Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Spring Maintenance
We had a very hot day this past weekend. It was a rude reminder that hot weather is just around the corner. And it's time to get ready for it.
Andrew took the grills off of my barn fans and cleaned each fan very well. He also oiled the moving part in the middle. It's a great time to check for frayed cords, both on your fan and on any extension cords you must use.
It's time for me to purchase one more fan. I'll probably have to wait for them to show up at my local feed store. I would love to find one that can be wall-mounted. Mine are all on the ground and they really get in the way.
I've already had to stock up on fly strips. It's time to keep the manure removed from the barn on a more aggressive basis. In the cold of the winter, both flies and ammonia are kept at bay. But each time I remove manure from the barn, I also remove insect eggs and larva, as well as reduce the ammonia, which loves to be active in hot weather.
I also will begin collecting containers so that I can freeze water as the weather gets really hot. It may be late July and August before I need them on a regular basis, but we can have freakishly hot days in June as well.
Warmer weather also means warmer shows. I need to get my show fans out to check for wear and tear. A couple of mine are totally new, but some went to a few shows last summer.
I also want to get serious about a misting system for my barn. It may be something that I'll say again next spring, but now is the time to do it. Then I'll be pleased that I did when July comes along.
I'd like to find some plastic ice packs that will fit into the hay racks of my carriers. I think it would be literally cool to pack my rabbits on ice for the hotter shows of summer.
I'm about ready to switch my kits to a two-week nest box schedule. The last groups were in for 2 1/2 weeks. Our last frost date here is May 2, but we're having milder than usual weather already, so I think I can bump up my schedule some.
I've already noticed a reduction in feed consumption. I want to make doubly sure that old feed is removed from feeders before adding new. Although it's a good idea to keep feed fresh every day in the winter, it's a lifesaver in the summer. Here in Virginia, where we don't have the benefit of dry heat, feed is subjected to both moisture and heat - prime for growing bacteria and mold.
We're experiencing a hay shortage in our area. Because of the drought we are experiencing, even May cuttings are in doubt. So another task for me is to find additional sources of good hay.
In the winter, I can stuff the hay racks between my show rabbit cages with hay to cut down on air movement and make them more comfortable in the cold weather. In warm weather, I just put a handful in between each set of cages to allow more air movement.
Although I have an automatic watering system, I will be more liberal about which rabbits also get a crock. Nursing mothers, litters, juniors (especially with a roommate), and any rabbit that could benefit from gaining a few ounces will be on crocks. Rabbits won't eat well if they don't drink well. And these rabbits need to eat and drink especially well.
We do have a couple of special projects that we need to attend to. We want to remove a panel of siding and replace it with a "window." My windows are openings covered with hardware cloth and mosquito screen. That should cool down our one extra hot corner. And, although we've made some repairs to the door, we still have some work to do on that as well.
Okay, I'm tired now just listing everything that needs to be done! But it's better to tackle them now, in the relative cool of April, then to be forced to deal with them in the scorching heat of July!
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 9:27 AM
Andrew took the grills off of my barn fans and cleaned each fan very well. He also oiled the moving part in the middle. It's a great time to check for frayed cords, both on your fan and on any extension cords you must use.
It's time for me to purchase one more fan. I'll probably have to wait for them to show up at my local feed store. I would love to find one that can be wall-mounted. Mine are all on the ground and they really get in the way.
I've already had to stock up on fly strips. It's time to keep the manure removed from the barn on a more aggressive basis. In the cold of the winter, both flies and ammonia are kept at bay. But each time I remove manure from the barn, I also remove insect eggs and larva, as well as reduce the ammonia, which loves to be active in hot weather.
I also will begin collecting containers so that I can freeze water as the weather gets really hot. It may be late July and August before I need them on a regular basis, but we can have freakishly hot days in June as well.
Warmer weather also means warmer shows. I need to get my show fans out to check for wear and tear. A couple of mine are totally new, but some went to a few shows last summer.
I also want to get serious about a misting system for my barn. It may be something that I'll say again next spring, but now is the time to do it. Then I'll be pleased that I did when July comes along.
I'd like to find some plastic ice packs that will fit into the hay racks of my carriers. I think it would be literally cool to pack my rabbits on ice for the hotter shows of summer.
I'm about ready to switch my kits to a two-week nest box schedule. The last groups were in for 2 1/2 weeks. Our last frost date here is May 2, but we're having milder than usual weather already, so I think I can bump up my schedule some.
I've already noticed a reduction in feed consumption. I want to make doubly sure that old feed is removed from feeders before adding new. Although it's a good idea to keep feed fresh every day in the winter, it's a lifesaver in the summer. Here in Virginia, where we don't have the benefit of dry heat, feed is subjected to both moisture and heat - prime for growing bacteria and mold.
We're experiencing a hay shortage in our area. Because of the drought we are experiencing, even May cuttings are in doubt. So another task for me is to find additional sources of good hay.
In the winter, I can stuff the hay racks between my show rabbit cages with hay to cut down on air movement and make them more comfortable in the cold weather. In warm weather, I just put a handful in between each set of cages to allow more air movement.
Although I have an automatic watering system, I will be more liberal about which rabbits also get a crock. Nursing mothers, litters, juniors (especially with a roommate), and any rabbit that could benefit from gaining a few ounces will be on crocks. Rabbits won't eat well if they don't drink well. And these rabbits need to eat and drink especially well.
We do have a couple of special projects that we need to attend to. We want to remove a panel of siding and replace it with a "window." My windows are openings covered with hardware cloth and mosquito screen. That should cool down our one extra hot corner. And, although we've made some repairs to the door, we still have some work to do on that as well.
Okay, I'm tired now just listing everything that needs to be done! But it's better to tackle them now, in the relative cool of April, then to be forced to deal with them in the scorching heat of July!
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 9:27 AM
