Summer Tips

Let's face it, summer is not a good time for rabbits. Heat stroke becomes common, bucks become sterile, and some rabbits go uncared for. There's not much we can do, but what we can do makes a world of a difference.

Temperatures of anything above 80 degrees Fahrenheit can be dagerous to rabbits. I have compiled a list of different ways to keep your rabbit cool during the summer.

1. Frozen Water Bottles:  Many rabbit owners prefer this method. It's easy and affordable. All you need are old plastic bottles that would have normally been recycled. Clean them out nice and good, fill them up with tap water and stick them in the freezer. I have 2 bottles per outside rabbit. One for the morning and one for at night if necessary. We use a variation of Poweraide, water, and soda bottles. They are all marked for each rabbit. Make sure the label is torn off or they will do it for you. This is a good alternative because they often play with it, lick it, bite it, and lay next to it. If they chew a hole in it, it's easy to replace!
2. Fans: These are a good way to keep your rabbits cool. My dad went to walmart when the cheap personal fans were on sale and bought them for $1 each. They are hooked individually to each of the rabbits cages and plugged into a power strip. They are easily removable and controlled by a timer. The blades have to be cleaned every month or so because the hair gets caught in there.
3. Air Conditioned Barn: I have only seen a small handful of these around. They are the ideal solution but not the most cost efficient. It keeps them cool to your preferences. If kept properly it offers a cool and clean environment for your rabbits to live in and reduces the risk of heat stroke and sterility.
4. Shaving Long Hared Rabbits: I have yet to do this but I hear it helps those long hared rabbits out there. Be careful. Rabbits skin is extremely tender and cuts easily.

Here are a list of things to remember and to look out for during the hot summer days:

• Always have fresh water available at all times. If a rabbits drink more then a bottle/bowl a day put another up just in case.
• If your rabbits use a bowl keep it out of the sun. The sun causes it to evaporate quicker.
• Watch for ANY kinds of heat stroke. 
• Keep your rabbit out of the sun. Always have a shady place for your rabbits to cool off.
• Look out for heavy panting and foaming of the mouth. If you see your rabbit doing this bring him/her inside.
• Rabbits for Dummies suggests putting a cool, wet towel around the ears cool down the blood in the ears.
• If you feel it is necessary, bring your rabbit to the local vet. Don't hesitate, your rabbits life is extremely important.
• It may also be a good idea to keep a thermometer outside so you can monitor the temperature.

http://www.thefuzzypatch.com/how-to-beat-the-summer-heat.html

New addition

After that solemn post a few days ago, it's time for some cheer! Tea Cup had her litter. Sadly one was a DOA (stretched), the other a peanut, and one normal kit. Here is a picture of the new momma and her baby.

He got peed on lol

Now let me show you what the nest looks like. She created a typical nest, but also added a little compartment that I can hardly see into. I have to reach in and feel around for anything.

This litter is a bit of an odd ball case. Either the live baby was born first, or the stretched baby. Either way the peanut was born last, which in theory it should have been another DOA. BUT if the normal kit was born first, why did she have issues with the second one? Things we are trying to figure out over on the forum.

Updates and such

It's been a while since I've updated. To be honest there isn't anything really going on. Tea Cup is due a littler later this week, other than that not too much going on apart from the storm.

Tropical storm Debbie is so unorganized it was covering the entire state of Florida at one point. I'm paranoid about the rabbits, so I bring the three I have in a cage outside into the kitchen. They were covered, of course. Then I hear about a tornado touch down in Sarasota, which is south of us, and it was moving north at 40 mph. Tornados are not very common around here, mainly warnings, but a watch is a rarity. I'm watching for Tea Cup, who I am worried will abort her litter if it gets too bad. Luckily there wasn't much thunder or lightening.

I never thought that i would have to choose between which rabbits to save. The thing is, in Florida there isn't anywhere to run. If a tornado is coming, you have to duck there is no cellar or basement, just a house. Only a few rabbits can fit in the safe places, and it was a scary thought. I am so glad that I did not have to fully make that decision.

Either way, we made the decision to leave for Orlando for a couple of days like we planned, despite my  worry of another tornado. On the way up, the rain continued, as I expected, and we hear on the radio that there is a tornado just north of the county we live in. It was in the area we were driving in. Luckily that tornado was moving north, no threat to us. On the way up we found a car with no lights on. No lights on on I-4 in the middle of a storm at 8pm!!! We flash our lights (we=Spencer and I),  passing cars do the same, I say "forget this", and roll down my window and shout at them to turn on the lights. They did, thankfully, and oh did the karma gods rain happiness on us. We drive and drive and 3 hours later, normally a hour and a half drive, we make it to Kissimmee safe and sound.

I have a friend a few minutes form my house, so if she says they'll be safe, I feel good. My parents are home, but whenever an expected mother is involved I take extra care. It's great that Tea Cup is such a good mother.

Such a depressing post! Hopefully I'll be able to post more joyful news from the area, hopefully the parks, if we can get there.

Please excuse any grammatical errors.

Show results!!!

These are form the last two shows.

May 12:

MA= Agouti Jr. Doe (sold that day)

MV=Dimple, Agouti Jr. Buck (DQ for wrong sex class, my fault)

MI= Marie, Self Jr. Doe

TO= Toulouse, Tan Jr. Buck

J1= Braden, Self Sr. Buck (Toulouse and Marie's father)

8 rabbits shown, 3 exhibitors

Show A

MA- BOG
MV- DQ
MI- 1st
TO- BOG

Show B

MA- BOG
MV- DQ
MI- BOG
TO- BOG, BOB (LEG)

Show C

MA- BOG
MV- DQ
J1- 2nd
MI- 1st
TO- BOG

Special events: Toulouse received his first leg, Marie beat her father (10 leg GC), and my Agouti doe is an Agouti buck.

May 26:

MV= Dimple, Agouti Jr. Buck (Only Agouti)

MI= Marie, Self Jr. Doe (4 Selfs shown, only in class)

TO= Toulouse, Tan Jr. Buck (DQ in 2 shows for butting teeth, and 4 Tans shown, 2 in class)

15 rabbits shown, 6 exhibitors

Show A

MV- BOG
MI- BOSG
TO- DQ

Show B

MV- BOG
MI- BOSG
TO- BOSG

Show C

MV-BOG
MI- BOSG, and BOS (LEG)
TO- DQ

Special events: Marie received her first leg, Spencer realized he wants to start showing AFL again, and Toulouse now has teeth issues =(, and many legs were awarded!

Next show: June 16 in Bartow (maybe)