This is why I follow you Nikki - common sense advice with no BS. Someone who knows what they are doing don't have to tell everyone how good they are - they show it! And just by listening how you reason a problem out or explain something also shows that you know what you are doing. It refreshing and motivating. Keep it coming!

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for that!

Really good video! Thanks!! One big mistake I made at first was rescuing other people’s animals. You can fill your barn fast and still not have the animals you really want. Don’t settle for Craigslist cull bunnies. If you want to start a herd find a breeder and get good starter stock.

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

That is SUCH a good point! I've made similar mistakes in goats and learned that cheap is seldom a good deal. Thank you for commenting and for watching!

I have 9 rabbits and have maybe 2 litters coming soon. I just have a mess but I don’t wanna sell any so I won’t. Each one means so much to me. Love your channel and thank you for this ❤

4:15 GOODNESS, YES!!! My poor boy (NZ) legitimately cowers in fear when anyone but me comes into the room. And he's such a card at all other times! Dude's an absolute stud (meatwise), and the ladies never give him so much as a cold shoulder.

I have Texas A&M Kingsville meat rabbits. They are the sweetest large breed rabbit I have ever come across. Started breeding my female at 9 months. I give all my rabbits litter boxes in their cages so that they have something they can stand on if they want to get their feet off the floor.

This is absolutely one of the best rabbit videos. So much of this is the same advice my husband and I give. Especially, about the cage flooring. The hardware mesh is so rough on a rabbits feet. I wish we could say we were innocent in using it but we made the mistake when we first started with rabbits in 2013. We have learned so much since then. We made many of the mistakes you have listed here. We jumped in feet first raising American Chinchillas. At the time we started we actually did not have internet so we were going by books in the local library. There was so much misinformation. Keep doing what you are doing. I will 100% be directing people to your videos for accurate,useful information.

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the kind words!

Nikki thank you for this. I only wish I found you first, not only when we had been raising meat mutts for a year and were trying to work out the kinks!

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

You're here now and that's what matters. Everyone starts somewhere. My first two rabbits as an adult was a Lionhead/Mini Lop Mix and a New Zealand White. I followed that up with a Checkered Giant/New Zealand, a Flemish/New Zealand, some Rex/New Zealands and some "meat mutts". The first hutch we had (which came with the Lop and NZ) was made of hardware cloth and chicken wire.

I am currently doing my research and planning to begin with rabbits for meat, fertilizer and possibly local shows. I really appreciate your straight forward and very informative videos. Thank you so much! You have me hoping that my grandkids might be interested in 4H 🤞

thanks for the great advice! I really appreciate your passion and love for the rabbits

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I do greatly enjoy the rabbits. The biggest thing is I hate seeing any animals suffer because people made mistakes in their care. I understand it happens, but we do our best to get people started the right way to minimize that.

Thank you for your frankness. I’m trying to learn all I can before starting with rabbits. Yes there is a lot of stuff on iTunes from people just starting off. Experience is the best teacher. Just found your channel. Subscribed now.

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

Welcome! The biggest thing to remember when starting out is that housing and breed selection will determine if you hate raising rabbits or if you will enjoy them. Do the research and get those two things off to a good start and you'll be successful. Good Luck!

Thats why I listen to u Nicki, so my info is solid. And I have been breeding for 3 years and still learning 🥰👍

We use a coop refresher granule inside the nest box in between litters. Sweep it out before adding hay for the new mama and it seems good to go. I can't wait for the nest box cleaning video.

Watching your playlist and we've been raising meat rabbits for 14-16 yrs. We are wanting to move toward diy feeds especially and I'm looking for your spreadsheet video. I hate excel. I struggle designing formulas. Lol but I appreciate your time in sharing here as it is excellent advice. I still struggle with culling moms after all these years. We do 3 times they don't raise babies and go to freezer camp. If they have any kids (and the mom was called) that are breeding age they only get 2 mistakes. We haven't had to use this yet but setting up "rules" helps for Incase/when/to prevent. Thanks for sharing. ~Honey

We did start off wrong because of bad advice from very popular youtubers. Working that out now!!

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

You'll get there! Very few people get it all just right from the start.

