Two of Sapphire
's kits are definitely white. There are seven total. It looks like a couple of black ones, too, but I'd have to take them out of the nesting box to be sure and (A) It wouldn't be healthy for them to be handled more than necessary at this stage. They're too susceptible to disease and too easily injured and (B) Sapphire's dangerously protective of her kits and will bite anyone who sticks their hand into her hutch. Even to feed her! Despite the fact that we have to do it more often since she had her kits, because she keeps dumping it.
I think the problem is that when she had her first
litter, like a lot of first litters do, hers died. All of them. I think she probably blames us or something.
The first litter was an accident, anyway. Like a lot of rookie rabbit breeders, I mis-sexed one of my young bunnies and decided I had two does in the hutch. I was wrong! Imagine my surprise
when I saw she had bunnies! Unfortunately, we didn't know then what we know now. It was winter, which probably didn't help. The little ones had the deck stacked against them because they were a first litter. They died within three days. They seemed healthy at first, but they must not have been.
At least we're all more experienced (especially Sapphire!)
's kits are definitely white. There are seven total. It looks like a couple of black ones, too, but I'd have to take them out of the nesting box to be sure and (A) It wouldn't be healthy for them to be handled more than necessary at this stage. They're too susceptible to disease and too easily injured and (B) Sapphire's dangerously protective of her kits and will bite anyone who sticks their hand into her hutch. Even to feed her! Despite the fact that we have to do it more often since she had her kits, because she keeps dumping it.I think the problem is that when she had her first
litter, like a lot of first litters do, hers died. All of them. I think she probably blames us or something. The first litter was an accident, anyway. Like a lot of rookie rabbit breeders, I mis-sexed one of my young bunnies and decided I had two does in the hutch. I was wrong! Imagine my surprise
when I saw she had bunnies! Unfortunately, we didn't know then what we know now. It was winter, which probably didn't help. The little ones had the deck stacked against them because they were a first litter. They died within three days. They seemed healthy at first, but they must not have been.At least we're all more experienced (especially Sapphire!)
P.S. They all have fur, now. The white ones should sell fast to people who are looking for meat rabbits
. I think the black and gray coats would make lovely pelts.
. I think the black and gray coats would make lovely pelts.Contrary to popular belief, meat rabbit breeders are not heartless.We don't like to kill our livestock any more than anyone else. We even may get attached to some of the rabbits. But you always need to distance yourself when dealing with livestock. You can think they're cute, but they're still meat. A cow and a chicken are cute, too. There is something seriously wrong with a person who likes to butcher an animal.
My neighbor mentioned to me that he didn't like butchering animals. He said as time went on, he liked it less and less. I told him that was good. There is something seriously 
wrong with a person who likes to kill.
wrong with a person who likes to kill.So, to those who think we're out to make a quick buck or enjoy killing, we don't.
Ever.
Besides, if the rabbits you breed pay for their own keep, you're way ahead of the game
.
. 
on pasturing rabbits. I found someone who actually knows Joel and Daniel 
. 
!) and sensibly. He's also someone whom I admire very deeply for the very principles that lead him in doing so. They, 
, has 
in rabbits, right now! I do know, however, that they seem to go above and beyond for customer service just from my brief dealings with them through email. The letter is below, in italics to differentiate it from the rest of the article.
people out there who'd love to hurt me, or worse, my family, simply because they think I shouldn't be hurting 
. Makes sense, huh? To understand the whole letter, you'd have to read Mr. Salatin's article, "everything I want to do is illegal" I put a link below.
, eh? I know, bad joke.
. Right now, it's just a dream I have. Even if I could afford one, I'm not sure my young but decrepit back could handle it. Okay, I'm sure I've wasted enough of your valuable time 
, so here it is. I raise rabbits for meat and.....fur. "Pastured Poultry" focused on chickens and did not say too much about rabbits. Do you have a special feed recipe for rabbits. I know you were giving them free choice grains, pellets and hay, but has anything changed on that front? Some people say you can make 
, some say you can't. I refuse to believe rabbits have been bred so they can only eat pellets and hay! Especially since the farmer next door told me he raised rabbit 
on nothing but grains. I don't really want to do that either, though. Seems a little too much the other way to me....
for sale and show.. Right now, I have a new litter of Flemish-Mini Lop-Silver Fox with another due next week. I would really appreciate your input. Thanks.I also have a blog about raising rabbits for meat and fur. Perhaps, with your permission, I could use some of your wisdom?
on this subject, I would be very interested in receiving it. If this letter does not get to Mr Salatin directly, please pass it on to him. 
today so either Daniel or Joel can reply - but they are hugely busy at this time so it might be a while.
something good will come out of it. I'll keep you all updated.
need of Silver Fox rabbits! If anyone breeds SFs near the Sandy Lake, Pa area, please leave a 
here! I will contact you as soon as it's received. Full pedigrees are desired, but not necessarily necessary. Please leave an email address for your 
or 
in the comments section. You will receive a response through email as soon as possible. Thank you!
.
any SFs or calis we buy. Just breeding. SFs are still pretty 
and we would like to see the population grow!