AprilW
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- Joined
- Dec 26, 2009
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I purchased 7 young Harlequins (5wks to 3 months) right before Christmas. Last week Georgia's temperatures dropped drastically, the coldest we've had in literally years. I lost three of my Harlequins (plus a pet Dutch of unknown origin and age) over the course of four-five days. All were magpie girls - 1 five week old and 2 seven weeks old.
With the first death (the five week old), I suspected enteritis. The whole herd got extra hay. Two days later I lost the Dutch and an older Harlie. Now I begin to suspect (and still do) dehydration or just due to the extreme cold - the rabbits were purchased locally so they are accustomed to hot Georgia summers and relatively mild winters. None of us are accustomed to cold weather like this. Other breeders I've talked with from my area have experienced losses as well.
All of the rabbits, minus the Dutch, acted normal and then were dead in the cage the next day. The Dutch, the day before she passed, sat in a corner in her pile of hay (I give extra hay in winter to keep the buns warm) and wasn't interested in food or water. Before, she was VERY food driven. In fact, she escaped once and was lured right into my lap by rattling a bowl of food.
All but one of my remaining Harlies are japanese colored. They are very robust and growing extremely well. So I'm wondering if the magpie variety is less robust in general, or if it was just bad luck for my herd?
With the first death (the five week old), I suspected enteritis. The whole herd got extra hay. Two days later I lost the Dutch and an older Harlie. Now I begin to suspect (and still do) dehydration or just due to the extreme cold - the rabbits were purchased locally so they are accustomed to hot Georgia summers and relatively mild winters. None of us are accustomed to cold weather like this. Other breeders I've talked with from my area have experienced losses as well.
All of the rabbits, minus the Dutch, acted normal and then were dead in the cage the next day. The Dutch, the day before she passed, sat in a corner in her pile of hay (I give extra hay in winter to keep the buns warm) and wasn't interested in food or water. Before, she was VERY food driven. In fact, she escaped once and was lured right into my lap by rattling a bowl of food.
All but one of my remaining Harlies are japanese colored. They are very robust and growing extremely well. So I'm wondering if the magpie variety is less robust in general, or if it was just bad luck for my herd?