Last time I posted I mentioned that one of the baby bunnies had died. Well three days ago I found another one, not dead, but partially paralyzed!! I had noticed that they were jumping up onto the door that separated the two sections to sit with their mother. I think they both fell off! I found the first dead baby right under the door, but at that time I didn't know they could get up there!
So the other day I removed the door, and today I wired the hole up, so now Cher and her remaining 4 babies are locked into the larger side of the cage. Today I also ended the little paralyzed ones suffering. I was hoping that the paralysis was caused by inflammation and would go away, but it didn't, and I couldn't bear to see him suffer.
So, we're down to four out of six. Sigh... all I can say is live and learn. Hopefully someone will read this before building a cage and not try to get fancy like I did.
So the other day I removed the door, and today I wired the hole up, so now Cher and her remaining 4 babies are locked into the larger side of the cage. Today I also ended the little paralyzed ones suffering. I was hoping that the paralysis was caused by inflammation and would go away, but it didn't, and I couldn't bear to see him suffer.
So, we're down to four out of six. Sigh... all I can say is live and learn. Hopefully someone will read this before building a cage and not try to get fancy like I did.
Don't Do This!!
3 comments:
Hi Kelly,
I am sorry to hear about your bunnies, I hope the others are doing Okay.
I have recently moved onto 2 1/2 acres and my husband is going to build a chicken coop for me. I have an opportunity to sell eggs to my sisters restaurants. I am brand new at this, and am very excited about the coop. I am going to get my chickens in the spring but was wondering if you have any advise for me. I have read where I shouldn't buy a lot of chickens at one time. I want to start out rather small and then add to my chicken farm.
I love animals, I have 2 cats, 3 yorkies and many canaries. I raise them. I also have a small rabbit that I have had for about 7 years. I love your blog.
Dawn
Hi Dawn!
They do tell you to start small. I think that's so you don't get overwhelmed and chuck the whole idea. When I ordered my chicks I planned on getting the minimum order of 25 and then maybe getting some later.. but when the first box was half dead they sent a whole new order plus extras - so I guess I did start big!
The first 6 months of raising my chicks has been fun, but EXPENSIVE - without any compensation! They are just over 5 months old now and I'm just starting to get eggs. (I got three this morning and four yesterday.. One was a double yolker! YAY!)
BUT in your case you have a buyer already arranged - that's EXCELLENT and more than I have (aside from the lady who cleans our post office but I bet your consumer will use more!)
This is what I would do if I were you. Build a coop that's much bigger than you think you'll need - because chickens are like potato chips! Find a good hatchery and order your babies. Get them sexed and vaccinated! Most hatcheries have a 25 chick minimum. Really, even though it does cost more to feed them, having more than 25 isn't that bad! Plus, it's hard to introduce newbies into a flock later on.. they get beat up.
If you aren't going to hatch chicks yourself next year you don't need a rooster. I love my roosters, and they're pretty, but they are sort of a pain in the butt. They also tend to rip neck feathers out of the girls in their enthusiasm. It's up to you.. if you don't get a roo as a chick from the hatchery I bet there are a bunch out there that you can get as adults for CHEAP later on. You can have one of mine! Haha!
Anyway.. I'm glad you like my blog. I love blabbing about my animals and if I didn't have this blog I think I'd drive everyone here nuts!
I absolutely LOVE yorkies.. When I was looking for Tessa I was trying to find one to adopt, but Tessa came along and the rest is history. But she does shed.. a LOT.. so if she had been a yorkie or a schnauzer that would have been nice :)
Anywho, I'll stop blabbing, but if you need any help or advice along the way just ask! :)
Oh, and if you noticed, you can subscribe to this blog really easily by clicking on one of the links on the right side of the page :)
:)
Kelly
P.S. Get your coop built before you order those babies! They grow FAST! :)
Hi Kelley, So sorry about your babies. I remember we had baby mini lop eared rabbits when I was a kid and I don't think I've ever seen anything cuter. You are really going to town with this "non-farm".
My Pepe is at the vet for his "tutoring" today. I'm so nervous. His big brother Spike had a traumatic experience with that so I'm hoping Pepe has a much easier time. I hated leaving him there!!! Colby is there, too, so they don't interfere with each other's healing. I have a feeling Pepe is going to bounce back real fast. Mom got the next 3 days off to be with them. Ah, kids!! Take Care! Alisa
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