so my one little kit is growing so big and strong...he is 2 weeks today. he is so advanced compared to what ive heard. his eyes opened at 6 days and he started nibbling on hay and pellets 3 days ago! he is really a big boy (i think). mom is so happy and is so protective over her baby. she has really become more happier. any reasons why? think its because she has such cute company and her hormones are calmer now than before she concieved! i want to breed her again, but scared the buck might attack the little baby?
If you want to plan a breeding, wait until the kit is weaned and in his own cage. Since these are pet rabbits, you might want to think real hard about producing more litters. Housing arrangements, distribution of the offspring, etc. It\'s a big responsibility.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
I know what you saying - they are a big responsibility, but i am able to do it as i have a sister in law who stays on a \"farm\" with ducks, chickens, rabbits etc and she loves to collect bunnies. She has offered to look after them when they get older, sort of like a retirement village where they can hop everywhere and be free. My doe of 1year and a few months (the one that just had kits) will go there after her second kit. She loves to be out and run around, but i don\'t let her out her hutch unless I am at home.
Your sister in law\'s \"farm\" sounds like a great place to live if you\'re an animal, heck, it sounds like a fun place to visit if you\'re a human! I have a question, though, when you say you are planning to place future litters with her, and she is already a \"bunny collector\", are any of these bunnies spayed or neutered?
Don\'t get me wrong, I love, love, love the practice of allowing pet rabbits to live in a cage free environment, however, that requires alot of reproductive fixing and bonding. That, in effect, limits the number of bunnies you have in any one space at any one time. Listen to Charlcie\'s advice carefully.
Your sister in law could end up over her head with her property over-run with rabbits. As Charlcie said, it\'s a lot of responsibility.
That being said, it sounds like you have a good heart and I\'m sure you\'ll do the right thing. Take care!
thanks pipsmom,
she only takes females so neutering is not a problem - my baby is a female (oops, thought it was a boy!) and if any males come along, i will get them \"snipped\"! her place is really cool - we go up there every weekend and the bunnies are so friendly with us. it would be so wrong to have breeding bunnies all over her farm, as she has so many gorgeous animals to look after already!
thanks for the input, much appreciated!
rachelle