Ranui Aviary & Farm

2008-09-12T12:23:00.002-07:00

Well, for news and happenings not much going on.

We lost both Bicardi and Skittles recently, so we were down to two bunnies and we decided that we needed to add some more. Bliss and Windy have come back and Bliss just delivered a litter of 9. So are buns are going up in numbers. Also looking for another doe or 2 for Keaton. Might get something from Crystal if I can get transport to Edmonton. That is up in the air so will see.

Kiley is going to be going back to Lisa this month as she has taken a strong hatred for Cola. Will be getting a trade/replacement next year, not sure as to what yet... Sorry to see Kiley go, but they just can't stay together.... And one of the times they are really gonna get hurt. So best for both dogs and me.

I have moved again, just to a place in Fort St John for now, the cats stayed in Charlie Lake and the dogs are at Brianna's as I was supposed to be in camp for three weeks, but ended up doing a service rig for a week. I'm waiting on hearing what I'll be doing next.

Not much else for news

General Updates

2008-08-21T16:18:00.002-07:00

Well, I'm writing this from camp so not too detailed.

We are down to four bunnies, two harlies and two mini lops. Though that could go down to three as Bicardi has an injury to one of his hind legs. I've told Curtis to keep him comfortable and not to move him much. Hoping that it is not a break. But I will know more next week when I get out of camp.

I've got the birds I have left for sale as I just don't have the time for them and I don;t think it is fair to keep them. I'm very picky on where they go and most people who have contacted me about seem to think I should be giving them away to them... Not what I will be doing!

I will be keeping the four buns, the two dogs and Peaches, probably the llama, but if the right home comes up he will be going. Everything else I am giving up for now. Hard choice, but the best for now I am thinking, especially when I am uncertain with how much I will be home this winter. I have taken the plans on how the few I have left will be cared for, but don't want to have too much to deal with either.

Will write again when out of camp next week!

Back from Edmonton & other news

2008-08-07T21:33:00.004-07:00

Well, I went down to the EARS quad show in Edmonton on the August long weekend. Was going more to deliver buns and visit than anything. I did enter Keaton and two of the Fuzzies that I co-own with Brianna. I didn't figure I would get anything as Keaton was finally losing that condition he had held for so long and the Fuzzies were more to make numbers. Well, Keaton surprised me again by picking up another 4 legs. 2 for breed and two for opposite. And the big surprise he was picked by Jake as the Best of Best Opposites! Was a total shocker! Keaton was supposed to be sold to a youth breeder in Washington State, but part of his transport was not confirmed, so he ended up coming home again with me. I have basically no bunnies left, babies that Brianna has, Keaton, and two harlequin juniors. Yes, two harlequins, I was bad, I picked up a very nice little blue magpie buck from Barb Adams, but he is super clean in his markings, hopefully he crosses well with the sweetie I kept back. I am considering keeping one of the Mini Lop jr does from Obsidian and Smudge, but that is yet to be decided.

Also from the trip in Edmonton, I picked up Ms Kiley, who is a new Canadian Champion. She will be going back to Calgary in the spring/late winter as I believe Lisa will have a handsome beau lined up for her then.

Other news, on a personal level, when I got out of camp this time the young man that I had been dating, surprised me by proposing! We haven't set a date(next summer), but needless to say I am very happy!

Not much else going on

Janine

Hard Decisions

2008-07-11T12:46:00.002-07:00

Well, things have changed a lot for me again. I decided last time I was out that with me being gone 3/4 of the month I just couldn't keep the rabbits and cavies. The Harlequins, American Cavies and my French Lop buck went to Laura-ann in Taylor. I gave them the Harlequins with the agreement that I will get back babies when I have time again to be able to bred. The French Lop does are going to Maple Ridge and they are staying in Grande Prairie with the Mini Lops, the English Lop and the pile of babies I have. Brianna is dealing with selling them. Some very nice babies in the lot too!

For animals I have right now, I have the five pet birds, one cat, two dogs(one in Calgary still), a llama and a horse. Though I kinda decided to keep a harlie baby, she's a real sweetie, but is unshowable.

I know I will get back in the rabbits again, just not sure how soon. I do I know I will have the Harlequins, do a few Fuzzy Lops with Brianna, maybe a few Americans, and either a few French or Mini Lops again...Though I did love my English Lop...

I'm gonna leave my webpage up for the time being, not going to change much for now either...

Been a While!

2008-06-25T20:14:00.002-07:00

Well, it has been a long while since I posted a blog entry. Since my last entry I have attended the show in Chestermere, downsized my animals, worked way too much and moved to Charlie Lake.

I worked basically all of March as First Aid Attendant which actually decided me to downsize what I have for animals. Also was a factor in downsizing is that I intended to move. I decided in my downsizing to not keep the Holland Lops, the American rabbits, the longhair cavies, chinchillas, all my birds but 5(including the ducks, chickens etc), all the horses but Denny and give Savvy back to her breeder. They were all hard decisions but with my time being not as free as before it was the best.

I ended up going to Chestermere with Laura-ann and Brianna and we again had a fun time. I took more sold animals than I did anything. I took Keaton, the broken blue buck from Kim, Windy, Barbie and showed my new French Lop buck from Sarah. Besides him I picked up 6 American cavies from Dillon. I was happy with the results I got and also picked up two more harlequins. Keaton picked up another 3 legs and since I forgot his pedigree could not register him again! I will have to drag his butt to another show just to register him.

After the show, I managed to find a place to move in Fort St John(actually Charlie Lake). So the first weekend in May I moved to Charlie Lake with a much reduced criiter herd. I moved under 20 rabbits, 8 cavies, 2 hedgehogs, 1 cat, 1 dog and 5 birds. I was very lucky to find a place that let me keep my animals, though my llama and horse are at the family farm in Dawson Creek right now. I was also very lucky that my roomie feeds my critters when I'm gone.

I'm currently back to work and this time it is camp work. Sounds like I'll be busy until break-up next spring. Kinda sucks right now because I have pregnant does and everything right now. When I left this last time I had three litter of buns in the boxes, 1 harlequin, 1 french and 1 french x english lop litter. I also have 4 or 5 more does due while I'm gone so I could have a lot more babies when I get back.

Well, that is the last few months in a nutshell

Janine

Back from the Show

2008-02-18T15:49:00.003-08:00

Well, I'm back from the show and as always it was great fun. Long trip, but Brianna was good company.

We ended up taking for rabbits:

G Gordans Rarity -American Blue Sr Doe

Rainstar's Emerald - French Lop Brkn Sr Doe

Posey's Squirrelly - French Lop Solid Sr Doe

Takara's Nettie - English Lop Solid Sr Doe

Cutie Patootie's Iggy - Holland Lop Brkn Sr Buck

Posey's Larkspur - Mini Lop Solid Jr Doe

Velotta's Keaton - Mini Lop Solid Sr Buck

Mitchell's T271 - Mini Lop Solid Sr Doe

Wildwood's Barbie - Harlequin Sr Magpie Doe

Highwood's Wild N Windy - Harlequin Sr Magpie Buck

Maya - Fuzzy Lop Jr Doe

Kyoto - Fuzzy Lop Sr Doe

Cavies:

Sr TSW American Boar

Jr TSW American Sow

Jr GA/Red/White Peruvian Boar

For results:

G Gordans Rarity -American Blue Sr Doe - DQ'd for weight twice 1 BOB
Rainstar's Emerald - French Lop Brkn Sr Doe - 2/2 twice and 1/2 once
Posey's Squirrelly - French Lop Solid Sr Doe - 2/3 twice and 1/3 once and BOB(leg)
Takara's Nettie - English Lop Solid Sr Doe - DQ'd once for weight, only English there so BOB the other two
Cutie Patootie's Iggy - Holland Lop Brkn Sr Buck - near the end of the class twice and 2/13(?)
Posey's Larkspur - Mini Lop Solid Jr Doe
Velotta's Keaton - Mini Lop Solid Sr Buck - BOB x4(specialty as well)(leg)
Mitchell's T271 - Mini Lop Solid Sr Doe - BOB youth show
Wildwood's Barbie - Harlequin Sr Magpie Doe - BOB x3 BOS 1
Highwood's Wild N Windy - Harlequin Sr Magpie Buck BOS x3 BOB 1 -only two harlies in show
Maya - Fuzzy Lop Jr Doe - RIS once BOB
Kyoto - Fuzzy Lop Sr Doe - RIS youth BOB
Cavies:
Sr TSW American Boar -DQ'd weight good comments
Jr TSW American Sow - 1/1 good comments
Jr GA/Red/White Peruvian Boar - DQ'd for blue eye good comments

Almost Ready!

