Rabbits multiple over night .

[huntandjeep]

 So last Thursday I caught a rabbit at work , and brought it home for my daughter's. Built it a nice hutch this weekend . While laying in bed this morning Wife and I hear our oldest tell the youngest " OMG Mr. Bigelsworth had babies " . Sure enough we now have 4 rabbits ( not sure if she's done yet ). What do they need ?
Thanks
Here's the culprit not even sure what kind it is.

[Special T]

Nesting box

[jackelope]

They need a nest box for warmth. That's about it. Looks like a cinnamon.
 Did she pull fur? Are there big piles of underbelly fur there? The box should be full of Timothy or other orchard grass type hay for insulation. Not straw. If the fur is there, save that for them and stuff it in the box. . You're going to want to edit Mr. Bigelsworth's name. Just tossing that out there.

[Hilltop123]

Mr. Biglesworth...LOL
Watch them be some jackrabbit hybrid babies! Mr. Biglesworth is a ho. Well looks like the small family farms is a growing, don't you just love animals and young kids.

[jackelope]

I built these boxes last weekend for reference. You can go to tractor supply or a co-op and buy one too. Make sure it's big enough. That's a big rabbit.

[Hilltop123]

I'm rabbit stupid, does the doe come and go from the box. Much like a.chicken uses laying boxes?

[jackelope]

Ya. Usually they'll nurse once a day. Usually at night when nobody is around. Just like wild rabbits, they don't want to show where their nest is. (Even though it's obvious) Babies need very little. A nursing a day and warmth and that's about it. Make sure their bellies are fat and round so you know they're getting fed.
Hopefully those babies are in some sort of nest by now. They won't live long exposed. They use the nest and each other's body heat to keep warm.

PS that cinnamon doe could be a great source of protein for your family if you're into that sort of thing. Babies grow out fast and fat. Get a buck and have at it.

[huntandjeep]

They need a nest box for warmth. That's about it. Looks like a cinnamon.
 Did she pull fur? Are there big piles of underbelly fur there? The box should be full of Timothy or other orchard grass type hay for insulation. Not straw. If the fur is there, save that for them and stuff it in the box. . You're going to want to edit Mr. Bigelsworth's name. Just tossing that out there.

Yeah there's fur around the pen.  The pen is built into two parts. One side is the wire floor / food area , the other is a walled off 9"×18" with plywood floor lined with cedar chips.

[jackelope]

Gotta get the cedar out of there. Cedar is a no-no for rabbits. Nest box is just a little bigger than the rabbit itself.

[jackelope]

That box might work ok. Stuff it full of Timothy hay. Let the doe make her own nest. She'll move what she doesn't want.

[huntandjeep]

OK got the cedar out and filled the box with hay. Not sure if she's going to let them live. Ran to town to get the hay and when I got home she threw two of them in the food area. Warmed them back up and put them back in the box with the mom and other baby. Moved the whole hutch/ pen into my shop since it's supposed to get cold here the next week.

[jackelope]

Well. An actual nest box or some sort of containment might be in order. They should be wiggling around at least a little bit. Maybe they got there on their own? 

[jackelope]

You could put a metal pan or something in there to keep them contained so they can't wiggle around. They need to sort of be able to find each other so they can huddle together for warmth. They'll eventually figure it out but until they do that's what the smaller box does.

[huntandjeep]

I built a small wall to keep them in a more secure location inside the bigger box. I watched the mom scoot the two out of the box into the feed area. Right now everything seems to be OK.

[jackelope]

10-4

[jackelope]

How are they doing today?

[huntandjeep]

How are they doing today?

Lost one Sunday night. The other 2 were good yesterday morning but dead last night when I got home.

[jackelope]

How are they doing today?

Lost one Sunday night. The other 2 were good yesterday morning but dead last night when I got home.

Dang, that's too bad.
They can be nice rabbits if you plan to keep her. They're pretty popular and also make for some great meat rabbits.

[Machias]

How are they doing today?

Lost one Sunday night. The other 2 were good yesterday morning but dead last night when I got home.

Too bad, but I expected this.  Next litter you will be prepared and I bet she is a good mom.  Hard when you have no idea they are PG. 

[jackelope]

Ya. Tough time of year to be an unexpected baby rabbit.

[huntandjeep]

How are they doing today?

Lost one Sunday night. The other 2 were good yesterday morning but dead last night when I got home.

