Thursday, July 29, 2010

Losses & Revivals

I now remember why I dislike owning rabbits during the summer, heat. Not only are we here in Maryland having record highs with a heat advisory in place on an almost daily basis, the rabbits are suffering worse than us. A/C is not an option in my mind, as a fellow breeder's A/C unit stopped working mid-day on a 90*+ day and they lost every rabbit due to the change in temperature shock.

This summer I have lost 3 Jersey Woolies. I do the best I can when it comes to handling heat in the barn. I have two window fan units, two box fans on the ground that I am wanting to mount up on the ceiling at some point, and have UV blocking film on the windows that are open 24/7 until winter. I give fresh cool water daily, and during the extremely hot days add Aqua-Lyte to the water to give them more minerals. I don't have the option of bringing them inside, the change in temperature would do more harm than good.

RIP WWR Alladin, WO's Seshomaru, and Wooligan's Raleigh.

While I have been negligent to say the least when it comes to breeding, I am hoping that I will have some fall litters once things cool down enough in late August early September to actually breed the rabbits.

I have made the decision to cut out working on the Shadeds and AOVs currently. I don't have the room, time, or drive to keep the numbers I currently have, and this is one of the ways I can ease the burden on myself during the school year. I will be focusing on Agoutis and will of course have Selfs, along with Brokens in both groups. My goal is to still work on pulling out Opal, and I am sure I will be able to do that with the rabbits I will have left after the cut down.

Our fair starts August 13th and ends August 21st. I arrive back in the US on the 12th and am hoping to be able to attend our 4-H meeting that evening to help get the last minute prep work done in the barn. This is my last year at the fair as a 4-Her and am saddened by this. But it'll be fun nonetheless, and I look forward to enjoying Showmanship, Judging Competition, Showing, and of course the socializing with my friends.

Until next time,

Kelsey Nelson

KN Rabbitry

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