2008-02-14T09:03:00.003-08:00

Well, we are leaving for Wetaskiwin in the morning. I have 3 pigs entered and 9 buns. Might be bringing two-three more to add to the specialties if it might add legs...

Brianna is coming down with me and I'm not sure how many buns she is bringing.

Weather has warmed up and is so much nicer! Took the girls for a little ride on Denny and they thought that was great!

Not much else going on here! Will post after I get back from the show!
Janine

Some other news

2008-02-01T19:03:00.000-08:00

Still too darn cold out! I'm sick of the cold and still nothing warm on the long range.

In news, I talked to Laura-ann and she will not be making it to Wetaskiwin this year. I'm still planning on going, but it is on the iffy side... Other news with Laura-ann she is taking the Mini Rex trio I have. I'll miss them, but I know it's for the best. I'm still thinking about the hollands, I like them, but honestly I don't like showing/selecting them.

I was looking at my French Lops and I've decided to sell Robbie, Kibby and Charcoal. Robbie and Kibby I think are more pet quality and Charcoal is brood quality.

The buns and cavies from the island should be arriving in Grande Prairie in a few hours and when Brianna lets me know when she isn't working I'll pick them up...

Winter Blahs

2008-01-31T08:57:00.000-08:00

Well, its been a while, but nothing much ever happens around here in the winter. Right now we are in a real cold spell, animals are doing well, but I wish it was over and I imagine they do as well! Not supposed to warm up any time soon though.

I will be heading to Grande Prairie this week-end. Visit Brianna and to pick up some critters from a shipment that we are bringing up from the island. I'm getting a few mini lops from Cristina and 4 pigs from Dillon. Really looking forward to seeing them and Brianna's new fuzzies. I'm also talking to Jess and Taryn about Mini Lops as they are sadly selling all of their rabbits. Some nice buns in dilute available!

In other buns news, I am considering cutting back to 3-5 hollands. I love the breed and the ones that I have, but they are not my favorites in the barn... Mini Lops and the French Lops are my main breeds and I want to be able to focus more on them. Mini Lops were my first rabbits and they will always be number one is the barn. French Lops are a close second, but they are bigger so I don't want nearly as many of them so they get culled a little harder. I love the Harlequins and they are not going anywhere, especially when they are Samantha's! The Mini Rex I have cut back to three and I don't see getting more than 5 in the barn again... I like them , but not to be a main breed for me. The Americans I have 4 and they are not going anywhere either. I enjoy them and they need more breeders so badly. I have one English Lop, Nettie, my tort doe, her brother lives with Laura-ann and is a pampered house bunny... I have cut back lots already this year, but something has to give and I don't enjoy showing the hollands as much as the other breeds... Not sure if I will or who will stay if I do...

Other news I have to get pics of Denny posted. I'll post three here, but we'll have to wait for it to warm up before I get good ones to put on the website. He got dropped off when I was at work and its been so cold that I haven't had a chance to get good pictures. I am looking forward to having a horse that I can ride again. I just forget how tall he was from when I looked at him back in August!

Kiley will be heading down to Calgary pretty soon, not sure if she is flying or if she will be going part way in February when we head to the bunny(and cavies!) show in Wetaskiwin. She is going to visit her mom and get some shows under her belt. She will also have her health testing done when she is down there.

I have plans to go to Wetaskwin in February, just no idea what I will be driving and how many buns... Plus dog(s)...

that is about it for now...

Janine

Snow and other stuff

2007-11-10T16:35:00.000-08:00

Well, we finally got snow that stuck longer than a day. Be nice if it leaves, but considering it is November I imagine it will be here until spring now. Kinda wish that it had put off a little longer, but I guess I should be happy with how long it did put off.

I'm not going to make it to the Grande Prairie dog show now, Laura-ann isn't sure if they are going and I have homework to do. I start my Advanced Level 3 First Aid Course on Monday and have a pile of things to get done.

I think we will have goat kids next spring. That will be nice and I am hoping that both does have been bred. I know that the one doe was bred, but I never saw the other doe actually in heat. I guess we will find out in the spring!

Not much else going on here other than the winter prep
Janine

French Lops & other stuff

2007-11-07T20:25:00.001-08:00

Well, I am currently talking with Sarah McCrea of Rainstar Rabbitry in getting a few more buns from her. If everything works out Laura-ann and I will be bringing up 3 or 4 buns. Sarah has some very promising litters in the box right now. I have my eye on a few of the babies, so I'm sure the hardest part will be picking! The litters are a rainbow of colors too so that part is nice, but they are a typey bunch of babies :-)

We have just about got to our winter numbers, there are a few that need to decided on whether they will be staying. I have 5 French Lop babies that have to be decided on. 2 from Bailey and 3 from Lucie.

I have plans to go to the Grande Prairie Dog Show on Sunday. I'm going to be catching a ride with Laura-ann and her mom, so I won't have to drive all the way to Grande Prairie. Just to Dawson Creek. Considering the funny weather that we have been having, I'm glad to only have to drive that far. The show is supposed to have a couple Tollers and a Brittany. Should be a fun show to watch.

I moved the Chinchillas into the shed and have set up the guinea pigs in a better configuration. All I have left to move into the shed is the english lops. Still have to insulate the shed better, but not too worried about it right now as we have had pretty mild weather. I am keeping an eye on the forecast to make sure that there are no major dips in the temperature.

I've been looking at a horse and I have found one that I like. Just depends on if I think I can swing the purchase money right now. Susan(lady from 7-11) and I are planning on attending the Nov 24 sale in Dawson Creek. Just to look mainly, but you never know what you could find there!
well, enough for now
Janine

Some Website Updates

2007-11-07T09:55:00.000-08:00

Well, yesterday I managed to get some pictures taken. There are now pictures of most of the rabbits. I got pictures of most of the new buns from this summer and some of the young stuff. A few didn't get pics because they are chewed and looked more like a skinny pig than a rabbit.

Also got pics of the chinchillas and just need a new one of Ebby, I somehow missed her yesterday. Also need new pics of everything else that eats around here ;-P Most of the pigs need pics, few I took last night I didn't like how they looked, so will have to redo them as well.

Winter has started to show itself around here and I'm not looking forward to the months that we will have of snow and cold weather...

Well, have to run and pick up Sam at school, might post more later...
Janine

Some Improvements

2007-10-11T21:20:00.000-07:00

Well, things are looking a little better around here. The whatever happened seems to be over. I hope that I never have to go through something like that again. It is very hard to deal with something like that as you feel so powerless to do anything to help.

This week-end I have off(YA!) and the weather looks to be nice, so I think we will be doing quite a bit around here.

I want to get the bird/cavy room winterized by giving it a good cleaning and re-organized. Plus I need to move the chinchillas in and insulate a few spots so that it is warmer. Also need to look at the roof as it leaked a little on the one side after it was removed from the trailer(it was my very tiny addition before)

I have goats to go on a truck Sunday so there will be two less mouths to feed. If I get really miffed at the rest before Sunday, there might be more on the truck!

I need to fix a few cages so that I can seperate the rest of the young keeper buns and also need to build some more supports so I can get the 12-hole off the ground again(and use it again!)

Need to replace the tarp covering the goat shed and hopefully get the sides draped to help cut the wind this winter. Might try to lift the shed, just depends on how much work it looks like to be!
Well, enough for now
Janine

What to do.....

2007-09-22T18:24:00.000-07:00

Well, today is not getting any better. When things like this start to happen, I'm really tempted to get out of the animals entirely. It is soo hard to deal with losing animals that I am attached to, I know all my buns even the babies. So far I have lost 4 Mini Rex, 10 hollands, 5 Mini Lops... Lost 5 pigs as well now. It doesn't look to have run its course yet either... So I'm not sure what to think. I work so hard on my buns, this is hitting me hard. It is getting hard to want to even go out and check them when I then have to remove another body. My Frenchies are the only buns that seem to not be touched by this. I don't know what I should do and as much as I love my buns and everyone else this is harder....

I just started working again, so I am feeling guilty that I wasn't checking them as much. Maybe if I hadn't fed them soo much grass, maybe if I had weaned the babies from the mom's at the first sign of trouble....

