Thursday 28 February 2008
Floppie & Lumix
Floppie & Lumix' new owner sent me some photos of them the other day. Thought of including them here. Big house to run around...
Wednesday 27 February 2008
Nothing's up...
Nothing much happening at the rabbitry these days. Little Moo/Tridus going home this Saturday. Maybe 2 of his siblings would be going too. Not too sure about that. One of the black doe has been booked by a friend. We'll have to see what happens next.
Decided to put Bandie and Adina up for adoption so that I could have more space to concentrate on the next generation. Was thinking if I should breed them again to see whether I can get better kits but I do not think any likely that will happen. Now the kits have 50:50 Skor and Bandie/Adina genes. Would like to bump that up to 75% in another 7 to 8 month's time.
Or I need to get another imported doe to shorten the time. Hope Skor lives forever that is...
Decided to put Bandie and Adina up for adoption so that I could have more space to concentrate on the next generation. Was thinking if I should breed them again to see whether I can get better kits but I do not think any likely that will happen. Now the kits have 50:50 Skor and Bandie/Adina genes. Would like to bump that up to 75% in another 7 to 8 month's time.
Or I need to get another imported doe to shorten the time. Hope Skor lives forever that is...
Sunday 24 February 2008
Oxbow's heading this way!!!
Just heard a great news from a fellow rabbit breeder. He is bringing in Oxbow and will be the distributor in Malaysia. That is great news indeed for Malaysia rabbit community. So excited. If all goes well, we shall have Oxbow in May 2008!!!
How much to feed?
I just read on another HL breeder's blog that she feed 3 to 4 ounces of feed a day. That is equivalent to 85 to 113 grams per day. I really need to bring out the weighing scale to see how much I am feeling my rabbits per day...
Just need to add on more. A dear friend also mentioned that the recommended amount to feed is 1/8 to 1/4 (of 250ml cup) per 5 lbs (2268 grams or 2.268) body weight.
Let's do some calculations here:
Skor is 1.6kg
(1600 g / 2268) * 100 = 70% of 1/4 cup?
That's less than 5lbs so I can just give 1/4 cup I believe as 70% would be too little in my eyes. Wonder how much is 1/4 cup in grams....
This means that I have to start weighing my rabbits to ascertain how much to feed each individual.
Just need to add on more. A dear friend also mentioned that the recommended amount to feed is 1/8 to 1/4 (of 250ml cup) per 5 lbs (2268 grams or 2.268) body weight.
Let's do some calculations here:
Skor is 1.6kg
(1600 g / 2268) * 100 = 70% of 1/4 cup?
That's less than 5lbs so I can just give 1/4 cup I believe as 70% would be too little in my eyes. Wonder how much is 1/4 cup in grams....
This means that I have to start weighing my rabbits to ascertain how much to feed each individual.
Saturday 23 February 2008
Sale or Adoption? Farewell Lumix
Before I proceed, I just want to say farewell to Lumix. Floppie's new owner showed interest in him and I felt that it would be great to release Lumix to him. You can almost sense it when someone is really genuine and sincere.
Last picture I took of Lumix in the car. His temperament is so good that I do not need to cover the box. He just sits there quietly. Will miss him dearly.
I recently found myself asking this question - in what circumstances do I give up my rabbits for sale or adoption? when do I charge and when do I give for free?
I usually put 8 weeks old kits for sale. Not because they are cute and attractive. Mind you, kits between 6 to 16 weeks old can be super duper ugly. It is the ugly phase just like a puppy between 3 and 7 months. As I was saying, I put those kits up for sale not because to make a profit out of them and for your information, I make more losses then gains having this hobby. But it is all for the betterment and joy of breeding good specimens to be shared. In the case of a sale, I always believe that if things are given for free, it is very likely that they will be taken for granted. And for the effort and all the expenses I have put into raising these delicate kits to weaning stage, I deserve something in return. Maybe it is not profit but at least a reasonable amount to make up and to affirm my hard work. A predefined token of appreciation that is.
