This month was very hot. The heat comes in waves, for a week/week and a half it will be really hot (over 100 degrees), then it will cool down to the upper 80’s for a couple of days. And then its right back to being over 100. There were several days when I had to give the rabbits their ice bottles even with the AC going. There were no shows this month, so we had a good time just relaxing and trying to stay cool. I had hoped to purchase another Netherland Dwarf doe and perhaps a doe for Chester or a Californian pair. However, as that did not work out, I will continue looking for a ND doe(s) and a Californian pair. I will be going to the Cheyenne show and I really hope there are some good rabbits to choose from there. I will be showing both my bucks, as Onyx has not yet grown her broken toenail out far enough.
Update: September 4, 2019
Yesterday evening when I went out to feed, Onyx surprised me with four kits. I wasn’t expecting them till tomorrow, September 5th and she hadn’t even started a nest. So I wasn’t sure that she was even pregnant. There were some other things Onyx did or didn’t do, that make me wonder it is would be best to retire her. First, as mentioned earlier, she didn’t build a nest which is not like her at all. She normally builds her nest five days before the kits arrive. Second, even though she had a large nest box, she laid her kits on the wire. I would have lost them if she had them in the middle of the night. Third, she barely pulled any hair; when normally she pulls a decent amount. Fourth, and most concerning, she left one of the kits in its sack. Sadly, by the time I found them the kit had already passed as she (it was a doe) was not able to tear the sack open herself. The other three were very cold but still wiggling somewhat. So I placed them down my shirt to warm them up while I checked the fourth one hoping she was still alive, and made a nest for the rest. After about 30 min. the squirming little ice cubes warmed up and got comfy. This is a good thing as that meant they felt safe and did not feel the need to crawl anywhere. I will be keeping a close eye on this litter, as it seems Onyx doesn’t have much interest in them. I had hoped to keep her as my brood doe for another year, but given the hard time she’s had with kits and getting pregnant in general this year, I may have to retire her sooner. Check out the “In the Nest Box” page for pictures of Onyx and her babies. Until next time, Happy Hopping!
Laughing Lapins 