Hubby loads up the rabbits, picking them up by the loose fur behind the neck and shoulders.
Some that don't "feel" as though they have quite enough growth yet will have to be weighed. The fryers have to be 4 3/4 to 5 3/4 #'s. This one did not go.
Neighbor, Taylor, is learning about the rabbits and how to handle them.
He puts them gently into the transport cage.
Not too many.... on winter days 10 to a cage, and warm days 8 or less.
All loaded up and ready to go....
The recieving farm is only 14 miles away and from there the rabbits are loaded on a straight truck with ones from other rabbit growers. The driver weighs our rabbits in a large "basket" and gives us a ticket with the total weight. Payment is recieved after they arrive at the plant.
At home the empty pens are scrubbed and sterilized before being put into use again. They don't stay empty long..... there are always more bunnies needing to be weaned, as the does will be having their next litter soon and need a rest first. And the cycle begins all over again ...........
You look like you know a lot about rabbits and pregnancy. I just recently got a Doe that the previous owners "think" might have been bred 2 weeks ago. Why they dont KNOW is beyond me - but that is beside the point.
ReplyDeleteAnyway - is there any way I can tell if she is in fact pregnant? I hate to wait around 2 weeks when she could be bred now and KNOW that she is going to have babies.
Good afternoon. With pleasure I observe of your farm. Thanks for good photos and the story. Excuse for my English :-)
ReplyDeleteTell, how you do it "...pens are scrubbed and sterilized before being put into use again.
Hello Evgeniy, thanks for visiting. As I saw no place to email you I will answer your question here. We try to have several empty cages to clean at once so we can do a whole or half a row conected. Empty cages are burned or singed with a hand-held torch to remove hair and other nasty's. Then I scrub them with very strong disinfectant cleaner using a hand held scrub-brush, and then rinse well and wipe most of the water away with clean rags. They air dry for a day and are ready to use again. Sometimes in winter I have to burn , dry-brush and spray with a bleach-water solution, and let dry, but if it isn't freezing I like to scrub.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for the answer, Sunny
ReplyDeleteWith impatience I wait for new messages from your farm
It is theoretical preparation for me
I can hold also rabbits when all conditions will take place
Hello Sunny
ReplyDeleteIt is a little about me
I'm 45
I live in Russia, the city of Novosibirsk
I'm married, three children
In the country we have the small ground area
It will be possible a farm