Having Issues in the rabbit barn

2007-09-22T15:40:00.000-07:00

Past few days I have been trying to figure out what is going wrong in my barn. I have lost a few babies, but in past few days I have lost everything that was still with mom and a couple of my older weaned ones. I don't know if it is a feed issue or a weather issue or a combination of both. I lost one older one today, so I am getting desperate to figure out what is going on. I am getting a round bale in today, so I will cut out the pellets and feed hay for a couple days to see if that helps. I will also feed a little grain (my top dress) to see if that helps any. I have never had issues like this before and it is very discouraging to lose any like that. It is even harder when they are fine when I check them and next time are dead. I have wormed this fall already, but I think I will be doing that again to see if that helps. I might treat for cocci, but they don't have any systems... In the few that seemed to be a bit under, they seemed to not eat as much, but nothing serious. I have had a little trouble with the pigs as well, so I am thinking maybe a bad batch of pellets(I am hoping!)
Janine

Trip and other

2007-09-04T19:21:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back from my trip to Edmonton and Calgary. Was a lot of driving, but the weather wasn't too bad. The highway between Calgary and Edmonton was crazy, as was driving in Calgary.

I left Thursday afternoon, picked up carriers from Laura-ann and managed to get to Fox Creek. I was gonna tent, but the campground had a bear warning up, so we slept in the car. I wish I had got there eariler as I would of got more sleep. The campground was full of oilpatch workers and they start their diesel trucks at 5am(4am where I'm from!) and again at 6am.

We made it to Calgary and dropped off Cola Friday afternoon. Lisa said Cola is settling in like she never left. I miss my nutty girl, but will have my hands full when she is gone. We drove back to Wetaskiwin. I tented there and I realized how big my new tent was! It is a huge tent and definately would have room for another queen and a single or double in it... I had a lot of empty space with me and just Kiley in it.

Saturday was to be more of my running around day.

At first I stopped in Millet and picked up Reddiamond Aviatrix Savvy(pending). Savvy is my newest addition and is a very cute Brittany puppy! She will keep me pretty busy and is already considered an important part of the family.

Next stop was Helga's where I was sad to learn that she had a dog attack the night before and lost some important buns. I picked up some Mini Rex from Sharin for Laura-ann(Harlies and tris). A very nice opal buck for her mum from Helga. I picked up three Mini Rex from Helga(black doe, broken tort doe and tort buck) I also looked at a blue tort doe from Sharin and a black doe from Lisa. I ended up taking them both, they look to be promising brood does. Helga has some neat rabbits and I spent way too much time at her house. She is such an interesting person to talk to and has so much knowledge. I really enjoyed my visit with her and was sad that it was a bad day for her. Helga is a very gracious host and even though it was an horrible event she still had time to show me all her rabbits and talk about her rabbits.

Next stop was Gayle's, I looked at some her rabbits that she had for sale. I ended up picking up three Dutch rabbits for Laura-ann. A very nice Tort buck, a very nice gray doe and a brood chocolate doe.

After that was home and Sunday had my mum and dad come out to visit. Monday we went to Taylor to drop off the the bunnies I had picked up for them. I was also picking up a couple Mini Rex from them and showing off Savvy. I picked up a broken black doe, a blue doe, blue tort doe and a broken blue buck. Next we went to the airport in Fort St John to say good-bye to my parents. They were leaving for Australia and I figured they would like the company before they went through the scans etc. The girls were a little sad too see them go, especially when they won't be back until May.

Went through some babies, decided to keep a frosty doe from May/Tucker and a black buck from Ella/Iggy. Think I will keep the solid buck from Pearl/Wetaskiwin, though the one broken doe is pretty nice as well..... Still deciding on which doe to keep from Lucie's litter. The one left out of the three remaining is definately pet, but the other two... We will just have to wait and see when they are a bit older.

I need to setup the 12 hole cage and get to my stackers. Also need to get my pigs better organized so I can fit the chinchillas into the shed. On the topic of the chinchillas, Obsidian's two little babies are cute! Looks to be two ebonies. One is most likely a homo eb and the other might be a medium eb or light eb. Cuties whatever they are. I think they are both girls when I looked at them, so even better!

Well, that is about all for now

Janine

End of Summer

2007-08-28T19:43:00.001-07:00

Well, September is almost upon us and I have some things to do to get ready for winter. My breeding season is basically over with everything except the cavies. I can breed them year-round, but everyone else gets winters off as it is way to much work for me and them to try to get babies during the winter. I have a few more does that are due, but they will be last litters for the year.

Couple days before I head for Calgary and Edmonton. Will be taking down Cola, picking up buns and driving a lot! Thankfully it should be kid-less, that will be much nicer as the trip would not be that fun for them. Will be stopping at Gayle's and Helga's mainly.

The broiler chickens are just about out of time, we should get them done next week.

Also have to get a visit in with my mum and dad as they leave for Australia next Monday. Think they are planning on coming out Sunday.

Had a surprise litter of cavies. The little red/white Texel sow had a pair of babies. Cute, but I don't really have an idea to who the dad is!

Not much else going on here
Janine

Edmonton Show

2007-08-24T18:50:00.000-07:00

Well, the show went well. I took a pile of animals and brought a few home. My little car was crammed! From my very foggy(rushed) memories of the show, I did well. Squirrely got another leg, Nibbles got one, Buttercup got one, Iggy got one, I think Windy got one, Ginger I think got one... I'm waiting on the official results because I don't remember a lot! I did get the Best of the Best Opposites with a little Peruvian boar. I am hoping that there is a cavy show at Wetaskiwin as I may continue to coat the little guy out. I brought home 4 American rabbits(thanks Gayle!) 2 English Lops(thanks Andrea & Heather!), 1 Holland Lop(thanks Crystal!) and 4 Mini Lops(thanks Jess, Taryn & Dennis!)

I have gone through my babies that I have weaned(except the Frenchies) and sold everyone except a fawn doe from Petunia/Cole, a blue chin buck from Calla/Willow, a doe from Adam/Eve. Have a few litters upcoming and looks to be some lookers in the bunch! Have a couple litters of cavies as well, two American and one Silkie(peruvian baby). Had a little surprise of a three peachicks. Cute little gaffers!

I am still plagued by big, fat broiler chickens AKA bottomless pits. They are waiting to be butchered, just the weather is not cooperating. Hoping next week, and then my feedbill should drop a lot as the amount they can put away is amazing.

My next show is next year in Wetaskiwin, I am hoping that they have a cavy show as the one at the Bonnie Doon was great, but Cliff is so much fun anyway :-)

I will be heading down to Edmonton/Calgary at the end of the month again. Taking Cola down, might pick up some buns for Laura-ann and pick up a surprise! Laura-ann might come with me, just depends if she can get a day or two off.

Not much else going on here that I can think of at this time!

Chainsaw Charving for the upcoming EARS show!

2007-07-20T23:26:00.000-07:00

This cutie is a prize that I have sponsored for the EARS Quad Show that is coming up the first week-end in August. He was carved by Ken Sheen of Pine River Chainsaw Carving and is approx 32-33 inches tall.

What's been happening

2007-07-17T22:43:00.000-07:00

It has finally cooled down enough that I can stand the heat. Supposed to rain tonight and tomorrow, maybe Thursday and then be nice(well what I consider to be nice) at 20-23C Anything warmer than that and I am miserable. Lost a couple rabbits to the heat. One I am still mad about as it was Posey's Willow. I'm not sure what happened with her, she was fine, didn't seem to be as hot as some of the others and checked again in 30 minutes and it looked like she was laid out sleeping. Lost a mini lop doe after she kindled, not exactly sure there either, but she could of had something go wrong with her labour. She had delivered the litter, scattering most of them on the wire and then it looked like she just fell over. Lost two cull pen animals as well, but at least I had decided to cull them.

Well, we have downsized our rabbit herd considerably. I am bringing a few new animals in to replace/revitalize my herd. Some changes were planned and others were not. I am picking up a trio of Americans at the Aloha show, two Mini Lop does from Jess/Taryn and a Frenchie doe(half-sister to Willow) and a broken blue Mini Lop from Kim/Cristina.

Laura-ann is coming down with me to the show and Brianna was going to, but due to a family emergency we will only taking her buns.

We had a new chinchilla born here, a little beige. Not sure on the sex, but the little fellow just about gave me a heart attack when he shot out from under the up-side down feed dish. I'm hoping that it is a female, but a male would be nice as well.

Have a few new litters, Bailey has five by Jackson, Southern Classic has three by Comox, Calla has two by Willow, Petunia has 6 by Cole, Cobalt had three by Jordan(not sure if they are peanuts though) and Tammy has four by DandyLion. Star is due any day by Adam. Have to palpate a bunch of does to see if there is a bunch of litters coming up. I also bred Buttercup so she will be due about a week after the Aloha show. Have some does that need to be re-bred as I fostered the babies off, but am waiting until a little bit for that.

