The Quest for Rabbit Information Alternatives

There is a lot of information out there regarding rabbit housing/care.  I've read a lot of books.  I've read or viewed any rabbit article I could find on the Internet over the last year, especially angora.  If you have a rabbitry website or a rabbit care page, I've probably viewed it.  Thanks for adding to my information base!  I've watched way too many YouTube videos and joined no less than ten online groups...very interesting, diverse information, with a sprinkling of radicalism to boot (I love them!).  There are lots of opinions out there and that's wonderful!  These little creatures are so diverse that everyone has their own way of handling them...and that's cool.

So the Kelfla Project has tons of resources...and that is wonderful.   I will probably use a little bit of everything.  I am working on a list of information so I can credit properly because at first, I did not keep good records of where I got the information.

However, my current favorite source of information (besides those wonderful online groups) is laboratory animal housing guidelines and rabbit research papers.  I particularly like the ones from other countries.  They give me a different perspective...kind of like watching BBC news.  I will likely add some of this info to the bits and pieces I've been collecting.
  
Here are some examples of what I've been looking at:

• A research paper on the social and physical environment of the rabbit.  http://www.ufaw.org.uk/pdf/phhsc-schol1-summary.pdf 
• A set Australian guidelines for the housing of rabbits in scientific institutions.                              http://www.animalethics.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/222511/housing-rabbits-scientific-institutions.pdf
• A general purpose rabbit guide for raising rabbits in warm climates (developing countries).  It covers practically everything about rabbits.  It is focused on meat/fiber production. There is information about housing, medical, nutrition, building considerations, and sexing rabbits.   http://www.smallstock.info/research/reports/ZC0146/ZC0146-01.pdf
• Addition on September 14, 2011:This one is from the U.S.  It summarizes a lot of the information in the other manuals. Information Resouces on the Care and Welfare of Rabbits.  I had forgotten about this one, but it was recently posted by a smart cookie on one of the online groups I belong to. www.nal.usda.gov/awic/pubs/Rabbits/mcnitt_swanson.htm.  

Happy information hunting!

Multipurpose = Multiproblems

Rabbits are multipurpose animals. They can be food, fur/fiber, or companions. This is a large part of the problem when determining proper care and protection...and a big reason I am so infatuated. I can't help but love usefulness. But, such matters are complicated because there are pet folks that can't imagine eating a rabbit. There are proponents of rabbit meat who see their herd as purely livestock. Then there are those that see rabbits as a renewable fiber resource. And of course, there are those who see the wonderful utilitarian nature of rabbits and who consider rabbits as any combination of the aforementioned. The same animal can be considered as livestock AND/OR pet, depending on person, geographic location, or intent.  How unique, fascinating, and aggravating at the same time!

Father's Day

In a consolidation effort, this entry was added from another blog on September 4, 2011.

Today is Father’s Day.  I hope you made your Dad breakfast in bed!  I’d like to say a bit about my Dad, my Husband, and all those men out there who are wonderful Dads.   

Thanks, Daddy!  Thanks for building a maze for my hamsters, just because I wanted one.  Thanks for showing me that love is an action word.  Words are cheap.  It’s what you DO for those you love that matters.  Thanks for picking all the tripe out of my menudo AND fishing the ground meat out of my spaghetti sauce.  Thanks for always cutting the meat on my plate. I still let you do that for years after I could do it on my own because it made me feel special.  Thanks for working so hard to provide a roof over our heads.  

And for my special Hubby....Thanks for being THE example of love that my Dad laid down. It was totally worth the wait.  Thank your for being a father figure to my children.  They know they can depend on you.  Thanks for being strong enough to withstand the hurricane that is Kelly and not hold it against me.  And, last but not least, THANK YOU for not letting my love of animals (bunnies, in particular) wreck your idea of what a home is all about.  You are the best!  

We Aren't In Kansas Anymore....

