tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343418039422454577.post755574861757712566..comments2024-01-12T06:15:58.743-05:00Comments on Hillside Homestead: Lots going on right now, including rat rescue.Couretonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07345010106705079453noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343418039422454577.post-66133831250262972402012-11-13T13:44:07.066-05:002012-11-13T13:44:07.066-05:00Not that I know anything about rabbits (adorable! ...Not that I know anything about rabbits (adorable! tasty!), but here's something I found in a scientific paper when I was having trouble with breeding some of my mice: give the females a choice (or at least the illusion of choice). <br /><br /> The researchers described building this T-shaped mouse-tube with a male at either end of the short arms of the T. (Plexi barriers with holes, so they can be seen and smelled, but not get out to fight each other.) You then release the female into the long arm of the T and let her walk down and pick a guy she likes better. Then you put them in a cage together to breed. In the paper they found that this made her more receptive and more likely to carry the litter to term. (Of course I don't have the citation anymore, sorry.)<br /><br />I didn't realize rats would keep away mice, but I bet it's easier on the rabbits than having a cat or snakes. (Are rabbits afraid of snakes? Or are they just afraid of everything?)Margothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03888005312548604414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343418039422454577.post-86930857721558547232012-11-13T13:14:59.300-05:002012-11-13T13:14:59.300-05:00We don't have a scale that can weigh the bigge...We don't have a scale that can weigh the bigger rabbits, and should get one. She's on free choice hay, and about 1/4th cup of 16 a day. She just thinks she's not being fed enough. She weighs about the same as Umbra who is the same size he was when we got him from you. Our concern is that she's been refusing breeding for a couple months now, and we want to make sure she has her first litter before she gets to be a year old.Couretonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07345010106705079453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343418039422454577.post-6025773809142880362012-11-13T13:11:19.905-05:002012-11-13T13:11:19.905-05:00I don't think I'll ever love rats as you d...I don't think I'll ever love rats as you do, but I'm glad that you walk your talk and do rescue work :)<br /><br />Re: Twilight. She's 7 1/2 months old now. What's her weight? I'm also wondering if it's the time of year. I had a lot of trouble getting does to lift this weekend for breeding, especially the younger ones. She might be waiting for spring. Make sure she doesn't get overweight, though - lots of hay should ensure that.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14894152513746944497noreply@blogger.com