Growing by Hops and Bounds

Those baby bunnies are growing SO very fast.

Day 2!

Within the first week they were practically double in size.

Day 7

Eyes still closed.

Just a short week after that, all their eyes are open, they have fur, they have grown exponentially, and they are beginning to 'hop around' in their little nest box.

14 days.

What an amazing thing to watch. To experience.









The kids are so excited to see each new phase of their development.  Even Bethany is admittedly enjoying the cute, fuzzy, bundles.  They are big enough now that I allow all the kids to hold them each morning.

Our smallest, yet most wiggly little kit.

Their fur is so soft.

Ears so tiny.

Cute little noses twitching as they explore their new world.

Mama rabbit is doing a great job feeding and keeping them the right temperature.

When warm and feeling safe,
they simply burrow down and go to sleep.

Fair is fast approaching and the girls are thrilled to be doing a 'meat pen' to sell 6 of the 7 kits.

Exploring in the nest box.

In addition, we hope to do Get for Sire and Daughter/Dam pairings to get an idea of how our 'breeding program' is progressing. The judge will determine if the good qualities in our breeding duo are being passed along or if not-so-desired qualities are being transferred.  Simply good information to have when one is breeding rabbits.

The 7th kit will either go as a 'fryer' or we'll keep it as Selah's 'rabbit' for 4H next year or possibly sell it as a 'pet' or meat rabbit on-line.

Time will help us make that decision depending on the size/look etc of the baby and if Selah wants to do a 'big meat rabbit' or if she'd rather get a small 'show' rabbit that she could more easily handle.  We could even do Rex rabbits that are technically meat rabbits, but much smaller and more easily managed by little hands.  We'd still have the potential of 'meat', but Selah would have more success in showmanship with a smaller bunny for her wee hands.

Still huddling together to keep warm.

We hope to breed Scarlet, the other doe, late this summer or early fall.  Our research shows we can also re-breed Trixiebelle at that same time.

They are beginning to explore more and more.

A benefit to breeding both does is they can act as 'foster moms' to kits that the other doe rejects.  This is especially important since Scarlet will be a first time mama.  It's not uncommon for first litters to not survive.  With breeding both does, we have the chance of allowing Trixiebelle to 'help' with Scarlet's litter depending on the size of both litters.

What an adventure.

If we successfully get kits again from those breedings, we'll most likely sell some and put some in the freezer to try 'rabbit meat'.

That's going to be quite the experience as these baby bunnies are so stinkin' cute.   How am I ever going to slaughter them?

But.... it's been the goal all along. The rabbits are for the girls' 4H projects but also for food consumption.

One thought of consolation is we'll keep having more kits to replace the ones we sell and pop in the deep freeze and place on our dinner table.

I'm considering having the girls do an indoor poster project about breeding and raising kits.

We'd love to hear your creative ideas to make it Purple Ribbon worthy.

Changes

Changes are hard.

                                  Believe me.

                                                           I know.


Last year was filled with changes.  Hard changes that we HAD to go through.  We had no choice but to adapt and adjust.

Now that things have settled down with all the 'no choice changes' we had thrust upon us, I'm realizing I need to make some changes that I'm in charge of.  Not ones that are in charge of me.

My health.
             
               My weight.

                               My fitness level.

When the girls were diagnosed, I had been losing weight using a plan called Trim Healthy Mama.  It's a unique approach to eating that involves separating out 'fuels'.  You eat little to no carbs if you are eating healthy fatty foods, conversely if you want to eat carbs, just stay away from the fat.  In addition, both types of meals are anchored w/protein.  It also limits carbs to a more 'healthy' amount as well as encourages the elimination of sugar and processed foods while incorporating lots of fruits and veggies.  Especially veggies.  It allows the body to burn energy from carbs OR fat rather than using the carbs and storing the fat.  A great way to follow the idea of moderation -- all food can be enjoyed and are good for our bodies when eaten appropriately.

I personally like this approach.  I'm less likely  - months later - to be craving the food groups I would have eliminated while 'getting healthy'.

No deprivation.

I had great success with this eating plan.  I felt good.  I had lost 35 pounds.  I enjoyed the food and found it fairly easy to follow.

Then.... everything happened and I allowed myself to go back to old habits.

I began eating and sleeping my emotions away.

I binged on carbs AND fat; resulting in my body once again STORING said fat in all the wrong places.  Or maybe more accurately - in ALL places.