Thank you for your honesty on number seven. The internet is full of stuff that is absolutely bunk. I love you already

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

I appreciate that! There's always been some of that, whether online or in books. With the explosion of people who have started channels in the last year its gotten so much worse. We're seen so many new folks teaching bad information because they don't know any better.

Great info! Thanks for sharing.

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

My cage wire of my old cages is 2.5 mm just under eighth of an inch. Was professional breeding cages . In Oz can't buy any more. So my floor is 13 mm x 75 mm, 4.5 mm thick .hard to build cage with but really good on their hocks. Makes for happy bunnies . Another good one Nicki.🥰🥰🥰 lots of luv from OZ.

Good tips! Number 7 is a good one. Online videos are one source of information I use for learning about livestock I’m thinking of adding. I’m always surprised when I see a title like Everything You Need to Know About Raising Rabbits on Pasture and then watch the video which shows them bringing home rabbits for the first time. Nothing they show has been proven effective yet. Then there are some channels that tell you that they are just trying things out and let you know how they turn out. Those I can respect. Thank you for sharing your experience.

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely agree. I have no issues with the folks that are just chronicling what they are doing and sharing as they learn. Unfortunately a lot of those people don't want to admit when they've been wrong though, and so when a failure happens it sort of gets swept under the rug if you will. I've seen so many videos with the "Everything you need to know" titles in rabbits, goats, chickens, quail, etc. I've been raising rabbits, goats, chickens and gamebirds for a long time (all the way back to high school in some cases) and there is no way a 10 minute video can tell you all you need to know about anything. Animals are complex, and to feed, house and care for them correctly is something you spend a lifetime learning. I continue to learn things every day. Thanks for watching and for commenting!

I can say I watch many rabbit channels and I come here and one other place first You both have sound information I see sunflower and oats spreading through the rabbit channels I'm glad it's helped us beef up the kibble They like it too :) We raise mutts that's what we could find way up north I agree the temperaments are mixed We don't mind it's a surprise we have all kinds lol

OMG yes!! #7 needs to be pinned at the top of every social media platform!

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I've been in a couple of groups now that moderators remove bad advice, so what you see is actually worth learning from. Particularly a goat group and a canning group. I don't remember the percentages, but there was a study released a few years ago that said people with the lowest amount of knowledge and experience are actually the most confident and willing to teach on any given topic. I thought it was crazy at the time, but the longer I'm on KZread and in Facebook Groups the more I see how true that actually is.

@MotoMarta

3 жыл бұрын

@@SpragueRiverHomestead oh boy it's so true! A little bit of knowledge is a very dangerous thing. I think it was probably always true but we just see it more now that technology has made it easy for every one to instantly publish their opinions. There have always been people who just want to help and give the advice they've been told without knowing it's completely wrong. Old wives tales have been around for ever. But these days, sounding like an expert gives people social credit which is a hot commodity and I think people are working extra hard to spread terrible advice about things they know nothing about just so that they can feel important for 5min.

@MotoMarta

3 жыл бұрын

@@SpragueRiverHomestead the Dunning Kruger effect is a bitch

You give so much good advice on rabbits! We've had a lot of rabbits over the years, made most of the mistakes you've mentioned in this video (and hopefully learned from them). I'm planning to get rabbits again just to raise meat for us, and hope to avoid making more mistakes. Our very first rabbits, almost 45 years ago, were some beautiful Red Satins (we loved them, by the way). One doe had a tooth that had to be cut off with nippers every few weeks -- eventually we ate her. We also had a few crossbreeds, and found the purebreds to be hardier and healthier, which is the opposite of what most people think. About twelve or fifteen years ago, I got several NZW's from someone who raised them to sell and show, and one doe promptly freaked out during a thunderstorm, went bouncing around in her cage, and broke her neck. Another of those does had three litters in a row on the bottom wire of her cage. Definitely too high-strung for me, though at the time I didn't realize it was the breed. Twenty-five years ago, my ex got into Silver Fox's. They are really nice, and I'm debating between those and, possibly, American Chinchillas (there's a breeder within reach who has both breeds).

