tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54204064306156935622024-02-19T17:25:09.300-08:00Eggs 'N' Sweaters Rabbitry & Micro-FarmWhere we raise happy kids, chickens, French angora rabbits, & a cat, on our urban micro-farm. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-45483676393788146352016-11-06T14:52:00.005-08:002016-11-15T13:09:24.407-08:00Fall ARBA Show-Reno ResultsWe took our French Angora rabbits to the Reno Fall show in Cold Springs for our Reno Rabbits 4-H Club. We entered 5 rabbits in the double ARBA open and my son entered showmanship. <br />
<br />
<br />
Showmanship is the portion of the show where 4-H youth demonstrate their knowledge of a rabbits health & care to a judge. The kids are judged on rabbit health knowledge and rabbit breed trivia. They must do a complicated demonstration with the rabbit, showing the judge that the rabbit is healthy & demonstrating what health concerns they are checking for and why it matters.<br />
<br />
<br />
My son had not done showmanship in several months, but his 4-H mentor, Lydia, showed him a few new tricks and he managed to earn first place in Junior class. This was his first time as a Junior, as opposed to Novice class. He was nervous, but did excellent.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmD7GtJ9e98-DH8RXtEMB_iT8_bmIFUNF3i-IUJjHaZfrMsFVpyVzQQJldEdMwybhkIJzshzEQrrPrWSUyGWx5UzmHuNI_1u-GfhQwkE5bqL_q0gAUztisrknSMoxGJdtU5Uzppxxw-s/s1600/20161112_144852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmD7GtJ9e98-DH8RXtEMB_iT8_bmIFUNF3i-IUJjHaZfrMsFVpyVzQQJldEdMwybhkIJzshzEQrrPrWSUyGWx5UzmHuNI_1u-GfhQwkE5bqL_q0gAUztisrknSMoxGJdtU5Uzppxxw-s/s640/20161112_144852.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evan and Jett, although he did showmanship with Bunnicula, a red-eyed white FA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
Our rabbits did well also. We took Boone-a chinchilla-colored buck that is new to us-and he won first place on body & wool type/density, although his coat was short at the time. Halloween (for sale) earned a leg for Best of Variety in show A. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqTky2_GehlCSSZGYyICdmZpPUjDXtAeHlpUAL9q8bgrNo3EdIFc75VG9fFIGIhxZGYj0wVXwM_ZLZrfRCWYcvq3tcUXXU91lJJb31ltYQ2YKPSXoz9umN1jEvKG1KuB-J55fwiHAjis/s1600/20161106_124921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqTky2_GehlCSSZGYyICdmZpPUjDXtAeHlpUAL9q8bgrNo3EdIFc75VG9fFIGIhxZGYj0wVXwM_ZLZrfRCWYcvq3tcUXXU91lJJb31ltYQ2YKPSXoz9umN1jEvKG1KuB-J55fwiHAjis/s640/20161106_124921.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halloween (ENS13-For Sale) wins a BOV leg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
Overall we had a very successful, if long, day! Can't complain. <br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-24919114427010606292016-11-06T14:52:00.004-08:002016-11-15T12:18:48.971-08:00Back from Hiatus-Getting ready for the Fall Show-Preparing for WinterOur family took a much needed hiatus from rabbits, chickens, showing, selling, breeding, and gardening for a few months. We have had a series of "unfortunate events" befall us, are undergoing some major life-changing decisions, as well as needing some time to enjoy the last of summer. But, we are back! And resilient....We missed several important events that would have gotten our name out there this Fall.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My NEW small side garden performed well this year. We got a havrvest of many fruits, berries, eggs, greens, vegetables, squashes, and a pumpkin! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We lost a rabbit to an injury earlier this year, skinned him, and tanned the hide. We hope to do a post about this in the near future. We are also going to butcher a pinched-hindquarters buck, and tan him as well, and will get lost of pics and provide info about the process. </div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw88YiMEP0l2c3cZb3nwLlaroE8SpNNZnJ6GEygNU66woDAqbi77AZ8xrWxQtLzT3twRZziuQE2YKEGX1o1aU9xHiMGQes6Ddsfm50lghMnPoFJZCOYipNcmEcTPV5o57U4_PYbj5My18/s1600/20160902_083243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw88YiMEP0l2c3cZb3nwLlaroE8SpNNZnJ6GEygNU66woDAqbi77AZ8xrWxQtLzT3twRZziuQE2YKEGX1o1aU9xHiMGQes6Ddsfm50lghMnPoFJZCOYipNcmEcTPV5o57U4_PYbj5My18/s640/20160902_083243.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pudge's pelt in progress </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
We are beginning to prepare for winter, a project that includes providing supplementary light for the hens, building up the compost in the coops and runs for winter, raking leaves into our garden beds to provide cover for perinneals and fodder for our soil organisms, prepping our rabbit cages for cold weather (tarps on hand, rain covers on at all times), & covering the outdoor bed. We tend not to stock up on food much, but buy more often so more is on hand. We also must get our heated waterers running for the livestock.<br />
<br />
We have announcements in our chicken project area as well. Our banty cochin hens have successfully reproduced! We have several little chicks being raised in our small coop. Super easy too. We also learned how to butcher roosters this Fall. They tasted amazing.</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVlJfuIc30_TqJRHz44RdEvqhIJcmj2JwnyOBT5W_9Rb2zDPeWDW-gU12A6ERNGRHZWXTYgAWDV0viXMm8mLnUh7lbcGXaboc_1ovieaSKHEM86I6Hih3fHVE_g7u95gw8r5F6gjuMWw/s1600/20161028_144422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVlJfuIc30_TqJRHz44RdEvqhIJcmj2JwnyOBT5W_9Rb2zDPeWDW-gU12A6ERNGRHZWXTYgAWDV0viXMm8mLnUh7lbcGXaboc_1ovieaSKHEM86I6Hih3fHVE_g7u95gw8r5F6gjuMWw/s640/20161028_144422.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roost view of hatching in progress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vTIy3F4qZuJayAOZb-DYGuALAIv3SwJgny9Waqc2bvl5Ij5h4hPX3b6IRUvLfQCXbcVxPVeCEqSQrTqPzaq59Pz0K5cKYLgH0xGj5JEauZj3wIGojQtucx4RyOlhhdTZD5zgZPL8M74/s1600/20161028_144537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vTIy3F4qZuJayAOZb-DYGuALAIv3SwJgny9Waqc2bvl5Ij5h4hPX3b6IRUvLfQCXbcVxPVeCEqSQrTqPzaq59Pz0K5cKYLgH0xGj5JEauZj3wIGojQtucx4RyOlhhdTZD5zgZPL8M74/s640/20161028_144537.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
We are preparing for the Cold Springs school ARBA show the 12th of November. Here are some of<br />
our buns that are going:</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmL01Rcc1uRJgy07wMV4glQscNtzfEF7lDvvRm-pOjs4PKlayA48XJJFqVocQOv59W0LMqiozlNQVcY614vx2bjNT8VWjj3zrk2cAjbgY5Pnl63SgDXy5UlJB9MceGiDM0cs2Y1mnDxU/s1600/20161106_123617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmL01Rcc1uRJgy07wMV4glQscNtzfEF7lDvvRm-pOjs4PKlayA48XJJFqVocQOv59W0LMqiozlNQVcY614vx2bjNT8VWjj3zrk2cAjbgY5Pnl63SgDXy5UlJB9MceGiDM0cs2Y1mnDxU/s640/20161106_123617.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqTky2_GehlCSSZGYyICdmZpPUjDXtAeHlpUAL9q8bgrNo3EdIFc75VG9fFIGIhxZGYj0wVXwM_ZLZrfRCWYcvq3tcUXXU91lJJb31ltYQ2YKPSXoz9umN1jEvKG1KuB-J55fwiHAjis/s1600/20161106_124921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqTky2_GehlCSSZGYyICdmZpPUjDXtAeHlpUAL9q8bgrNo3EdIFc75VG9fFIGIhxZGYj0wVXwM_ZLZrfRCWYcvq3tcUXXU91lJJb31ltYQ2YKPSXoz9umN1jEvKG1KuB-J55fwiHAjis/s640/20161106_124921.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqq9zM0mdPZN0f22ccRQqSuERwcfsQdZmTcTf3QjROQSq8ajUbqioANuMlxTMK2aB8gzKjNUnJkJap0Um4cbxVIviheQLrrDY5zQFpzOvr7QtcB5H2MNsa0Bq562PqLwTWMCf2iD86o8/s1600/20161106_123230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqq9zM0mdPZN0f22ccRQqSuERwcfsQdZmTcTf3QjROQSq8ajUbqioANuMlxTMK2aB8gzKjNUnJkJap0Um4cbxVIviheQLrrDY5zQFpzOvr7QtcB5H2MNsa0Bq562PqLwTWMCf2iD86o8/s640/20161106_123230.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-4m9HSmnYiKA4eQtcvtwyYd6sNIajb5mepD29otH5Ky_gL78AhmcP03XxlW-T1vw-WFEifLDLTxj4GEIx0-hhPglIlk7XGiO-YS7rbMFTSPTpUJFOn9Ix8USbsv6u4KSpKR03Ge-pMg/s1600/20161106_123609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-4m9HSmnYiKA4eQtcvtwyYd6sNIajb5mepD29otH5Ky_gL78AhmcP03XxlW-T1vw-WFEifLDLTxj4GEIx0-hhPglIlk7XGiO-YS7rbMFTSPTpUJFOn9Ix8USbsv6u4KSpKR03Ge-pMg/s640/20161106_123609.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-49560657536136474592016-07-20T11:44:00.000-07:002016-07-20T12:00:34.268-07:00How to Easily Can & Use "REAL" Fruit in Jams : using those small fruits & large stone fruits that grow in your yard!So, this is a post about what I learned from a veteran canner of 45 years, my mom. In addition to showing me how to use "real" fruits, she showed me how to can & seal jars without a water bath or boiling, the easy way. Every single jar canned & sealed for me the first time, without getting out the ol' pressure cooker. Here is a little of her <span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><strong>wisdom</strong></span>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: purple;">Select your fruit & recipe:</span></h3>
You want fruit to be RIPE, even slightly bruised is OK. Almost falling apart because it is so ripe - if NOT rotten or fermenting - is great! Pick it on the day of canning, or store it overnight at room temp to use in am, or in fridge for a couple days to use later. You DO NOT have to pit the fruit first, if the pits are not free-stone and easy to remove. You can par-boil the fruit with the sugar, and run it through a sieve colander with a "reamer" (? I am just making up a name for this colander-like apparatus) before getting down to actually making jam. <br />
<br />
<br />
We used small plums for this post, from a tree that is about 60 years old. They may be similar to European blue damson plums. Our variety is Early Golden Plums, I believe, although the name is lost to history. They ripen in early July locally. You could also use small tart cherries, such as Montmorency easily, or other small fruits with large stones. <br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: purple;">Tools:</span></h3>
<div style="border-image: none;">
A colander sieve & wooden reamer with stand (important)</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZ4vjGWh9ZhgX7pjDR4rAIIG-VSkQcRev2s9ikW0DFS8P2kzNED7bLbOVNTUJKF7bUs2vzrFoS8HE61ASZDw692yOqINIn2YTPi8uAvtXavSRk_6VnIAvmCMs1pY9K2bsHC4Zjjg_uCQ/s1600/20160715_170827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZ4vjGWh9ZhgX7pjDR4rAIIG-VSkQcRev2s9ikW0DFS8P2kzNED7bLbOVNTUJKF7bUs2vzrFoS8HE61ASZDw692yOqINIn2YTPi8uAvtXavSRk_6VnIAvmCMs1pY9K2bsHC4Zjjg_uCQ/s320/20160715_170827.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stand, sieve colander, wooden reamer (filled with jam)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
A few large bowls</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Stainless steel pot or Teflon-coated (make sure isn't coming off), large enough for boiling all ingredients</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Flat-bottomed spatula, long stirring spoon</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Ladle</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizA_oUlhroZM9ifwbd0DFgwhvL8juEQHJKxI-5IZyGw8WF6uHTI_TEhFNo885WY6GmfDExjTg_2Y7hQWy4ZAsEKId8F8vyWkgo9C8mvpoPveacJfeKxzoU7GKdpzI4kUWCp4XhGWDye6U/s1600/20160715_171132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizA_oUlhroZM9ifwbd0DFgwhvL8juEQHJKxI-5IZyGw8WF6uHTI_TEhFNo885WY6GmfDExjTg_2Y7hQWy4ZAsEKId8F8vyWkgo9C8mvpoPveacJfeKxzoU7GKdpzI4kUWCp4XhGWDye6U/s200/20160715_171132.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jar funnel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Jar funnel for canning (important)</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Lg. baking sheet</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Jars & new lids if used already</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Towels for covering jars, at least a couple medium bath towels, if using kitchen towels I double or triple the amount for top & bottom (discussed later)</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Canning jar lifter (handy, but can use hot pad)</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Ove-Glove high-heat wearable pot holder, or just regular pot holders</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Dedicated clean wash cloth for washing jar rims only</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Kitchen scale that goes up to at least 4lbs (small batch jam to start with)</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
A recipe you like! Don't just think about sweet jams, we also made a savory Asian Plum Sauce Jam that was amazing! If this is your first or hundredth time making jam a recipe that someone else has made that actually jelled is key. You can tinker with it but a starting point is crucial. </div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Pectin if using and ingredients for jam.</div>
<h3 style="border-image: none;">