Gulp!

As you might have guessed, I found that 35 pounds and they brought some unwelcome friends with them (sadly).  Now I'm heavier and more unhealthy than I was before I began this journey in Oct of 2014.

So, that is one of the major changes I WANT to make.  I NEED to make.

I want to get back on track with this more healthy approach to eating.  Using food to fuel my body, not stuff my emotions.  Eating foods that help my body have energy not those that make me want to nap and sleep the day away.  Yet, not depriving myself to the point of exasperation.

I want to begin exercising again.  Getting my muscles, my heart, my lungs, my joints back to health.  Venturing out to hike these beautiful mountains we live in without feeling like I may pass out.  :-)  Being able to go out with the kids and play on the trampoline; go sledding; make boats to float on the creek; run with the dogs; tend to the growing number of animals in our mini-mountain-menagerie; accomplish the myriad of projects I'd like to do in and around the house.

I understand it won't be easy.

         I accept the journey will be a long, arduous one.

                 However, I recognize it's what is best.

                           I know I CAN do it.

                                     I acknowledge that I NEED to do it.

Now, to find a way to stay motivated to enact these changes day in, day out.

I'm excited that Techno is joining me on this adventure.  This healthy lifestyle.  His support and participation will make this task a bit more palatable.  A lot more achievable.

Want to come along side of us and help me (well us) stay accountable?  I'd love to share this journey with others.  Join us, won't you?  We'll be better for it in the end.

Goals:
Weigh myself and take measurements.
Eeack!!!  I'll keep those numbers to myself.
Stay on plan with eating 90% of the time this week.
Separating fuels; using the THM cookbook to make healthy family meals; not skipping breakfast; eating every 3 hours.  We've done pretty good so far this week. Only 1 major meal 'off plan' at our church fellowship.  But.... that's one of the things I love about this approach.  3 hours later, you can be right back at it.
Exercise at least 2 days for 30 minutes each day.
After planning my goals, I was invited to take part in a 'plank and walking challenge' with a friend.  I did my first 20 sec plank last night.  I need to walk a total of 2 hours this week.  That will actually be more than my original 'goal' but I believe it's doable.  That would average at least 4 days of 30 min each.  We probably achieved this goal while we were camping b/c of our hikes, but I'm hoping to get some more in today and tomorrow.

I'd love to hear from you if you'd like to join us on this path. Share your goals, your progress.

It's always easier when you work together.

Parenting Changes

As we finished cleaning up from breakfast at our campground Sunday morning, drinking our coffee, and enjoying our morning conversation, Techno received a text from Jacob.

His car was dead.

This normally wouldn't be too big of a deal as we were just camping in the Snowy Range - a few miles from our home.  Just a day before and Jacob would have simply been 4-30 miles away from us. A simple drive to rescue him would have been in order.

Today, however, he was many more miles away in ........ Texas.

He had left Sat morning for his summer internship at a university in Texas where he'd be working along side one of the chemistry professors there.  Allowing him to gain new and varied experiences.

Even though we were communicating via text, I could hear the concern, the worry, maybe even the fear in his voice.

Techno advised him to see if he could find someone to try to jump start his car.  Hoping it was simply a dead battery.

Fortunately, a kind stranger was not too difficult to find and they used jumper cables to try to restart the defunked battery.  Their efforts, however, were futile.

We talked him through contacting Triple A so a truck could be dispatched to tow his vehicle to a nearby mechanic where it could be evaluated.   We feared the alternator or some other electrical component was the culprit of his car's sudden demise.

Sitting there, I felt so helpless.  Here was my little boy - yes, he's 19, but in my head he's still my little boy - stranded at a Pilot station some 12 hours away, dependent on the sympathy of random, unknown, people to help him during his time of need.

While he awaited the drivers arrival, we reminded him to contact the university to let them know he was going to be delayed. There were specified 'check-in' times and he didn't want to be left out in the cold, so to speak if he arrived past that allotted time period.

I wanted to jump in the car and drive those 12 hours at lightening speed to rescue him. To ensure his safety.

Obviously that wasn't an option.

Instead, I sat there waiting with baited breath for each new text to come through.

The tow truck arrived a half hour later.

With great wisdom, the driver offered to try to jump the lifeless car with his bigger battery.

Success!