As with adoption, the word itself has a lot of negativity tagged to it. Most of the time when you hear the word adoption, a regular person would think of REJECTION right away. In the case of my rabbits, it is a far cry from rejection. To me, all my rabbits are the best and putting any one of them up for adoption does not mean they are rejects or they are not up to expectations. And I choose to give them up for free just for the same reason. If a person can show appreciation for an animal which is not cute (like when they were younger), I believe that is true love. If a person can see beyond the age factor and adopts my rabbit, I would appreciate them that much so not to charge them. That is the reason behind why my adult rabbits are given for up for free. Basically I am in debt to the person who is going to take good care of the wonderful pet that I used to have and I guess it is fair not to ask.
The world is very fair in my eyes. In giving we receive and in receiving there is giving...
Last picture I took of Lumix in the car. His temperament is so good that I do not need to cover the box. He just sits there quietly. Will miss him dearly.I recently found myself asking this question - in what circumstances do I give up my rabbits for sale or adoption? when do I charge and when do I give for free?
I usually put 8 weeks old kits for sale. Not because they are cute and attractive. Mind you, kits between 6 to 16 weeks old can be super duper ugly. It is the ugly phase just like a puppy between 3 and 7 months. As I was saying, I put those kits up for sale not because to make a profit out of them and for your information, I make more losses then gains having this hobby. But it is all for the betterment and joy of breeding good specimens to be shared. In the case of a sale, I always believe that if things are given for free, it is very likely that they will be taken for granted. And for the effort and all the expenses I have put into raising these delicate kits to weaning stage, I deserve something in return. Maybe it is not profit but at least a reasonable amount to make up and to affirm my hard work. A predefined token of appreciation that is.
As with adoption, the word itself has a lot of negativity tagged to it. Most of the time when you hear the word adoption, a regular person would think of REJECTION right away. In the case of my rabbits, it is a far cry from rejection. To me, all my rabbits are the best and putting any one of them up for adoption does not mean they are rejects or they are not up to expectations. And I choose to give them up for free just for the same reason. If a person can show appreciation for an animal which is not cute (like when they were younger), I believe that is true love. If a person can see beyond the age factor and adopts my rabbit, I would appreciate them that much so not to charge them. That is the reason behind why my adult rabbits are given for up for free. Basically I am in debt to the person who is going to take good care of the wonderful pet that I used to have and I guess it is fair not to ask.
The world is very fair in my eyes. In giving we receive and in receiving there is giving...
Monthly Supplies
Many people keep animals as pets and I usually see 2 different types of pet owners. The first kind keep their pet for reason such as a dog to look after the house and the second are those who pampers their pets to the maximum.
I am starting to believe that I fall under the extreme case of the second kind. I practically splurge on my pets like crazy. But I am comforted because I know people who are worst.
Rabbit pellets were running out fast and I had to stock up for the month (hopefully they last for a month that is). Since getting oxbow is such a chore, I decided to start my rabbits on Sunseed's Vita-Plus range for both young and adult rabbits. I also got hold of a pack of Kaytee Mini Bale Alfafa. I felt Kaytee's was a little expensive at $17.90 per 800g. I later found Benjy selling for $20 per 1kg at another pet shop. I ended up buying both.
Total expenditure for rabbits today was $140. I really hope the food last till end of next month. I have to stock up for the Sugar Gliders, Hedgehog & the Dogs too. Darn...
Totally slaving to my pets...
The stuffs I bought today to pamper just the hoppers...
Every month end, my pet supply shelf would look like this...
I am starting to believe that I fall under the extreme case of the second kind. I practically splurge on my pets like crazy. But I am comforted because I know people who are worst.
Rabbit pellets were running out fast and I had to stock up for the month (hopefully they last for a month that is). Since getting oxbow is such a chore, I decided to start my rabbits on Sunseed's Vita-Plus range for both young and adult rabbits. I also got hold of a pack of Kaytee Mini Bale Alfafa. I felt Kaytee's was a little expensive at $17.90 per 800g. I later found Benjy selling for $20 per 1kg at another pet shop. I ended up buying both.
Total expenditure for rabbits today was $140. I really hope the food last till end of next month. I have to stock up for the Sugar Gliders, Hedgehog & the Dogs too. Darn...
Totally slaving to my pets...
The stuffs I bought today to pamper just the hoppers...