<span style="color: purple;">Pre-Jam Chores:</span></h3>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Wash your fruit and all instruments you will use in canning, including all the tools above. Alternatively you can run them in dishwasher while picking fruit & set to a HOT dry. <span style="color: black;">Wash kitchen counters and stove top.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5JA2-Q8DJYogqrfQ7GiLuz8byyGOT0D_uU6ZLjyLnSUJtnI7b_ncklB2k6ZrOfYHZJPttEDGzy9Qf-vAxCKZ-qTpH35q27NUBuxQdp-_IZ2R-496j8oA_xCkGOZKhzBfdGsKniiYM6g/s1600/20160715_171138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5JA2-Q8DJYogqrfQ7GiLuz8byyGOT0D_uU6ZLjyLnSUJtnI7b_ncklB2k6ZrOfYHZJPttEDGzy9Qf-vAxCKZ-qTpH35q27NUBuxQdp-_IZ2R-496j8oA_xCkGOZKhzBfdGsKniiYM6g/s320/20160715_171138.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to simmer when getting close to jam time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Wash & sterilize your canning jars (small for jams), even if brand new. If you have used your jar lids before, save them for freezer jam purposes. You need fresh lids to can. Set aside in a pan of water the lids and jar rings, these will be for simmering on stove top for when jam is ready to can. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-image: none;">
Set your oven to between 250-275 degrees, and place a clean, washed, large cookie sheet in the middle of the oven. This will be for your sterilized jars. Place DRY jam jars into oven on the sheet, being careful that you have enough room to grab them (not too close to element) or for them to explode (if too hot). This will keep your jars hot enough that it will be LIKE a water-bath, and avoid that step. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="color: black;">Set up a dedicated canning area that your jars will cool on: must be lined with a bath towel or two kitchen towels on bottom - HOT jars placed here to cool & seal, then will be covered by two to three kitchen towels or bath towel on top to seal out drafts & cold air overnight (plan on not having this area disturbed). </span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-image: none;">
Place all tools needed close at hand. Plan an activity to keep kids busy or if helping make sure you have something as backup. If you burn the jam while paying attention to something else, it is tragic & heartbreaking after all the work picking & sanitizing. </div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJn2kUw0LATYld5ECuce0nbQV7Ccn6AjrOzvalH11a6oHlCys7-JRpc8XCnNT3jpCywdqLW5yzEpWcJNynFN1fZDi65-LbVcbsmeEBCI1ttouy8C8HwZnUzm5mBOMvhyFRSyUcSn5XMdo/s1600/20160715_171149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJn2kUw0LATYld5ECuce0nbQV7Ccn6AjrOzvalH11a6oHlCys7-JRpc8XCnNT3jpCywdqLW5yzEpWcJNynFN1fZDi65-LbVcbsmeEBCI1ttouy8C8HwZnUzm5mBOMvhyFRSyUcSn5XMdo/s320/20160715_171149.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jars in oven ready to fill when time! Oven at 260 degrees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="border-image: none;">
<span style="color: purple;">Let's Jam!</span></h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRDW3K6lFLKx_nqM2wc0PbBcqaCjm__4Unzngqz-eO4huQlz70m8T2tJNzDzfTp8HzLP_H2p9U5U6OaGcfKgKVQsL2QHgUL7I0GaUvqMBMH6bhnOiCmUFlOx70PwpB38iyHNYQtnznO8/s1600/20160715_170832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRDW3K6lFLKx_nqM2wc0PbBcqaCjm__4Unzngqz-eO4huQlz70m8T2tJNzDzfTp8HzLP_H2p9U5U6OaGcfKgKVQsL2QHgUL7I0GaUvqMBMH6bhnOiCmUFlOx70PwpB38iyHNYQtnznO8/s320/20160715_170832.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juice, fruit, & stones ready to ream!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Place all fruit and the amount of sugar called for into the stainless steel pot. Measure fruit in lbs, adding some extra to account for the stones (if small cherries or plums they are 1/3 to 1/2 stones, so add another lb or two of fruit to recipe. You can adjust sweetness later. Most recipes I use call for around 4lbs of fruit. You can also add more than one type of fruit together, just cut up all larger fruits to the same size as the small ones. One batch I made with small plums and large pluots.</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-image: none;">
Place pan on stove on medium to medium high. Bring to boil, check that skins slide off easily with your spoon. If they do, then remove pan & place into sink to begin removing skins and stones. Place sieve colander on stand over a large bowl. Ladle it 2/3 full of fruit/juice. Begin reaming with a circular motion, be mindful that when you slosh over edge stones end up in jam. Ream as necessary, adding in more fruit as you go. It is easier to ream & remove all flesh from stones when sieve is on the fuller side I found. You do not need to remove stones or skins, just add more until all juice & fruit has been reamed. Transfer the juice back into the pot, return to stove on medium & bring back to a boil. Add in lemon (tart citrus to kill botulism spores; read about on northwest edibles blog or internet or canning book), pectin if using, other stuff you are using. Bring to a boil, but NOT on high! Medium is high enough. Stir every few minutes, careful to touch bottom to pull off anything that is sticking. Do not adjust sugar yet. </div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP09WCv2n8WjfHD70Y11arZzKOq3Uu6ZLs017r1WaMt_p8_kWxzofP5x5qALOe_dh73ojR9vmCCg58cLlNGg4xfWHtMsMzJ3R9zTi-Ypo3BtqlkQYCLR8xthVoAic3PBDADR2bWDvR2WI/s1600/20160715_172005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP09WCv2n8WjfHD70Y11arZzKOq3Uu6ZLs017r1WaMt_p8_kWxzofP5x5qALOe_dh73ojR9vmCCg58cLlNGg4xfWHtMsMzJ3R9zTi-Ypo3BtqlkQYCLR8xthVoAic3PBDADR2bWDvR2WI/s320/20160715_172005.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After removing stones from skins, this is<br />
added back into jam on stove to cook</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Now you have a choice: do you want the skins back in the jam, or not? I like to add the skins, they have lots of flavor and sweetness. If you do, then you must let the skins cool a little, then untangle them from the stones in your sieve colander. It is not very complicated, takes very little time, but is hands-on and kinda messy. When/if you add them back to jam, you may want to use an immersion blender to grind them finer. This is why care must be used to not have stones in the jam, as some blenders are high-powered enough to cut pits into small chunks that are going to be in your jam unless you strain it again later (pain in the butt!). So take care. Maybe on your first-ever batch of jam or jelly, you don't use the skins. Who knows. </div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWniQzN7gFIwZisuDw2oZRAkGMVNKmpb17k1HEOOYD-8hMnVe4A5MAeUg3xWcC4RWKSNV0c2UMRKC4isxJ0O9v16Fj45ZRGzHOve0yuRfIdCpzABmG3UjmZ5E5ZcMlaQ9BumWYxOcsw3E/s1600/20160715_171123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWniQzN7gFIwZisuDw2oZRAkGMVNKmpb17k1HEOOYD-8hMnVe4A5MAeUg3xWcC4RWKSNV0c2UMRKC4isxJ0O9v16Fj45ZRGzHOve0yuRfIdCpzABmG3UjmZ5E5ZcMlaQ9BumWYxOcsw3E/s320/20160715_171123.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After immersion blending skins into jam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Once you have come to either putting skins back in or not, you need to adjust the sugar in your jelly (without skin or chunks) or jam (with skin and/or chunks) after it has cooked for awhile & boiled away some of the water. Sugar and pectin help it jell quicker, but make sure it is a sweetness that you like. Real sugar is key to jelling and avoiding botulism. There are numerous books and posts about botulism and jam, so read some!</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi250KV1HjVOAwcZwOUeaD2AwRqq3URgqwvGotc0zDg7bOS76b6iCm8b_ojjWdqW5Ne7eJOpslj74neKJpLKxhvTQ2AcCSKwNG0lu3B8v5lxucbmMlItlYMTjjVZ-eW1lwIOh4hKuH3UbI/s1600/20160715_173821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi250KV1HjVOAwcZwOUeaD2AwRqq3URgqwvGotc0zDg7bOS76b6iCm8b_ojjWdqW5Ne7eJOpslj74neKJpLKxhvTQ2AcCSKwNG0lu3B8v5lxucbmMlItlYMTjjVZ-eW1lwIOh4hKuH3UbI/s200/20160715_173821.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard to get pic, but <br />
notice bubbles along<br />
top of jar edge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Ok so once you have cooked your jam awhile, say 30 minutes, test for done-ness by the way it sheets on an ice-cold spoon (from cup of ice & water). Again, there is a wealth of information about this that I am not going to cover here. Make sure your jar lids and rings are simmering. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Don wearable hot pads or get hot pads ready: Take a jar from the oven, top with canning funnel, and ladle jam into jar. If it is not boiling, it will be when it touches the jar edge. Look for the bubbles along jar edge! If it is not boiling around edges, then raise heat in oven, but mine did at 260 degrees. WIPE DOWN RIM with dedicated wet wash cloth (even if can see no smears of jam) before covering with a lid (grab them out between the tines of a fork), then finger-tight screw jar lid on. Turn upside-down for about 2-3 seconds while carring over to the cooling towel, then turn upright and listen for escaping air. It will be obvious when/if it ever happens. Place upright on towel, making sure not to touch any previous jars directly (but snuggled up close is great), and cover with towels to make sure no drafts. Lift & replace towels as necessary. When all done, make sure sides & top covered well. You can sometimes hear them POP when sealing. This is normal. Not hearing it is normal too. </div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9EeVqe9knjn2VXOlzlBa2CvESQeDSfdDZxofGJNfqUOWaT8MNWfHX1oXFwXq7_t9pzVEqO_bJWFJJ51ydY5FTEK077SJPaOIWwhGh1QQk5HPDmF-bYh9d1soln7beld9FYwL9DmHzbg/s1600/20160715_175043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9EeVqe9knjn2VXOlzlBa2CvESQeDSfdDZxofGJNfqUOWaT8MNWfHX1oXFwXq7_t9pzVEqO_bJWFJJ51ydY5FTEK077SJPaOIWwhGh1QQk5HPDmF-bYh9d1soln7beld9FYwL9DmHzbg/s320/20160715_175043.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All wrapped up ready to seal overnight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
Warn everyone not to peek or disturb, with threat of violence if necessary (just kidding.....sort of). Leave overnight. In am, the lids will be sealed: check by pushing center with finger, if any move/pop then place in fridge or freezer and use first. Label them with date and description. Unscrew rings to just barely tight or remove totally as that will ruin the seal over time. </div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><strong>Enjoy!!</strong></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-68170904070192351072016-07-15T17:57:00.002-07:002016-07-20T13:03:00.080-07:00Pumpkin and winchester's litter, ready for new homes! This litter should make excellent show rabbits! And be great for wool production! Sire is a Grand Champion (three "leg" awards at rabbit shows for Best of Breed), dam has one leg (award) : Best Opposite of Breed - but is rarely shown (never seems to be "in coat" at the right time for the show). <br />
<br />
<br />
We had two go home a couple weeks ago. Now we have three does and three bucks to offer. They are blue tort, fawn, and black. Let us know if you would like more information! 100.00 each. Wool is over 3" long already. Great for homesteading, meat, wool, pet, show!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-image: none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbP35XrQUuR-02p9WStYWJSMmG8nFC10PSSsuTMkcAOGuHN2Ulu-tE7nu04o9u9gFqYp5zSe2M5wkydya8zs8KyofTMAEVp0J_jPBLyasTQ1GoYRno_pLKqsh0C26Pe2AoVEFNi0q5KMQ/s1600/20160715_122812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbP35XrQUuR-02p9WStYWJSMmG8nFC10PSSsuTMkcAOGuHN2Ulu-tE7nu04o9u9gFqYp5zSe2M5wkydya8zs8KyofTMAEVp0J_jPBLyasTQ1GoYRno_pLKqsh0C26Pe2AoVEFNi0q5KMQ/s400/20160715_122812.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-image: none;">
Jett: black buck</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnfXC_MkUJOGe-eluewiaqNMOHg9IwS-zFYuR4-4hTlWKTkKX7lYGhOW6cBHm38NKmSMriqpzbQNOtj9XM2nGmjgOM2YoC3KULNkNVAlcJVNErfo4puwGapxtGCLNHzexetpBACv7KEw/s1600/20160715_122753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnfXC_MkUJOGe-eluewiaqNMOHg9IwS-zFYuR4-4hTlWKTkKX7lYGhOW6cBHm38NKmSMriqpzbQNOtj9XM2nGmjgOM2YoC3KULNkNVAlcJVNErfo4puwGapxtGCLNHzexetpBACv7KEw/s400/20160715_122753.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-image: none;">
Another view of Jett</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-image: none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DC9AGE5usdxEeHyDG-zxNfWX-eKMR03S-xK_vi5sGEHHtZt9hB7oOP4YAfJSNx-DsXS_lrZd7DkDvAsHghXT-_Kuk0TwDCrhVzgrFc_z4E9465hkA9KjrJwCul1I6jLAtNGRZLO6WU0/s1600/20160715_121508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DC9AGE5usdxEeHyDG-zxNfWX-eKMR03S-xK_vi5sGEHHtZt9hB7oOP4YAfJSNx-DsXS_lrZd7DkDvAsHghXT-_Kuk0TwDCrhVzgrFc_z4E9465hkA9KjrJwCul1I6jLAtNGRZLO6WU0/s400/20160715_121508.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-image: none;">