Jacob was finally on his way to his final destination of the university.  We advised him to keep the car running and NOT turn the car off until he arrived at the university where he could then go buy a new battery to replace his current dying one.

Knowing he was going to be quite late, he made the decision to go a bit faster than he should.

You guessed it.

That resulted in a state highway patrol officer pulling him over and giving him a ticket.

Gulp!

Such hard life lessons - all in one day.

In his panic....  He.
                           Turned.
                                Off.
                                   The.
                                       Ignition!

UG!

Fortunately, after the officer determined Jacob to be a 'good kid' with no drugs in his possession (with the help of a drug sniffing dog) he was very compassionate and helpful.

The police officer, after giving Jacob his citation, attempted to jump the battery on the old Buick.  To no avail, unfortunately.

Once again, Jacob had to call Triple A.  This time, however, there was no option of another jump due to being on the side of the highway.

More delays.  More waiting.

The tow truck arrived and hooked up the car.  A 98 mile drive to Wichita Falls and Jacob was finally able to purchase a new battery for his ailing car.

Come to find out, the battery in question - the faulty one - was a good 11+ years old and was the WRONG size for his vehicle.  LOL!  We can laugh now.  It wasn't so funny at the time.

It took a lot longer than expected and cost a lot more than he'd hoped, but eventually.... his car was in good working order and he was once again driving toward his summer residence.

The day progressed and the worry continued until at long last - sometime around dinner - we received another text.  He had ultimately arrived at the university and was beginning the process of unpacking the car and setting up his new abode in the dorm room.

Phew!

My mama heart could relax.  I could breath a sigh of relief.

He was there.

I looked at Techno and commented, "I thought it would get easier as they got older.  You know, became adults.  But... it really doesn't, does it?"

He responded, "Nope, the issues just seem to get bigger, harder in many ways."

Parenting never really ends.

It just keeps changing.

Altering how we must respond.

Yes, we have to let go and the children have to grow on their own; make their own mistakes; their own decisions; learn their own lessons, but.... we are still mom and dad.  We still worry, fret, want to swoop in and save them.  Even when we really can't.  When all we can do is wait; pray; hope they muddle through unharmed, unscathed.

Then we exhale when they emerge on the other side of whatever new situation they have found themselves.

Knowing they've taken another step in this journey of growing up.

Knowing we've ventured into another parenting stage, hopefully successfully.

No, this situation wasn't overly traumatic, but when your child is far away and there's really NOTHING you can do to help - it's tough.  It's new.  It causes worry.

It all turned out well.  Lessons were learned.  Faith was strengthened.

Now to await more updates about his adventures far from home.

I know there will be many.

Watch Them Grow

Trixibelle has proven to be a pretty good mama rabbit.

The first night I counted the kits I thought there were 9.  However, upon better investigation the next day (when it was light out and I could really see and feel what was going on) there were only 8.

Still, a good number of kits for her 2nd litter.

Initially I wasn't certain she was feeding them.  The first day their tummies were somewhat plump which gave me hope.  This second morning,  I wasn't so sure.  Their little bellies were not nice and plump, yet they were still warm and active.

Two to three times a day, I continued to take a peek to see how they were doing.

8 little kits all nestled in their nest.

All was well.

The little guy.

Full tummies; warm bodies; active bunnies.

What the rest of the bunch looked like at around day 3 or 4.

Around the 3rd day of checking I noticed one little guy was smaller and less 'full' than the rest.


I continued to monitor his progress.  Day in, day out I'd go out and pick up the kits checking on their growth and fullness of their tummies.

Each day the difference in his growth and the others was more and more evident.

He was small; wrinkly; and much much weaker.

I would place him on the top of the pack to try to get him closer to mama next time she moved in to nurse.

My efforts seemed futile as each day he was thinner; more frail.

I didn't have the heart to just remove him from the litter.

Culling him due to his 'runt-ness'.

Thursday morning -- almost a week old -- I checked the kits. The 7 were strong, active, fur growing.  the little runt was even smaller. The difference in size between him and his litter mates growing exponentially.

Yet, he was still alive.  He even tried to suckle at my finger tip.  My heart broke.  I wanted him to live.  I hoped he'd get a little milk from mama and make a comeback.

I even considered fostering him inside, but.... I didn't have goat's milk or kitten replacer nor a tiny little bottle with which to handle such a task.

I could have gotten mama out and 'force nursed' the little guy, but I wasn't sure how such actions would then impact how well she'd care for the others.

