I Culled my First -- how to boost herd immunity? Next steps

[TF3]

I knew it would happen some day, I had to make my first cull.
I used the broomstick.
I feel sick

She (my 12 week old Cali doe) started sneezing 2 days ago-- I had just had a sneezy bunny get better (dust up her nose). But this one got snotty (one nostril, thick white 'boogers') and no improvement, today her paw was crusty. So I did it. She had been separated already and I washed down all her stuff with vinegar and sanitized her dishes.

So that's done.

But I have kits and lops here.
And a junior buck from the same barn that was with her until this past weekend (she started sneezing when I separated them). He is already set apart from the rest.

I bought some liquid echinacea, and I have some powdered Vit. C and some oil of oregano.
What can I give and how much?
I have 2 pregnant does (Rex x and Flemish x), a FG buck, the Cali buck, 10 four week old FG kits and 3 12 week old HL.

What else can I do?

 

[alforddm]

Sorry TF3. Sounds like you have your bases pretty well covered. Are you adding Apple cider vinegar to their water? If not 2 T for a gallon of water. With the mother is best but the filtered kind will work if that is what you have.

 

[ladysown]

you don't need to do anything else.

Let happen what happens in order to increase your herds resistance in the future. "Boosting" their immune system doesn't tell you where they are at.

How you boost your herds immunity is simple.

Keep NOTHING that gets sick EVER.
even a mild tummy ache, or nestbox eye, a bout of sneezing.

Cull EVERYTHING that gets ill. Nestbox eye, pet them out or eat them. Sneezing...just eat them seriously. Tummy ache... eat them or pet them out with a "please don't breed this rabbit" caveat. Clumsy kit...just awkward... pet it out or eat it.

That is the very best way to boost your herds immunity.

 

[Zass]

I agree with ladysown, by culling the sick doe instead of nursing her back to health and trying to breed her, you have already done the best thing you can for your herd.

 

[TF3]

OK, thank you.
I should have tried to dress her out, I suppose, but the first kill was enough 'firsts' for one day (and my daughter sobbing in the house didn't help! She actually bounced back well, and with good perspective~ realizing it was done to protect her Lops etc.).

I'll add some ACV and let them be.

Now~ would you notify the breeder? I don't mean in a way of blame, stuff happens, but I would want to know if one of my breeding broke with upper respiratory problems (the doe was about 12 weeks, which I understand is when mom's immunity starts to wear off?) . I am anxious about my buck as they are from the same place and were cage mates until a couple days ago. But better to know now if he is going to go, too!

 

[Zass]

I'd notify the breeder to ask for refund or replacement only if the rabbit had been in strict quarantine and she broke with snot during the first 30 days. Even if they do not offer to refund or replace, it would be helpful to know that their rabbits carried something that stress brought out.

If those conditions were not met, it's entirely possible the doe picked up something at your place that the other rabbits you own are already resistant to.

It's a risk we take every time we bring in new rabbits.

 

[TF3]

Thanks~ yes, I don't expect or want anything back from them, not at all.
It is just the way it goes.
But I'll send them a note to let them know

 

[the reluctant farmer]

Sorry, TF3. That's too bad. But good job culling her, especially since it's a first. You did the right thing for your other rabbits, and prevented her from slowly getting sick an suffering.

If you are using an actual broomstick, you might find it easier to use a dowel rod or a piece of rebar. The thinner yet sturdy diameter is easier to use & gets the job done cleanly, too.

:encourage:

 

[EnglishSpot]

That's good advice. Those would be better than a rake handle I used yesterday.

 

[TF3]

Yes! The broom handle was much too thick, but did the trick.

 

[Zass]

I agree that a narrower bar is better.
My husband has learned a technique where he can preform cervical dislocation on fryers with just his hands. I really prefer it because the rabbits are a little more comfortable through the process, and we see less bruising on the carcasses.

He only tried that after broom sticking 100's of fryers though, and getting a very good feel for everything.

Frankly, I'm a bit jealous, since I'll never have the upper body strength (or arm length) for that.

 

[Susie570]

Now~ would you notify the breeder? I don't mean in a way of blame, stuff happens, but I would want to know if one of my breeding broke with upper respiratory problems (the doe was about 12 weeks, which I understand is when mom's immunity starts to wear off?) . I am anxious about my buck as they are from the same place and were cage mates until a couple days ago. But better to know now if he is going to go, too!

I notified the breeder about my little doe having an irritated eye. Well, not really 'irritated'... just kind of, a little bit of dried discharge. I thought it had gone away, but it's still ongoing, just the smallest amount, but I've ordered some terramycin. ANYWAY, my point was that the breeder appreciated me letting her know and asked to be kept updated. I would think that any good breeder would want to know if their stock came to you with an issue.