In a consolidation effort, this entry was added from another blog on September 4, 2011.

Boo....because we had a great time!  Even though we only got to stay one night, I think we had a pretty good weekend.  We attended the MAAC Angora Specialty show, where Hershey picked up a leg (BOB) in Show A.  Show B, she placed 2nd in her class. She lost out to Margaret Bartold’s beautiful tort doe...not too shabby, I’d say.  Also...we picked up Cimmerian, a beautiful senior black buck from Margaret.  He will be our herd buck.  BUT, my favorite part (well worth the 8 hour drive by itself) was all the wonderful information and advice I got from Margaret and Randy(judge).  She was so wonderful and patient while giving me grooming tips and angora advice.  I got behind the judges table and received great hands on training.  All the forums and emails and internet research does not take the place of quality one-on-one time with an expert.  Thanks, Margaret and Randy!   We had a wonderful time at the Kansas show and plan to go again next year.  It would be cool to go up there with a group of Texas breeders.  That’s definitely something to work on.  

Now it’s off to groom the bunnies!

Lesson of the Day: Good Lighting is Essential

In a consolidation effort, this entry was added from another blog on September 6, 2011.
We took Charlee to his first show this weekend.  I was so excited because I thought he looked really good.  I did concede that I have no idea what the judges would look for except what I had read online.  I counted toes, verified eye color, clipped toenails, checked his man parts to ensure everything was there and blew out his coat.  He would at least look pretty...and fluffy.  I printed off a rabbit show checklist I found online.  Thanks to whoever put that thing online because it was perfect! I made everyone at the house insane because I was so revved up for the show.  I apologize for that: I just wanted to make sure I had everything perfect.  Anyhow, I plopped Charlee in his little carrier and headed off the the show, family (and their bunnies) in tow.   Everyone was so nice in Austin.  They showed us where to go and what paperwork to fill out.  Even in line, we found kind folks ready to help out.  Rabbit people are so nice!

And of course, Sasha and John were there with their little chocolate EAs.  I had those things on my mind ever since Sasha mentioned them at the State Show last month.  I could not resist and bought their last little doe which we named Hershey.  James bought her for K, so she'd have a bunny to show as well.  Of course, I will keep her and care for her and pretty much consider her mine because K does not like animals in her house.  K then coined the phrase "grandbunny"...a rabbit she can cuddle and then return to someone else who is responsible for care and upbringing.  

At the show, Sasha and family were so gracious.  They really took time to help me.  I obviously had much to learn about grooming these little guys.  Sasha taught me how to turn the rabbits over and brush out their legs so the whole bunny looks like a fluffy ball.  Charlee was not pleased, but he was a good sport.  I spent most of the day trying to drag every bit of rabbit info out of Sasha, John, and Sasha's mom.  It was nice to be able to talk to someone who had rabbits like me.  And, most of all, to see their rabbits in real life.  They were so patient.  By the way, our little bunny from Sasha did quite well at the table.  She placed first in her class in both shows.  What a wonderful start!

But it wasn't all wine and roses....

The judges' table held my only disappointment of the day.  Show A:  Charlee was DQ'd for a white toenail.  How did I not see that?  Both James and I looked at all his little toenails.  Rats!  Immediately, we were called for Show B:  Charlee was DQ'd again....for white toenails.  I was sad for Charlee, although he seemed unphased.  On the up side, he got great comments otherwise.  I was still a bit skeptical about the toenails (because I always know best haha), although two very experienced judges apparently felt otherwise.  We had looked at those toenails at the house.  Every site I visited about rabbit show preparations said check for DQs (toenails included) and we did.  I pulled his fur back and held his paw up in the revealing sunlight.  Ugh!  There it was it bright daylight....a shiny, white toenail.  It was so glaringly obvious that I just looked at James and say, "I think we need new lightbulbs."  

Charlee and Biggles out in the sun...where I should have looked at Charlee's toenails.