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Post by joanfromzone6 on Mar 15, 2012 9:15:03 GMT -5
We were out in the bunny barn early afternoon, and Shadow, the sweet, friendly, calm pet bunny that was the first one we got 'clawed' her front paws at me - it was an aggressive move, for sure. I had immediate flashbacks to Snowball, the Evil English Angora. She was fine unless she wanted to breed, then she was the nastiest rabbit you could imagine. So, I put Shadow in with Spot for a few minutes. Apparently, he had been studying for the test, because he knew just what to do, and did it...a few times. She was very willing too, and if she's anything like Snowball was, she'll revert to her sweet self just as soon as she's pregnant. With Snowball it was like nature's little EPT - she would turn back into a sweet bunny just as soon as she was expecting. Here's hopin'! sounds just like my neighbor -
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Post by catinhat on Mar 15, 2012 9:54:56 GMT -5
We were out in the bunny barn early afternoon, and Shadow, the sweet, friendly, calm pet bunny that was the first one we got 'clawed' her front paws at me - it was an aggressive move, for sure. I had immediate flashbacks to Snowball, the Evil English Angora. She was fine unless she wanted to breed, then she was the nastiest rabbit you could imagine. So, I put Shadow in with Spot for a few minutes. Apparently, he had been studying for the test, because he knew just what to do, and did it...a few times. She was very willing too, and if she's anything like Snowball was, she'll revert to her sweet self just as soon as she's pregnant. With Snowball it was like nature's little EPT - she would turn back into a sweet bunny just as soon as she was expecting. Here's hopin'! sounds just like my neighbor - Well, Joan, just put her in the cage with a buck, and when he falls over from exhaustion, she'll be much nicer after that, at least for a couple months! It's worth a try.
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Post by catinhat on Mar 15, 2012 9:55:54 GMT -5
I put Shadow back in with Spot this morning and she didn't really want anything to do with him. With Snowball, that always meant she was pregnant. I guess we'll see.
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Post by joanfromzone6 on Mar 15, 2012 10:03:27 GMT -5
I put Shadow back in with Spot this morning and she didn't really want anything to do with him. With Snowball, that always meant she was pregnant. I guess we'll see. like the old joke about the sweet young thing gets on the bus and there's no seat available and no-one offers - so she looks down at this older man and says "sir, might i have your seat, you see, i'm in a family way and standing is tiring" - the older gent leaps up and apologizes for not offering his seat, saying "i'm sorry, i had no idea" - after a few blocks the man says - "you're really looking well, how far along are you?" she says - "oh, maybe forty-five minutes - and I AM BUSHED !"
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Post by catinhat on Mar 15, 2012 11:16:36 GMT -5
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Post by eyeofthestorm on Mar 24, 2012 16:07:06 GMT -5
Well, we got our rabbit. Here she is: Her dad is a Californian, her mama a Flemish giant. The lady who gave her to us is inclined to think she's going to be more like her mama (we'll see).
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Post by Cyngbaeld on Mar 24, 2012 19:57:03 GMT -5
Nice bun!
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Post by catinhat on Mar 24, 2012 20:11:25 GMT -5
Yay, Sandra! Are you going to keep a buck too, or do you have someone who will let you breed her with theirs? I have/plan to keep a buck, but I think now and then I'll trade breeding with a friend or something, to learn more and to mix things up. But...who know? Still figuring it all out.
Today we put wire floors and legs under two of the cages that had floors. It will cut down on cleaning time tremendously, and I think it's all-around better for the rabbits. We used stuff on hand still. My total investment is the same. I've been getting hay from the feed store free (the floor sweepings) and we still have food from Shadow's family for everyone.
Which brings me to a question. How much do y'all who know what you're doing feed your rabbits? I've read different things, and I'm not sure if I'm doing it right or not. The only one that is adult is pregnant (at least I think she is), and the others are all 5 mos. or younger. I give them pellets morning and night, which they eat most of fairly quickly, but they leave a little in the bowl, which is gone by next feeding. They also have timothy hay and plenty of water. Does that sound about right?
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Post by eyeofthestorm on Mar 24, 2012 20:42:37 GMT -5
We do not plan - for now - on keeping a buck. the lady we got her from said that we can use one of her bucks when we're ready. It looks as if that won't be for a while. In the FOA book (I think) that Kim posted, it said not to breed flemish giants until 8 months. I asked my friend about it when I picked our bunny up, and she confirmed that is the recommendation, if I want the rabbit to fully develop. She will be 8 months October 1. Eventually, if we are able to keep more rabbits (either here or by moving, which is hoped but not actively planned for yet), I would like to keep a couple breeding does as well as a buck. But that's a ways down the road. Since she's only been here a few hour, I can't give you experience with feeding so much as plans Right now, she's getting pellets, water and some timothy (which she seems to approve of). My friend who gave us the bun also took a few minutes to show me various grasses in our yard that she can eat. (I prefer weeds to cultivated grass because it stays green in winter, it's low maintenance OH and it's cheap). So, we apparently have a lot of ferns, shepherd's purse, rye, and something else she can eat. Heck, I just learned people can eat shepherd's purse, so she may have competition. In the winter, I figured I'd just sprout some greens (alfalfa? red clover? will have to research) and give her a bit of that for variety. And, of course, DS3 wants to give her a carrot. Anyway, the plan is the cheapest combination of the above that keeps her healthy.
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Post by Cyngbaeld on Mar 24, 2012 20:43:06 GMT -5
If they are 5 months and not pg, cut back just a bit on the pellets or just offer pellets in the morning and hay free choice the rest of the time. Pg or lactating does need more and it sounds like you are giving enough. Growing kits will need access to hay and will start nibbling pellets once they leave the nest. Give them as much as they will clean up quickly twice a day.
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Post by eyeofthestorm on Mar 25, 2012 7:50:29 GMT -5
Well, that does raise a question I've been wondering about that I've not seen addressed anywhere. Are rabbits like cats, where they'll eat what they need and leave the rest for later, or are they like dogs, and will eat every scrap I put out no matter how much they're gorging themselves?
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Post by Cyngbaeld on Mar 25, 2012 20:01:28 GMT -5
They are like goats and will over eat if bored.
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Post by joanfromzone6 on Mar 25, 2012 22:06:48 GMT -5
They are like goats and will over eat if bored. you mean in order to keep them on a healthy eating regimen you must entertain them ? do they even have a sense of humor ?
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Post by BigM on Mar 26, 2012 6:35:52 GMT -5
Joan~ Of COURSE bunnies have a sense of humor! Haven't you ever seen Bugs Bunny? Very witty guy!!
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Post by Cyngbaeld on Mar 26, 2012 7:31:25 GMT -5
LOL, throw some safe for bunnies sticks in the cage and they will entertain themselves with it.
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