This morning I posted all about the baby on the ground and so I wanted to give another update after letting the mums have a chance to settle.
I went out and weighed the little ones this morning. Here is a picture from yesterday to help you see what they look like.
Beauty was first. She kindled 13 days ago. She is the one that had 10. Her babies are ranging from 6.2-4.1 oz with average being 5.2. Now that does not seem like alot but watching them grow from about 2 oz to this, I am excited. Her kits are on the left.
Next was Foxy. Here, her babies are on the far right. Today they are six days old and they are averaging 3.5 oz with one only being 2.9 (weight of Thumpers' 2 day old kits) but most being 3.8. Tiny little squirt brings down the average.
Last was Thumper. Her kits are in the middle and are two days old. She is the one who had the baby on the ground this morning. Her average kit is 2.5. The smalllest one is for sure a runt at 1.8. He might have been the one who was on the ground?? I will have to watch that one!
I am pretty pleased with most of the weights. I just hope we have not stressed them by moving them back into the garage. It was sooooo hot last night that I was afraid if we close the kennel to keep them dry, they would get too hot.
Things I have learned quickly.
1. dont forget to put bunny protection on your kindling cages! They can take an unexpected trip out of the box when mom leaves and they will crawl right through the bars looking for warmth of their siblings.
2. To have less stress and work next summer, we will make it so the rabbits will have access to a secured bunker during the heat and daytime if they wish. Basically it will be a tunnel (tube) that will lead to a "bucket" under ground. More to do than we have time for this year because we still are working on the kennnel.
3. Baby bunnies will pee on you when you hold them:)
Since we build a dog kennel that is 10x10 and a shed that is built over that, we are not worried too much about other animals getting into where the babies are. They are in another cage with their mums which is locked down at night. So a critter would have to be able to squeeze through chain link fence or dig under 2.5 of walls or where the door closes, squeeze in a 2" space.
While in the garage, critter could get in because it is a rock floor and they could dig in from a wall. But we double lock the cages and then fasten them all together for strength. It is possible but would not be easy for anything to get any of our rabbits. We are more worried about the heat than a predator so if it would stay in the 70's that would be super!
If the one runt and the one that fell are the same, AND it last a couple more days, I think it will all be fine. Anyone reading who will pray for these fur balls, pray the heat stays down and all stay healthy. This adventure so far has not been cheap but I am really enjoying it and will keep with it.
Not everyone wants to know this but when the young are weaned and weight 5.5# or so, they will be going to Freezer Camp if not already sold as pets. (we have several people interested in pets so far) Rabbit is very healthy for you. I know, it wont be easy to see them go but everything on this planet has a life cycle. We all eventually die. My bunnies will be enjoying their life cycle being pampered and loved. Some humans are not so lucky.
I went out and weighed the little ones this morning. Here is a picture from yesterday to help you see what they look like.
Beauty was first. She kindled 13 days ago. She is the one that had 10. Her babies are ranging from 6.2-4.1 oz with average being 5.2. Now that does not seem like alot but watching them grow from about 2 oz to this, I am excited. Her kits are on the left.
Next was Foxy. Here, her babies are on the far right. Today they are six days old and they are averaging 3.5 oz with one only being 2.9 (weight of Thumpers' 2 day old kits) but most being 3.8. Tiny little squirt brings down the average.
Last was Thumper. Her kits are in the middle and are two days old. She is the one who had the baby on the ground this morning. Her average kit is 2.5. The smalllest one is for sure a runt at 1.8. He might have been the one who was on the ground?? I will have to watch that one!
I am pretty pleased with most of the weights. I just hope we have not stressed them by moving them back into the garage. It was sooooo hot last night that I was afraid if we close the kennel to keep them dry, they would get too hot.
Things I have learned quickly.
1. dont forget to put bunny protection on your kindling cages! They can take an unexpected trip out of the box when mom leaves and they will crawl right through the bars looking for warmth of their siblings.
2. To have less stress and work next summer, we will make it so the rabbits will have access to a secured bunker during the heat and daytime if they wish. Basically it will be a tunnel (tube) that will lead to a "bucket" under ground. More to do than we have time for this year because we still are working on the kennnel.
3. Baby bunnies will pee on you when you hold them:)
Since we build a dog kennel that is 10x10 and a shed that is built over that, we are not worried too much about other animals getting into where the babies are. They are in another cage with their mums which is locked down at night. So a critter would have to be able to squeeze through chain link fence or dig under 2.5 of walls or where the door closes, squeeze in a 2" space.
While in the garage, critter could get in because it is a rock floor and they could dig in from a wall. But we double lock the cages and then fasten them all together for strength. It is possible but would not be easy for anything to get any of our rabbits. We are more worried about the heat than a predator so if it would stay in the 70's that would be super!
If the one runt and the one that fell are the same, AND it last a couple more days, I think it will all be fine. Anyone reading who will pray for these fur balls, pray the heat stays down and all stay healthy. This adventure so far has not been cheap but I am really enjoying it and will keep with it.
Not everyone wants to know this but when the young are weaned and weight 5.5# or so, they will be going to Freezer Camp if not already sold as pets. (we have several people interested in pets so far) Rabbit is very healthy for you. I know, it wont be easy to see them go but everything on this planet has a life cycle. We all eventually die. My bunnies will be enjoying their life cycle being pampered and loved. Some humans are not so lucky.
Great post as always!! I am having fun sharing your bunny journey through your wonderfully detailed posts! : )
ReplyDeleteThanks Patti. I miss you and wish you could be here to see how cute they are in person. Laura did not see them for a few days and then she was on Bunny Duty while Ron and I were gone in the evening one day. It was hot, very hot so we had her check to make sure they had water during the day. She said, "I did not realize how cute they were getting." More from Laura on my next post!
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