Monday, December 11, 2006
Good Therapy
Is there anything better than spending a pleasant afternoon in the barn? I think not. I had such an afternoon yesterday. It really lifted my spirits.
I've been feeling down rabbit-wise since Convention. I think it's just the letdown feeling that occurs after being excited for such a long time. What with all of the preparation, flights, and the actual Convention itself, that's a lot to be excited about. And, all of my breedings were aimed at Convention, so I've had a lull in my supply of juniors - and an even bigger lull than planned since things haven't been smooth lately in my breeding program.
But all of that washed away yesterday. The weather was pleasant, after two really wintry days. Virtually every doe in my barn was open. That speaks to the breeding troubles I've been having. Roxie was struggling with a stuck kit yesterday and Mercedes is due this weekend. Otherwise, they were all ready to be bred.
And they cooperated.
That right there is enough to get a breeding excited! Successfully breeding twelve out of twelve is always something to be pleased over. I just hope things go well on the other end - come January 10.
It's neither a new moon nor a full moon, from what I gather, so maybe I'll see some balance between bucks and does. This year has been a buck-full year for me. I'm not complaining - I needed some nice bucks. But now I'm hoping for some does again.
Besides breeding, I got a chance to look at my next batch of juniors. I have some that look very promising - in the cage. But when I get them out, they fall apart. One problem is thin ears. They aren't paper thin, but they do fold up when the rabbit gets excited - which they all are doing right now. No judge will ever get a chance to see how open the ears are when they are relaxed because they are so tense on the table right now. I'll have to decide whether I want to give them a chance to develop a bit and/or get more used to be handling or whether I just want to pass on them and keep the ones that have thicker years and are easier to handle from the get-go.
I'd hate to pass up on some of these, though. They are really cute. We'll see. I'm not the most patient person in the world. And, as you know, Hollands take more patience than many breeds.
I do have three brokens in the next group that have me very excited. I photographed one of them, Isolde, the one who got a BOG her first time out. Now I'm getting ahead of myself. Yes, in addition to actually taking some time to play with my bunnies, I photographed some. You'll have to read my story at the bottom of Java's page. I have a very interesting picture of him. It's definitely not what you'd expect.
I updated pictures of Myrddin and Leo. Boy, have they changed. Myrddin may be my new favorite in the barn. Boris has matured, too. You will not believe him, but he's not quite ready for pictures yet. Just wait until he finishes his molt. I had been thinking about selling him since his sons are doing so well. But heck, he's just now ready to really do well on the show table. I think I'll keep him a while longer!
I also added pictures of Quinten, my newest grand champion. He's just seven months old and I bet he'll be changing a lot during the next year. But he's got a good start. I also added pictures of Millicent, my little doe that placed 4th of 161 at Convention. She's not in a good fur, really lost condition at Convention, and wasn't exactly comfortable outside on the table. But use a little imagination and try to see her for what she really is - a very nice little doe!
I've put links to all of the changes and new pages on my What's New page. I know it's been forever since I updated it. I also listed all of my breedings in the nursery section. I hadn't changed that since the end of summer. Sorry.
So I'm feeling a little more energized about my bunnies. We're getting ready to finish the longest sweeps year in Holland Lop history. It feels like it's been going on forever. The good news about our hobby is that a new start is just 31 days away. And that is doubly true right now, with a new sweeps year less than 31 days away as well.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry “Home Of Grand Champions”
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 10:22 AM
I've been feeling down rabbit-wise since Convention. I think it's just the letdown feeling that occurs after being excited for such a long time. What with all of the preparation, flights, and the actual Convention itself, that's a lot to be excited about. And, all of my breedings were aimed at Convention, so I've had a lull in my supply of juniors - and an even bigger lull than planned since things haven't been smooth lately in my breeding program.
But all of that washed away yesterday. The weather was pleasant, after two really wintry days. Virtually every doe in my barn was open. That speaks to the breeding troubles I've been having. Roxie was struggling with a stuck kit yesterday and Mercedes is due this weekend. Otherwise, they were all ready to be bred.
And they cooperated.
That right there is enough to get a breeding excited! Successfully breeding twelve out of twelve is always something to be pleased over. I just hope things go well on the other end - come January 10.
It's neither a new moon nor a full moon, from what I gather, so maybe I'll see some balance between bucks and does. This year has been a buck-full year for me. I'm not complaining - I needed some nice bucks. But now I'm hoping for some does again.
Besides breeding, I got a chance to look at my next batch of juniors. I have some that look very promising - in the cage. But when I get them out, they fall apart. One problem is thin ears. They aren't paper thin, but they do fold up when the rabbit gets excited - which they all are doing right now. No judge will ever get a chance to see how open the ears are when they are relaxed because they are so tense on the table right now. I'll have to decide whether I want to give them a chance to develop a bit and/or get more used to be handling or whether I just want to pass on them and keep the ones that have thicker years and are easier to handle from the get-go.
I'd hate to pass up on some of these, though. They are really cute. We'll see. I'm not the most patient person in the world. And, as you know, Hollands take more patience than many breeds.
I do have three brokens in the next group that have me very excited. I photographed one of them, Isolde, the one who got a BOG her first time out. Now I'm getting ahead of myself. Yes, in addition to actually taking some time to play with my bunnies, I photographed some. You'll have to read my story at the bottom of Java's page. I have a very interesting picture of him. It's definitely not what you'd expect.
I updated pictures of Myrddin and Leo. Boy, have they changed. Myrddin may be my new favorite in the barn. Boris has matured, too. You will not believe him, but he's not quite ready for pictures yet. Just wait until he finishes his molt. I had been thinking about selling him since his sons are doing so well. But heck, he's just now ready to really do well on the show table. I think I'll keep him a while longer!
I also added pictures of Quinten, my newest grand champion. He's just seven months old and I bet he'll be changing a lot during the next year. But he's got a good start. I also added pictures of Millicent, my little doe that placed 4th of 161 at Convention. She's not in a good fur, really lost condition at Convention, and wasn't exactly comfortable outside on the table. But use a little imagination and try to see her for what she really is - a very nice little doe!
I've put links to all of the changes and new pages on my What's New page. I know it's been forever since I updated it. I also listed all of my breedings in the nursery section. I hadn't changed that since the end of summer. Sorry.
So I'm feeling a little more energized about my bunnies. We're getting ready to finish the longest sweeps year in Holland Lop history. It feels like it's been going on forever. The good news about our hobby is that a new start is just 31 days away. And that is doubly true right now, with a new sweeps year less than 31 days away as well.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry “Home Of Grand Champions”
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 10:22 AM