Carmel: fawn doe</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLNqp6TxgjR5ilJ36tjEZY3xZEGwaq-wn33HlH8mLnx5PFCa69JUGV_5r3SnQleemMysdFT1dsyQ3CEnMMkvgbFvlxBMm3OjXMUJpI7ACdDItfWzZa1mN4HMAL-1h1ED_HsnI0tDuACI/s1600/20160715_121457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLNqp6TxgjR5ilJ36tjEZY3xZEGwaq-wn33HlH8mLnx5PFCa69JUGV_5r3SnQleemMysdFT1dsyQ3CEnMMkvgbFvlxBMm3OjXMUJpI7ACdDItfWzZa1mN4HMAL-1h1ED_HsnI0tDuACI/s400/20160715_121457.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmel from the side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7B-aIUoXlVP62Dd9kzh1991UF8I4h-Lac5slenraO4Uep7_SgJiM7GSBHf2Bcela40sz-0eBT-7Nt8oylqu6GXdE64Z8aCKol8hnUuUgDS5K8n0uNM2GdV1ViK784lPRJ2iKfuodjECs/s1600/20160717_095409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7B-aIUoXlVP62Dd9kzh1991UF8I4h-Lac5slenraO4Uep7_SgJiM7GSBHf2Bcela40sz-0eBT-7Nt8oylqu6GXdE64Z8aCKol8hnUuUgDS5K8n0uNM2GdV1ViK784lPRJ2iKfuodjECs/s400/20160717_095409.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halloween: Tort buck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVd0G9-0wH4rO5kpEltfioulLKbZm5sWQ8NrYy6rKrTJECDImQkf6xlEbVQ7Lq86YzP_hkmsVPEfg7z4Zxbp5HEUzYNoV1PFzzY4pqyMpRIpq9kjdeYVY6YvbK-ARUMcWMfGzjXmcOkZA/s1600/received_10207254306376114.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVd0G9-0wH4rO5kpEltfioulLKbZm5sWQ8NrYy6rKrTJECDImQkf6xlEbVQ7Lq86YzP_hkmsVPEfg7z4Zxbp5HEUzYNoV1PFzzY4pqyMpRIpq9kjdeYVY6YvbK-ARUMcWMfGzjXmcOkZA/s400/received_10207254306376114.jpeg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger: blue tort doe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkyoNaD9exvi6bu7gMzsyNPzIlC-wD_LA7Rfj1npCjEt1zyHzgKnFeqg9esYrZgyUZx4Rv50ZGqDlonURb0P3F_s-PLR2zJw_n4vaeMXNH65fnv85ohfXvA_ZH1BRqbCFKmiL3weYe3c/s1600/received_10207254309376189.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkyoNaD9exvi6bu7gMzsyNPzIlC-wD_LA7Rfj1npCjEt1zyHzgKnFeqg9esYrZgyUZx4Rv50ZGqDlonURb0P3F_s-PLR2zJw_n4vaeMXNH65fnv85ohfXvA_ZH1BRqbCFKmiL3weYe3c/s400/received_10207254309376189.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger: top coat view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuZcn3aM-Kqyx3vSpciyZhfqGP-r5B8yyWBI3QCkLtCgXpuKAd9Z6_RKsJjmbUVCUon1arccD1lrG_Z2A7g48XrJ8F8jl23ewBCIA5pErXXAMR9LNzi-kFxqzm8jqDttaAQz25vJMXTw/s1600/received_10207254217013880.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuZcn3aM-Kqyx3vSpciyZhfqGP-r5B8yyWBI3QCkLtCgXpuKAd9Z6_RKsJjmbUVCUon1arccD1lrG_Z2A7g48XrJ8F8jl23ewBCIA5pErXXAMR9LNzi-kFxqzm8jqDttaAQz25vJMXTw/s400/received_10207254217013880.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cornflake: fawn doe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-56807430186567123572016-06-30T16:09:00.001-07:002016-06-30T16:10:05.363-07:00Kit update, rabbits in the heat of summer<u>Kit update</u>:<br />
Out of Pumpkin and Winchester's first litter together, 6 juniors are left. We have 3 does and 3 bucks. We have not noticed any disqualifications (no white toenails, no "less energetic" ears, good colors) for showing any of these buns. We have been a little lazy in putting them up "for sale," as we are in a vacation mindset right now. <br />
<br />
<br />
We had a very nice family contact us from California and purchase our ermine buck and a black buck, Winter and Cedric, before we even listed them for sale. <br />
<br />
<br />
Also, we had a BIG exciting thing happen, we brought home a very nice senior chinchilla-colored FA buck, a little over a year old, named BOONE. He is very special and beautiful. We hope to enter him into a show this fall, then breed him to a doe to get more chinchillas. I have a personal liking to the chinchilla color in angoras. It has a nice salt n pepper look to the guard hairs that I find appealing. Boone is a real sweetheart, and we were so glad to get him!<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Rabbits in the heat:</u><br />
We will be listing our rabbits, and posting updated pictures and information about each junior in about a week. We should probably also update the status of our senior FA: they are all shaved or plucked! Not a good time to take pictures. We decided we are done showing until fall, so they can be sufficiently in coat for the late fall/winter shows. Until then, we plan to keep the wool very cropped, so the heat is less of an issue for them. We plucked or cut all the wool off earlier this month. <br />
<br />
<br />
We rigged up a fan and misting system in the trees near the rabbit hutches which keeps/kept them cool enough up until about 93-94 degrees. If you plan to install your own misting system for FA, then keep in mind that you want the mist to be a "heat barrier curtain" without getting them <em>or</em> cages wet! Otherwise you will have a wet, matted, dirty bunny in less than a day! That is about the only wool I would throw out or use only for nest boxes.<br />
<br />
<br />
A fan is helpful, just keep it under the eaves and up near roof, pointing down, to protect from sprinklers and rain/hail storms. <br />
<br />
<br />
Deep shade, misting, and fan systems are a must if you plan to leave your buns out in hot weather, and probably pull them in anytime it reaches over 92 degrees, as they will die from heat stroke. We are able to make it to about 93-94 degrees without pulling them inside, due to misting/fan/deep shade. I think I would define deep shade as shade that is truly never dappled with sunlight, is deep and cool, and never really sees the light of day. We also have the buns against a tall cinder wall, backed by 5' of dirt and plants, which also retains the cool longer than a wood fence, per say. This also helps keep them cool.<br />
<br />
<br />
Some people use frozen blocks of ice or gallon water bottles for the rabbits to sit next to, but we had no luck with this. Here is our two cents: the litter pans are filled with gross pee-water at the end of the day, flies are horrible, water bottle and large blocks of ice are completely melted after about 4 hours. So, just really creates lots more work & mess, and doesn't make much of a difference in our opinion. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-12729161481958102632016-06-16T12:56:00.000-07:002016-06-16T12:56:15.421-07:00Pumpkin and Winchester's First Litter, 8 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These kits are 8 weeks old and beautiful! We have three does (2fawn, 1 blue tort) and five bucks (2 black, 1 fawn, 1 tort, 1 ermine). They all have very good crimping to thier first coats and very good balance of guard hairs to wool. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViUpW55xbSYGeST2CyyowGDpwaiFTgQkfvVBtz4SbmF7v6aPdkRIWBpTLHgxNDCdFKrsXx69QKXX7bgPlvJnvtksEHINBRVPzZSIlSk9TgeUOnje-sBceCTyIlTTkm3T8at-Gojc308k/s1600/20160616_121521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViUpW55xbSYGeST2CyyowGDpwaiFTgQkfvVBtz4SbmF7v6aPdkRIWBpTLHgxNDCdFKrsXx69QKXX7bgPlvJnvtksEHINBRVPzZSIlSk9TgeUOnje-sBceCTyIlTTkm3T8at-Gojc308k/s320/20160616_121521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3jREmwrmTCPuIU9TJ0tNnkPU5sc_Uc7Ow-fKphGjU_DAkSRv-hNwTc6yJXGRCP0_Imj323yzsygAEpWUyQRyzEZzveDI-Du7plMG3bQrT8tFHyZamyR9iz98PW6L02wU43LOExylOmQ/s1600/20160616_121539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3jREmwrmTCPuIU9TJ0tNnkPU5sc_Uc7Ow-fKphGjU_DAkSRv-hNwTc6yJXGRCP0_Imj323yzsygAEpWUyQRyzEZzveDI-Du7plMG3bQrT8tFHyZamyR9iz98PW6L02wU43LOExylOmQ/s320/20160616_121539.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJq39bdNfI_NiOl21HpPlsa4utXHSSep4ChyphenhyphenNGlVUq5nUbyFpL3w2cYWLxKJnX-1ZYw0Sd8I-S7sJUSXX0zHVmoJWZCJJBvabxFdAw6pOfoKFdR65HPcfcMGTOpqeCbNGNzoyF-8eKPTo/s1600/20160616_121501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJq39bdNfI_NiOl21HpPlsa4utXHSSep4ChyphenhyphenNGlVUq5nUbyFpL3w2cYWLxKJnX-1ZYw0Sd8I-S7sJUSXX0zHVmoJWZCJJBvabxFdAw6pOfoKFdR65HPcfcMGTOpqeCbNGNzoyF-8eKPTo/s320/20160616_121501.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5i6ZxUdO4qUHWcpYNgL5sC16tgikggRSbCX-4_evXzu6NhFyr_KgsP8ZkQoVDp3ITPExrGtvVJ1PFwckzxED-Pmkfnp59nSc4VPUOCRZgitGbbNOA9T8_490wyQ8GtrfYR0ZQ5Dbq9Aw/s1600/20160616_121554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5i6ZxUdO4qUHWcpYNgL5sC16tgikggRSbCX-4_evXzu6NhFyr_KgsP8ZkQoVDp3ITPExrGtvVJ1PFwckzxED-Pmkfnp59nSc4VPUOCRZgitGbbNOA9T8_490wyQ8GtrfYR0ZQ5Dbq9Aw/s320/20160616_121554.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ow-8LjZrTMp_m4iqcfD7fWNrw1trnegcWOnqTtmWo1SqjciEzOnms_LWZ37SGJsbEMf0UMWrr_T0N2q1jKH_ukX2YIWSfqIHvZPa1ESo9Url18bCCUgP_OMIfrdchad-VzI9HbjUdJw/s1600/20160616_121503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ow-8LjZrTMp_m4iqcfD7fWNrw1trnegcWOnqTtmWo1SqjciEzOnms_LWZ37SGJsbEMf0UMWrr_T0N2q1jKH_ukX2YIWSfqIHvZPa1ESo9Url18bCCUgP_OMIfrdchad-VzI9HbjUdJw/s320/20160616_121503.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-9843682768743839832016-05-18T14:29:00.001-07:002016-05-18T14:29:36.470-07:00Our First Video~We uploaded our first video, and although it WAS HD quality, Blogger converted it to a low-pixel mess. Sigh. At least you can see how cute the kits are, under Winchester and Pumpkin's First Litter page >>> to right. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-25601295452825524872016-05-10T10:08:00.001-07:002016-05-10T10:08:10.038-07:00Upcycling Old Mattresses & Box SpringsWhen we decided to paint our house and remove/redo the front garden path, we also had an old box spring sitting around from our outdoor bed. Yes, we have an outdoor double bed on a shaded & covered deck, complete with fan. It's a must, really!<br />
<br /><br />
We didn't want to pay to dump it at the time, so I decided to experiment & I stripped it apart. It was/is a really old box spring, from the time when they actually contained springs! We stripped the cloth cover off, detached the wooded slatted platform (and left on the double bed as the new box spring of sorts), and removed the connected inner springs. Then we spray painted the inner springs yellow, along with another part that I am fairly vague about what to call. It is sort of a wire trellis sheet thingee.<br />
<br /><br />
We hung the new trellises the south-facing wall of our house in the sun. It gets HOT along this wall, and I planted some grape vines along it. The inner spring mattress-turned trellis-gets the leaves & grapes off the wall some, allowing them more space to grow & support. It allows them to not fry in summer. The grape vines will eventually alleviate all the glare from the wall off the other plants below, allowing them not to fry as well. When fully "in leaf" the vines did their job last year, and the plants in the bed below grew HUGE!<br />
<br /><br />
We have an experiment next to the inner spring trellis, in which I wired my own trellis (created with wire & hooks) right next to the siding. The grape vine there is significantly smaller in size this year, but was not when it was planted last year. I think the grapes like the additional air space between the wall & plant that the inner spring trellis provides. As you can see, we had no problems with the heat from the wall scorching our plants. You can see the trellis to the right along the wall (more pics soon). In fact, we had to beat a path to the front door at times....<br />
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyvZ3wo8dqakpYtc95An6B_nGmYwPah6Ge-MaHjn6VceVeLaCiRt5J12y0Ssn92dlRO5kpEbnBDt8bDeHZ7EK-7pAD4xkBSeJm0kQbtuIDdndBG-0NWHNOMLpTVl28XOCKKsFLCrhPCg/s1600/2015Felixforblog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyvZ3wo8dqakpYtc95An6B_nGmYwPah6Ge-MaHjn6VceVeLaCiRt5J12y0Ssn92dlRO5kpEbnBDt8bDeHZ7EK-7pAD4xkBSeJm0kQbtuIDdndBG-0NWHNOMLpTVl28XOCKKsFLCrhPCg/s640/2015Felixforblog1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-85613320635229499332016-05-01T13:13:00.000-07:002016-07-20T13:09:33.682-07:00Growing Citrus in High Desert & Permaculture Remodel of Side Yard<span style="color: #134f5c;">Side Yard Project:</span><br />
I have been interested in permaculture for a couple years now, and the permaculture methods of soil building, plant companions, and water-scaping drive my every move in my garden. Water-scaping in permaculture seeks to add more moisture into the ground from rain/snow, and involves several techniques to get the water into your soil for storage. <br />
<br />
One method of water storage we will be investigating in the coming week is swales. Swales are small trenches made in just the right spot to divert run-off from your sprinklers, rain storms, snow melt, etc. into the ground, and not into your neighbors yard or into the storm drains. We have a side yard that we are building into a raised bed, using some free HUGE cottonwood half-rounds as a retaining wall, and will start project by building swales under the raised bed to make sure water is stored so we can use less drip-system irrigation. <br />
<br />
We will cut our sprinkler system off to the side yard zone, and install a washing-machine grey water recycling box that will do the irrigation for us as we wash our clothes. The side yard will be planted with fruit trees & associated forest-garden rings, and vegetables.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f1c232;">Citrus Tree:</span><br />