I have entered some of the rabbits in the upcoming show, have a few left to decide on but entries don't have to be in until the 29th so I do still have lots of time to decide. Have to decide on the pigs as well.
Janine

First Florida Litter! & some other news

2007-07-02T22:44:00.000-07:00

Well, after a few screw-ups(on my part) we finally have a Florida White litter on the ground. There is six babies in Eve's nest tonight. As she was also bred to Wetaskiwin, there are some brokens in the litter. Star is due in two weeks about, so our meat bunny program is on the way.

Looked closer at Lucie's and Skittles litters today. Lucie has two opals, six chestnuts and one that I think is a broken fawn. Skittles litter is opals as far as I could tell, though they could be blue chins.

I bred Skywishes to Jordan, Ella to Iggy, May to Tucker and Pearl to Wetaskiwin. Will try to rebred tomorrow -Bluejeans(Prince Eric) and Pansy(Jordan). Will also try Cassie as I don't think she caught the first time. I think I might put her in with Levi as the types compliment each other. She has loads of depth and is narrow. He is wide, but needs more depth, so we could maybe get the best of both. Though the way that breeding works, I'll get narrow with no depth!

Looked through the pigs agin today and I might have one more Silkie and Texel I could show. Just depends on how many I want to take and if they make the minimum requirements to show.

I added a few more rabbits to the cull list. Phoebe and Lots of Heart. Our numbers are on paper are getting closer to where I want them.

Cavies & Litters

2007-07-01T22:39:00.000-07:00

Hi

I looked at the cavies today and sorted them a little more. Have some in breeding and others seperated to try to grow out the coats of.

I would like to show the r/w Peruvian boar from Dillion, the tsw Silkie sow from Dillion, ga/w boar from Kim, black Texel boar, and the r/w sow from Sherri. I might see if I can find another Silkie or Texel to coat out as well. They are all younger animals and will hopefully make weight.

Have a few Americans that I would like to show as well. They will be more decided on the weight as to who I can show. I have some nice home-bred Americans that I would like to show and there is some nice ones in the new group that could be shown.

I looked at Lucie's litter today. There are two opals, six chestnuts and one unknown (rew, fawn, cream maybe?) Lost the chilled one of Squirrelly's, left her chestnut baby. Pansy has a tort and something light-colored. Moved the three Hollands to Skittles litter. She had six and look to be opals and/or blues. Might also be some blue chins, will have to see what they are!

Few more does left to go in this group and then a new group starts next weekend about.

Pepsi kindled as well, but she squished her litter, she is on the cull list now. Skywishes kindled as well, but she over-cleaned the kit. As this is her second litter here, first being a fetal giant we will give another chance.
Janine

New Critters = VERY long day yesterday

2007-06-30T11:56:00.000-07:00

We went to Fort St John yesterday and picked up some new rabbits and guinea pigs. They were from Kim, Cristina and Dillion. The pigs from Sherri are coming up at a later date with two of her Fuzzy Hollands for another breeder. Everyone looks pretty nice, one change in the French Lop department though, Kim decided to not send Charity. She send Tamashanter's Mozambique. A broken black Mini Lop buck from Tammi.

We stopped at Laura-ann's place on the way home. Delivered two hollands from my place and bred Laura-ann's Frenchie doe to Nibbles. Had a good, long visit with them.

Today I have to move everyone around as last night the buns just got stuck in whatever hole was empty and handy. Also have to get the cavies organized as they are still in the shipping crates.

Janine

Always so much to do!

2007-06-28T11:15:00.000-07:00

I have to do a list of what needs to be done around here, it never ends and there is always so much that could be done.

I have to fence the area that I want to for the birds. It will hopefully stop them from sleeping on my lawn so much! Have to dig fence post holes and I'm not looking forward to that job.

Have to finish fencing in two spots and repair the winter pasture fence as it is sagging. I also have to get the electric wire put up on the top of the goat fences. I also would like to run another fence line on the other side of the driveway and around the trailer to the rabbit shed. It would join up with the chicken fence there and that would separate the driveway and house from the third pasture. Lots of work as posts have to be dug for that job as well.

I need to get the bird/cavy shed finished up as well. I need to add more shelves and insulate the one wall. Plus I need to look at the roof, as it is leaking a little as it was damaged when the shed was taken off of the house(was my addition).

Need to go through more of the stuff that I have around and get rid of more stuff. Plus, I need to figure out where more of the stuff can go. I need more storage or less stuff. I think less stuff would be easier and I am continuing the arduous job of going through all my stuff.

I need to repair some cages and get the extras put away where they would be easy to get at , but out of the way. I also need to replace the bottom wire on all my stacking cages and that means actually getting them apart. They seem to seize together and are so hard to pry apart.

I have to process the rabbits that need to go, but that is always a job I put off as I don't like doing it. I would like something better to hang them with and was thinking of fiddling with a wire hanger to see if that would work.

The chicks are getting big and they eat so much. The broilers are a good size and they should be ready to butcher in 3-4 weeks. Will be nice when they are gone as there are not that many layers and they will eat a small fraction of what the broilers do.

Today it is raining, so it will be more of a housework day. That is good as it will help de-clutter our closets of all the extra clothes. Plus the birds have been messy lately and the floor around/under their cage needs a sweep and a good scrubbing.

Sounds like I have to go to Fort St John tomorrow. Will be be picking up new critters and dropping off a few. Will be a long day as the shipment is going in on two different flights. Also have to run to Dawson Creek, so will be doing a lot of miles. I think the kids will be with me, and they will not enjoy the long day either, but they will enjoy getting to see some of the people that we have to stop and see long the way.

Janine

Texels, Alpacas, Coronet

2007-06-25T22:56:00.001-07:00

We are getting a few more Texels and adding some Alpaca's. Kim is also adding a TSW Coronet Sow. Not pictured are a TSW Alpaca Sow and the Coronet Sow.

Broken Cream Alpaca Sow from Sherri

Broken Cream Alpaca Sow 2 from Sherri
Red White Texel Sow from Dillon
Tortoiseshell White Texel Boar(mismarked) from Kim

Peruvian Cavies

2007-06-25T22:46:00.001-07:00

Getting a bunch of Peruvians as well from Kim, Dillon Clark and Sherri Evans. Mostly in Red White.
.

Golden Agouti White Boar (middle one) from Kim

Red White Sow from Sherri
Tortoishell White Sow from Kim (mostly black one)
Red White Sow from Dillon
Red White Boar from Dillon
Red White Sow from Kim
Golden Agouti Sow from Kim

Silkie Cavies

2007-06-25T22:36:00.001-07:00

We are getting Silkie cavies from Kim and Dillon. Will be interesting to play with the long hair!

Golden Agouti and White Boar from Kim

Tortoiseshell White Boar from Dillon

Tortoiseshell White Sow from Kim

Tortoiseshell White Sow from Dillon Tortoiseshell White Sow from Dillon

New American Cavies

2007-06-25T22:30:00.001-07:00

We are getting some new American cavies from Kim Posey and from Dillon Clark. Looking forward to these additions! Pics are courtesy of Dillon and Kim.
.

Red/White Boar from Dillon

Tortoiseshell White Sow from Dillon (Flowers lines)
Tortoiseshell White Sow from Dillon
Red White Sow from Kim
Tortoiseshell White Sow from Kim

New Mini Lops

2007-06-25T22:23:00.000-07:00

We are getting a some new Mini Lops also. Pics are courtesy of Sunnybrook Rabbitry.

Posey's Izzie - Broken Chestnut Doe

Posey's Gigi - Chestnut Doe
Posey's Macy - Broken Black Doe
Posey's Mike - Chestnut Buck

New French Lops

2007-06-25T21:56:00.000-07:00

Our new French animals are coming hopefully this week and these are the animals that are coming. Pictures are from Sunnybrook Rabbitry.