Every month end, my pet supply shelf would look like this...Rabbit Feed Constipation
It is so frustrating. I just got 2 packs of Oxbow pellets less than a month ago and they are running out real fast. Hope of importing in bulk was dashed when we found out that there are legislation procedures that we have to follow through firstly with our local DVS and customs.
We need permit to import animals and animal products even if it is a small consignment.
I have no choice but to start considering getting the best pellets the local market has got to offer. Just have to hope that someone brings in Oxbow soon.
Argh!!!!!
We need permit to import animals and animal products even if it is a small consignment.
I have no choice but to start considering getting the best pellets the local market has got to offer. Just have to hope that someone brings in Oxbow soon.
Argh!!!!!
Tuesday 19 February 2008
Friday 15 February 2008
Candid Shots on Day 32 & 34
Adina's Litter at Day 34:
Tru-Luv Kneesaa. Keeping her for my breeding program. Would be worth the try to get kits with Skor's quality.
Looking blur and innocent here...
Tru-Luv Latara. Big ears but overall best of the 2 broken tort. Keeping this one too...
Tru-Luv Bear. Looking more and more like mummy but I hope his structure will steer towards Skor's.
Chillin....
Bandie's Litter at Day 32:
Try counting how many kits here...
For the first time photos of these 2 solid blacks do not need brightness adjustments. Yeah, that's how dark they are...
This female solid tort looks promising. Maybe a keeper if the fuzziness fades away...
Last but not least, this is Tru-Luv .... Tridus. This is the exact reason why it is so hard to let him go. CUTENESS!!! But it is worth knowing that he is going to a very good home. I believe a good home makes up for everything else. Isn't he a cutie pie? He's got nicer markings than Skor. Deep down inside I still hope he turns into a she....The best consolation is that I can keep in touch with his future owner. Great!
Tru-Luv Kneesaa. Keeping her for my breeding program. Would be worth the try to get kits with Skor's quality.
Looking blur and innocent here...
Tru-Luv Latara. Big ears but overall best of the 2 broken tort. Keeping this one too...
Tru-Luv Bear. Looking more and more like mummy but I hope his structure will steer towards Skor's.
Chillin....Bandie's Litter at Day 32:
Try counting how many kits here...
For the first time photos of these 2 solid blacks do not need brightness adjustments. Yeah, that's how dark they are...
This female solid tort looks promising. Maybe a keeper if the fuzziness fades away...
Last but not least, this is Tru-Luv .... Tridus. This is the exact reason why it is so hard to let him go. CUTENESS!!! But it is worth knowing that he is going to a very good home. I believe a good home makes up for everything else. Isn't he a cutie pie? He's got nicer markings than Skor. Deep down inside I still hope he turns into a she....The best consolation is that I can keep in touch with his future owner. Great!
Thursday 14 February 2008
New Pedigree Logo
I just created a new logo to be included with the pedigree of my rabbits. It is drawn based on SKOR. LOL...
Monday 11 February 2008
Thursday 7 February 2008
And so, there are 7
If they were a little older and are all bucks, I would call them The Magnificent 7. I just hope and pray that there will not be any DEATH from this day on. Total heart-wrenching to have lost Moo.
This girl is reserved
This boy is reserved
This boy is reserved.
This girl is reserved
This boy is reserved
Today is Moo's Day...
Today being the 1st day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, it is very sad for me to announce that Moo passed. I was not able to accurately diagnose her problem but the symptoms lead to a couple of guesses. Most people in the international rabbit forum that I participate believe it was a weaning gut problem. Weaning gut problem is when bad bacterias overpower the good bacterias in the kit's gut when their delicate stomach switches from baby to adult. The stomach flora somehow was unable to strike a balance and therefore causes the kit to go into passive mode. Moo stopped suckling and I tried my best to help. And as usual, I was unable to convince mother nature to spare this little girl.
Tuesday 5 February 2008
Cuties for everyone...
Bandie's
Boy
Girl
Girl
Boy
Adina's
Boy
Girl - I hope she is still alive when I get home tonite
Girl
Girl
Boy
Girl
Girl
BoyAdina's
Boy
Girl - I hope she is still alive when I get home tonite
Girl
Girl
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