We have a small improved Meyer lemon citrus tree that produced about 7-9 lemons for us last year. It is about 1 ft tall x 1ft wide. This year, we hope to get at least that much from our little tree. How do you grow lemons in the high desert? Well, glad you asked!<br />
<br />
We repotted our lemon tree into a felt barrel, about 2ftx2ftx2ft in dimensions. We planted it with soil-less potting mix, per the felt barrel instructions. We mixed in lots of rabbit fertilizer, dried leaves, and humus. We put in a little fruit fertilizer & soil biotics as well to get it started growing again quick fast. Then, we positioned the barrel near our outdoor fountain in mostly sun. We planted beans to spill over the sides, as well as a few annuals.<br />
<br />
The citrus barrel is positioned next to the house and fountain because they both insulate the citrus from occasional temps below 40' a this time a year. The evaporation off the fountain will also make the citrus grow better in the high desert. <br />
<br />
Citrus does best if the temps do not fall below 40' at night, and will die if frozen. We over-winter indoors next to the slider. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8H43eA-SKhSmF4bflsgRsjwbSajIaRJGCUAr79gfqx_FvRwDii2qcfAzvNbqF7RAjGmb1EyH_5P5YsssTgBEf9JMFrrl85K0tQsmybpoeEW1-OCBGixfZaoeWZmahVwsFHKehDY7l4Q/s1600/20160429_112328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8H43eA-SKhSmF4bflsgRsjwbSajIaRJGCUAr79gfqx_FvRwDii2qcfAzvNbqF7RAjGmb1EyH_5P5YsssTgBEf9JMFrrl85K0tQsmybpoeEW1-OCBGixfZaoeWZmahVwsFHKehDY7l4Q/s640/20160429_112328.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-45144424286752706042016-04-25T17:32:00.001-07:002016-05-01T13:14:11.683-07:00The 10 Kits are Here! with pictures....winchester and pumpkin have a litter of 10 kits! Winchester has 3 legs, Pumpkin has one. Both have good bodies and wool. Both are very dense. <strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">More pics of kits & progress notes on the page "Pumpkin & Winchester's First litter" >>>></span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRc5YTS0yizFvBgI1JbjHgsw_qM3ff0LUyf1HNGkvr5UEypfcR4mcOKmnm95VpieCDlhn2UjnEEKr9R93fbYt_gmSsgGGXzVTbZmlCpCpLeTCrFsamirgvvEtGUlr_tE6UNUbeR7SPpII/s1600/20160428_175936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRc5YTS0yizFvBgI1JbjHgsw_qM3ff0LUyf1HNGkvr5UEypfcR4mcOKmnm95VpieCDlhn2UjnEEKr9R93fbYt_gmSsgGGXzVTbZmlCpCpLeTCrFsamirgvvEtGUlr_tE6UNUbeR7SPpII/s320/20160428_175936.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWnUdz9uRV7Is8b_69-X-jEBf-aTkmtO_oTUYTQyBUOyYWg649EoOm3y_eBTk-Z2diNmMEeV4jgjzyMfEIMuoT45sEbNE9Ryg-hlXNfsvw8CNeG1Bb_m_nc4HkpbCyV0ZftUbB7aLiTw/s1600/20160428_180059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWnUdz9uRV7Is8b_69-X-jEBf-aTkmtO_oTUYTQyBUOyYWg649EoOm3y_eBTk-Z2diNmMEeV4jgjzyMfEIMuoT45sEbNE9Ryg-hlXNfsvw8CNeG1Bb_m_nc4HkpbCyV0ZftUbB7aLiTw/s320/20160428_180059.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIH16ESipIbIBWQS8Fny_FcDoo10cfQvopZ_5zf5Ozb6iE-2Wjfr4VnqzuHFt4R4DSJe5kj7uBrp_1J7BbULwh_eS0kkVWcffpEITBdmPQxbLYUdNyNeU05diXUTBk9GVIpymHiAGvmlo/s1600/20160428_180038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIH16ESipIbIBWQS8Fny_FcDoo10cfQvopZ_5zf5Ozb6iE-2Wjfr4VnqzuHFt4R4DSJe5kj7uBrp_1J7BbULwh_eS0kkVWcffpEITBdmPQxbLYUdNyNeU05diXUTBk9GVIpymHiAGvmlo/s320/20160428_180038.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMxOej37Ua2nsvDQIkiUljj9kZ8MGv28tUMHhUjeYQXgxaKraQBMPhO44DB5BDCCNXpGBp4SRfhxz3JObmBquNx-ijF0PqNUEy7vw1TzIVDk3ch2egR20DWYEFk-1POGV9ceGmqiDZx4/s1600/20160428_180027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMxOej37Ua2nsvDQIkiUljj9kZ8MGv28tUMHhUjeYQXgxaKraQBMPhO44DB5BDCCNXpGBp4SRfhxz3JObmBquNx-ijF0PqNUEy7vw1TzIVDk3ch2egR20DWYEFk-1POGV9ceGmqiDZx4/s320/20160428_180027.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHPDm2nA5SOc5wltEQmJ0g2kVZBFudI5OXw0R1YHjXzQDd8Y31Z91KRNb1iYLtfgsKqIurZs-QRAH_pEjx1tb6mvDYSDwRrMTKJDuHVpXs-vWpeU8TAAJPwyhF6OXKKj-od17ioDsoR8/s1600/20160428_180004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHPDm2nA5SOc5wltEQmJ0g2kVZBFudI5OXw0R1YHjXzQDd8Y31Z91KRNb1iYLtfgsKqIurZs-QRAH_pEjx1tb6mvDYSDwRrMTKJDuHVpXs-vWpeU8TAAJPwyhF6OXKKj-od17ioDsoR8/s320/20160428_180004.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34Ssvx_FWsMj4xYp-SS33stSM-I2ebCxBpYTHcRzuukWBrY7reBaTf6mRrQ7yrIIvWkz2y2f3-qMuJ9AILWQL5VUrBXSgfhewsUjvhblA5CvJGFzKTa0qr45uaRmw8RRqGHqCcrBuiEc/s1600/20160428_175948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34Ssvx_FWsMj4xYp-SS33stSM-I2ebCxBpYTHcRzuukWBrY7reBaTf6mRrQ7yrIIvWkz2y2f3-qMuJ9AILWQL5VUrBXSgfhewsUjvhblA5CvJGFzKTa0qr45uaRmw8RRqGHqCcrBuiEc/s320/20160428_175948.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-47809788186772663522016-04-20T11:05:00.001-07:002016-04-28T18:13:46.762-07:00New Chicks ** Coming Soon!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAfheyMchb4R3UtIAbnO37MzcTUeDT7p4smMZpIQozDX5_fAApzU9tkjX3k23qsTHrMPZAEOTq1T7SNZEmDF47GjreLtF0QDjBSsm8MisF3wTeRevzBIkuaDDUp_HpmzSJ6JMkGGO6SI/s1600/20160428_125645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAfheyMchb4R3UtIAbnO37MzcTUeDT7p4smMZpIQozDX5_fAApzU9tkjX3k23qsTHrMPZAEOTq1T7SNZEmDF47GjreLtF0QDjBSsm8MisF3wTeRevzBIkuaDDUp_HpmzSJ6JMkGGO6SI/s320/20160428_125645.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So, this year I said I would <u>never</u> get more chicks, only feathered-out pullets. Then, I found a breed that I could only get in chick-form. <br />
<br />
<br />
Background: We have a coop that isn't working for us in the side yard, was used only temporarily while building big coop/run. It is a "mobile" chicken tractor type coop. We have been trying to sell it to someone who has a big enough yard to accommodate moving it with the large footprint (8x5 ft). We have too many gates. <br />
<br />
<br />
I can't stand parting with it for 200.00, as we paid twice that. But, no takers on CL. It has a rather small upper deck nesting/coop area that is super easy to clean out, but...not too roomy for roosting. <br />
<br />
<br />
Thus: we decided to get bantam hens & roo. Now, the lady at the feed store was kinda....skeptical ....about the ability of a bantam to fill a fridge with eggs. However, we are taking a stab at it. They lay from 4-5 eggs/week per hen, that are 1/2-2/3 the size of "normal" eggs. "Normal" eggs have a big variation in size, depending on breed and age of hens. <br />
<br />
<br />
The Chicken Math: But, you can fit more bantams into tight spaces. They are good for backyard & urban settings, and have a tender meat that is larger than a quail when through laying. We figure at 4 ft/bird outdoor space....we can fit 10 of them into our little coop. IF they were all hens, laying 4-5 eggs/week, that are 1/2 the size of normal eggs, then our little hens would lay the equivalent of 20-25 "normal" eggs per week. That's a lot of eggs!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_z9EqBS4UG8vK2Q9nHFlKpTDWCjBKZxpDorQZOJ7t_AhpE73sHNAWaiCqXPIXW4QRFwCQAkKxKFeEwv2fEeB-C-iFLq2pFL3SJuUHZe3wnNIFLIgNB8ZD9X5K4IFWgUjecnidu6ULn0/s1600/darkbrahma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_z9EqBS4UG8vK2Q9nHFlKpTDWCjBKZxpDorQZOJ7t_AhpE73sHNAWaiCqXPIXW4QRFwCQAkKxKFeEwv2fEeB-C-iFLq2pFL3SJuUHZe3wnNIFLIgNB8ZD9X5K4IFWgUjecnidu6ULn0/s320/darkbrahma.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark Brahma Bantam roo, hen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBolgrqsUAsI0eKPxiXJNi5NHu-Da4ZeZXWTPFFVylyKH3CFXivERovag9eAnOt74Fa_CaacsiGzBDkBk3QicI8BnYLqWm5nUE_jlfCsxhpMhQbZVNyZFqaeZI68AQHe2eUJ6HOTFtZQ/s1600/goldlacedcochinhen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBolgrqsUAsI0eKPxiXJNi5NHu-Da4ZeZXWTPFFVylyKH3CFXivERovag9eAnOt74Fa_CaacsiGzBDkBk3QicI8BnYLqWm5nUE_jlfCsxhpMhQbZVNyZFqaeZI68AQHe2eUJ6HOTFtZQ/s320/goldlacedcochinhen.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold Laced Cochin Bantam, hen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJzrO7DkTc4vvicWl_EZ9BGirwevLl2_r3Ao9UOGjCDpBUj4yMsAjy2HBc7lC0Bd8FcCOoGPAm9g-8w7vpltas2lBHRtAPOhBQ9qoiEl_uyNxY05l5joIRNGvfdzXV4aqXgpDMSc-bEM/s1600/goldlacedcochinroo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJzrO7DkTc4vvicWl_EZ9BGirwevLl2_r3Ao9UOGjCDpBUj4yMsAjy2HBc7lC0Bd8FcCOoGPAm9g-8w7vpltas2lBHRtAPOhBQ9qoiEl_uyNxY05l5joIRNGvfdzXV4aqXgpDMSc-bEM/s320/goldlacedcochinroo.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold Laced Cochin Bantam, roo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgozksyb6bG9d2yNN9-2ibg-Lh8WddXaFufZUPIWu9KiVwACnXou-iDxUJj0pgf7iXMjor8ev7VOhunrW8tRSmFBNDJX8ceLsUKaH2uYkq8tHtXRfZmFgAolBc04SIqSs8wITIppzCmkM/s1600/partridge_cochin_bantam_hen_1_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgozksyb6bG9d2yNN9-2ibg-Lh8WddXaFufZUPIWu9KiVwACnXou-iDxUJj0pgf7iXMjor8ev7VOhunrW8tRSmFBNDJX8ceLsUKaH2uYkq8tHtXRfZmFgAolBc04SIqSs8wITIppzCmkM/s1600/partridge_cochin_bantam_hen_1_.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Partridge Cochin Bantam, hen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoIwv5dy3OV0CsF2PVyMOQrgmMSdGHzSpA6xfghXqfH776NwdWjM0AjBjXHOZbOOc5Vg-ErnBS04IubZeoGpjKUFLW01qFciokwunBE86JraHBl1R25N8FRA97r5olX7W3JMO_e66qag/s1600/partridgecochinroo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoIwv5dy3OV0CsF2PVyMOQrgmMSdGHzSpA6xfghXqfH776NwdWjM0AjBjXHOZbOOc5Vg-ErnBS04IubZeoGpjKUFLW01qFciokwunBE86JraHBl1R25N8FRA97r5olX7W3JMO_e66qag/s1600/partridgecochinroo.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Partridge Cochin Bantam, roo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We can also potentially sell chicks for show/pet/livestock. We ordered some pretty boutique-ish hens, with flashy feathers ^^^ . The Dark Brahma Bantams are not as broody as the Cochins/Pekins, and the Cochins will brood all eggs for us & raise chicks. <br />
<br />
<br />
Modifications: Our little coop will require a larger roost/coop part, which we will build onto the back, as well as needing one side roofed in, and a large box/raised bed garden on the bottom. That a way, we can do the deep-litter method that is working so well for us in the larger coop. <br />
<br />
<br />
And I have to brood the damn chicks. Grrrr.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-74920744164056356532016-04-12T10:20:00.003-07:002016-04-12T10:20:44.420-07:00West Coast Classic show results!We attended the HUGE West Coast Classic show this weekend. And, I swear I will never do all three days again. Whew! It was exhausting for people AND rabbits. I think in the future one day is enough. I suffer from crowd exhaustion myself, and get pretty snippy at times. The rabbits were all pretty crabby and stressed on day three.<br />
<br /><br />
In terms of goods and booths, it was fun to see the angora booth, with yarn and angora spinners (kicking myself for not getting a photo). Picked up two great books about spinning and caring for Angoras (future post). Evan also bought polymer clay french angoras, and a cage. We are thinking of making these ourselves. We picked up some awesome handmade felted soaps and felted bunnies from Black Diamond Rabbitry. We got to hand out our new business cards.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
We sold our sweet bunny, Oyster, to Kelly and Christine from Southern California. We sold Coal and Cinder to Elodie, an amazing mom, spinner, and farmer from the Sacramento area. Sad to see them go, but to great homes! We now are lacking in rabbits to sell...thus...upcoming breeding. <br />
<br /><br />
<br />