Posey's Charity - Steel Doe
Eden's Latte - Broken Chestnut Doe
Posey's Willow - Steel Doe

Eden's Nibbles - Broken Steel Buck

Posey's Snowball - Frosted Pearl Doe
Posey's Squirrely - Blue Chinchilla Doe
Posey's Kibby - Broken Chestnut Doe

Deciding on who goes

2007-06-25T21:34:00.000-07:00

Well, did a lot of thinking and looking today. Decided on who is up for sale and who is just going to be culled. The list will grow if there is does that do not catch or kindle successfully.
For Sale
French Lops
Jackson
Phoebe
Lionheads
Dandy Lion
Skip
Holland Lops
Comox
Squirrelly
Theotime
Levi
Kraft
Heart
Taren
Jacquie

Culled for various reasons
Hollands
Jordan
Nicholas
Shelley
Li
Elijah
Mini Lops
Shelby
Flicka
Wes
Prince Eric
Van Gough
Lionheads
Tammy
Mike
Mirage

It was hard making some of the decisions and there are some that I did waver on selling... I think that I will be happy with the decisions that I made. It is hard though when I know all the names on sight and I have had them long enough to get attached. That is equal to a third of my herd that I have decided not to keep. But I am adding some new stock from Kim & Cristina.

There are two more Frenchies that will prob be added to the list Lucie and Canon. Just depends on some other decisions that need to be made. With the Mini Lops, Wenatchee, Kahluha are having to raise a litter this time around or they are going as well.
Janine

Some changes happening

2007-06-23T11:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been doing lots of thinking lately and have decided that some changes need to happen around here. I have decided to sell/cull the lionheads completely from my barn. They are not a breed that I really enjoy that much. I do like the looks of them, but just not the breed for me. The Hollands are also gonna get some cutbacks. I would like to cut back their numbers to under 12, as much as I enjoy them, I don't enjoy showing them as much. The Mini Lops and French Lops are also getting some cuts done, but they are also getting some new stuff brought in. I bought some from Kim and Cristina and they will be coming up in the next week or so. There is some very good lines coming up with both breeds and some interesting colors in the French. The only breed not getting any thing done to it is the Harlequins as they are where they should be right now.

Along with the rabbits from Kim and Cristina, there is also coming cavies in Americans, Texels, Peruvians, Silkies, and Alpacas. The cavies are coming from Kim and Cristina, Dillion and Sherri. A pair of fuzzy hollands from Sherri are coming up with the shipment as well, but they are going to Laura-Ann.

I have to palpate a pile of does today and that will help with the cull/sell process as many of the does are on the last chance.

Went to dog show in Grande Prairie yesterday. Met with Laura-ann and her mum in Dawson Creek and met Brianna at the dog show. Had a good visit with them. Anna kinda indicated that she thought showing dogs might interest her. Not sure what breed though, she did like the Westhighland(?) Terriers, Collies, Shelties, the Dandie, the Brittany and Papillions. I like the Collie, the Brittany and the Shelties, but I think we will stick to the Tollers until she really can commit to something. I would like to show at the November Grande Prairie Show, but I know have a lot to work on with Kiley(like standing still!)

Well, not much else going on and I have lots to do so I better get doing it
Janine

Pics

2007-06-16T23:41:00.000-07:00

Rainstar's Robbie

Rainstar's Garner

Highwood's Wild 'n Windy

Protective Mother Duck

Rouen Duck with her brood

Cola

Kiley

Rainstar's Emerald

Babies

2007-06-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

I palpated a bunch of does yesterday. As far as I can tell, most caught. Also bred a bunch more does. Only have a few more does to try and get bred. I put all the American cavies into breeding as well. If all the rabbits catch and have successful litters I will have a lot of babies.

Will be culling any does that either do not catch or have babies successfully. A few does are not cooperating by not lifting. They will be culled as well if they do not start to cooperate.

One of the ducks has finally brought out her ducklings. Soo cute!
Not much esle going on.
Janine

Chicks, Shiloh, Rabbit Ramblings & New Hedgies Coming Friday

2007-05-30T23:06:00.000-07:00

Chicks are growing like crazy. I've only had them a week and they changed so much from when I brought them home. Few are starting to fly a bit and a few have tail feathers plus the wings. You sure an tell the difference between the broilers and the layers. The broilers are half again as big generally.

Shiloh is still gone. I know that she isn't coming back, but it would of been nice to find something or hear something. Someone I know said they thought they saw something that looked like one of my dogs on the side of the highway. I will have to walk the ditch again, if it her and it hasn't been too long I will take her in to be cremated. If it is her at least I know what happened to her. I'm not even sure why the dogs got out that night, they just did. One thing I can hope for is that Shiloh did not teach the younger dogs how to chew a hole in the chain link(which is how they got out).

Bred a bunch of rabbits and still have a bunch to do. I have been reading other breeders blog's and from reading the one blog I know I have some tough decisions to make this summer and fall. What the author wrote rang true with me and I have to do something to change what I am doing to make things better. I will be cutting back a lot and will be more selective about what I keep for replacements. Some cuts will probably be easy to justify as there will be does that I can't get bred or won't raise a litter. It won't be easy to actually send them on their way, though, as I get a little too attached to some of them and I do know most of the rabbits just by looking at them. The bucks I have will need to be evaluated as my ratio is far from the "ideal" and I really don't need that many boys. The lops are the worst for being buck heavy, all three breeds are closer to the 50/50 mark than I care to admit. The Lionheads and Harlequins are where they should be. I would really like my herd to get down by a third or even a half if I get really picky. It will not be easy to get down that much though.

The Florida doe has yet to kindle and I'm wondering if she absorbed her kits as I was sure she was pregnant. Will check her tomorrow and if nothing will put her to the buck. She hasn't even built a nest and just ate the hay/straw, so I'm thinking no babies from her for another month or so.

Supposed to be going to Grande Prairie on Friday. I am getting three new hedgehogs and I have to take Brianna her chair that we missed when coming back from Chestermere. I am getting two females and another male. Briar will finally have his girlfriend that we have been waiting a long time for. They will be coming from Winnipeg and hopefully everything will work out for Friday. Tomorrow I will know for certain if they are coming Friday or if the date has to be changed.

Chicks

2007-05-27T22:40:00.000-07:00

The chicks came on Wednesday and they are growing like weeds. I can't believe how much something that little can eat! I have a person that wants to buy a couple of the layers. So at least I will not have 10-20 new laying hens.

The majority are the broilers and they will be gone after 2 months. Should be able to butcher them in one maybe two days. It has been a few years since I have done chickens and we used to be able to do 50 a day. Only have 40 or so to do. We may spread it out a little more as there is always runts and the pullets never grow as big as the cockerals. We just don't want 9lb dressed birds like last time.
Janine

Cages & Buns

2007-05-27T22:17:00.000-07:00

Well, finally got the last few buns moved. Now I wish the shed was another foot or two wider as it really tight with all those cages in there. Wouldn't be too bad except for the outside feeders that seem to make it even more interesting to walk between them. Will have to do something different I think, but not sure right now. Don't have room for the stackers as it is right now. I think I will end up putting a third layer of cages on the one side and see if I can get the 12 hole double cage fit in different. We will figure something out, just not sure if it will be this summer or not. It was so much work to get this far and and I hate the thought of ripping it all apart again.

Now I need to do a little bit of a bunny shuffle as there is a few buns that are not in the right size cages and get the tattooing done of the ones that need it. Also get the name tags on all the cages so I know who the few that I can't ID just by looking at them are obvious.

Will get some breedings done as well. Both the Florida does caught, not sure on Buttercup. Will test breed her maybe. Any bunny that doesn't catch or kindle successfully after a few tries will be moved out. Can't be feeding a bunch of free-loaders that should be earning their keep by having babies and will be trying to downsizie a bit on the bucks as I have way too many Mini Lop and Holland Lop boys. Hopefully will get some replacements for some of my older rabbits as well.

Breedings

2007-05-21T13:13:00.000-07:00

I palpated the Florida doe and she is pregnant. Will be interesting to see what she has. Also have bred the other Florida doe and Buttercup. Need to do more, but that is a start.

Have ten rabbits left to move to the new shed and then everyone will be under one roof. After they are moved, I will be working on redoing the stacker cages. Putting new bottoms on them and taking out the dividers.

Not much else going on
Janine

Took a few Pictures today

2007-05-16T21:40:00.000-07:00

I took some pictures of the poultry today. The peacock was strutting his stuff and when his tail comes all the way in it will be very spectacular.

The goose is setting and hisses at anything that gets too close. She has 5 eggs last time that I checked.

One or two ducks are setting as well, just not sure where as they are good at hiding.
We have chicks coming next week on Wednesday. 10 Red Sussex, 10 Ameruanas, and 40 Broilers. I should be setting Partridge Rocks eggs in the incubator, but I have yet to seperate them from everyone else, though the crosses would be interesting.