Dang, that's too bad.
They can be nice rabbits if you plan to keep her. They're pretty popular and also make for some great meat rabbits.

Yeah the kids were a little disappointed but I pre warned them that the kids might not make it because of weather.  The female is staying just trying to get her more used to human contact. Two of them showed up one day about 2 months ago on the job site and were living under the pile of steel. Once we started moving the building in anticipation of erecting it they were going to be " homeless " so I caught one and a buddy got the other.

[jackelope]

Gotcha. Well if you guys have any questions, feel free to ask. There may or may not be more than 1 and less than 20 rabbits around here somewhere. If we don't have an answer for you, I'll find someone who does.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Gotcha. Well if you guys have any questions, feel free to ask. There may or may not be more than 1 and less than 20 rabbits around here somewhere. If we don't have an answer for you, I'll find someone who does.

How can a guy get some Jackelopes? I'm talking trophy size ones.

[jackelope]

Haha! That's a good one. I haven't heard that one before.  It's a very special breeding. That's all I can say.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Haha! That's a good one. I haven't heard that one before.  It's a very special breeding. That's all I can say.

Just had to ask, sometimes people give up thier jackelope holes. 

[Widgeondeke]

Gotcha. Well if you guys have any questions, feel free to ask. There may or may not be more than 1 and less than 20 rabbits  around here somewhere. If we don't have an answer for you, I'll find someone who does.

Last I heard that # was growing past 20. Hahahahaha. 

Good advice above.  You sure are learning a lot. 

[jackelope]

Gotcha. Well if you guys have any questions, feel free to ask. There may or may not be more than 1 and less than 20 rabbits  around here somewhere. If we don't have an answer for you, I'll find someone who does.

Last I heard that # was growing past 20. Hahahahaha. 

Good advice above.  You sure are learning a lot. 

You taught me most everything I know LOL. And that less than 20 number was like 3 weeks ago and I think you told me babies don't count! This was 2 nights ago. Utto.

[Birdguy]

Haha! That's a good one. I haven't heard that one before.  It's a very special breeding. That's all I can say.

Just had to ask, sometimes people give up thier jackelope holes. 

Never head there was a demand for jackelope holes  where exactly on the jackelpoe are the holes you speak of?? If I ever get any I will give you mine. 

[Airnip]

Suppose your coworker has the buck? Gestation is only thirty days give or take by the number of kits about to be kindled. More couple days early, less couple days late. Lordisis is the position a doe takes when she is in the mood. Put your hand on her back and if she sort of bends down in front and up in the back she is in cycle. Bucks are ever ready. Doe goes into the bucks cage.

Was buying backyard rabbits with commercial type and multiplying them. Got everyone I knew a freezer supply and started running newspaper ads. First question was always: "What breed are they?" Deal was one for ten dollars your choice or three for twenty my choice. Anyone wanting three was interested in eating them. Quick butchering lesson was to pull them out of the freezer. Saying watch me pull a rabbit out of my pocket sort of gives away the magic. Could sale as many five pounders as where taking up cage space for a dollar a pound every two weeks to a processor.     

Went to the fair and joined the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). Next local show picked out Chocolate Satin to be my breed and variety. Satin is a commercial type ten pound adults about five pound fryers at about nine weeks. The Satin has a shine like no other breed. Got plenty of ribbons winning legs. Three legs puts Grand Champion on the pedigree.
Saw trophies for best in show but never won one.

Bought my first computer to run a program to print out pedigrees. Show quality breeding stock was twenty for one. Found a new hobby giving advice on message boards. After a while the advice was to search the archives because everything that could be asked about multiplying rabbits had already been thoroughly discussed.

Really had the operation going smooth. Processor closed. All the sudden. Those also ran ready to ship had no where to go. Next bunch was two weeks behind them, on back to the does scheduled for breeding. Could do ten from caged to freezer ready including clean up in about an hour.

How do you want that rabbit cooked that we will be eating AGAIN tonight?

[jackelope]

Suppose your coworker has the buck? Gestation is only thirty days give or take by the number of kits about to be kindled. More couple days early, less couple days late. Lordisis is the position a doe takes when she is in the mood. Put your hand on her back and if she sort of bends down in front and up in the back she is in cycle. Bucks are ever ready. Doe goes into the bucks cage.

