Ms. Research

[fortheloveofgoats]

It is Winter and right now in New Jersey it's 70 degrees and sunny. A bit chilly in the shade but out in that sun, it feels like a Spring day.

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/4459_bunnys_903.jpg


http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/4459_bunnys_959.jpg

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/4459_bunnys_939.jpg

So got the bunnies out. While I cleaned their crates one by one, DH set up a temporary enclosure for them to get some fresh air. Took everything down because we are going to get the big Maple in our yard trimmed.

So nice outside, wood pecker in the Maple tapping away. Tiny Black and White Woodpecker.

This weather just doesn't make sense.

K

Can't forget Jake

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/4459_bunnys_912.jpg

:bun Pictures of the buns outside, that's great! I love Jake's picture too. Thanks for putting them up. Do they like to be outside? I can't wait for it to get a little bit warmer here, and we will try it with Samore and Mellow. I want to see if they like to be outside. Just thought I would send some hugs your way!

 

[autumnprairie]

love the pics, I am glad eveyone had a fun day

 

[Ms. Research]

Well DH and I are very excited to announce that our next phase of the Livestock Adventure is starting to form. It's turning into a Road trip for Lionheads. We haven't done something like this since we got our Kuvacz, Ice. Drove to White Plains, New York to pick up our white fluff ball. Was worth the trip. Well the road trip will lead us to West Virginia this time and the exciting opportunity to meet some BYH friends. Plus the real exciting news of bringing home a pair of Lionheads to start my breeding program and to fall in love with as we have our other 3.

Truly excited for the trip. DH and I haven't been away in so long. Really looking forward to just getting away for a little while, meeting new people that I've met on this forum, seeing their set up (lots of exciting things happening for these BYH members) and getting two new bunnies to get to know.

Now the exciting wait to see what will be in the nest box and waiting for us when we arrive.

Truly feels good to make plans like this. And really looking forward to meeting new people. Now I really can't wait til Spring. Sitting now making a "Get Ready for New Bunnies" List.

K

 

[Ms. Research]

love the pics, I am glad eveyone had a fun day

Thanks. It is really fun to watch them enjoy themselves out there. They just love to dig and explore. It's good for them mentally as well as physically.

K

 

[Ms. Research]

Now that my boys are getting close to 9 months, it's time to start really looking at cutting back the pellets. I've kept status quo with free choice since they were 8 weeks. I've started feeding them a little differently. I've been splitting their pellets, giving half in the morning and half in the evening. By the evening their bowls are empty. So I give a little more. But I have found out on some days, by the evening they still have pellets. So I haven't been filling them waiting til the morning to give pellets. They aren't starving by morning. Dobby has though discovered that he can pick up his food bowl and move it around the crate. I though that was hunger signs, but it's just a game thing. He does even when he has pellets in the bowl.

Fruit, we cut back on. Not an every day thing. Worried about sugar intake and less exercise during the Winter months. Trying to get as much outside time as possible.

Greens, still every day. They love their Wheat Grass, broccoli, brussel sprouts. They get that every morning. Seriously got big plans for the Garden this Spring.

Willard has been thriving on the diet we have him on. Not truly knowing his age, and what he was feed in the past, he's transitioned nicely with no ill affects to our plans.

Just worried about healthy, happy bunnies. Kind of got a little nervous seeing that fold of skin (dewlap) on Dobby. I know he's maturing and some bucks do get it, but I just don't want overweight bunnies and me be the cause of it. Always watched my dogs. Sometimes they were spoiled and did put on a few pounds, but always got them back to snuff. Have to really watch Jake. Older dog, plus bum back leg due to being thrown out of a speeding car as a pup, extra weight a No No.

All are still molting, but being inside rabbits, it is what it is. More grooming, but worth it due to more bonding and learning trust time for us and the bunnies. Plus it does me and DH good.

All in All, think I got my boys on the right path to a healthy life. Isn't that what it's all about?

K

 

[wannacow]

I'm curious and absolutely NOT an expert on rabbit husbandry, but I thought rabbits couldn't have broccoli or other things in the cabbage family because of their inability to pass gas. Is this true?

 

[Ms. Research]

I'm curious and absolutely NOT an expert on rabbit husbandry, but I thought rabbits couldn't have broccoli or other things in the cabbage family because of their inability to pass gas. Is this true?

