Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Big Boy - Big Job
I admit I haven't been the best rabbit manager when it comes to The Nature Trail's Rio. When I had him registered, he was 3.12, so I really didn't think much of it. I know he has a huge appetite and I know I give in to those cute pleading antics too often, so I should have been more aware. But I wasn't.
By the time he went to Convention, he was four pounds That should have been my second warning, but again, it wasn't. I free fed my rabbits at Convention because they were all eating poorly. I gave them shredded wheat to tempt them. I treated Rio the same way, even though his appetite suffered not one bit.
Then, once he came in first place, we moved on to celebration treats. He got some extra shredded wheat and some banana, too. I considered retiring him from showing because going to Convention had upset him so much. So I had no concern for his weight at that moment at all.
But once he got home, he returned to his energetic, but sweet self. So I decided to try him at a local show to see if it was only the size of Convention that had bothered him so much.
By then, his weight was between 4.01 and 4.02 (I had been overfeeding everyone a bit during the barn cleaning because my measuring cup was one of the things in the long line to be cleaned). That weight is within the tolerance of most judges, unless they get a heavy-weighing scale. But I personally want him to be 4.00 or less.
So, the question is, what do I do? I don't want to have him on a starvation diet. I have reduced his feed by just about 1/3 to 1/2 oz. But the biggest change I've made is in his housing (well, the biggest change has actually been in my attitude).
I took a double cage and removed the dividing wall - all except the bottom 4". I covered the top of the wire mesh with a plastic edging to protect his tummy when he jumps over the barrier. I placed his water and toys on the left side and his food on the right side.
Now when he sees me coming, he doesn't just dance back and forth, he jumps over the barrier back and forth. I hope that will help him burn off some of his extra calories without starving him down drastically. I want him to stay in good shape. His health is more important than his show career.
Will this work? Only time will tell.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 10:38 AM
By the time he went to Convention, he was four pounds That should have been my second warning, but again, it wasn't. I free fed my rabbits at Convention because they were all eating poorly. I gave them shredded wheat to tempt them. I treated Rio the same way, even though his appetite suffered not one bit.
Then, once he came in first place, we moved on to celebration treats. He got some extra shredded wheat and some banana, too. I considered retiring him from showing because going to Convention had upset him so much. So I had no concern for his weight at that moment at all.
But once he got home, he returned to his energetic, but sweet self. So I decided to try him at a local show to see if it was only the size of Convention that had bothered him so much.
By then, his weight was between 4.01 and 4.02 (I had been overfeeding everyone a bit during the barn cleaning because my measuring cup was one of the things in the long line to be cleaned). That weight is within the tolerance of most judges, unless they get a heavy-weighing scale. But I personally want him to be 4.00 or less.
So, the question is, what do I do? I don't want to have him on a starvation diet. I have reduced his feed by just about 1/3 to 1/2 oz. But the biggest change I've made is in his housing (well, the biggest change has actually been in my attitude).
I took a double cage and removed the dividing wall - all except the bottom 4". I covered the top of the wire mesh with a plastic edging to protect his tummy when he jumps over the barrier. I placed his water and toys on the left side and his food on the right side.
Now when he sees me coming, he doesn't just dance back and forth, he jumps over the barrier back and forth. I hope that will help him burn off some of his extra calories without starving him down drastically. I want him to stay in good shape. His health is more important than his show career.
Will this work? Only time will tell.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 10:38 AM