Was buying backyard rabbits with commercial type and multiplying them. Got everyone I knew a freezer supply and started running newspaper ads. First question was always: "What breed are they?" Deal was one for ten dollars your choice or three for twenty my choice. Anyone wanting three was interested in eating them. Quick butchering lesson was to pull them out of the freezer. Saying watch me pull a rabbit out of my pocket sort of gives away the magic. Could sale as many five pounders as where taking up cage space for a dollar a pound every two weeks to a processor.     

Went to the fair and joined the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). Next local show picked out Chocolate Satin to be my breed and variety. Satin is a commercial type ten pound adults about five pound fryers at about nine weeks. The Satin has a shine like no other breed. Got plenty of ribbons winning legs. Three legs puts Grand Champion on the pedigree.
Saw trophies for best in show but never won one.

Bought my first computer to run a program to print out pedigrees. Show quality breeding stock was twenty for one. Found a new hobby giving advice on message boards. After a while the advice was to search the archives because everything that could be asked about multiplying rabbits had already been thoroughly discussed.

Really had the operation going smooth. Processor closed. All the sudden. Those also ran ready to ship had no where to go. Next bunch was two weeks behind them, on back to the does scheduled for breeding. Could do ten from caged to freezer ready including clean up in about an hour.

How do you want that rabbit cooked that we will be eating AGAIN tonight?

Satins have a sheen, not a shine.
 

[Widgeondeke]

Suppose your coworker has the buck? Gestation is only thirty days give or take by the number of kits about to be kindled. More couple days early, less couple days late. Lordisis is the position a doe takes when she is in the mood. Put your hand on her back and if she sort of bends down in front and up in the back she is in cycle. Bucks are ever ready. Doe goes into the bucks cage.

Was buying backyard rabbits with commercial type and multiplying them. Got everyone I knew a freezer supply and started running newspaper ads. First question was always: "What breed are they?" Deal was one for ten dollars your choice or three for twenty my choice. Anyone wanting three was interested in eating them. Quick butchering lesson was to pull them out of the freezer. Saying watch me pull a rabbit out of my pocket sort of gives away the magic. Could sale as many five pounders as where taking up cage space for a dollar a pound every two weeks to a processor.     

Went to the fair and joined the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). Next local show picked out Chocolate Satin to be my breed and variety. Satin is a commercial type ten pound adults about five pound fryers at about nine weeks. The Satin has a shine like no other breed. Got plenty of ribbons winning legs. Three legs puts Grand Champion on the pedigree.
Saw trophies for best in show but never won one.

Bought my first computer to run a program to print out pedigrees. Show quality breeding stock was twenty for one. Found a new hobby giving advice on message boards. After a while the advice was to search the archives because everything that could be asked about multiplying rabbits had already been thoroughly discussed.

Really had the operation going smooth. Processor closed. All the sudden. Those also ran ready to ship had no where to go. Next bunch was two weeks behind them, on back to the does scheduled for breeding. Could do ten from caged to freezer ready including clean up in about an hour.

How do you want that rabbit cooked that we will be eating AGAIN tonight?

Satins have a sheen, not a shine.
 

    smart arse 

[Airnip]

Sheen could enhanced by feeding whole barley, as supplement in a separate
feeder from the pellets. If both were fed in the same one, they would dig out the pellets through the wire to the ground. Disqualifying offense to put something on the coat. Nothing in the rules against feeding. Always wrestled around my show prospects to make them tame to handling by the judges. Comb and brush them out before putting them in show cages. Out in the parking lot wipe them down with silk. Brings out sheen.

The whole show is really about picking a pair to breed. Judges are wrestling the rabbits pretty quickly. No hurry back at the house. Criteria for selection increases as cage space comes to be filled with better individuals. Selecting for reproduction instinct might not include breed conformation. Then again  selling live ones at twice or four times the price paid from a processor does help make expenses.

Quarantine any that have been anywhere. Take care of them last. Whenever
out and around other rabbits I'd shower and change clothes before going to mine. Had cut off to slip on rubber boots on the back porch to wear during daily chores.

Another remarkable feature of Chocolate Satin breed is fire eye. Eyes gleam
red in dim light. You could even say they glow or shine.

[lhrbull]

we had red satins

[Airnip]

Red is a pretty good color on a rabbit. Red loose hair is really difficult to see on their meat.

 Preference for commercial rabbits to be albino white is generally given to be the same reason. Although white hair is much easier to see than red. Rabbit brain is used to make blood clotting powder. From albino the powder is naturally white. From colored it is a less desirable shade toward grey.

