Ms. Research

[77Herford]

Aren't male rabbits loners. They usually only stick around with female rabbits in heat.

 

[Ms. Research]

Aren't male rabbits loners. They usually only stick around with female rabbits in heat.

Most rabbits are loners. Males and Does. And their only existence is to procreate because they happen to be at the bottom of the food chain. Rabbits will kill one another over territory. Does will kill Males just because she doesn't like him. As well as Males will kill one another because of making sure their genetics gets passed on. Just nature.


All breeds of livestock have their loners and only stick around because a female is in heat. That's just life. And you as a Breeder benefit from those loners.

 

[Ms. Research]

so much for cute and fluffy.

The things I never knew about rabbits. lol, now I am almost scared of rabbits.

Have to admit it was a little nerve racking since I used to think they were just cute and fluffy. Had no clue what a rabbit truly was all about when we first got them.

I'm truly learning from a 2 lb rabbit with an attitude. Not scary at all.

 

[Ms. Research]

I have to say thanks to the "enablers" of this site. When I first started thinking of this Livestock Adventure, I just wanted livestock. Didn't have a real focused plan but knew that I wanted to get involved. Knew that our goal was being self sufficient.

Since finding this site and joining and starting this journal, it's been a real education on what "livestock" is all about. And our plans are starting to take shape.

DH and I are in 100% agreement that we want goats for milk. We both realize that though goats can be "meat", we realize and definitely admitted we just couldn't eat them. So when Jodie posted her "Crazy idea", it just hit home that a smaller goat would be more efficient for our needs. I've already "Safe searched" Nigerian goats and have several breeders in New Jersey with milking as a focus. Already showed DH and we have now both agreed this is the way to go. Plus the silky that I want though consider meat can still fit in with our small herd of milkers. DH knows I've fallen in love with Peachicks silkies. So the plan for goats have formed and we think this will be best for our small future farm.

Thanks to the "enablers". Now it's time to focus on the type of sheep we want. I've read an excellent thread on the pros and cons of tail docking. Understand the value of some tail docking so that opens up the arena to really look at all breeds of sheep to make the best plan for our small future farm.


Bunnies are doing well. All have settled down and back to the "I smell him, but can't see him, so he's really not there" attitude.

 

[Ms. Research]

Heard Denver Colorado got hit yesterday with it's first snowfall of the season, and now they are calling for a coating at the City of Philadelphia. Already snow. We didn't even have a fall. The leaves are still green. Looks like the Farmer's Almanac is going to prove to be correct with numerous snow storms on the East Coast again.

Well, it is a good thing though. It's the only thing we have to clean the air. Can't wait to see what they bunnies think of snow. Should be interesting.

 

[77Herford]

Thankyou for your brave statements on the Vegetarian poster, ugh.

 

[Ms. Research]

Well after Kreacher's barbering, "Fur Cut for Rabbits" Dobby now has a new Nickname...Slash. Poor thing. He knows something is different. But he's handling the change very well.

They all are.

I'm not though. Saddens me that the roommates had to be split. But that's just me and I will get over it. Seeing how all the buns were settled down and seem very content in their new surroundings.

Also the thought of what COULD have happened, gives me the willies.


Well lesson learned. Will NEVER try putting two bunnies together in the same space unless for breeding. I was told it might not work by my breeder, but being naive and thinking, "Oh they need company", we went forward with it. Thinking they made it through the "dancing phase" and neutering, things would settle down. But not happening. Still those dominance issues.

Rabbits are solitary animals. PERIOD! And if you look at them in the wild, rabbits only meet to mate then scatter to be by themselves. Hardwired!

 

[elevan]

Whenever we go against the grain, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

Lessons are learned everyday when dealing with livestock.

 

[Ms. Research]

Whenever we go against the grain, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

Lessons are learned everyday when dealing with livestock.

Found that out the hard way. Hey experience is still the best teacher.

 

[Ms. Research]

Well, everyone seems to have settled down in their new living arrangements. And they appear to me much more docile. Like there has been a struggle for so long that they are all now split and that struggle is over.

That's what it looks like to us. Maybe this is all for the best, realizing that they are together only during mating. And after, go their separate independent ways. This is all new to me. I didn't realize how intelligent rabbits were or how their Alpha struggle may cause stress and unhappiness. Not that I can gauge either one, but my observations appear to be that base. They know their place in the pack but not together.

Now I'm Alpha and they all seem very content with that.

This may have been the best experience for me pertaining to understanding rabbits and their temperment.

Just truly grateful it didn't turn into grief.