The new girls are here! We've been getting 3 eggs a day from them.  We think the 2 white mixes are both laying and one of the Rhode Island Reds. (but it's tiny)

Hope's babies didn't make it.  There were two of them, one wasn't even fully formed. Will try breeding her to another buck in the next day or so.

Amelia's babies are doing great! 5 days old today.  I think we have 3 does and 2 bucks, And they're super cute! At least 3 of them will be for sale.

If you're interested in purchasing a rabbit from me, please fill out the contact form on my website Scots Pine Rabbitry

Okay, so it's been a while.  I've been sick. Blah.  But I've got some big things going on on the rabbit/chicken front.  So, here goes!

First of all, I finally have a solid plan for my chicken coop.  Hunny is going to pick up some lumber tomorrow morning and build the back wall for me.  He's going to get me a few stakes so I can map off where I want it and then we'll dig holes and put in sona tubes and concrete.  

I decided a while back that I wanted 2-3 Rhode Island Reds to go with my new flock.  Well I just so happen to come across someone reducing their flocks and selling 3 RIRs.  How could I pass this up? I figured I can fit 3 more hens in the small coop with my Barred Rock girls.  So I messaged her about a price.  She wants $20 each but she will give me 2 Chantecler crosses as well! What a bargain!  But I only have room for 3 more, not 5. But how can I pick up 3 hens and leave 2 free ones behind?  So, I called Dad.  Now I will take the 2 crosses out there with my chicks. Nest box will go up this weekend, hens come home Monday.  They're only 8 months old and just started laying.  Someone has to start paying for feed!

Rabbits: I bred 2.  Amelia and Hope. The normal signs of a successful mating is when the buck grunts and falls off.  This happened with Hope, but not with Amelia. 

Amelia:  I tried breeding her several days in a row. No fall offs, even though she was lifting.  Poor Chester is only about half her size, so I just figured he wasn't hitting the mark.  Rabbit are induced ovulators, meaning they only release eggs when breed (normally within 24hrs) After about the 3rd day of trying, she started getting grumpy with him.  About 2 weeks later I palpated her positive! Boy was I surprised.

Fast forward to yesterday. Nest building began.  I thought for sure she'd have babies out there this morning, but no.  Came home at lunch to check on her and there were 5 beautiful babies! This is her largest litter, and everything seems very good!  This is also the earliest in the year I've ever had a litter born.  Great news for 4Hr's.

Hope: A few successful falloffs. Palpated positive.  Nest box will go in tomorrow.  Fingers crossed!

Ok, so I wasn't sure if this should go in the Homestead page or this one, I guess it pertains to both.

So I've finally decided on a coop design.  Initially I wanted a coop attached to a barn. About 36' long and 10' deep.  But apparently that would cost too much right now.

So then I thought I would build just the floor and the coop on the end this year.  But, I was told that the ground is too soft, and I would need a concrete footing.  Again, the cost would be too much for me all at once. 

So, now I have a new plan.  Build a coop with a slanted roof.  Then later on down the road when I can afford the barn, I can attach it to the highest side and build out.  My plan is to build a 8X10 shed.  Two roosts in the back, hatch door on the side. Two windows. Simple.  I hope. 

Excuse my rough drawing, I did it at work.  That's the nest box on the front.  And a wall in the corner for the feed bin.  I may move the door to the left side. The run will also be on that side. If I'm lucky, I'll get a little porch or something attached to it, so I can put my lawn chair there and watch my birds.  I can't wait to get my birds home!