I need to palpate the Florida White doe. If she caught, she could have some interesting babies. Not sure what a Mini Lop crossed with a Florida White would look like. The litter could also have two fathers as the Florida White buck clued in to what he needed to do after the Mini Lop.

Moving buns & Memberships

2007-05-13T18:13:00.000-07:00

Hi
We have moved about half the buns to their new digs and are working toward the rest being moved. Should be nice when done and be easier to do chores as everyone will be in the same spot.

I sent in my membership to a couple clubs. Harlequins, French Lops and another that I am hoping to get a trio or quad of. Will do the Mini Lops next time around. Also have to do the Hollands and ARBA pretty quick as well.
Janine

Barn, Breeding and chicks

2007-05-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

Well, our new rabbit shed is almost done. The roof has to be finished and the cage supports I have to build yet. Then the hard work of moving everyone. It is roughly 12x24' with the possibity of adding more later this summer.

Will do some breedings in the course of moving the buns and tattoo the ones that need a tattoo.

We are getting some chicks on May 23. Broilers, Red Sussex pullets and some Ameracuanas. We might have some other babies coming up in the geese and duck area as well. The goose is starting to sit and I have a couple ducks that are not seen very often. So maybe babies on the way there.

Not much else going on here
Janine

Planned Breedings

2007-05-03T14:52:00.000-07:00

Well, I need to do a lot of breedings. And I'm probably going to be doing some(hopefully not a lot) of culling of the does that do not catch or kindle successfully. I hope to get a couple litters out of Willow. He is getting up in age and I had thought I was going to lose him this winter once or twice.
These are just what I am thinking of doing for the first set of litters:

Mini Lops:
Willow
-Calla
-Mouse
-Skittles
Van Gough
-Jen
Dark Secret
-Wenatchee
-Flicka
Prince Eric
-Bluejeans
-Pearl
Wes
-Shelby
Wetaskiwin
-Kahluha

French Lops:
Canon
-Lucie
-Phoebe
Jackson
-Bailey

Holland Lops
Cole
-Squirrelly
Comox
-Southern Classic
Elijah
-Kraft
Levi
-Petunia
Nicholas
-Shelley
Garfield II(RS1)
-Ella
Theotime(RS3)
-Pepsi
Sal
-Frosty
Taren
-Daila
Jordan
-Skywishes
Rueban
-Cobalt
Lots a Heart
-Pansy
Iggy
-Cassie

Harlequins
Langdon
-Buttercup

Lionheads
Dandy Lion
-Skip
-Mirage
Mike
-Tammy

Think that is everyone and this is a rough plan of what I am thinking and is subject to change. Janine

Saskatchewan and Rabbit Barns

2007-05-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

Hi
We have decided that we are moving to Saskatchewan this summer or next(or so), depending on how things look. The trailer has had some improvements done to it to make it last longer and easier to sale. New roof, taking off horrible addition, fixing up the deck(until it can be replaced which it needs badly). I am not looking forward to moving that many critters though. They own more stuff than I do and it takes up more space. Will be a lot of work just to move them.

We need a new barn for the rabbits and shelter for the ducks/geese. Since we are planning on moving, we are just going to do a pole barn-type thing. It will have real walls on the ends to stop the nasty winds that we can get and the front and back will be a tarp or something along that idea. Cheap and easy to replace. It will be cheaper to build as it is basically a roof with legs and will be easy to keep cleaned out. Since it is cheaper to build I can go bigger and I hope that I will be able to fit all of my cages in it. This building should be started in the next week or so. I need to move a lot of junk first and some trees neeed to be cut down.

not much else going on
Janine

Chestermere Results

2007-05-02T18:52:00.000-07:00

Well, we had a great trip down to Calgary. Had lots of fun with Laura-ann and Brianna. We had a few problems with the truck, but since it is on warranty(less than 35000 km on it) we just phone roadside assistance and they come and save us.

We were pretty tired by the end of the show but we were all pretty happy on how we did. You could tell that we were pretty tired when we could not stop giggling at the "cow house" after the zoo and how much fun we had getting lost looking for Westjet Cargo.

For other results, most of my rabbits need condition but still comments was what I was after anyway. Congrats to Brianna on her Youth BIS!

Anna got a BOS and BOB with her Mini Lops in the Youth Show(Ginger-BOS, Wetaskiwin-BOB) Samantha got a BOB with Buttercup under Jan Gosen and BOB(Bliss) and BOS(Langdon) with her Harlies in the Youth Show. I got good comments on all my buns and did fairly well.

I bought some new buns, we brought home a trio of Floridia Whites(wow is all I can say about the muscles on these buns) I bred the one doe already and the litter might be a little interesting as the buck was NOT interested in the doe at all. We then brought out the extremely interested Wetaskiwin and he did the job. The FW buck then was interested and did his job. I guess he needed the competition and shown how ;-)

Also bought some Harlequins - a junior blue doe from Barb Adams, a junior blue buck from Marlene and a senior buck from Valdine(Langdon). Everyone says that I have a VERY nice harlie herd now. Samantha is set with them now. Just have to get some babies from them :-)

Also bought two frosty hollands from Shannon. Both got great comments in the show. The doe is retired to the brood pen now and I imagine that I will bring out Tucker again at the next show. He has the potential but is gangly.

We picked up the two Frenchies from Sarah. I love the Chinchilla doe, both Brianna and Laura-ann said they wanted her as well :). The little steel buck is a cutie as well and shows lots of potential.

Need to get some does bred and hopefully we will have a baby boom. Need to get some babies and then we get some of the seniors out of here that are needing to go.

We also went to the zoo and could of spent much more time there. The girls had fun(so did we)

and was a nice way to spent some time.

We then went and saw some very cute puppies at Lisa's and we of course wanted to take them all home(thankfully they were 4 and 5 weeks old and you can't take them home that young)

Lisa was very happy with how Kiley is turning out and Kiley had a good lesson at the bunny show on how to behave at a show. First day she was a little whiney, but she learned quickly that mum was too busy to play all the time. And no messes in the crate, though once out of it you better be moving fast to a potty spot...

There is more pics of the show and the zoo in the photo albums, didn't get as many as I wanted

but there is some good ones.

Well, that is about all

Janine

Is Spring Here? and Chestermere

2007-04-23T11:10:00.000-07:00

Well, the weather has decided to be nice again. Have lots of yard clean-up to do and have to get other stuff moved as I am getting my roof replaced. We are probably leaving for Chestermere on Thursday, staying at Wendy's outside of Grande Prairie Thursday night and then off to Calgary early Friday. That way we get there a little earlier and won't be trying to set up in the dark.

Got my camera back from Mum yesterday, had a good visit with the family. Kids always love visiting grandma, poppa, great-grandma and great poppa. They got to see some of the baby calves and just had a great time.

Got some fencing done around the place this weekend. Hard work, but worth it when I don't have to worry about the dogs or ducks or geese or kids going on the road. Need to finish stapling, but it will hold for now. Also gives me another grazing area for the goats and llama.

Only a few more days before we leave....

All for now
Janine

Chestermere and not much going on

2007-04-20T21:29:00.000-07:00

Well, the weather has been really gross last few days. Rain and snow, everything is wet and turned back into mud. The only critters that really like it I think are the ducks and geese. Everyone else just looks miserable.

In one week, I will be in Calgary/Chestermere for the Chestermere Show and I am really looking forward to it. Is a long drive, but will be loads of fun. I am taking my digital camera and will take loads of pics this trip, especially of the zoo.

I have added another critter to pick up in Calgary, a boar American guinea pig. Will add some needed size and some new blood to my pigs. Sharin is picking him up for me to bring to the show, so lots of thanks to her.

I bought some equipment from Brianna, two carriers and a grooming table. One carrier is holland size and the other should fit my French Lops.

Not much else going on here.

Janine

Bunnies & Chinchillas

2007-04-19T11:06:00.000-07:00

Hi
Well, as you can tell from the previous entry that I'm getting Tucker and May from Shannon at Star Lit at the Chestermere Show. Also picking up a trio of Floridia Whites from Hultholm's for mainly meat production. We are also picking up a Harlequin or two(must get a buck). We are also talking to Helga and Gayle about getting another breed from them in the future if not at the show. I will let you know if anything works out there. Also should be picking up a chinchilla male from Teresa(Violet Acres Rabbitry). Will also be getting a broken chinchilla and a broken steel French Lop from Sarah shipped to Calgary.

In baby news, Ebby had a set of twins on March 27. A pair of ebonies -boy and girl. Thinking of keeping the boy to pair with our Mosiac girl... Cute babies, will get some pics when I get my camera back from my mum.

