Rabbits/Bunnies

I started researching rabbits about a year ago practically for meat. 

Two does and a buck can produce up to 600 lbs of meat a year. 

It just so happened that the number one meat rabbit is a California and after mentioning it to Elliot (our farmer) he said he had a customer that had several they wanted to sell. 

I wasn't completely ready but Levi convinced me because it was the perfect breed and a short drive. When we went to pick them up the lady changed her mind on the price so we got two does and a buck for free - thanks Nephi & Clairana! 

We built a beautiful hutch and decided to wait until Spring to start breeding them.......

WELL.....

Levi and I put the male bunny with the female and thought we put both females together! 

So, one morning I went out to feed them and the boy (so we thought) was in labor in the middle of winter. Needless to say I loaded up the tiny bunnies in a basket and moved the mama and her babies into our basement. We have now have eight little bunnies living in our basement for a few more weeks until they get hair. 

They have been named  Peter, Paula, and Penny 

Mama Penny

Penny had eight babies which is a very large litter for a first time mom and she only has six teats. Everyone was doing good except one little guy that we have started supplementing with my breast milk. Rabbits only nurse once a day so it wasn't a huge undertaking and the kids enjoy it.

The Runt 

Feeding the tiny tiny bunny