What day 6 looks like for 7 of the kits.

We simply continued to watch.

Thursday afternoon I checked on the rabbits again.

I pulled the kits out one by one gently placing them on the opposite side of the nesting box as I counted them off.

Day 6 for my little runt.
Big difference in size and vigor.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7...... where was number 8?  My little runt?






He had been pushed far back in the nest box, away from the rest of his litter mates.

My fears were realized as I pulled him out from under the mingling of fur and straw.

His lifeless, tiny body lay in my hand.

He had finally succumbed to starvation.

A sad day.


Yet, we are so very grateful for the fact the other 7 are doing so very well.


More updates to come as we watch them develop.  Soon their eyes will open and they'll be emerging out of the nest box.

Excitement at watching the other 7 flourish will eventually replace the sadness from losing our little runt.

The Wait is Over

As the week passed and the days ticked by, my optimism of Trixiebelle actually having kits was waning.

I kept counting and re-counting the days since she was put in with our buck, Shortstop.  I had calculated that Friday or Saturday was basically the deadline.  If we didn't see baby bunnies by Saturday evening -- the likelihood that she was actually bred, was rather low.

Everyone was a little sad.

The little girls checked on her first thing Friday morning - nothing.  No new fur, no babies.

The big kids checked mid-morning - again.... nothing.

The littles checked again Friday afternoon - several times, actually - still..... nothing.

I decided to do a check after dinner while the boys were walking the dogs and the girls were happily playing in their room.

Much to my surprise -- the box was filled with fur; Trixiebelle was lounged off to the side; the fur was MOVING!

Hard to believe that earlier in the day this box only
had straw in it.  I guess mama got busy.

Trixiebelle lounging next to the nesting box.

BABY BUNNIES!!!

I pet mama bunny and got her scent on my hands so I could check to see if all the kits were alive and try to count how many there were.

Boy were they squiggly.

I didn't find any dead ones.  Phew.

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe there are 9 little babies nestled nicely in the box covered with their mama's fur.

All toasty warm.

Hard to see, but those black smudges are baby bunnies.

The next morning we rechecked on them.

All 9 still warm; still wiggly; still alive.

I'll check again later tonight to be sure mama is feeding them.  Investigating the plumpness of their tummies to show they were fed.

Excitement filled the air.

Now.....  we wait and see to determine if Trixiebell is going to be a good mama rabbit and feed her babies and keep them warm long enough for them to mature to the point of eating and drinking on their own.





Day by day we'll watch.  We'll wait.  We'll pray this time is successful.

Just one of the newborn kits.  So, so tiny and silky.

Awaiting Baby Bunnies

As of my last post, we had palpated Trixibelle's abdomen and THOUGHT we might have felt some 'lumps' in there.   Indicating the likelihood she had been bred.  That our efforts were successful.

Since then, it's just been 'wait and see'.

The girls made 2 nesting boxes at a 'workday' with our rabbit project leader.  We made 2 because we plan to breed Scarlet in the future once she's old enough.  Plus, as we move forward in this rabbit breeding adventure, we hope to breed both rabbits at the same time.

Not to mention, the girls can submit their workmanship as an indoor project for fair.  Bonus!!

The girls measured the boards, cut them using fancy smancy power tools, sanded the boards, drilled holes, and assembled the boards with electric screwdrivers.  They even learned to use a drill press for the lid of the nest box.

Check out the wonderful pictures of their hard work.

Lining up her board to make her first cut.

They both did a FABULOUS job!

Measure twice, cut once.

The circular saw was a lot to handle.

Since we are hoping Trixiebelle is in fact pregnant, we went ahead and put a nesting box in her cage this past weekend.

It.  Didn't.  Fit!

Initially.

With some minor modifications to her cage door, however, we squeezed it in.  BARELY!!!

Moving her measured board to the saw.

It took all her mite to cut through.

A slant measure for the front.

Precise measuring was crucial.

Sanding down the rough edges.

Don't want rough edges to cause splinters.

Seems we made that move just in time as she's begun to pull fur for what we hope will be her kindling (or giving birth) soon.  

I think she likes power tools.

According to our calculations, we could have kits (or baby bunnies) as early as mid to end of this week.  Her pulling fur is a great indicator that babies are in fact on the way.

The drill was a bit more manageable than
the big saw.

