Promise Acre: Our Journey

[promiseacres]

Took this during evening chores. Callie is our in/out cat. Not bad for my cell phone.

Palapated does tonight; fairly sure Holly is negative, but also fairly sure Twilight & Demaris are positive! for Christmas bunnies!!

 

[promiseacres]

So nest boxes are in! for bunnies this weekend. Both Demaris and Twilight did a nice job their first night starting a nest in their straw and no pee or poo in them. Both have big bellies. Holly got a box too.... but she's on the weekly breeding schedule.... doubtfull she will go soon.

Merry Christmas friends!

 

[Hens and Roos]

Good Luck , we are waiting for several does to kid too!

 

[promiseacres]

still no bunnies, 2 at day 32, 1 at day 31... Holly is maintain a straw nest, maybe she settled the following week. Maybe Demaris and Twilight were just too young, wrong season... Demaris is now 7 m and Twilight is 8. So will try again in a few days.
There's a new years eve show on Thursday. we don't have anything planned but... not sure I want to go as it looks like I'd have to go by myself... not sure I should keep my 3 year old out that late. I know I'd sell the bunnies I want to sell from the litter if I go.

Here is my favorite from the October litter "Naomi"

 

[promiseacres]

So bummed! Have finally figured out why Winston (my first vlop) has been having issues breeding... he has a split penis. how did I finally come to this conclusion? "Hannah" from his October litter also has one.... I have 2 does out of him I was keeping.... anyone have any thoughts on genetics of it? I really feel as if it's definitely genetic not just congenital. I guess I will be rehoming Winston and Hannah (Hannibal?) as pets. And watch the offspring closely. Fortunately I have 3 other mature bucks from other lines that look good. I guess this will help solve my problem if what color groups to work with.
Oh and no bunnies yet. Giving Twilight 1 more day, Rebred the other two this morning.

 

[Hens and Roos]

Sorry to hear this. My best guess is that it's genetic given you found one in his October litter- personally I wont use the 2 does for breeding unless there is a way to determine they aren't carries but that's just me.

Good Luck, hope you get some litters!!

 

[goatgurl]

oh man, that's a bummer! I agree with Hens and Roos. I'd keep a real close eye on the two does you kept or just go ahead and sell them for pets now so you don't have any more $ tied up in them. sorry for your mess

 

[promiseacres]

Well no bunnies... but trying the weekly rebreed in with Holly. Was really hoping for juniors to show end of April, now they won't be old enough. Even if they settled. Both Twilight and Demaris did finally lift on their own so maybe we'll get kits. Debating on moving Holly to a 30" cage and rebreed in Alena since she's most likely to settle. But if they all settle we may be over run with bunnies.... I have more cages just might have to figure where to put them. There's not any great information about if the split penis is genetic or not... generally they are unable to breed and no other issues, and I can be caused by an injury which Winston did appear to be back in August.... but now his son has issues idk. I am informing people of the possibility of it in the line. And will be watching offspring, culling hard. Winston is retired though he bred Holly before I figured it all out...

need to move sheep around again. So they all have shelter. Leaving RP in with them for another month so hopefully the yearlings settle. But removing Whitey. Need to make him an appointment with the freezer. He will go back with the boys.

Btw did I mention my Mom is wanting me to take a morgan/mustang gelding? He's supposed to be very broke for trails. He's a gorgeous drafty looking boy, black with a white stripe. I put her off until April. Bc no shelter and hay... with us having a tractor we should be able to make hay... though storage is a real issue.

 

[samssimonsays]

I have been told for many years a split penis is mostly genetic. SO is splayed legs. That being said, not every baby carries it. I wouldn't risk keeping them in case they are carriers but it is a personal call. My fear would be I would get a litter form them and one would pop up in it with it. There is a good chance none will have it in their litters as well. It is a crap shoot really. and If you have the time and space to keep them separate and monitor the lines very carefully it wouldn't be an issue but you could bring in new does or keep a baby back from another litter just as easily. Good luck with your decision. I know it is a hard one to make after the hard work and effort you put into them. I have had several that although not breedable, stayed back as pets for my personal company and others that didn't have the absolute best type or size and they produced my best babies out of anyone.

 

[promiseacres]

Well we lost Winston, also in addition to have the problem of split penis definitely have vent disease. Not sure who or how, originally was pointing to Holly especially since she hasn't gotten pregnant since I got her.... but noticed lesions on her now so i dontnknow that she's a silentbcarrier. I had regular pen g so tried that first.... didn't seem to do anything. So bought the long lasting penicillin. At least it's not daily. I culled the 3 boys from the October litter, their meat will be used and kept their pelts. 2 of the 3 showed signs of gi stasis... what ultimately killed Winston. If I had had good possibilitys of pet home I would of kept treating them but hans wasnt eating so felt i needed to do something especially since all 3 had some degree of the sp.George, Sam, and Alena are still eating but not doing the greatest. They're all getting as much hay as they want, probiotics... and lots of prayers. Everyone seems to be showing a sign or two.... one thing I have noticed is their swelling is mostly around the rectum, instead of their genitals. At this point I have decided to keep the 3 does I have out of Winston... I know they could be sp carriers but... they might not be. All 4 does Could be pregnant, it's not the best thing to be treating them but I just need to eradicate this infection so may have to sacrifice the unborn. I feel like it will be a miracle if I don't lose anymore bunnies... if not from the bacteria but the treatment.