First Snow

I've been trying to get updated pictures of the bunnies for what seems like ages.  Every time the weather is nice, I've been busy with other things that take me away from home; and when I'm home, the weather has been uncooperative.   Today was no different - overcast, blustery with the threat of snow, and then...a brief downpour of snow.  

Since I couldn't take outside photos, I decided to visit with the rabbits in their shelter.   Here are a few pictures of the growing little ones.

Ceilidh and her litter are first.   The two broken chestnut kits will be available for purchase at the RRBA show on March 24th.

from front to back - Broken Chestnut kit 1, Broken Chestnut kit 2, Black kit and Ceilidh

Broken Chestnut Kit 1 -- closeup

"Me, ooohh Me!  Take My Picture!"

Ella's kits did their share of mugging for  the camera too.   All but the VM chestnut will be for sale.

From L-R Blue kit, Opal kit, VM Chestnut, REW

Hopefully tomorrow will bring sunshine and less moisture so I can take all new photos!

New Arrivals!

We had three dwarf litters arrive last week; Ella, Ceilidh and Ruby each gave us some beautiful babies.

Ella's litter, sired by Stirling, contains a self blue kit, an opal kit, a REW (or BEW) kit and a Vienna marked chestnut kit.  I can't wait until their eyes open so I can see what I really have.   Since I am not breeding for Blue Eye White rabbits, Ella will be for sale along with the Vienna marked chestnut kit at weaning.  The others will be evaluated based on eye color, nail color and overall type.  I may keep one or two if they are does.  Here is a picture of Ella's babies.

Blue, VM Chestnut, Opal and REW (or BEW)

Ceilidh's litter, sired by Roger, is composed mostly of broken kits.   I am keeping the broken black kit for further evaluation and offering the others for sale.   Here is a picture of this adorable litter.

Black, Broken Black, Two Broken Chestnut kits

Ruby's litter, sired by Star, is the most promising for my breeding program.   It looks like we have two chinchillas and a broken black silver marten.  I will be keeping all of these kits for future evaluation.

We also have four Rhinelander kits in need of new homes.   Pictures and prices can be found on the website www.2dconeyrey.webs.com  and many will be available at the Powhatan Chicken Swap on Saturday, March 31, 2012.

Oh yeah, almost forgot.  I am so done with this crazy warm, cold, warm, cold, freezing weather...BRING on SPRING!

Show Results

Finally beginning to recover from the RRBA show yesterday.  Boy, what a day!   The show secretaries worked hard to make everything come together at this new location, with the addition of a cavy show, and in spite of a food vendor that never showed up.   Even with the food fiasco it was a nice show.   We had a lot of foot traffic from other events going on at the same venue - a liquidation sale and a bead show.   Quite a few people participated in the raffle for goodies and bunnies.  I donated MB's Edward and 2d's Aramis who were won by one youth, and Clover Patch Tammy, who was won by an adult.  

As for how my bunnies did, well, it was mixed results.  In Show A, Max won Best of Variety and Best of Breed with five Rhinelanders showing. Judge Chris Howell liked his masculine head, overall balance in color, very nice type and good condition.  He felt the butterfly was not as nice as the doe who placed best opposite (a lovely girl!) and his spine base a little "dirty."    Max's son, Suss placed first in as Jr Buck, but he as the only one in the class.  Overall I was thrilled to see two other RH exhibitors!

For the Netherlands, it was a bit more challenging as usual.  Some fantastic competition.   I was very proud of d'Artagnan's third place --- out of seven.  Judge Sue Rice loved his type, said he has a promising head, good condition and color but he was beat out on ears by the top two Jr. bucks.   And they were REALLY nice bucks.  Jazz was my ND thrill of the day - he won Best of Variety.

Another lesson learned --- it's not a good idea to put a white rabbit in a brand new carrier with galvanized wire.   When I went to pull my nosey boy Jack for his class, he looked like a pitiful example of a himi with pale gray schmutz on his nose.   The hubby and I wiped it off as best we could, but I can't help thinking that's why he placed last in his class.  Sigh.

 At the end of the day, it was an even exchange....I donated/sold four bunnies and purchased four more.   Yes, it's rabbit math...they multiply!    Below are some pictures of the day; the new bunnies will be added to the website.

My bunnies stacked and ready for show! 

This young lady was determined to have her bunny shine.

Raffle tables

Lots of exhibitors and lots of spectators

From the back of the showroom near the Secretary's table looking toward the entrance.

A lovely group of Himilayan rabbits.

What are you thankful for?

Among other things, I am thankful for Maddy's new family!   She had a litter of seven kits born 11-13-11.   I am so excited about this litter.   There are two sports, one charlie and four marked.  Of the marked kits, one has a break in the spine marking (the baby at the top of the photo below) so it will be available as a beautiful pet.  A second kit, the one on the lowest right, appears to have very light markings and will also be available as a pet.  The other two (in the center of the pile and nearest the hand) look promising so far; we'll have to wait and see how they develop.  I am also keeping one of the sports if it is a doe.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday! And I hope to see you at the Richmond Rabbit Breeders show on December 10th. 

Blues Rule at Convention!

Blue Rhinelanders are finally an official variety!  Lorena's rabbits passed the third inspection at convention.
In Netherland Dwarf rabbits the Blue Tort passed as well.   Congrats to Donnelle Bomben!

I am so excited about both of the blue varieties and hope to have some ready to show in the spring.

New Arrivals

Ripple had her first litter yesterday --- SEVEN kits --- one REW, one sable marten, one sable and four brokens.  Not sure what color the broken kits will turn out to be - they could be smoke pearl, sable or blue.   Once the fur comes in it will be easier to tell.   Here is a rather blurry picture; they just refused to sit still (it's kinda cold here.)

 And a picture of the new mom watching a wooly-bear caterpillar too close to her nest (on the outside corner of the cage.)

For fun, here are a few more bunny pictures taken during the week.   Castor and Pollux - Rose's almost identical twin chestnut kits sired by Duke.  Pollux is the slightly lighter one.

Bunnies in a basket.
Not sure which is which here. I think the top one is Castor.

Castor and Pollux
(Castor is in the lower front portion of the picture.)

Ceilidh and her month old kit, Teddi, sired by Roger.

I'm expecting another litter of Rhinelanders on November 14th.  Hopefully Maddy will have more than one this time.    Kami and Sky were also bred for end of November litters.   Kami was bred to Mai Tai in anticipation of some chinchillas and Sky was bred to Roger in hopes of getting some nice opal kits.

Look for us at the December RRBA show.  We'll have kits for sale and perhaps a couple of Junior Black Otters in the silent auction fundraiser.

New Nethie Doe!

I am so pleased to announce the addition of HRR's Winter Sky to our herd of brood does.   I fell in love with this little lady the first time I met her but she wasn't for sale.   Sky is my Jazzy's mum.   She passed her lovely temperament on to him and I am so glad I was able to bring her home.  There are two bucks I plan to breed her to --- Roger and Mai Tai --- then she may have a nice retirement.

I am also retiring Rustler.   She's been a good doe for me, but it has taken her a little longer each time to bounce back from rearing a litter.   Inquiries from a good pet home are welcomed.