Nothing much else going on here.
Janine

Chestermere Entries

2007-04-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

Hi
Well, we have sent our entries in for Chestermere.

I'm showing:
French Lops
Garner - RSTS2 Jr Broken Buck -ABC
Charcoal - CRSAM2 Jr Solid Doe -ABC
Lucie -TSML7 Sr Broken Doe -ABC

Holland Lops
Comox - SRN Sr Solid Buck -ABC
RS3 Sr Broken Buck -ABC
Garfield II- RS1 Sr Solid Buck -ABC (I know he is really overweight, but want comments)
Iggy - IGGY Sr Broken Buck -ABC
Tucker(Star Lit) - IS Sr Solid Buck -ABC
May(Star Lit) -IFM - Sr Broken Doe -ABC

Samantha is showing:
Harlequins(Magpies)
Buttercup - PR01 Sr Doe -ABC Youth
Bliss - BB01 Jr Doe - ABC Youth
Bandit - BB02 Jr Doe - ABC Youth

Anna is is showing:
Mini Lops
Smudge - GD03 Jr Broken Buck -ABC Youth
Ginger - GD06 Jr Broken Doe - ABC Youth
Wetaskiwin - GA7 Sr Broken Buck - ABC Youth

Chestermere & Other News

2007-04-12T11:15:00.000-07:00

Hi
Well, Chestermere is right around the corner, just over two weeks before we leave. Deciding on who I should take still, but have a good idea. Laura-ann and Brianna will be coming down with me and we will be sharing accomodations as well. I have borrowed one of hubbies first aid truck and camper for the trip as there was no way we could fit everyone in my little car. Splitting costs will make it more affordable to take the big truck.

Will be picking up a few buns at the show. Few have to be finalized still, but two hollands from Shannon at Star Lit for certain. Hopefully a Harlequin buck and/maybe another doe. There are a couple others in the works and I will let you in on the others when it becomes certain that they are a go :-). Might be picking up two from Sarah McCrea in Calgary as well, easier to ship to Calgary and Brianna will be shipping out as well from Calgary.

Kiley and Cola have been going to the obedience classes, more for socialization than anything. Kiley will also be coming down with us to Chestermere so Lisa can have a look at her. This show is also when I picked her up, so I have had our puppy dog almost a year now :-) Time has flew by with her.

We are planning a trip to the zoo as well and I'm looking forward to it. The Calgary Zoo is a great zoo to visit and the girls will really have fun I think. The girls are really looking forward to the bunny show and the zoo. I haven't told them that we are visiting Lisa as well and that she has two litters of puppies right now. Thankfully they will be 4 and 5 weeks old when we go and much to young to take home ;-)

Hedgehogs are in the works and just have to wait for them to be old enough to be shipped. I'm looking forward to getting more of the little prickly critters. It might work out that I can pick up in Calgary for them as well, but have to see.

Still looking for a pair or trio of good sized American cavies in Red and White, Tortoiseshell and White or Golden Agouti, Red and White.

School is winding down and I'm so glad that it is almost done. Been a long eight months and I'm getting tired of it. Especially when I have to go to the end of June, not mid-April like I'm used to.

Well, this is long enough for now
Janine

Hollands again

2007-03-26T10:19:00.000-07:00

Hi
Well, Skywishes finally kindled. She had a fetal giant. She is doing well, but we are keeping an eye on her to make sure she is fine and that there are no more babies in there. Don't think so, but better safe than sorry. Think I will breed her to Jordan in a few days if she has nothing else.

Making some choices on who gets to stay and who goes in the Hollands. But it so hard to decide. Pretty sure Levi, Jordan, Comox, Kaylee, Li, Esther, either Sal or Taren, and Chelsea(or Elijah) will be going. So, I'm keeping most does, Iggy, Rueban, Cole, RS1, RS3, and Nicholas. Few still up in the air. We are planning on adding two hollands at Chestermere from Shannon at Star lit that will help my program a lot.

Need to look over my Mini Lops as well and I'm starting to wonder if I should continue with the Lionheads. They are such a neat breed, but I really do like the harlies over them and I still want to get the Tans. So decisions that need to be made will not be easy.
Janine

Hollands

2007-03-22T09:20:00.000-07:00

Hi
Well, Petunia had 4, but then was a silly bun and didn't look after them and squished them. Cobalt never caught and she has been bred to Rueban. Petunia was also bred to Rueban, just because he was the buck in the house at the time. Still waiting on Skywishes, should be really soon.

I've decided to do a re-organization/re-thinking of my Hollands. I need to re-focus with them and cut back some. I know a few that I just can't sell, but need to decide on who will round out the rest of my program. Decisions!

that is all for now
Janine

News Buns and Cavies

2007-03-13T17:07:00.000-07:00

Hi
Well, yesterday I went to Grande Prairie and picked up four new rabbits and two cavies. There was two lionheads and two Texel Cavies from Sheri at Creator's Critters and two French Lops from Sarah at Rainstar Rabbitry. Very nice looking stuff :)

Spring is supposed to be around the corner, but we got a pile of snow over the weekend. Can't wait for spring to actually be here.

Have a couple does due in the next week or so so maybe baby buns will help make it seem more like spring.

Should be bringing in a trio of hedgehogs shortly. Briar will finally have a girlfriend :)

Not much else going on here
Janine

Back from Wetaskiwin & New Buns

2007-02-20T18:03:00.000-08:00

Wetaskiwin was great. Lots of fun as always, EARS always puts on a great show :) Did ok on the tables, happy with how I did. Got some good comments on the buns I did show. Registered Skittles, so Anna should get her Grand Champion soon on her. Brought home lots of buns including a few that were not planned.
New buns:

Sunny's Cobalt - blue Holland doe hopefully bred to Crystal's VERY nice boy Money Maker
Ranch's Petunia - opal Holland doe hopefully bred to Crystal's Chinchilla buck Storm Chaser
Creator's Skywishes - broken blue Holland doe is bred to Rueban now
Cutie Patootie/L&R Lots A Heart - nice young senior Tort Holland buck
Cutie Patootie Iggy - very promising broken Black Holland buck. He got great comments, the judges loved him just needs maturity to get BOV or BOB :)
Prominent's Smudge-broken lilac steel Mini Lop buck will be a nice boy when he grows up some more
Prominent's Ginger - broken chocolate chestnut Mini Lop doe nice little girl has to grow up as well
JT's Wetaskiwin - broken chocolate chestnut Mini Lop buck. He got a leg this week-end and was one I did not expect to bring home
Prominent's Buttercup - Blue Magpie Harlequin doe. A breed I had inquired about and when Samantha fell in love with this girl we had to bring her home
Prominent's Bliss - Lilac Magpie Harlequin doe. Buttercup's daughter and very sweet.
Prominent's Bandit - Blue Magpie Harlequin doe. Buttercup's daughter and also very sweet.

As you can guess we added a new breed with the Harlequins and they are going to be Samantha's breed. From what I learned they are very similar in breeding/culling to my TSW cavies, should be lots of fun.

Right now we have five does that have been bred:

-Cobalt x Money Maker due March 15 (crossing my fingers that she took)
-Petunia x Storm Chaser due March 15
-Skywishes x Rueban due March 20
-Pearl x Wetaskiwin due March 20
-Skittles x Willow due March 20

Will be all for now as I have to bring them in the house to kindle and raise the babies and I don't have anymore room than that.

Some planned litters will be:

V&V's Jordan x Creator's Jacquie
V&V's Jordan x Sunny's Pansy
V&V's Jordan x Ranui's Cassie
Ranui's Cole x Sunny's Daila
Ranui's Cole x Tanya's Squirrely
Ranui's Dark Secret x Velotta's Wenatchee
JT's Wetaskiwin x Tamashanter's Bluejeans
Ranui's Wes x Rah's Squeaker
Lots Of Lops Canon x Tamashanter's Phoebe
Tamashanter's Jackson x Lots A Lops Bailey
Little Valley's Mike x Nequila's Tammy
Nequila's Chester x Little Valley's Misty
Little Valley's Mike x Little Valley's Mirage

Very soon we will be adding two Frenchies from Sarah McCrea(black doe and broken cream buck), two lionheads(chinchilla and black) and two Texel cavies(black and broken blue roan) from Sherri Evans. They should be here in the next week or so.

I should be attending the Chestermere show especially when it is a triple. Hopefully will have some nice buns to show.