Yes rabbits do not pass gas. And broccoli and cabbage can give gas, but my rabbits are loving broccoli and brussell sprouts and are having no problems. That's why with rabbits you slowly introduce new foods. I gave them little bits at a time and really don't give them a lot now. Just a little cup full every day. They need their greens, just not a whole lot of them.

Cabbage and colliflower are vegetables that are very gassy. Haven't even given them this and won't. They do very well with just collard greens, wheat grass, broccoli and brussell sprouts. They love them, and no affect out of the norm.

I guess if you give them too much, it can cause an issue of bloat or gas. And that's not good for bunnies. No way to pass because they do not pass gas or throw up.

Another thing I read is not to feed your iceberg lettuce. Your rabbit can it it, but iceberg lettuce provides no nutrition to a bunny. It has lots of water, but no nutrition.

Hope this helps. Thanks for asking. And I can only tell you what I have experienced.

K

 

[Ms. Research]

Been busy, busy, busy yesterday. On the computer searching for Pedigreed Lionheads.

Due to circumstances out of our control (the economy), have to stick close to home. Would have loved the long trip, but just not happening. As much as I want something, I'm being an adult about it. Maybe some day a long trip will happen.

Anyway, got lots of success on the search for my Purebread Lionheads. Really good prospect in PA and New Jersey. Now I just have to sit and think what will be best for me.

These colors are so confusing. I know they are healthy lionheads, they have double manes, but what color do I want to play with?

DH and I are loving the Black Line. Black, Black Torts, Siamese Sables.

But have a chance to get a Blue. Blue is a diluted color of Black. Can have a Blue Lionhead in little less than two weeks. Kits are now 4 weeks old and not sexed. Do I get a Buck or a Doe?

I think my best bet, and what I've read to be a successful is to get your Buck first. Age doesn't matter with a Buck. He can start up to 6 months or as late as 3 years. So if the Blue kit is a buck, I think I got my breeding buck.

But also, breeder has Black line and Chocolate line coming in a month. Will have to wait to see what comes out of the nest box. Breeder will be sending me updates regarding this.

Also Breeder in New Jersey has chocolates and REW ready. She says it's hard to work with these colors. Is it?


LOTS to think about! Really exciting! But truly nervous. I don't know why, Maybe nervous energy? I guess worried about colors.

Well, it's Monday, time for work. All have a Great Day!

K

 

[wannacow]

I'm curious and absolutely NOT an expert on rabbit husbandry, but I thought rabbits couldn't have broccoli or other things in the cabbage family because of their inability to pass gas. Is this true?

Yes rabbits do not pass gas. And broccoli and cabbage can give gas, but my rabbits are loving broccoli and brussell sprouts and are having no problems. That's why with rabbits you slowly introduce new foods. I gave them little bits at a time and really don't give them a lot now. Just a little cup full every day. They need their greens, just not a whole lot of them.

Cabbage and colliflower are vegetables that are very gassy. Haven't even given them this and won't. They do very well with just collard greens, wheat grass, broccoli and brussell sprouts. They love them, and no affect out of the norm.

I guess if you give them too much, it can cause an issue of bloat or gas. And that's not good for bunnies. No way to pass because they do not pass gas or throw up.

Another thing I read is not to feed your iceberg lettuce. Your rabbit can it it, but iceberg lettuce provides no nutrition to a bunny. It has lots of water, but no nutrition.

Hope this helps. Thanks for asking. And I can only tell you what I have experienced.

K

Thanks Ms. Research. Like I said, I am not an expert. I had one pet rabbit, a flemish giant that I lost this fall. She was only a yr and a half. I don't really know why she died. I had been watching her as she seemed to hide a lot, and by the time I felt she had a fever, it was pretty much too late. After about $200 @ the vet, she died @ home. The vet didn't want to do a necropsy, so I don't know whaat killed her. BTW, not my ususal vet... but one that "knows" rabbits, I guess...

I'm glad your rabbits are doing well. DH said I could get another if I wanted. I'm still not sure... I wish they were like dogs and cats, then I would be more comfortable taking care of them. Rabbits are COMPLICATED!

 

[daisychick]

Lionheads are so fun to look at. I can't wait to see what you pick out and of course I can't wait to get to see the pictures when you get some!