Admittedly, I was feeling a bit pessimistic about her pregnancy as she hadn't started pulling fur when we initially put the box in her cage.  My calendar said to put the box in on Sat but she wasn't giving any indications of being close at that point.  It wasn't until Tue that she got busy with the typical mama bunny tasks.

Phew!

We're optimistic - somewhat - that things will go smoothly with this litter.

It's our first attempt at breeding rabbits - well at least PLANNED breeding of rabbits.

She's had a litter before so hopefully all the natural mother's intuition of what to do will be quick to kick in.  She's already started that process. She's made a little 'nest' in the box with the straw and has started mingling her own  fur to keep those kits warm and toasty.

Trinity's nesting box for Scarlet.

Charity's finished product -
Trixiebell's nesting box.

Here's praying she continues with such instincts.

Once again we're at the point of waiting to see what comes next.

An exciting time for sure.  The girls are so hopeful that THIS time we'll really have BABY bunnies.

Bunnies they can hold; name; pet; play with.







Of course, they also know that we will be selling some as meat pens for fair and probably putting some in our freezer (depending on the size of our litter). But... that doesn't mean we won't keep one or two for Selah to have her very own bunny for 4H next year when she'd old enough to join the ranks.

Not to mention, if the babies have better conformation and positive traits, they may be worth retaining to improve our stock.

Gee, I almost sound like a REAL rabbit breeder.

Breeding Rabbits 101

We took the plunge and bought our Silver Fox Breeding trio. We thought we'd have to wait till after fair this year to try to breed either of our does.  However, a little research and some conversations with other 'rabbit experts', resulted in the determination we could still breed the older doe this month to try to get kits for fair in late July.

We calculated the timing.  

We had to 'hold off' a bit longer than some normally would simply because we wanted to give Trixiebelle a little time between breedings.  Her first and only litter so far, was just a couple weeks before we bought her.  That litter had unfortunately not survived as her mothering instincts kicked in a couple days too late.  Ultimately, I think this means our kits may be on the smaller side compared to other kits of similar sized meat rabbits.  Makes sense, they will be 7-8 weeks old rather than close to 10 weeks old.  But... at least we'll have babies.

Looking at the calendar. Determining the latest we could breed and still allowing the kits to be over 6 weeks old, we concluded breeding needed to be done sometime the last full week of May.  The earlier that week the better.  

Since the kids had rabbit project on Monday the 25th, meaning the rabbits went for a car ride, we decided to put Trixiebelle into Short Stops cage upon arriving back home.  We'd been told that car rides help to put a doe in heat - making her amicable to the whole breeding idea.

According to the big kids - Short Stop took no time at all getting the job done.  We left Trixiebelle in with him for 2 days, removing her the morning of the 27th.  

(For future breedings we will probably take her out and place her 

back in a couple times over a 24 hour period.  

The breeder we bought the trio from, 

said she just put the does in with the bucks and leaves them,

 but seems that's not the 'best practice'.  

Live and learn.)

All seemed well.

10-13 days after their encounter, Bethany palpated Trixiebelle's abdomen to attempt to see if the breeding 'took'.  Testing to see if we could feel any kits developing inside her.  Not sure she knew or if any of us would know what we were actually feeling, but she gave it a shot.  She THOUGHT she felt some 'little ball like things' in her belly.

Positive signs anyway.

In 28 days, we'll place the nesting box inside her cage in preparation for her to deliver her babies.  This should give her time to pull fur and prepare a nice warm bed for those little baby bunnies.  (Something we didn't do for our other rabbits when we had no idea they were bred.)

Then, we'll wait.  

Wait to see IF she delivers on or around day 30-31 post breeding.  How many she delivers.  How well she cares for her young.  How many survive.

My prayer is her mama instincts will be more forthcoming since she's done this once before.  

Hopefully she'll have a good sized litter so the girls have plenty to choose from to take as their meat pens or fryer pens for 4H fair.  

Decisions will need to be made as to whether or not to cull any of the babies to try to foster better growth and survival rate of the larger, stronger kits.  Whoa, that's gonna be a hard one.

Selah is hoping we'll get to keep a kit or two for her to have her very own rabbit as well.  So far, all the rabbits have sort of been 'claimed' by her older sisters for 4H projects.  She's itching to have her very own bunny.

At this rate, we will have an infinite number of rabbits as we move forward.  LOL!

Oh the adventures we are having on our Mini-Mountain-Menagerie.