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Post by macmex on Jan 20, 2024 8:57:34 GMT -6
That's heartwarming Bon! I'm convinced, now, more than ever, that I want to try to keep my stock, even if they are mutts!
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Post by FrostyTurnip on Jan 20, 2024 15:13:52 GMT -6
George, I was thinking about this and maybe it’s because for a long time you refused to line breed. You’ve always introduce different stock from time to time, yes? I’m curious about this as I consider line breeding.
It’s like the German Shepherd dog line that became corrupted from line breeding? But rabbits are ‘less’ susceptible to weakness, but not enough to really show themselves so it is assume that line breeding causes no problems?
therefore, the more popular rabbit breeds (full blood) are weaker? I really need to do some study on this. I bet someone has been studying it.
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Post by macmex on Jan 21, 2024 6:08:43 GMT -6
Well, interesting that you mention this. I used to do what you said and then, since 2020, I have not brought in new stock. My rabbits are getting a bit inbred and... (can't be sure if this is the cause), but production has gone way down lately. The stock I have looks great and when they have litters they're good, but I'm not getting many litters. Been contemplating bringing in a Champagne d'Argent buck, but at the same time have not had time (perhaps "not had the organizational skills") to clean my rabbit shed, and my wife is strongly suggesting that I simple get rid of the rabbits in order to cut down on stress.
But I think you probably have a good point about line breeding. Your comments were a "light bulb moment" for me. I do believe that extreme line breeding is detrimental to their vigor. Your new American Blues are testimony to that, at least the approach makes it difficult to obtain the very best meat production characteristics.
On the other hand: 1) Purebreds are kind of the repository of the breed characteristics one wants in an animal. Though they themselves may have some issues, they are dependable in providing the characteristics for which they have been bred. 2) One can earn more, raising/maintaining a purebred, if managed correctly.
I have generally followed what I have always felt was more of a "German mentality" when it comes to meat rabbits. "I want meat. I don't care what color toenails they have!" LOL!
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Post by FrostyTurnip on Jan 21, 2024 6:56:42 GMT -6
I haven’t taken notes, because I have had the German mentality. With only 6/7 holes, it’s easy to keep up with who is how but not the big picture. I’m not breeding right now, because i thot I wasn’t caring for them properly. I had become slightly neglectful and so I thot the lower production was a result of my behavior (Probably cummulative).
In 2022, I introduced 3 mutt does. The rabbitry was hopping. It slowed down and seemingly became more difficult. But by this time I am basically breeding black eye to grand babies.
Now, I don’t know if it’s true or not but the gal said all line breeding crosses are fine except Dad to grandkids. “That’s when things get a little weird.” She was talking about breed character flaws.
But this lines up with our thinking about extended line breeding. I’ll need to study up. Until then, I’m going to assume fresh blood is necessary after some time. That might get expensive with pure bred Blues. In fact, I bet it would take both she and I to accomplish it. Kinda like maintaining the integrity and viability of corn seed with farmers swapping seed of the same variety!
I need to get Blackeye a new wife. I bet his viability is just fine.
I understand your situation, George. I know you love rabbit. I’d prefer to shut things down and catch up later, but the price of dog food!
PS I have Blackeye’s son in the waiting.
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Post by FrostyTurnip on Feb 20, 2024 21:45:18 GMT -6
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Post by FrostyTurnip on Mar 11, 2024 10:13:00 GMT -6
Young American Blue breeders scheduled to arrive this Saturday. Dream come true! WOOT
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Post by macmex on Mar 12, 2024 8:48:01 GMT -6
Yay! Waiting on pictures!
Here's a picture of our new breeding buck. He's about 3 months old in this photo; Silver Fox breed.
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Post by FrostyTurnip on Mar 16, 2024 12:56:51 GMT -6
macmex I’ve heard great things about silver fox breed. I love to hear how it works out for you and I bet it’s mostly good cuz that’s all I ever hear about Silver Fox. I almost considered getting some. Plenty available in central Oklahoma right now.
Were your ears burning today? Cuz I was talking about you with my new friend when I got the bun buns. We could talk about rabbits for hours. This young lady confirmed that line breeding is okay until you start bumping dad with grandkids. These Blue, she said, will be a bit harder to mate and raise compared to your vigorous meat mutts.
I drove up to Guthrie today to pick them up. First thing she did was hand me the papers. Right then I started tearing up (dream come true) and I didn’t hear a word she said so I told her ‘Shuddup and take my money!” Eventually, I cut loose and jump up and down like a little girl at Christmas. Because the car ate our lunch for the last month or so, she’d been holding them. I gave her nuf for a couple bags of feed as well.
So, I have this new car that is totally LOADED. We just wanted something that would last a while, but it turns out it has everything on it, some special edition. It’s very nice to drive but all I really am excited about ARE THESE BLUES.
Thank you George. I have confidence in my ability of rabbit husbandry because of your help. No worries. Blackeye is still very much loved.
New Blues (Theyr’e so tiny compared to ours!)
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Post by macmex on Mar 16, 2024 19:56:04 GMT -6
So happy for you Bon! Jerreth is encouraging me to get a Silver Fox doe or two, within a year. As long as they have good litters and are good mothers, I'm sold!
Here's what was born on our place today!
Both are does too.
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Post by FrostyTurnip on Mar 17, 2024 8:39:09 GMT -6
I envy you with having the baby goats to play with. They are one of my favorite baby animals. Your momma goat is spectacular. She’s the one with high yield, yes? Wasn’t she the one that birth in the polar vortex in 2022? You guys are real troopers in caring for your animals dilligently and even under harsh conditions.
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Post by macmex on Mar 19, 2024 5:54:10 GMT -6
At the moment I can't recall which one you were referring to, however, 2022 was a horribly difficult year for us. I lost both of my milkers, one in June and the other in December, both due to apparent toxicity issues in the pasture. Drought was probably at the root. the goats ate stuff they shouldn't have because of scarcity of forage. Cinni Mini, my star milker died in December, carrying twins. I had one first year milker coming down the pike, Daisy. She had her first kid, late winter/early Spring in 2023. Then a very dear friend of ours, from "the goat world," dropped by and gave me a doeling from his 2022 crop (Muñeca). That's the one you saw, with twins, up above in the feed. Daisy has been amazing. Both Daisy and Muñeca were first year milkers in 2023, meaning that they each produced about 50% of the milk they would potentially produce this coming year.
Daisy came down with parasites this winter and lost her pregnancy. So she won't be milked this year, but last February we purchased Pearl, a grand daughter of Cinni Mini, from a friend up near Vinita. Pearl had her first kid a couple weeks ago. She's looking fantastic. Of course, she's a first year milker, but she has a fabulous udder and teats and is producing wonderfully for a first year.
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Post by FrostyTurnip on Mar 19, 2024 18:25:39 GMT -6
St that one super Milker. I guess that’s the way of it. Now, I want to play with a baby goat!
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