Petit Lapin's Rabbitry Blog

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October 4, 2011

Six months have gone by so fast! Moved a lot of bunnies off to new homes and have since started fall breeding :) Getting excited for some wee ones to start popping out of the nest box again! Breeding like crazy over the last month in order to beat the winter weather. Also have been enjoying some new colors in the barn as well as our new addition Yankez Rusty :) We have decided to scale down breeding to fall and spring over a couple month spread. As we have gained more experience over the last few years we seem to have the best success when its not too cold or when its not too hot in summer.  Our breeding will now mainly take place during the falls months of September/October and early spring in March/April.
We also want to congratulate Madelyn and Alissa on their recent purchase of our beloved French Lop, Petit Lapin Rufus who recently won 2 BOS Legs in Jamestown, MN.





April 20, 2011

Been busy with spring litters, sold several juniors and breeding stock and anxious to start washing cages for the spring clean up. I am hoping to start that next week! We are also happy to finally open the windows in the barn and not have to have the heat on! We also got a new Facebook fan page for those who want to keep up with the latest happenings in and around the Rabbitry. We also update with nursery pictures and stock we list For Sale so be sure to Like our page! As for the French Lops, they have been great! Getting litters like crazy and managed to have our first litter from RD's Gangster, he gave us blacks, chins and chestnuts :) Not bad for his first try! Spark made a speedy recovery from his urinary tract infect and is awaiting his new home! The Polish have been very productive this spring with several litter from several of our Does. Muffin, Debbie and Nat were all successful first time moms who have been doing a great job! Will be looking forward to warmer weather and more bunnies popping out of the nest box!





January 16, 2011

Another year has passed and we have new challenges to overcome in the Rabbitry. Despite the molting we have updated most of the rabbit pictures :) Molting has been the major concern as far as the Frenchies are concerned :( Between watching for woolblock and the extra cage cleaning it seems there is not much time left in the day :S Hopefully with the new year we can work on those coats and gain a bit more control on our rabbits condition. Having to switch rabbit pellet brands to Feed-Rite has not helped the matter, we are finding a lot of fines in their feed. Sadly Lops of Fun Spark has an urinary tract infection :'( He is currently in recovery and on antibiotics. We are also hoping to add an exercise routine for our French Lops as well this year! We just purchased an extra large play pen for their safety and taking turns giving each rabbit a chance to get it all out and have some fun! We are hoping that helps to improve circulation and natural muscle development to aid in faster molting and reduce the risk of woolblock. A slight dry spell in the breeding department for both the French Lops and Polish for the last couple of months, mainly due to the colder weather. Some good news, had first time Polish mom Blueberry Muffin deliver 3 kits and it seems both Chocolate Polish Does are confirmed to be pregnant!





November 11, 2010

Been very busy getting ready for winter and have recently finished washing the barn and cages down. Managed to pressure wash everything followed by a rinse with bleach.  Still have the windows to insulate and a few other minor details to prepare for the colder weather. Sadly we had to say goodbye to our beloved Ruffles :( He put up a good fight and will be missed :'( On a happier note we just got back from convention! No, we did not bring anything to show but still had a great time as usual :D Met several breeders from across the country and enjoyed seeing all the rabbits! We are very happy to bring home our new additions to our Rabbitry. Many thanks to the breeders and the rabbit friends who helped us bring our furry friends home! We could not have done it without all your help. Our new broken Orange French Lop has yet to be named but keep posted for updates and pictures. We purchased him from Rebecca's Rabbitry and are proud to have him with us for our breeding program. Lots of Frenchie litters over the past few months from Mika, Delilah and Bubble. All seem to have raised beautiful bunnies which are now growing by leaps and bounds ;) On the Polish end of the barn we have expanded our breeding program  and are happy to introduce 2 new solid chocolate Polish Does from Maplend Rabbitry :) Such a refreshing treat to bring chocolate into the barn! Still waiting on their pedigrees so keep posted for updates pictures. Cannot forget, we also purchased another Polish from Wanda Kowalik. We got a nice broken blue buck and are anxious to see him grow! Another pretty color to add to the barn! Still waiting for his pedigree. Jazz also had a beautiful litter of all Does in a nice mixture of Blues and Blacks :) Candy is also due for her nestbox tomorrow so hopefully another litter will be soon on their way!





September 12, 2010

What a busy summer! I cannot believe that it is fall already. Turned out to be a fun filled summer of several litters in both the Frenchies and Polish. Moved several rabbits on to new homes and now growing out a handful of juniors in both breeds :) We have been pleased to see some of our own Frenchies daughters raising successful litters for their very first time. Pearl, Mika, Summer and Double Bubble, all seem to be very impressive young mothers. Unfortunately many rabbits are still molting so no showing again this fall :S Hopefully things will blow over and spring will welcome us with new coats! Bad news for Ruffles, our beautiful broken buck :'( We figured he pulled a muscle in his back and has since been left paralysed in both hind legs. It has been a very hard loss for the Rabbitry. Ruffles is hanging on, eating and recovering slowing. We are hoping for the best and keeping him comfortable. The Polish are blooming and we also are welcoming the new color that was a warm surprise, Chocolate!! Sweepea has out done herself after a slow start to her breeding career bringing us a sweet chocolaty present. We also added a new Polish junior buck to our breeding program from Madelyn, many thanks! Hoping to update some junior pictures within the next week so keep posted :-)





June 6, 2010

Time flies by, it's been five moths since the last update. Things have been super busy around the rabbitry. Unfortunately we have been having feed problems that have resulted in us switching our rabbits pellets to a different brand. Several rabbits have been molting for months now, which feels like forever :( You think it's almost finished but seems to start all over again. I have had to resort to measuring their feed so I can treat any rabbits showing signs of a blockage. All I think I have been doing is cleaning cages. We treated everyone to a round of deworming this spring and are hoping for the best this summer / fall. We almost lost a few Frenchies due to wool blockages but luckily we saved them. Sadly we did loose Wildwood's Jewl the other week to wry neck which is something new for us to come across and hopefully the last. Looks like there will be a delay in those rabbit portraits, many have open coats and look horrible. Feels like forever since we have been to a rabbit show, missed out last fall due to molting and looks like another quite spring / summer. The Polish are giving us a hard time right now  in the breeding department and several just don't want to get pregnant, so hopefully soon we will have full nest boxes. We have also added a new Polish Doe to the group, WPR's Jazz. What a treat to have and many thanks to Wanda for another beautiful rabbit, she is a real sweetheart!






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