We registered Winchester and Pumpkin with ARBA. Winchester won his third leg, this time as a senior, and he will be a Grand Champion now! Hot Cocoa got two legs, and did well competing against adult long-time breeders in the Angora Specialty Open (consistently came in second). We were surprised by Hot Cocoa, as she has consistently been judged second or third to her litter mates at previous shows. Oyster won his first leg for his new owners! And Baked Potato won first place, almost got a leg, but lost out to dad, Winchester. Both Winchester and Hot Cocoa were purchased from Black Diamond Rabbitry. Oyster and Baked Potato are our rabbits, bred from their stock. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FW7qN4E5_d0S1-lbquDOmn2M8VV__5_XFa7BO3d_UntpiWi3lgFnBhOFOzqpgAxaXhY-IZoMSvYW9bewJQcU6BcZs5mEdqeWRLX-eSirkmctspSYeAMT3c0IWS7a2GZCLA3C8a7iCc4/s1600/20160409_144956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FW7qN4E5_d0S1-lbquDOmn2M8VV__5_XFa7BO3d_UntpiWi3lgFnBhOFOzqpgAxaXhY-IZoMSvYW9bewJQcU6BcZs5mEdqeWRLX-eSirkmctspSYeAMT3c0IWS7a2GZCLA3C8a7iCc4/s400/20160409_144956.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baked Potato and Black Diamond's Spook being judged</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWQP3McHt4sbQ0nh15NT6xs6i5Vln_VoeYP2uW-8T-1pAiY6O_h-H4UZRdq7krbswV2C-zQO982gc9Or6ajxUCBRUyuKl4U3yxgScaUICOuv-4cyDu7330ylAdxpIO-zK53Yfh2-N0xg/s1600/20160409_145750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWQP3McHt4sbQ0nh15NT6xs6i5Vln_VoeYP2uW-8T-1pAiY6O_h-H4UZRdq7krbswV2C-zQO982gc9Or6ajxUCBRUyuKl4U3yxgScaUICOuv-4cyDu7330ylAdxpIO-zK53Yfh2-N0xg/s400/20160409_145750.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Cocoa and Black Diamond's Heather being judged on shoulder width</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaJNuPFe04StN__gwOnXb3V-IUwApPPoZEvjXaB7bTUPPV_3vD6K7GQ38QPRJIQU_adY4cRLlgoBdSYiMpKNNx4C_CEX0XpGfIDpsDddpbCHVOCH2MTPLi5R_87vLpagy01u8Bux2HZ8/s1600/20160409_145559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWaJNuPFe04StN__gwOnXb3V-IUwApPPoZEvjXaB7bTUPPV_3vD6K7GQ38QPRJIQU_adY4cRLlgoBdSYiMpKNNx4C_CEX0XpGfIDpsDddpbCHVOCH2MTPLi5R_87vLpagy01u8Bux2HZ8/s400/20160409_145559.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin (with a very short wool coat) being judged. She is not "in coat" yet.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We mainly lost some points due to the softness of our baby coats on our juniors, although it cannot be said that we did poorly at these shows by any means. Our juniors are not yet balanced out with lots of guard hairs, and some have very few to no guard hairs. I don't find this to be a problem, Winchester has always been cottony, and will soon blow his first coat and start to grow "real" wool, which will be exciting to see. His kits still have two months left competing as juniors to balance out more. Since Winchester is already a Grand Champion, I don't think their future is dim by any means. They take time to grow into real true adult wool coats. The dam of our juniors is well balanced with plenty of guard hairs. Pumpkin, who is just about a year old, is just starting to grow in her first ever adult coat. It just takes awhile. I am excited to see how the remaining juniors grow!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7m1CfdiypnWr0ov2kwSRrbyzgL-qYGYza1TI9MX_F9wZwXNzhti-tmKqtuLDx7aYGoQXOPbqxK3M7AZS9jpoSUvDV_OTzGRWk0U4xpYDKY9ZozL11N23EYb5kRlyPbbY45INj8gqCUx4/s1600/20160411_083024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7m1CfdiypnWr0ov2kwSRrbyzgL-qYGYza1TI9MX_F9wZwXNzhti-tmKqtuLDx7aYGoQXOPbqxK3M7AZS9jpoSUvDV_OTzGRWk0U4xpYDKY9ZozL11N23EYb5kRlyPbbY45INj8gqCUx4/s400/20160411_083024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oyster's show comment card went home with his new Mamas. Baked Potato's not pictured yet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-69143254913834110292016-03-31T17:30:00.003-07:002016-03-31T17:30:48.123-07:00Our next show: West Coast Classic April 8-10th, 2016 in Reno, Nevada AND Feeding Angoras in Spring<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3a7Qi7nv7SpKtDgS4D1jHEvH7yThWQGr3B7fQYXrCWcp-FUT2jaoJftZiBw8lwdINLhSlNWUJVP-rDOPVdnIKdhCAd1lbUX-xnXu7O87P059NWZaTqOOehfBYWSyzvCHK9coYcygy9I/s1600/20151221_141227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3a7Qi7nv7SpKtDgS4D1jHEvH7yThWQGr3B7fQYXrCWcp-FUT2jaoJftZiBw8lwdINLhSlNWUJVP-rDOPVdnIKdhCAd1lbUX-xnXu7O87P059NWZaTqOOehfBYWSyzvCHK9coYcygy9I/s1600/20151221_141227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3a7Qi7nv7SpKtDgS4D1jHEvH7yThWQGr3B7fQYXrCWcp-FUT2jaoJftZiBw8lwdINLhSlNWUJVP-rDOPVdnIKdhCAd1lbUX-xnXu7O87P059NWZaTqOOehfBYWSyzvCHK9coYcygy9I/s1600/20151221_141227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3a7Qi7nv7SpKtDgS4D1jHEvH7yThWQGr3B7fQYXrCWcp-FUT2jaoJftZiBw8lwdINLhSlNWUJVP-rDOPVdnIKdhCAd1lbUX-xnXu7O87P059NWZaTqOOehfBYWSyzvCHK9coYcygy9I/s400/20151221_141227.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><strong>We are going to the West Coast Classic April 8-10th</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We are going to bring four junior bucks, one junior doe, and one senior buck. Two junior bucks are FOR SALE.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pudge will be on-site, but is not entered into competition, as he is not a show buck, but rather a fiber buck, despite his excellent body and wool! He is there to promote his upcoming litter, in which we expect and hope for all very light-colored fiber bunnies (almost pure white). Pudge has one leg, despite his being a DQ for incorrect color. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We plan to bide the time during the long weekend talking to people about ANGORAS, visiting the Northwest Angora Rabbit Association booth (angora fiber contest, garment contest, spinning demos), and spinning on our travelling spinning wheel! Not to mention that we are entered in 4 different shows, and Evan will do showmanship.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Whew!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple;"><strong>An update on FEEDING your bunnies & chickens in Spring, Summer, and Fall:</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We feed the outdoor birds. We love to do so, as they are a very natural method of pest-control in our yard. They also bring beauty and song into your backyard, and are interesting in all seasons. We have 25 regular species that visit our yard in the Winter. The number decreases by the Summer, as some birds move up elevation back into the Sierras. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The natural by-product of feeding the birds is sunflower sprouts under the bird feeders. These used to be pesky little problems to me, and got quite thick. You can do several things with them, however! The first is to eat them yourself. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0eZ9zTc6v2CnLfaqO-dfKCGIq6OQWl6CLhh88QKToA45gjr_0sKuV6pgp6fqz2MAbUkO7CFx8BGOsBEyHXIWWwgxE_pxWgGlbgFqds3qQV1hCed_ESciiyo6cFibt3_5kGpC-JigjA0/s1600/20160330_170246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0eZ9zTc6v2CnLfaqO-dfKCGIq6OQWl6CLhh88QKToA45gjr_0sKuV6pgp6fqz2MAbUkO7CFx8BGOsBEyHXIWWwgxE_pxWgGlbgFqds3qQV1hCed_ESciiyo6cFibt3_5kGpC-JigjA0/s400/20160330_170246.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organic sunflower sprouts under our bird feeders. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The second is to let the chickens root around under the feeders when free-ranging. And indeed, they will do this themselves without encouragement. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The third, is to pluck the sprouts and feed them to your bunnies. Sunflower seeds are on the list of foods ARBA recommends to "show condition" a rabbit up to two weeks before a show, for coat condition & flesh condition. It contains natural oils. Our little sprouts contain pieces of sunflower seed & shells, as well as the yummy sprouts. They also contain soil microbes and flora, which rabbits are supposed to get in the wild. Just pluck them and knock off most of the dirt. I feed now that they are growing nicely in good healthy clumps. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAOyouU3s0jHxfNiKHZ9oTxfQooEImnqwA5ClwWwj1egpYTeahZYe5MihF2J-yTL9wPMl9dIVdLNdeJl4-fm5SmCqnY2HiapNV551CcYKxVILkLl0zlRJ-imzeuQ5kv65WGhE9nE-i18/s1600/20160330_170257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAOyouU3s0jHxfNiKHZ9oTxfQooEImnqwA5ClwWwj1egpYTeahZYe5MihF2J-yTL9wPMl9dIVdLNdeJl4-fm5SmCqnY2HiapNV551CcYKxVILkLl0zlRJ-imzeuQ5kv65WGhE9nE-i18/s400/20160330_170257.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clump of sunflower sprouts, leftover seeds, a little soil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9F-PQcPo-eFqMGSE-1F6Ytdmscj8a0M5F8qehin6_glBVCAGr6ZQqoG7qFDxRvAswtvHLuY9EG6NtCgzZy2dyGlhiCsKXsBywIhIdmC2L3dBcqKV6QmYR0OuzLCj8ZPyUV8s0cvYUZlQ/s1600/20160330_170311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9F-PQcPo-eFqMGSE-1F6Ytdmscj8a0M5F8qehin6_glBVCAGr6ZQqoG7qFDxRvAswtvHLuY9EG6NtCgzZy2dyGlhiCsKXsBywIhIdmC2L3dBcqKV6QmYR0OuzLCj8ZPyUV8s0cvYUZlQ/s400/20160330_170311.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum! Says Pudge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3a7Qi7nv7SpKtDgS4D1jHEvH7yThWQGr3B7fQYXrCWcp-FUT2jaoJftZiBw8lwdINLhSlNWUJVP-rDOPVdnIKdhCAd1lbUX-xnXu7O87P059NWZaTqOOehfBYWSyzvCHK9coYcygy9I/s1600/20151221_141227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-15287964476817255392016-03-23T12:31:00.003-07:002016-03-23T12:31:52.005-07:00Planned Breedings & West Coast Classic UpdateOur next breeding will take place THIS weekend.<br />
<br /><br />
First off, we are going to breed Pudge <em>back</em> to Blueberry. We will have rabbits then to spin from. We wanted more white-ish rabbits, as they went <em>fast</em> to spinners. Also, I want a couple more white rabbits to keep for myself, to make sure I have plenty of wool to spin from. We also want white-ish rabbits WITHOUT red eyes (kinda creepy to some people). Pudge and Blueberry should make just about all white-ish smoke-pearl chin rabbits. And maybe some does this time, that would be nice. Pudge also has a very nice body & wool, which will be great for breeding and spinning. He will definitely add quality, along with Blue, of course, to this litter.<br />
<br /><br />
Winchester and Pumpkin will breed for the first time together, and Pumpkin will kindle for the first time. They should make nice agouti rabbits, as the parents both have very nice bodies and dense wool. I like the prospect myself of having interesting agouti colors to spin from, without having to dye the wool. I have been looking into adding in very small bits of flashy material to my agouti wool, to make it really {POP}. I like the wool rings. These will be show, pet, and fiber bunnies.<br />
<br /><br />
We are going to West Coast Classic show in Reno on April 8-10th. Just about everyone I have left is going to the show, if I can manage to get them there (short on travel cages). At the show, I will be on the lookout for a "self" buck or doe to purchase. It seems I have a lot of agouti. Some, would prefer selfs for spinning and show. Want to have something for everyone. <br />
<br /><br />
The Northwest Angora Association (which we just joined) will also have a booth, and be hosting the fiber event at the West Coast Classic. I am super excited to see what others have been spinning with their angora! I also want to talk to more spinners about blending angora, and spinning techniques. They will also have demos. Can't wait! <br />
<br /><br />
I have seen people spinning directly from angoras on videos, and I wonder if anyone will demo that technique. Although, I have enough problems learning to spin without also holding a rabbit on my lap. Pudge, however, would be perfect for that, as he is VERY calm, almost to be point where you wonder if he is "okay" at times. He has been hauled around since birth by the kids, and it shows. <br />
<br /><br />
It will also be time to register Pumpkin, Blue, and Winchester with ARBA. All are "at weight" and "of age."Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-87807953314314610472016-03-23T11:51:00.001-07:002016-03-23T11:51:11.209-07:00Pictures of our Rabbits, updated<div style="border-image: none;">
I realized that I haven't posted recent pictures of our rabbits. All the adults have just shed in January, hence them looking not-as-fluffy. Winchester, as I think I mentioned, I harvested wool from prematurely. Thus, he has longer wool & lots of guard hairs still, but hasn't actually shed his first coat. Oops. We are missing Coal, Baked Potato, and Pudge from the line-up. Will update tomorrow. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkW1li-7sJF6_Zr3b4hqatzKM4brktUlOqU0wbPpKEuxqQ-aNWGio6QXQCam_OHD4YOsVH6gLGkUSbyIZOJIPga2QUqprcxrByuxhm9SA1Jgu2rQIKqKIcZS4phHmDMFCEctqCQNB-XWI/s1600/20160318_104643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkW1li-7sJF6_Zr3b4hqatzKM4brktUlOqU0wbPpKEuxqQ-aNWGio6QXQCam_OHD4YOsVH6gLGkUSbyIZOJIPga2QUqprcxrByuxhm9SA1Jgu2rQIKqKIcZS4phHmDMFCEctqCQNB-XWI/s320/20160318_104643.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Diamond's Pumpkin, Senior Doe, Fawn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOLywfMdFKJOmBgxzGkLsezLAB4W_DSjqhmJRpk6-1-FIq2Cs851TnKxZOcCDCLrBdoQmrqI9J81PnT5dk70z2ziwOeZ8nYrm-TII8lpjs_YgpDk6kKgbtrExi8ZIAkoaXHcjlqbe4dw/s1600/20160318_104940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOLywfMdFKJOmBgxzGkLsezLAB4W_DSjqhmJRpk6-1-FIq2Cs851TnKxZOcCDCLrBdoQmrqI9J81PnT5dk70z2ziwOeZ8nYrm-TII8lpjs_YgpDk6kKgbtrExi8ZIAkoaXHcjlqbe4dw/s320/20160318_104940.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-image: none;">
