Drstratton - My Backyard Journey Journal

[drstratton]

We processed the rabbits we had in the rabbit tractor today. It's definitely not my favorite thing to do, but I can do it! My husband dispatched them with a pellet rifle...when we processed them with our friend we used a hopper popper...the rabbits were quite freaked out. We prefer the rifle, we placed them in a cage on the grass and they were much more relaxed, I feel that it was more humane, but would go the other route if I had to! They dressed out between 2# 3oz. to 2# 6oz, so we wound up with close to 15#. They were actually heavier than I thought they would be, I'm glad we waited an extra week. The first rabbits we processed were put in the freezer right away, that's the way our friend does it, since that time I've learned a little more. We are going to let them age for a couple of days in the fridge before I cut them up and bag them for the freezer. I'm curious to see if it makes any difference! This is a picture of them them chilling...I actually have them in bags now, but they are not cut up yet!

 

[Baymule]

Good work on slaughtering the rabbits. It is not pleasant work, but must be done. You did good.

 

[drstratton]

Good work on slaughtering the rabbits. It is not pleasant work, but must be done. You did good.

Definitely not pleasant...but doable! Thank you!

 

[drstratton]

Some updated photo's of our breeding stock! We will be separating them into their own hutches soon, just a bit more updating needed on the old dual hutch!

Sharing some Swiss Chard! Buck, Chloe & Daphne!

This little girl (Chloe) has come a long way! She was born in a rabbit colony and has been extremely wary of me! She has finally started coming over to say hello! I'm a bit concerned about what kind of growth rate we will see from her kits, as the ones from the same colony grew quite slowly, to much inbreeding! Hopefully with the infusion of fresh purebred NZ gene's they will grow faster. She's turning into a sweet little rabbit, so hopefully she will work out!

This boy has really grown, but he's still smaller than Daphne! One of my favorite rabbit poses!

 

[Baymule]

You have pretty rabbits. I like that rabbit pose too!

 

[drstratton]

You have pretty rabbits. I like that rabbit pose too!

Thank you...I can't wait to see their kits...I probably should have gotten NZ Whites.. lol!

Yeah, they're so cute when they do that!

 

[drstratton]

After almost 35 years, my faithfully hardworking husband went out the door this morning, heading to his dam (lol) job for the last time! So looking forward to continuing our journey together in this new phase of our lives!

 

[farmerjan]

HOORRAY for you and for him!!!!!

 

[CntryBoy777]

Be sure ya give him time to "adjust"....like he is on "vacation"....so, get him use to the "routine" before unrolling the "to Do" list on him....

 

[drstratton]

HOORRAY for you and for him!!!!!

Thank you Jan!!! We've been looking forward to this for a long time!