I keep my rabbits like cats, they can get out free roam when I'm at home, out on the meadow, forest, whatever they like. Just without the "killing birds" part cats do. They were cautious enough to stay clear of the street. Not much traffic anyway, mayby 20 cars per day. This worked for 10 years now. Today was a local election, so there were hundreds of cars, and since the election is in the local pub I reckon quite some of those leaving were not sober, uhm, no, don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming anyone. The fault is mine.
Today my future breeding doe managed to run into a car, found her dead on the street, still warm, no obvious injuries. I planned to cut back on breeding a little, and this doe I intended to keep was a headstrong, smart gal, just got horny these days and went to the front gate to see the -by now neutered - buck. Must have got spooked and ran into a car.
Dang. I was hoping to get at least some litters from her, keeping my herd somewhat colourful. What's left is my old doe, which I can't breed for for future keepers because she seems to develope the same spine issues like her father, and then there is that one black doeling that just escaped the freezer because I thought she might be pregnant.
Seems like I need more fences. I always worried about foxes and marten when I let my rabbits out, cars, I really thought they are too smart for that.
So I'm down to 6 rabbits, My two house rabbits, both neutered, then Red, a 11 yo spayed doe, Ruth, about 5yo but with that spine issue and not a stellar record with her last litters - Hansi, my new buck, a joy to have around, and that one black doe that just escaped the freezer because I thought she was pregnant.
That's a pretty thin rope there.
The main reason why I have rabbits is not meat, or having company, but having responsibility, somehing I have to care for, can't throw in the towel on an impulse that way, They are a safeguard. Feeling really bad today.
Today my future breeding doe managed to run into a car, found her dead on the street, still warm, no obvious injuries. I planned to cut back on breeding a little, and this doe I intended to keep was a headstrong, smart gal, just got horny these days and went to the front gate to see the -by now neutered - buck. Must have got spooked and ran into a car.
Dang. I was hoping to get at least some litters from her, keeping my herd somewhat colourful. What's left is my old doe, which I can't breed for for future keepers because she seems to develope the same spine issues like her father, and then there is that one black doeling that just escaped the freezer because I thought she might be pregnant.
Seems like I need more fences. I always worried about foxes and marten when I let my rabbits out, cars, I really thought they are too smart for that.
So I'm down to 6 rabbits, My two house rabbits, both neutered, then Red, a 11 yo spayed doe, Ruth, about 5yo but with that spine issue and not a stellar record with her last litters - Hansi, my new buck, a joy to have around, and that one black doe that just escaped the freezer because I thought she was pregnant.
That's a pretty thin rope there.
The main reason why I have rabbits is not meat, or having company, but having responsibility, somehing I have to care for, can't throw in the towel on an impulse that way, They are a safeguard. Feeling really bad today.
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