Used chocolate Satin bucks exclusively. Would buy other variety Satin does. By the third generation foundation stock slipped off the pedigree Through selection great grand offspring would be more likely be chocolate than any other variety. 

[lhrbull]

my daughter had the reserve champion in junior buck at the national show that they had in Puyallup years ago

[Airnip]

Astonishing height for a rabbit to win over such a field of also ran. Enjoy the fact that rabbit shows against it's class on the table. Not some imaginary ideal. Right here and right now. Judge choose the very best one. Home court advantage? Headlines should have been;

LOCAL RABBIT WINS BIG.

Remarkable that living in Tacoma. Getting the daily News Tribune. Never found out there was a national convention of the American Rabbit Breeder Association. Uptown. Was pretty much in my area of operations.

Bought the house with the weeds waist high. Chewing down the vegetation revealed  holes all over like craters of the moon. Rototilled raked it out and planted edible landscaping. Food instead of grass. Rabbits were part of all that. Remember buying cages for resale. Builder claimed the only way anyone could tell he raised rabbits was that he was always the first in the spring to get behind his lawn mower.

Some people like cream and sugar on their strawberries. We put manure on ours.

[lhrbull]

we chose reds because we raised red cattle

[Airnip]

My Father preferred red livestock. He came home from eastern dry side with a pig in his pocket. Yelm phone, Roy address, about three miles from the Nisqually bridge in McKenna. Pure red Duroc boar for terminal crosses.

He was very tame. The wholesale local buyer of wieners was always glad to take as many as he could get to grow out from his seed.

Spring and fall farm paydays. Until one day my Dad complained he was getting tired. Mom told him if he would quit feeding pigs he could afford to retire. Very next Saturday after the auction, place was like a hog ghost town.

Duroc hog like a Satin rabbit is unmistakably a meat animal.

[jackelope]

I can't actually speak the words "meat rabbit" in my house. The girls would lead a hostile overthrow of the household.

Dutch and Jersey Wooly rabbits at my place.

[Airnip]

Would have to be a lot hungrier than just late for dinner to consider eating any child's prized ribbon winning pet.

It would be the other lesser, possibly mean ones that could end up maybe fresh camp meat on unaccompanied hunting trips. Animals in my
childhood either ended up on the dinner table or disappeared mysteriously.
Someone's motto was; 'breed the best, sale the rest'. Might need to be other hunters eating your lunch.

Suppose that there is word for the class of rabbits including Dutch and Havana sized. These breeds are about the original size of natural wild European rabbits. The Netherland dwarf was bred down in size to provide plate sized fryer individual serving demand in restaurants.









   

[jackelope]

Would have to be a lot hungrier than just late for dinner to consider eating any child's prized ribbon winning pet.

It would be the other lesser, possibly mean ones that could end up maybe fresh camp meat on unaccompanied hunting trips. Animals in my
childhood either ended up on the dinner table or disappeared mysteriously.
Someone's motto was; 'breed the best, sale the rest'. Might need to be other hunters eating your lunch.

Suppose that there is word for the class of rabbits including Dutch and Havana sized. These breeds are about the original size of natural wild European rabbits. The Netherland dwarf was bred down in size to provide plate sized fryer individual serving demand in restaurants.

They're considered compact body style.
Dinner would not be made from the nice show animals.  Just the not so nice ones. In the world of marked breeds, the mismarked animals go to freezer camp.
The Jersey Wooly is just a wool covered Netherland Dwarf. In fact every once in a while a fuzzy ND shows up in a litter. They have great body type and folks will show them as Woolies.

[Airnip]

Growing up an Air Force brat, our family was living in an Italian villa. Had a five acre citrus orchard surrounded by a six foot high wall with broken glass embedded in the top. Armed guard taught us the local Libya method of rabbit raising.

He dug a hole about chest deep. Then dug starter tunnels in the bottom sides. Add rabbits. Few times clearing tunnel digging spoils. Feeding time cut a basket of alfalfa. Throw it into the hole. Watering dunk a loaf of bread (like French/ Italian loaves) in a bucket. Throw it into the hole. Garden weeds and kitchen peelings to round out the diet.

Harvest was by trimming a date palm branch leaving the last couple of fronds. These tied together would form a loop. Lower the loop at feeding time. Slip it over a head and twist the stick. Shazam rabbit on the menu.

In hot climate with minimum refrigeration rabbit makes a fine delicious critter the right size to eat fresh.