with hay or greens), phone books, magazines (not bound with staples), cardboard boxes (hot glue is safer than tape) -- cut a 6" hole in one side so the rabbit can get inside and dig like mad, etc.

Many of these things can be found at a dollar store, often in multi-packs.

Plastic things need to be made of sturdy plastic that cannot be bitten off in chunks. I've never had a problem with rabbits nibbling on plastic, but you have to make sure the plastic is tough.

Toys can be left loose in the cage, or attached to the wall or ceiling with a shower curtain ring.

Rotate toys for interest. Maybe switch out the toys once a week or so.

toys-for-the-buns-t19760.html

I do want to use organic methods, so the meat can be certified organic. I don't mean chemical free, if it can be certified by the NOP. I haven't had any experience with that yet.

You should be able to find organic pumpkins for the pumpkin seeds. DE is the shells of fossilized microscopic organisms, ground into a fine flour. I am positive that would be acceptable in organic growing.

 

[skip]

You should be able to find organic pumpkins for the pumpkin seeds. DE is the shells of fossilized microscopic organisms, ground into a fine flour. I am positive that would be acceptable in organic growing.

I've looked it up before, and it's on the USDA's list of acceptable organic products, provided you use it at or below the dosage given on the bag, and only use it for a specific reason rather than all the time as a preventative.

 

[Miss M]

You should be able to find organic pumpkins for the pumpkin seeds. DE is the shells of fossilized microscopic organisms, ground into a fine flour. I am positive that would be acceptable in organic growing.

I've looked it up before, and it's on the USDA's list of acceptable organic products, provided you use it at or below the dosage given on the bag, and only use it for a specific reason rather than all the time as a preventative.

The DE?

It can be used at the rate of 1/2 Cup - 1 Cup per 50# feed, mixed in with the feed, to destroy hatching bugs that will spoil the feed. Food-safe DE is, by definition, safe to eat, and can be rubbed into the fur for mites. I have no idea why they would feel a need to regulate its use in organic production. :?

 

[Comet007]

Diatomaceous earth and redmond clay (bentonite clay) are both ingredients in the certified organic pellets that we feed our buns - so I know both of these are ok. Both can be moistened and used externally as well for a variety of ailments. Organic coconut oil is also antibacterial, anti fungal and anti microbial, so are great for skin ailments and is very moisturizing.

We are raising our buns all organically - using organic raw pumpkin seeds as worm prevention. Actually, our buns absolutely LOVE these, so instead of using twice a year for two weeks we have been giving them as treats a couple times a week - I get these at our organic food co-op in the bulk food section. You can also use grapefruit seed oil in their water a couple times a year - 10 drops per gallon of water for two weeks twice a year or when you suspect worms.

For mites - I have a formula that I have mixed up of all organic ingredients. Just know that if mites are the cause, they have a 28 day life cycle. I took a small bottle (I think 4 oz) and filled mostly with olive oil, plus a few drops of OACV, and 5-6 drops each of camphor and rosemary oil. For prevention, once a month just massage a few drops into each ear. For treatment of mites, apply to the affected area. Daily for 2 days, every other day for 2 weeks, then twice a week for two weeks.

These are just a few things we have in our bunny "medicine chest".