Plum Crazy's Blue(berry), Senior Doe, Smoke Pearl</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDexgIMXFxQfo9aHr_JAwzaIGhkGWEU5sKKUBAz7mTbrqODR7At8d4g3mDc-IxKdfhzzcdNcL9_jLOZ2_Um1kXekAuvWKrvIQMO0h84ylBcaX975GSIXyrE4x3q6allr_255MpUI8kCE/s1600/20160318_105106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDexgIMXFxQfo9aHr_JAwzaIGhkGWEU5sKKUBAz7mTbrqODR7At8d4g3mDc-IxKdfhzzcdNcL9_jLOZ2_Um1kXekAuvWKrvIQMO0h84ylBcaX975GSIXyrE4x3q6allr_255MpUI8kCE/s320/20160318_105106.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Diamond's Winchester, Senior Buck, Blue Steel/Self Blue<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBN_mvVNrA-Uf9Kp8cFs1iPWyeZ9_A6yzL0EcB-tUB6BLLUppSPkXOdUUTzOiwQ_QEk0SXuACc6uQXeY3y75m3qNCd0WrNBShkstBe5u-F3eIMRrpSVC9_dYpGZFpPWqC4miMzxB7o9b4/s1600/20160318_103526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBN_mvVNrA-Uf9Kp8cFs1iPWyeZ9_A6yzL0EcB-tUB6BLLUppSPkXOdUUTzOiwQ_QEk0SXuACc6uQXeY3y75m3qNCd0WrNBShkstBe5u-F3eIMRrpSVC9_dYpGZFpPWqC4miMzxB7o9b4/s320/20160318_103526.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Diamond's Hot Cocoa, Junior Doe, chocolate (carrying agouti)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5j0JuFV7U6X8kMkDf_Vf6mDYcYg8daP_qavuWaIIalMC4Ax_lh2zrVovAGHkTFeSLkVqlexkS-zZwT0qlIN-JmVMAEnnhFw48LHQIWGydcKykz6sNQ1jW1nLJljv9EkMNatsiCBDqYE/s1600/20160318_104419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5j0JuFV7U6X8kMkDf_Vf6mDYcYg8daP_qavuWaIIalMC4Ax_lh2zrVovAGHkTFeSLkVqlexkS-zZwT0qlIN-JmVMAEnnhFw48LHQIWGydcKykz6sNQ1jW1nLJljv9EkMNatsiCBDqYE/s320/20160318_104419.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ENS' Oyster, Junior Buck, Lilac Steel - bad picture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeH9e9ywHf3dst3HWV9kD-xTin1BqpFw8HKKJQSNUWNWmjdjuwPshmJTmdBXvnBaX-ERtFkpIESkvBlh0QJizpmTIlRjfWYvXeqZF0L2mTsM9WHaASs8uVxJm7TSleQr31OrB-QtK9ps/s1600/20160318_103709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeH9e9ywHf3dst3HWV9kD-xTin1BqpFw8HKKJQSNUWNWmjdjuwPshmJTmdBXvnBaX-ERtFkpIESkvBlh0QJizpmTIlRjfWYvXeqZF0L2mTsM9WHaASs8uVxJm7TSleQr31OrB-QtK9ps/s320/20160318_103709.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ENS Cinder, Junior Doe, Self Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-10538169232108564802016-03-23T11:43:00.002-07:002016-03-23T11:43:20.739-07:00Our New "Baby"This weekend I got to meet and take home my new baby, this cute little spinning wheel! Yes, I am in <span style="color: red;">LOVE</span>....<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOefZASR06flByZp7EeHUtLhBUGZoU6LjaPNmdC1Wjgm5shCD61qrZ3AEWeXZ9L_fzupQ7WACLKCodIW8FgVR3tZ4QXOfnp_rBADRJpiZ9Jd9QW9AQsW-G5rF_I8hVeRZlcgRiqWAqOU/s1600/20160322_075615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOefZASR06flByZp7EeHUtLhBUGZoU6LjaPNmdC1Wjgm5shCD61qrZ3AEWeXZ9L_fzupQ7WACLKCodIW8FgVR3tZ4QXOfnp_rBADRJpiZ9Jd9QW9AQsW-G5rF_I8hVeRZlcgRiqWAqOU/s400/20160322_075615.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashford Traveller spinning wheel. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is an Ashford Traveller, single drive, and it spins very well. It is almost meditative, as my brain could use a little, um, slowing-down, let's just say. I have to constantly remind myself that my foot needs to SLOW down so my hands can catch up. It is very mindful, but also relaxing. <br />
<br /><br />
We purchased the wheel from Salli in Calpine, who lovingly taught me to begin to spin, and inspired me with the amount of beautiful yarns and weavings she produces. She is just amazing! She also pulled out a baby loom for Evan to learn on while I spun. He loved to weave! He wants his OWN loom now, that is after he learns to spin, he says. He liked weaving much better than the needle felting we tried. <br />
<br /><br />
Can I tell you what a joy it is to go from raw wool (from either a sheep, or a llama, or a French Angora rabbit)....to having some yarn to make a garment or blanket? I feel so proud. We fed, loved, and took care of these rabbits. They in turn supplied fun & happiness, and...WOOL! Then we harvested their wool, then spun it into yarn. Wow. I am in awe of how amazing it feels to produce something. That's it, I am hooked!<br />
<br /><br />
So far I have spun wool from a sheep and tried a little of our angora. I am going to try some alpaca from local suri llamas as soon as my machine oil gets here from Oregon (see earlier post on processing alpaca - whew, makes me glad our angoras are so clean to spin from). I put in an internet order for extra bobbins, hand carders, ball winder, machine oil, & wool dye from Pacific Wool & Fiber. <br />
<br /><br />
Here are my first four test skeins that I made from "bumps" of sheep wool roving. I hand-drafted the roving first, so I would be able to learn about long draw & short draw, learn where my left hand goes and what its job is, and the right hand, and learn to SLOW my foot down! All at the same time. Sounds complicated, but it's really therapeutic and rewarding. I feel pretty accomplished. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCeZzgM09igAbvqxqMgXEdV_ivJv0rs3otdC4zopDRJlEniF7GMKH7EX-VEznA9POPoQ9Aku3pUtadtuTPZ8Wuu7oD7DZfstJ3t2i8qDe_uOYdgDztefYt8AEyEw2u5mJw5bWsPURYy0/s1600/20160321_193253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCeZzgM09igAbvqxqMgXEdV_ivJv0rs3otdC4zopDRJlEniF7GMKH7EX-VEznA9POPoQ9Aku3pUtadtuTPZ8Wuu7oD7DZfstJ3t2i8qDe_uOYdgDztefYt8AEyEw2u5mJw5bWsPURYy0/s400/20160321_193253.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The earliest & first skein is on the right, latest skein on the left. I'm getting better....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReXbXP7fHwEJmOHDDfCT6U5R0v2EcbAwrSMddtdU8ZB0VN2Xn7OCskan_2vGFEkn-ZMsPPx42k1gaoXR1afI87YnFHORO9AGcrW8EzF45A3dE3ZEKNdSVPtWSO95RNFzdAl7x8keFiL0/s1600/20160322_075643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReXbXP7fHwEJmOHDDfCT6U5R0v2EcbAwrSMddtdU8ZB0VN2Xn7OCskan_2vGFEkn-ZMsPPx42k1gaoXR1afI87YnFHORO9AGcrW8EzF45A3dE3ZEKNdSVPtWSO95RNFzdAl7x8keFiL0/s320/20160322_075643.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of last skein. Very "homespun" looking, but will crochet up nice I think. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-72878790116893248422016-03-15T12:10:00.002-07:002016-03-23T11:18:11.636-07:00The Hazard of Showing Rabbits....and How I Became an EntomologistI think we have gone to one too many rabbit shows. A little critter jumped off of someone's rabbit, onto my rabbit, during the judging process I assume. They are all shoved up against one another there, and wool mites jump ship, as I understand it. Sigh. Thus, we discovered we have wool mites.<br />
<br />
We had originally decided to treat with Ivermectin paste, available at the Feed Store, every week for 2-3 weeks. However, after reading several articles on veterinary science websites, we found that this may not be the best course of action. Our basis for discontinuing with the paste treatment is due in part to an article studying the efficacy of treatment of cheyletiellosis (the so-called "walking dandruff" mite) using Ivermectin injections vs. Ivermectin paste vs. Selamectin on-spot applicators (a liquid placed on skin), in rabbits (<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2235873/">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2235873/</a>). This study found that the oral Ivermectin paste may not absorb as well in rabbits, or the dose orally was too small, as rabbits taking Ivermectin injectable once and continuing with Ivermectin paste had a higher rate of re-infection, or a lack of remission (i.e. if it was cured, it wasn't cured for long!). The article found that Selectin on-spot and Ivermectin injectables dosed at a rate of 200-476mcg/kg weight every 11 days, 2-3 times, had a much better remission rate and weren't as prone to re-infection with mites (rate of 81.8%). <br />
<br />
Thus, we will be purchasing some swine & cattle Ivermectin 1% injectable at Green's Feed tomorrow for follow-up dosing, as opposed to the paste we treated with first. <br />
<br />
Many articles have been written about what dosage 200-476mcg/kg looks like (or 0.2-0.476mg/kg; example: <a href="https://angorarabbit.com/hutch/articles.php?article_id=17">https://angorarabbit.com/hutch/articles.php?article_id=17</a>). Some authors recommend up to 600mcg or 0.6mg (<a href="http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00Chem/ChComplex/Ivermectin.htm">http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00Chem/ChComplex/Ivermectin.htm</a> ; see lagomorphs section references). It is basically this: for a given 5 lb baby angora rabbit, at the dose of 0.2mg/kg weight, you give 0.05 ml/cc twice at 10-14 day intervals.<br />
If you prefer a dose closer to the median dosage range, you would give about 0.075ml/cc at the same dosing schedule. <br />
If you have larger rabbits, you dose slightly higher, at about 0.1ml/cc, which is the dose I will give to my adult angoras. The vet also suggests isolating those rabbits that went to shows for 48 hours before returning to the general population, as well as giving one dose of ivermectin upon return during the isolation period. You should also consider dosing cats and dogs, but NOT with the feed store Ivermectin. Cats need Selemectin on-spot applicators (vet) and dogs can get away with HeartGuard. <br />
<br />
The life cycle of a mite is carried out on a host: egg to adult, no flying. Mites typically live out their life cycle on one type of host, and cannot survive without a host. Mites are also specific to a host; indeed, most live on just one type of animal, or prefer to. It is unlikely that they will survive on carpets, housing, etc. without dying, in that if the host is treated and skin is toxic to mites, they have nowhere else to host on, and die. They die pretty quickly off a host, as the host is the source of both water (blood) and food. You treat pets for 21-24 days, so that any eggs that were laid by the dead adults can hatch and eat the poison as well, thus ending the cycle. We know about mites, as we hosted several foster cats & kittens from the Humane Society, that then turned around and gave one of our cats mites once. It was so much fun.<br />
<br />
Aren't bugs fascinating? I have to admit these ones make me squirm a little, though. I am a bug-person and enjoy looking at and studying bugs. Yes, I actually catch and release spiders from our house, back into the wild. No, I don't find them creepy at all. Yes, I am weird. I guess.<br />
<br />
We will be treating the cat, after speaking to our vet, he said one type of wool mite can travel onto cats, although it isn't likely. It's so much fun giving a cat medicine. Yay, me! Bloody arms, here we come.<br />
<br />
Even with a very clean and efficient set up, taking rabbits to a show <i>can</i> lead to disease (snuffles) & mites. It is a chance we take, as our son likes to do 4-H and Angoras are his project. <strong>Our rabbits are currently NOT for sale, as we are holding them for treatment. They will be available in THREE weeks for pickup, when they are mite-free, or by West Coast Classic time (thank goodness!). </strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Links to a very clearly written articles on treating mites: <br />
<a href="https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs1183/">https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/fs1183/</a><br />
<strong><br /></strong>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-62896268451567790402016-03-14T20:08:00.000-07:002016-03-15T10:42:06.196-07:00What the little black plastic trays from the plant store are REALLY for...We were so impressed by the little felted bunnies, felted soaps, and spun angora that our friends at Black Diamond Rabbitry are making that Evan and I decided to pick up some free alpaca fiber (raw & unprocessed) and try our hand at felted animals. We chose bags of brown, tan, cream, salt n peppa grey, and black. We - or rather I - chose a few too many bags, sensing a deal. We saw some very cute llamas.<br />
<br /><br />
If, for example, you are not into knowing just how much work processing raw alpaca is, you may skip to the end. What follows are a few paragraphs detailing the amount of work it takes to process raw fiber. You may, or may not be interested in that. You may, on the other hand, wonder how I <em>find the time</em> with a toddler and a nine year old, to do this much work. We are both wondering the same thing, then. Good that we are on the same page.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
First things first. Rebag the alpaca to store until I can use it, to avoid wool moths. I may or may not bake it at 140 degrees to make double sure I don't have any moths in my alpaca. I saw some moths at the farm I got it from inside one bag. I must make sure that they do not get into my angora fiber, if I have some. <br />
<br /><br />
<br />