August I am planning on attending the quad show put on by EARS and there is talk of there being a cavy show. That would be great and I would plan on taking some. I would have the one Texel to show and at least one American, hopefully more if the babies I have turn out as nice as I think they are. I am going to put my boar back in with the two sows, though I definately need some new blood. I am looking for a pair of TSW, red/white or GA/R/W and would really like them to be bigger plus have nicer patching and little brindling.

Kiley might be going to Edmonton for the show there in April and both her and Cola will be at Taylor in May(will be my first time in the dog show ring!)

Nothing much else going on here.
Janine

Nothing much around here for news

2007-01-27T10:10:00.000-08:00

Hi
It looks good to be going to Wetaskiwin, I'm looking forward to going. Looks like I will be getting a few Hollands from Crystal as well. Really hope to get another two lionheads, but I might not have room. Especially if I want to take something to show. Have to look at rearranging my car, carseats take so much room. If I can get them moved I could fit another two carriers. Think luggage will be on top of the car.

Keeping one boar from the litters, Janie's boy. The two sows look like they are sold. Rest are available.

Janine

January is almost done...

2007-01-25T08:35:00.000-08:00

Well, it is almost the end of January, exam time for me and a few days off after that.

I am planning on attending Wetaskiwin in mid-February. It is of course, weather-permitting and money permitting. If I do go I will be taking Brianna(Happy Days Rabbitry) with me and some of her fuzzies. My little car will be stuffed! Love my little car, but when rabbit shows come around sure wish I got the mini-van. Next time I guess.

Should be picking up a few new rabbits at the show, Mini Lops mainly. Two from Prominent (Lilac steel and chocolate chestnut)and two from Jess(lilac and steel). Maybe a few Hollands from Crystal and a lionhead or two as well. Though, I do have to careful on the number, room is an issue in my car after all. I do want to bring something to show, not just bring home bunnies...

Everyone is doing good here, have three litters of cavies right now. I think it will be Janie's last litter. Her babies are doing good, but she is not holding condition at all this time. Almost scary skinny, hope I don't lose her, she is a wonderful little pig.

Birds are doing great, Casper is starting to talk more and Citrin is as well. Now if I could only get Ollie to talk instead of whistling at the top of her lungs...

Well, that is all for now.
Janine

Sleigh Ride

2006-12-18T16:48:00.000-08:00

I took the girls for a sleigh ride today and took a few pictures.
"Emmie" is a almost two-year old La Mancha dry doe. I did get a few looks from people driving by ;-)
Janine

Warmer Weather

2006-12-11T09:22:00.000-08:00

Hi
We have been enjoying warmer than and seasonal temperatures for the last little while. So nice! However, we still have a pile of snow. Much more than I really want to have, but it sure would be a mess if it all melted.

Everyone is doing well, Cola has adjusted to her new home and we are working on some of her training. Kiley may go to the Edmonton show in April, just depends on if Laura-ann goes. Planning on her and Cola being in the Taylor show in May as well.

I'm really hoping to get to go to the Wetaskiwin show in February. Don't think I will have a huge amount to show, but will have some.

I was given around 15 ducks recently, Rouen, Pekin and crosses. If anyone wants some ducks, I have some looking for homes.

Hoping to get pictures of some of my critters if the weather holds, but have a bunch of other things that need done as well.

Only have 7 days left until I am on Christmas break, I'm sure it will fly by though.
Janine

Cola

2006-11-12T16:47:00.000-08:00

Hi
We finally brought Cola home. I picked her up at the Grande Prairie Show. Stayed and watched for a little while, interesting to see all the different breeds. Will get pictures hopefully soon of her.
Janine

Cold & Snow

2006-11-05T13:28:00.000-08:00

Well, it really hasn't stopped snowing since last week-end. Flurries mainly, but I am really getting sick of the white stuff already. Temperatures are supposed to drop around -20 overnight for the next couple days according to the forecast. Not fun and then late in the week it is suppused to get over freezing for a couple days. Now that will be a mess when we have 16 inches of snow that could all melt.

Cola should be coming home next week-end. I will be picking her up at the Grande Prairie Show next week-end if all goes well. Finally getting that girl home, after a month of conflicting schedules and just not working out on the dates. We had been trying to get her up here before the snow flew, but this way she didn't have to fly. She is coming up with the only Toller showing at the show so will be easy to find :-).

Northlands was this week-end and it did feel weird not going, but kinda glad I didn't considering our weather. Roads are not that great up here and I would just not rather travel when the weather is like that. I had always been lucky when going to Northlands. Usually snowed after the show when I was at home. Sometimes snowed around Edmonton on the Sunday/Monday but never all the way home. I don't think there would of been as many people there as normal anyway. No poultry or pigeons again this year and the show just wasn't the same without them last year.

Not much for anything else going on up here. Just trying to keep unburied from all the snow and hope that I don't get stuck in the driveway with my little car(I love my car, but I do miss that gas-guzzling 4x4 suburban when the weather is like this)
Janine

Snow, snow snow!

2006-10-28T19:44:00.001-07:00

Hi
Well since last night at about 4:00pm we have had over a foot of snow. Very heavy, wet stuff as we are still fairly warm. Too warm really as the frost hasn't even come into the ground and it is melting the snow from the bottom and the top. Very hard to walk through and too wet to easily pull my sled through as it sticks to the snow. Supposed to cool down a little over the next few days, so we have to wait and see if it stays or not.
Janine

Monday

2006-10-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back in school after finally getting healthy. Not too, too far behind, should catch up this week.

I'm playing with the webset on my website again. I like what I have right now, but I have so much stuff from Graphic Garden that I'm wanting to play around a little. She has lots of great work, I've been very happy with what I have used.

Did a little research on Indian Ringenck Parakeets this week-end. Since HealthGene says Ollie is a hen, if paired with Citrin the babies will be able to be visually sexed because all the hens will be lutinos and the boys will be green. So that is a little bonus.

I got my camera back this week-end when I went to my folks neighbours farm auction. Should start getting pictures now. Bought some rabbit cages at the auction, I paid $140 for 7, 6-hole hanging cages. Some j-feeders included even. One is in rougher shape, but the rest are in good shape.

Well, enough for now
Janine

Website Updates

2006-10-20T10:32:00.000-07:00

Hi
Well, The girls have been sick and I have been sick so I have been home from school. I did update my site with a new webset. I bought graphics from Graphic Garden and they are so nice. She does such a nice job.

I still need to take a pile of pictures, but mum still has my camera. I should get it back this week-end so hopefully I will get a chance to get some pictures done before the snow flies(again!)

Bird News
Well, I got back the DNA results for Ollie and Casper. Ollie is a girl! There must of been a mix-up when shipping with his brother because they were DNA'ed before. I had doubts on the results because of a couple behaviours and I wanted to make sure before I sold Citrin. I ended up with a pair of IRN's, just not the way I planned. Casper is a boy, so no changes there. Casper is fitting in well, starting to vocalize a little more.
ttyl
Janine

What's up....

2006-10-04T19:38:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone
Well, I have been a full-time student for a month. Is a bit of a change from being a full-time mother. Need to do updates badly on my website, but will be done when time permits(and I need get my camera back from my mum).
Rabbit News:
I'm done showing for this year, but should be attending the February show in Wetaskiwin. Also planning to attend the April show in Chestermere if held. Have a couple nice home-bred animals I would like to show, but we do need to breed a lot. I might try a few litters this winter, but winter is very slow.
Bird & Critter News:
Just trying to get prepared for winter with all the critters, October 31 is the date we usually have to beat. I can remember going out in the snow for candy. Rare Halloween for us to not have snow and it has already snowed once in September.
Casper has settled in well and is starting to show his personality. I can testify that African Grey's are definitely like having another pre-schooler in the house!
Dog news:
Kiley is currently in obedience classes with me and besides having the puppy focus is doing very well. Considering showing her in the Grande Prairie show in November, but she will go in the May show in Taylor.
Cola should be coming up this weekend from Lisa and is much anticipated. We will be doing agility with her this spring and might show her in conformation(maybe May Taylor show).
Livestock News:
The sheep have been sold and the goats and llama are what I have for large livestock now. My parents are going to be leaving for Australia in January and will be gone for six-eight months, so since the sheep winter at my mum's it just was not an option to keep them right now. I will miss them and will consider getting purebred Texels in the future as sheep have always been a part of my life. I need a little more land than 5 acres to keep as many animals as would like ;-) I have decided that if my folks decide to move over to Australia, I would try to buy their house and property. I would rather be closer to Dawson Creek than in Chetwynd as it is, but I do so hate moving....

Well, that is enough for this post
TTYL
Janine