Lost another litter....

[tm_bunnyloft]

Ok this has got to be a sign that I should not breed meat rabbits. I had a litter of standard rex due today. So I put a nest box in two days ago. Went to do chores and there was hair in the box. So I checked. 5 dead Standard rex kits. There were 2 black and 3 blue. Not a single live kit. Its been getting well below freezing at night and so even with a bunch of hair they didn't make it.

It is official. I am culling all of the meat rabbits. And sticking with Jersey Woolys and maybe English Angoras. I am looking into Angoras now because I want to work with the wool. But I'm not 100% sold on it quite yet. And I want to be sure. I think I have the husband convinced though so now its totally up to me.

 

[ZRabbits]

So sorry to hear about your Rex kits.

Karen

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

This time it was in a nest box in a hanging cage. Yesterday I filled it full with hay and she ate every bit of hay out of it. Then pulled hair and had her kits.

 

[fuzzy9]

I'm so sorry tm! Are you putting anything in there besides hay? With the cold, another layer would help. I put a nice thick layer of pine shavings in, and then the hay. Make sure the doe has plenty of her own hay to eat as well, so she minimally eats what's in the box.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Sheesh- you would think one of them would figure it out.

Do you have a paper shredder? You could try shredded paper feed bags or grocery bags instead. Even newspaper would work, though I have never tried it because we don't subscribe to a newspaper.

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

MSD I don't either. There was so much hay in her cage there was no reason for this. And there were shavings in the bottom. She dug everything out and it was eaten or on the floor under her cage.

There is an epidemic of stupid running rampant in my barn right now.

 

[skysthelimit]

MSD I don't either. There was so much hay in her cage there was no reason for this. And there were shavings in the bottom. She dug everything out and it was eaten or on the floor under her cage.

There is an epidemic of stupid running rampant in my barn right now.

Oh no. I'm really sorry

You must have Rex from the same strain I do. I have not had a Rex make a nest since March. I just don't get it.

 

[Oceanrose]

Sorry to hear about the litter. That always sucks.

What about French or Satin angoras? They can be used for wool, and the extras are meaty enough to eat, with good growth normally..

 

[fuzzy9]

There is an epidemic of stupid running rampant in my barn right now.

I'm sorry, but that is funny! :lol:

Honestly, I don't think I would deal with that either from a doe.

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

The meat rabbits have been such a disappointment but the Jersey Wooly's are wonderful and make it all better.

Of course starting out with good stock helps allot. I was thinking about selling my junior JW buck but now I am rethinking things. His ears are 2.75 inches but he has wonderful body type and the wool is wow. So I may just keep him around. He could cross well with Double Shots daughters if they have short ears.

 

[mystang89]

Wow....just wow. Talk about not getting any love from the rabbits. Sorry you lost another one. I use news paper. I don't have a shredder or anything but I do have 4 kids who LOVE to tear things up. I put their talent to go use.

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

I do have 4 kids who LOVE to tear things up. I put their talent to go use.

Now to me thats funny. If you have a talent you should use it.

I'm not to worried about it though it is sad to see them. We are getting rid of the meat rabbits, in trade for Angora's. I am loving the woolies. We wont be adding anything till we move unless I find a great deal on a fully pedigreed REW English Angora with great wool and type. Otherwise I will wait until I can go to the shows and buy exactly what I want. Its no hurry.

 

[curlysue]

Im sorry what a total bummer.

 

[mystang89]

I hope the Angoras work out great for you!

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

The Jersey Woolys are so I'm sure the Angora's will too. We have the Woolys in the house and hoping for a dry basement when we move for all the rabbits. Otherwise we will be putting in a 12 X 16 temperature controlled shed for them. I like having the bunnies in the house where I can keep a close eye on them. And I can spend a lot more time with them.

I use dog crates with 1/2 x 1 wire floors put in them. I then put natural kitty litter in the tray and also baking soda carpet fresh in too. That keeps away any odor. Then I partially pull each tray to clean and use a shop vac to clean. Easy Peasy. I do need to put a peice of lanolium or board on the floor for the doe who sprays out her cage. :/

I am going to love being able to watch all 10 wooly babies grow up.

 

[ladysown]

just so you know....angoras are meat rabbits too...under all that wool there can be some good meat. so make 'em double purpose. Do save ALL that fur though from that rex, it'll come in handy for those angora litters.

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

Angora's tend not to pull hair? I have some Jw hair saved now too. Thats what we figure. All rabbits have meat on them. So if they grow to big or just don't turn out to FC they go. I don't intend to sell anything that can't go on the show table.

 

[AnnClaire]

Actually, I find that my EA doe over does it when pulling fur for the nest ... she will pull the front of her front legs bald and generally the chest area too LOL And it all ends up in the nest box in big clumps, so I take a pair of scissors with me to clip it all short, and remove about half LOL