Then, for felted animals I have to wash the wool (chose a few colors, small amounts to start): soak in very hot water in blue Dawn (it's not just for cloth diapers and saving wildlife) or euchlan (organic wool wash). Soak without agitating, in a lingere bag for 30 minutes. Lightly squeeze out, drain and repeat until water is mostly clear after soaking for 5 minutes or so. Squeeze out by rolling in a towel or run through thr spin cycle in bag. Then dry on racks in sun.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsXN9Kmray_HRnsh_LogzEU1sW-h-dBJEKmcxgBICm4eYDaSQr2bdmV9udkp2NoTSjeg8hKU3P5RP5JgL00BGm3JzzRmoecl0R0igo9lNQv6IWqKXzyObYxn5850vTHHrRWF7eX6-nNs/s1600/20160314_174828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsXN9Kmray_HRnsh_LogzEU1sW-h-dBJEKmcxgBICm4eYDaSQr2bdmV9udkp2NoTSjeg8hKU3P5RP5JgL00BGm3JzzRmoecl0R0igo9lNQv6IWqKXzyObYxn5850vTHHrRWF7eX6-nNs/s320/20160314_174828.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The creamy white is particularly dirty. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_W8LmSxgAy4ZPmuGvV0nXI7QDj_m_e93xBFPTWCUVcAEisqBHzvJfq3yJLbclvdTSEtnAkCdInZKEiweSwUGbsVX8S019OmtSMiQDesBV_B1ZIwx4OJzslsAL4hvcT2Or-yA_AzBuE4I/s1600/20160314_174835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_W8LmSxgAy4ZPmuGvV0nXI7QDj_m_e93xBFPTWCUVcAEisqBHzvJfq3yJLbclvdTSEtnAkCdInZKEiweSwUGbsVX8S019OmtSMiQDesBV_B1ZIwx4OJzslsAL4hvcT2Or-yA_AzBuE4I/s320/20160314_174835.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raw black alpaca, prewash, presoak. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So here is the <em>reality</em>, because mama didn't have any lingerie bags, or a drying rack. Time to repurpose and upcycle. I soaked in euchlan, grabbed the wool out of the extra hot water with a spaghetti ladle. Drained in the other side of the sink. Wrapped in towel to dry, squoze water out. Laid it out to dry on a metal patio table. Repeated another three times. Ran out of space. Realized I had a plant tray from my relentless & enthusiastic plant buying hobby, turned it over and it made a very nice drying rack. To think I was considering buying a drying rack. Ha!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifow3c4S9sBzzmI6iSsXLtwwwNrScdj-SVJVdZLU1tx2nc2B7qe92SuqeQQSaH-qQbJM-Rbn30Ida7oyKs1fOughCKjjqv86wZ21CT5bQMBHt-bgEz9vGl3KLg6LB_wHei11vH4ueqQ6I/s1600/20160314_174903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifow3c4S9sBzzmI6iSsXLtwwwNrScdj-SVJVdZLU1tx2nc2B7qe92SuqeQQSaH-qQbJM-Rbn30Ida7oyKs1fOughCKjjqv86wZ21CT5bQMBHt-bgEz9vGl3KLg6LB_wHei11vH4ueqQ6I/s320/20160314_174903.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything is easier with chickens, kids, and bunnies in the backyard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMApFiF-Hs01SgwakbLViMLvrQzVED99qhxrNv_CJJpVPgHaosg0pMP76BlOGJIuNllO5iUKUcNxPphR35dh3D8ZuJvlbJxAkppXIdLp1a3DeH9h-PdkxtsZBNw59ebCoXewpIoMIAIdk/s1600/20160314_193948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMApFiF-Hs01SgwakbLViMLvrQzVED99qhxrNv_CJJpVPgHaosg0pMP76BlOGJIuNllO5iUKUcNxPphR35dh3D8ZuJvlbJxAkppXIdLp1a3DeH9h-PdkxtsZBNw59ebCoXewpIoMIAIdk/s320/20160314_193948.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brought in to finish drying for the night. Update in the am: smells very clean. Much more so than I thought it would. Because, oh man, did my kitchen stink for a couple hours. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9tReuELvn9yRNxtb4ouU0KLaOHQWhIQ80Tt_MrbJy79WmfsVp1psljuZhnVbdSW8X_rVZPr6jnAJnTm2regm-2CQFxgTK1w0wnKDfz2kQYMUSoTPMwmbKG1eKeXa-HRyql1AjCxf4Ro/s1600/20160314_193956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9tReuELvn9yRNxtb4ouU0KLaOHQWhIQ80Tt_MrbJy79WmfsVp1psljuZhnVbdSW8X_rVZPr6jnAJnTm2regm-2CQFxgTK1w0wnKDfz2kQYMUSoTPMwmbKG1eKeXa-HRyql1AjCxf4Ro/s320/20160314_193956.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The upside-down plant store black tray makes a perfect drying rack. Perforated so that air flows through for faster drying, stacks for easy storage. Comes with the added bonus, of plants!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
In addition, since I need a few more drying racks, it's time to go plant shopping soon!<br />
<br /><br />
I was bummed out to find that my cream colored alpaca smells like gasoline. I can only guess that it was stored next to some in the shed. May have to throw it all out. Thought it would wash out. Oh well. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-66250087815186084362016-03-13T09:16:00.003-07:002016-03-13T09:20:19.024-07:00Leaders Show, update on Ash (sold)This Saturday we attended the Leaders 4-H Show at the Livestock Events Center in Reno. We met many nice people, and explained a little about our low-maintenance French Angoras, and harvesting wool.<br />
<br />
Our friends from Black Diamond Rabbitry had their spinning wheel with them, and could show people about what spinning from Angora wool looks like, and the finished product. Charlotte also made the most adorable needle-felted bunnies from alpaca, and felted soap covers from angora. They also had several pairs of gloves available for people to see, that they had spun from thier own angoras, with yarn they dyed themselves. I was so impressed! I really need to get spinning now that I have some wool to spin from (Pumpkin finally shed her first coat in January, Blue shed, and I prematurely took 3 oz of wool from Winchester).<br />
<br />
We entered three rabbits in the show, two of which were for sale. Our kit Oyster won First Place, Coal won Second. Winchester (sire) won Best of Breed. I was surprised that he won, as I had prematurely harvested 3 oz of wool from him (oops; rookie mistake). He was looking naked to me, I could even see his tail, but his very nice body put him in the winners circle, if you will. We had only brought him so that my son could do showmanship with him, as I was sure he did not have enough remaining density to do well. Goes to show, you never know what a judge will do. Winchester got a nice cage tag.<br />
<br />
But, in more important news, Evan won First Place in Novice Showmanship! His hard work paid off, and he took home a ribbon and water bottle for his efforts, as well as the pride of accomplishment.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisb0HYjLPYKnQ5PcJRh4pvc82d6ibH3F2MQkOedzP-4q3dasEh5ODLbWLcIgBJycHHRDBnejp9Wnj2Sn58Poh1xJqMzifncqjAkevL6VdBd8aX2sJxQObbIRvc9GMLIjeWhHQ73Xafgxk/s1600/20160312_151248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisb0HYjLPYKnQ5PcJRh4pvc82d6ibH3F2MQkOedzP-4q3dasEh5ODLbWLcIgBJycHHRDBnejp9Wnj2Sn58Poh1xJqMzifncqjAkevL6VdBd8aX2sJxQObbIRvc9GMLIjeWhHQ73Xafgxk/s400/20160312_151248.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We sold our kit, Thumper to a nice woman. She plans to spin from him, further proving that I need to get spinning with my wool, and make some products to show and use. First, I need to purchase wool carders to align my wool, as I stored it in bags, and it is in a big ball now. Rookie mistake two.<br />
<br />
An update on Ash, from Blueberry and Winchesters first litter did very well in his second show this weekend. He won two legs among four entants and 15 rabbits in his class! Way to go Ash!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-35180799072613236492016-02-23T13:57:00.002-08:002016-02-23T13:57:51.926-08:00MRCA Valentine's Show in Plymouth, CA: Feb 13th, 2016We actually travelled 2.5 hours to a rabbit show last weekend. It was fun to get away with my "little" and see the much less crowded area around Sacramento. Plymouth is only 45 minutes away, but feels so much better & is much less hectic.<br />
<br /><br />
<strong>Our Genetics:</strong><br />
All in all, we brought 8 baby rabbits to the show. We needed some more input from other Angora breeders about what color our three agouti-like kits were, and we got that! They are agouti, even though my two parents are not agouti-looking at all, one carries the big A genetically.<br />
<br /><br />
Here is the <strong>Sire Winchester</strong> (not looking agouti at all):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wQv2RZhOLoiPK4LuZ0BlHFWm0MOR2Nj1fTgXxG_WqgA0TblmO69MO4CnsiwvYFsU0aLOSWCYyiXQEjdW5g9ij_n1RPF3PeWMxuJ0BZjIVbDE8OmXcQ5OOkBcQyRBCBjwZRiGNIcKopo/s1600/DSC_0772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wQv2RZhOLoiPK4LuZ0BlHFWm0MOR2Nj1fTgXxG_WqgA0TblmO69MO4CnsiwvYFsU0aLOSWCYyiXQEjdW5g9ij_n1RPF3PeWMxuJ0BZjIVbDE8OmXcQ5OOkBcQyRBCBjwZRiGNIcKopo/s400/DSC_0772.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
No agouti rings in this wool:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvP1_Rt2a0xEHoLVLZaTXhFMYPK50xUT2AWLo-0vkQobBOi9y1lG5cdk7V_oYn5U-uOtBk-fji9Q2BMlrwITmpT_l2dX8SwMPpgh3Et_PlLuX8UDIc_g5V12PyLMr6uRsa-v4z-oPUrA/s1600/DSC_0777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvP1_Rt2a0xEHoLVLZaTXhFMYPK50xUT2AWLo-0vkQobBOi9y1lG5cdk7V_oYn5U-uOtBk-fji9Q2BMlrwITmpT_l2dX8SwMPpgh3Et_PlLuX8UDIc_g5V12PyLMr6uRsa-v4z-oPUrA/s320/DSC_0777.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
No characteristic agouti white parts on ears, face, nose, eyes, etc. :<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHwYqPxcUjZ2iML2xW7GM042aygp1hjKWaWzem0zlz6ZYOz6OkkddgzbWytufo14GwM_kS_dwynMawBKRHrAAIyfeOBBxje_h0CT48qePk0_osYhZ0nWG2I9wLfkPpDgufozqXWLjJJ4/s1600/DSC_0770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHwYqPxcUjZ2iML2xW7GM042aygp1hjKWaWzem0zlz6ZYOz6OkkddgzbWytufo14GwM_kS_dwynMawBKRHrAAIyfeOBBxje_h0CT48qePk0_osYhZ0nWG2I9wLfkPpDgufozqXWLjJJ4/s320/DSC_0770.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><br />
And the <strong>Dam Blueberry</strong> (smoke pearl; not looking agouti either):<br />
No agouti rings in this wool:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LMdHV6sQfBPsRd87hxfeLDTTbxa6bagvfEzyzkmtL-9WUh9SpsgDdP9-jwGAPP_z_G6HmCzxSl7YARYgtvqMf1Qg1kxKhtR162NebZK5gFGfbdh0XOy12G3rcuNEa65QdJd13svdaII/s1600/DSC_0724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LMdHV6sQfBPsRd87hxfeLDTTbxa6bagvfEzyzkmtL-9WUh9SpsgDdP9-jwGAPP_z_G6HmCzxSl7YARYgtvqMf1Qg1kxKhtR162NebZK5gFGfbdh0XOy12G3rcuNEa65QdJd13svdaII/s320/DSC_0724.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
No characteristic white markings of agouti on this face:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9PKE6D2wII7Z_sXKy2iGgwH9tOfZKIUu_oUy5RZg7Ihgne5dZc2NXA6_FplohCgQRZhY_eTBJLq1mZ10vLQOE21IPBGe6iOymUQt846knsJYhszepTwJGp7IztuWTCLhG_gZlRAGc7c/s1600/DSC_0735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9PKE6D2wII7Z_sXKy2iGgwH9tOfZKIUu_oUy5RZg7Ihgne5dZc2NXA6_FplohCgQRZhY_eTBJLq1mZ10vLQOE21IPBGe6iOymUQt846knsJYhszepTwJGp7IztuWTCLhG_gZlRAGc7c/s320/DSC_0735.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
So, which is the agouti? Blueberry has had two other litters, one with an agouti sire, and one I don't have details about. There is no suspicion of agouti with this dam. With Winchester, a junior buck at time of breeding, he has steel in his pedigree. This was his first litter. I suspect him, as opposed to her, to be an agouti. As I have read other posts about "self" colored rabbits being steel rabbits masking agouti genes. <br />
<br /><br />
The two white kits described in earlier posts are smoke pearl chinchilla/agouti, and the "opal" is an opal. Although I would call him more of a lynx in color. <br />
Smoke Pearl Chin: Twinkle (sold in California that weekend)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiusCcKwPyCv6vhdwqHVw4f3zzmknhCDFPEAI8JJT7asGgFIk7FwgU6fqkDTEPr8LEErBwJXYusYE2WlD6fERxq66LwGwobnTTQjWvGJHkCu3NUis7HRbfaRCevrj-8BNup3rzVswghLM/s1600/20160129_161839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiusCcKwPyCv6vhdwqHVw4f3zzmknhCDFPEAI8JJT7asGgFIk7FwgU6fqkDTEPr8LEErBwJXYusYE2WlD6fERxq66LwGwobnTTQjWvGJHkCu3NUis7HRbfaRCevrj-8BNup3rzVswghLM/s320/20160129_161839.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PtKZFJiquxYOmLxzak8OQRX6HPCyEjJC2EIl086K02oLRYais3Mrryhj6Kzd7uM2iBCA8d9srvcAQmQyYf-c40vco44-4AXscg06g6y9obQAhwaa4wnTTubSgCvg0RFgZuJMro_HxSo/s1600/20160129_152548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PtKZFJiquxYOmLxzak8OQRX6HPCyEjJC2EIl086K02oLRYais3Mrryhj6Kzd7uM2iBCA8d9srvcAQmQyYf-c40vco44-4AXscg06g6y9obQAhwaa4wnTTubSgCvg0RFgZuJMro_HxSo/s320/20160129_152548.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Opal or Lynx kit: Baked Potato</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGVKcqtHWrVuYLMl_F_qYGJqwqLzLM7dIPoTYysfkCU4yR1Jj5Z_nN7hDSRHZnGcRLr-0cBUoy4bL2RpDkaQizql9EIlr-tgXGKst_Ud5uQ7VlJKPMG3tJkNqliygR3erazzmCfGqtJ0/s1600/20160129_153352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGVKcqtHWrVuYLMl_F_qYGJqwqLzLM7dIPoTYysfkCU4yR1Jj5Z_nN7hDSRHZnGcRLr-0cBUoy4bL2RpDkaQizql9EIlr-tgXGKst_Ud5uQ7VlJKPMG3tJkNqliygR3erazzmCfGqtJ0/s320/20160129_153352.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYs6fJV5qrGZFZ0Z0-7PPRedGfmy2lhdjqiK-ROXSAqWdc_mikP07oas7jwH6bftFnMygARYssGD1IYQV1lFQwLWqYS01NJykzArFOUdni6UDAeKyylC3Wq2Uc3rOPIJ5-n0M2jtMt5U/s1600/20160129_153332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYs6fJV5qrGZFZ0Z0-7PPRedGfmy2lhdjqiK-ROXSAqWdc_mikP07oas7jwH6bftFnMygARYssGD1IYQV1lFQwLWqYS01NJykzArFOUdni6UDAeKyylC3Wq2Uc3rOPIJ5-n0M2jtMt5U/s320/20160129_153332.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><br />
<strong>Showmanship</strong>:<br />
Evan did showmanship as a novice at the show. We never got the results of how he did however. No awards were given for novice or peewee. We were both disappointed. We study the judge's sheet on showmanship to remember what to learn or do better for the next time. Oh well, on to the 4-H Leader's Show in March, in Reno. Evan did showmanship with Pudge, the other smoke pearl chin from this litter. <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalcXSflArVjbPaRQtxihseAQ2jXfqxBuDnc6R_dAiSPGUrnT6Ak5eMzfYDSgDzSEDuplffqUgIwBQeayQ9ezi1XB2eRm3QP0G2jAz7UHx0ovRpnAc5XWij-wsKVkO-z-4rWQSKID3Ofs/s1600/20160213_120618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalcXSflArVjbPaRQtxihseAQ2jXfqxBuDnc6R_dAiSPGUrnT6Ak5eMzfYDSgDzSEDuplffqUgIwBQeayQ9ezi1XB2eRm3QP0G2jAz7UHx0ovRpnAc5XWij-wsKVkO-z-4rWQSKID3Ofs/s400/20160213_120618.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYGVT1r7QoKTJlUOpSIhsBt3BWzuxk3lAk15WOiEFPJQdo1B0gF3LlI0fj55dpR-KPgUIJ0e16fJseD9epRT3GnJO0vubPR-eAsQ2oRlEgpYxlzX8fSu0F8EO9cYXjDhwMb3MYzJYFEo/s1600/20160213_120404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYGVT1r7QoKTJlUOpSIhsBt3BWzuxk3lAk15WOiEFPJQdo1B0gF3LlI0fj55dpR-KPgUIJ0e16fJseD9epRT3GnJO0vubPR-eAsQ2oRlEgpYxlzX8fSu0F8EO9cYXjDhwMb3MYzJYFEo/s400/20160213_120404.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NO99dc0m9MHOwozA4lxmJ15wqRlHwWpjCC4MK5oe7HIjgisJxBzS6dVcK9-PBYoLyDcNdr_Q1zQ8yjbPnCn5hU1tBsqjOh9eSJvE5NUJcaFIx9eTrjAfGABt52q47BCoeahLyiQQstU/s1600/20160213_115320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NO99dc0m9MHOwozA4lxmJ15wqRlHwWpjCC4MK5oe7HIjgisJxBzS6dVcK9-PBYoLyDcNdr_Q1zQ8yjbPnCn5hU1tBsqjOh9eSJvE5NUJcaFIx9eTrjAfGABt52q47BCoeahLyiQQstU/s320/20160213_115320.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong>MRCA SHOW:</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We entered all 8 remaining babies from Blueberry & Winchester's first litter, and did well. In show A our bucks Pudge and Twinkle were called Judge Kendal's "favorite junior bucks," but both were disqualified for being an unshowable color. One of our self blue junior bucks won a leg instead. He was sold to Julie in Southern California following show A. Twinkle was sold to Jesse following show A as well. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In show B Pudge won a leg, as the judge did not recognize that late in the day, while running behind time-wise, that smoke pearl chin was not a showable color. He did however catch that one of my bucks had a white toenail (Thumper) and was disqualified. He also noted that my doe Cinder had two white nails as well. Both of these lovely little buns will now be destined for fiber bunny or pet houses, as we do not have the room to keep the whole litter, and are in greater need of show bunnies in our breeding lines, rather than purely fiber bunnies. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong>Hot Cocoa:</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In other rabbitry news, I got a chocolate rabbit for Valentine's Day! We named her Hot Cocoa, although Valentine also suits her. She is a beautiful & sweet self chocolate doe from Black Diamond Rabbitry! Thanks Charlotte!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazkmAL6BeayjahBl1qF6KxQoeybtXToh5ll-zAP3hBjkdk2sVESQwBpDC1dw0SAHR8IKsC677jboxe_u1gpgE4pBdl1zAgs6UucgzNu_OyxPTi184ElOhigpskxNAsluLYnd27tXohSk/s1600/20160221_140223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazkmAL6BeayjahBl1qF6KxQoeybtXToh5ll-zAP3hBjkdk2sVESQwBpDC1dw0SAHR8IKsC677jboxe_u1gpgE4pBdl1zAgs6UucgzNu_OyxPTi184ElOhigpskxNAsluLYnd27tXohSk/s400/20160221_140223.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbYfqDXV34BqsO3DvW5eQErvyymxb2qbcIjpdmrUspP7K0AwXUX4aUVhiPeiTAuOc37KcC75qavXbt0Q2RxAEm4cmEkUhE4AVsFU_WGnX8g6ABUbN9q-O_qbE6QdFJZw7FZaEMRlz8k8/s1600/20160221_140218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbYfqDXV34BqsO3DvW5eQErvyymxb2qbcIjpdmrUspP7K0AwXUX4aUVhiPeiTAuOc37KcC75qavXbt0Q2RxAEm4cmEkUhE4AVsFU_WGnX8g6ABUbN9q-O_qbE6QdFJZw7FZaEMRlz8k8/s400/20160221_140218.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-83126943784622091862016-02-09T19:35:00.001-08:002016-02-09T19:35:18.924-08:00Updates on kits: We got the kits judged again tonight. They all "look really nice." They have great wool density & balance, and have good bodies. Each kit page has been updated. We found out two of our bucks are lilac steel.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-74291869056729833562016-02-07T08:48:00.002-08:002016-02-07T08:58:20.907-08:00On the importance of big cages for angoras...So we seem to have a lot of new hits on our blog, most likely because we have kits for sale and I have placed a few craigslist ads. Thanks for stopping by!<br />
<br />
And now, on topic, what size of cages are appropriate for an angora? How do you know?<br />
<br />
Our adult rabbits are in 30x36 cages, with frequent outings (made more difficult by the snowy weather). We housed them in the garage. But, now that we have 12 rabbits, including the kits, it was too much for our garage! Too much mess, grass on the floor, odor, too hard to get dirty pans to the yard, etc. it worked really well for two to three rabbits, not well for 12.<br />
<br />
So what to do? A rabbit shed would be perfect. But we cannot afford a shed at this time. So, after reading several posts online, we decided outdoors is best for us. After reading a compelling blog from a meat rabbit producer in Maine, who housed his buns outdoors, thoughtfully, with careful planning, I was convinced that our angoras would do fine in a Nevada winter.<br />
<br />
So where to put them? We have a covered deck, but it is our Outdoor room in the spring, summer, and fall, we have an outdoor bed, rugs, ceiling fan, etc. it did not suit our purpose for that "room."<br />
<br />
So, we searched on Pinterest for other outdoor rabbit solutions. That is the preferred place to immediately feel inadequate about your DIY skills, creativity, and level of organization, don't you think? We oohed and ahhed appropriately at all the great outdoor rabbit housing ideas, and then got real. Mother Earth News is a better website to get hooked on, for down-to-earth solutions on a homestead. People there care about thier animals and land, but don't have an endless supply of money and time.<br />
<br />
Outdoor rabbits need protection from the wet, sun, and wind. That includes drafts. They need to have good airflow, but three sides of thier cages protected (back, sides). They need to be in the shade. Water bottles will freeze in the winter, and they will need a lot of attention in weather over 80-85 degrees.<br />
<br />
So we sited our cage banks (two 30x36 stacking cages) near a wall, with plywood on top that overhangs on front and back, on paver bricks, covered with a 10x12 heavy duty tarp on three sides with an overhang. We trailed ivy over the top to help disguise the tarp. It's brown, so that also helps. We also have a tarp dedicated to cover the front in blowing snow and rain. But, it is not facing the wind, and is in a protected location, in the shade.<br />
<br />
Eat that pinterest. Pictures to come soon, as soon as I find that endless supply of time.<br />
<br />
Our kits now moved to the 30x36 bank of cages. I knew the grow-out cages were too small now, because they were not properly able to groom themselves anymore, due to a low cage height. Rabbits sit up on thier back feet to groom, and they were not feeling as inclined to be able to sit on thier haunches on our short cages. In addition, they were getting too many knots in thier coats, from rubbing up against the sides. So, that is how you definately know your cage is much too small.<br />
<br />
After moving our kits to much larger cages, outdoors, i am happy to report that everyone is well groomed, with happy faces. They can see the birds, sunshine, snow, and blue skies. They were so happy this morning.! So were our adults, they all took a quick run on top of the frozen snow.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-4819739986251372692016-02-02T15:48:00.001-08:002016-02-02T15:48:27.117-08:00Eggs N KitsIn Rabbit News, Today:<br />
We got an update on some of our rabbit kit bodies and colors. We think we need a second opinion, as the first one was quite rushed after our regular 4-H meeting, so we are asking for help from Black Diamond Rabbitry. <br />
<br /><br />
We may also be going to the Plymouth, CA rabbit show on February 13th, 2016. That would be weather & health pending. Seems like kiddos always come down with colds in so much snowy, cold weather! <br />
<br /><br />
The News from the Coop:<br />
Our chickens (barred Plymouth rock, white brahma, easter-eggers x 2) had been laying an egg or so a day, each, up until about two weeks before Christmas. Around winter solstice (shortest day of the year), Sesame (white brahma), and Fluffy Muffy (easter-egger), stopped laying suddenly. <br />
<br /><br />
Chickens have the ability to lay throughout winter, as it is not the cold weather that causes a drop in production, but the amount of light in a given day. So, shorter days, mean less eggs. What to do? Add more "daylight" hours in the day, by supplementing via a light inside the coop at night. <br />
<br /><br />
We had not supplemented the light in our coop, and did not have the ability to, as we were planning to run electricity professionally to the coop, but the freezing temps and snow began earlier than we expected. <br />
<br /><br />
But we needed to take action, as only Bob (barred rock) was continuing to lay daily. 7 eggs per week is just not enough on some weeks for our family. And we cannot supply eggs to family or friends at 7/week. <br />
<br /><br />
So, we got their old heat lamp, added a fluorescent bulb instead of a heat bulb, and plugged it into an extension cord. The heat lamp is not outdoor rated, but our coop is dry inside, does not leak, and we have our trusty roof over the entire coop and run to keep things extra dry. So we could chance it. So far, no heat, no problems. <br />
<br /><br />
And....drum roll.....the last two nights, after a week of extra light supplementation, we got TWO eggs instead of one! Fluffy Muffy is laying again. I thought I heard Sesame doing the egg song this morning as well, so I am eager to see if we have three tonight. <br />
<br /><br />
As a side note, some people feel that supplementing light causes undue stress to the chickens, however, we only resorted to doing it when - GASP - we might have to buy eggs from the grocery store! That is just unthinkable when we have four chickens in the yard! True confession: I finally broke down and supplemented when I did actually have to buy Model Dairy eggs one day to make waffles after already making homemade crepe tortillas all week. Yikes!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-57739967931950125182016-01-30T22:14:00.000-08:002016-01-30T22:37:10.987-08:00And the results are in!we had our 4-H meeting last night, and got so much help from the kids & adults about what type of rabbit kits we have! So, it looks like we mainly have bucks. Lots of them. Eight of them to be exact. Yep, it's just as I have always suspected, something in the water here makes BOYS. Have noticed it with my own kids as well....<br />
<br />
We prefer bucks, and think they make excellent pets. We also think every breeding program Should have more than one. Our bucks are very sweet and friendly. Calm and curious. Fun and funny.<br />
<br />
We also found out a lot about our rabbit genetics that we did not know. We were unsure of what second C gene our buck, Winchester, carried. Now we believe it is cchl - or shaded. We have quite a few kits carrying double cchl genes in this litter. So if you are looking to add some guaranteed cchl in your breeding program, we have some bucks for you!<br />
<br />
We have some nice kits, that should develop into nice rabbits, some kits that have a lot of promise but need to grow into thier bodies a bit before the verdict is in, so to say, and some kits that should be good to excellent fiber rabbits. Each kit page is in the process of being updated with pricing and body/wool information, if known.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyOmBoWLWrj86U-c2Yfx249lV5Fa2JNDI4FrFs9Ckx43LpkvDVOcevY49x0034h_EH5fwoTAP35XE3iD1nKrQ4NkFCAJ-ODQ9vT6ii4h61wHkS8_8w4S9ooYpZyoFmzSt-v72h-s9LlA/s1600/20160129_160026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyOmBoWLWrj86U-c2Yfx249lV5Fa2JNDI4FrFs9Ckx43LpkvDVOcevY49x0034h_EH5fwoTAP35XE3iD1nKrQ4NkFCAJ-ODQ9vT6ii4h61wHkS8_8w4S9ooYpZyoFmzSt-v72h-s9LlA/s400/20160129_160026.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5420406430615693562.post-28067800219747933702016-01-28T09:18:00.002-08:002016-01-28T09:18:19.506-08:00Our kit colors...We are going to the 4-H meeting tonight for help with sexing our kits and their colors (our first ever litter, ya'll). <br />
<br /><br />
We think some of our formerly "self lilac" kits are actually lilac torts, as they are getting another color of wool under the lilac top coat on their backs, and not tummies. It is a brown color. So should be lilac tort I believe. <br />
<br /><br />
We also need help with Twinkle and Pudge. They look to be some kind of pearl possibly (an angora color only), but also could be something else. Possibly lilac pearl. And Baked Potato is just a mystery to me right now. <br />
<br /><br />
We are reviewing what we know of rabbit genetics this am, in prep for the meeting tonight!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02527163977376174387noreply@blogger.com0