@SpragueRiverHomestead

2 жыл бұрын

The quality on the American Chins is all over the place. I'm seeing WAY too many of them with New Zealand blood, which people continue to add in to try and fix type issues rather than through hard work and culling. You'll see some of that in the Silver Fox as well, though it seems like it's not so bad. The American Chins are in a much worse position in terms of not enough stock and not enough breeders, so giving them a hand would probably be appreciated. That chinchilla fur and correct banding can be a tricky thing though. Either way, good luck, and welcome back to rabbits!

Hi! I have been watching your rabbit videos for years and can finally start my own breeding/meat stock with a silver fox buck and two does! I am so grateful for all of the knowledge you share! I was wondering if you mentioned/made a video about disinfecting the nest boxes. I would like to use wooden ones and I'm not sure how to do a good job. Thanks!

@SpragueRiverHomestead

2 жыл бұрын

I looked back and don't see where I ever did one. I have a few more boxes to clean next week in anticipation of some upcoming litters. I'll make an effort to get something videoed. 😊

Thank you for the show/advice. Why would ANYONE attempt to start such an endeavor without studying first? Amazing!

@SpragueRiverHomestead

2 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately people jump in without research far more often then learning about things first.

I love your bumper sticker

Thank you for sharing! New subscriber here 🐰

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for subbing!

Thanks for sharing.

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

I have 30x36 cages for my does 1 of them doesn't come to the front of the cage for me and its very difficult for me to reach all the way back for her. Hoping as I have her longer that'll change. We'll see In any case I'll get the rest of my cages longer rather than deeper

Thanks

Nikki, have you and Cannon came up with some dates for your upcoming classes?

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

We've got a few. We should have the schedule finalized and in Saturdays videos.

Please do a video on sanitizing nest boxes. I normally soak my metal equipment in an ammonia solution for 10 min before rinsing and drying. Not sure how to sanitize peg board in between uses. Also I am super guilty of the flooring problem. I thought it didnt make a difference when I was starting plus all cage wire was sold out for months. Now I am a super big advocate of making sure beginners get the right flooring. Because now I am at the point where I am taking breeding seriously and not doing mutts anymore. Now I have to see who's hocks heals on proper flooring and who's doesn't. I have 5 breeders from completely un related lines from completely different states and every single one has an issue with their hocks because I put them on hardware cloth. They are on proper flooring now. I have to be monitoring for one more thing in regular care and when holding back keepers.

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

I have a video on cleaning nest boxes and a video on treating sore hocks both coming in the next few weeks, so keep an eye out for them. It's amazing at how quickly bad flooring will create a problem. Hope your buns are healing up well. It can take some time for sure. Just keep up on trimming nails, make sure they have resting boards and keep those cages CLEAN. They should heal up pretty well.

@ketocutie

3 жыл бұрын

@@SpragueRiverHomestead yup they are in brand new cages with the ez rest style resting mats for about 2 weeks now. Everyone seems way more comfortable now. I started to check hocks the other day and they arent red and inflamed any more so hopefully they will start growing some fur back in the next few weeks.

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

Sounds like they are well on their way to healing. You can always use Vetercyin Spray Gel or even Hemorrhoid Cream on the sores to help them heal too. Good luck!

What do you recommend using to disinfect nesting boxes?

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

I'll have a video out on that in the next couple of weeks. Different boxes require different sanitation.

Is the wire you show a 1 x 2 or 1/2 x 1? Also, I am having a really hard time finding American and Silver fox rabbits here in Florida.

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

The wire is floor wire, 1/2 x 1. There is an American breeder in GA. Off the top of my head I want to say JI Smithson? If you are on Facebook at all there is a Rare Breed Rabbits group. I think they're on MeWe now too. There's also a couple of breeders in MO. That's a ways from you, but there are quite a few transporters that run the east coast. As for Silver Fox, you'll want to get in touch with their National Club (look them up on Google). Their club secretary should be able to refer you to your closest breeder.

Nikki, any recipes on cooking an older rabbit? They are a year old. I would like to thin out some of my breeders. I now have two barns of rabbits.

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

Low and slow. Older rabbits are good candidates for the crockpot, or to be deboned and ground for ground rabbit. We like to take older rabbits and crockpot them, then pull the meat and use in any recipe that uses pulled meat - enchiladas, pulled BBQ, soups, shredded tacos, chili, etc. A full sized adult rabbit will make quite a few meals, so cooking one up on a Sunday will give me quick meals for several days.

Best advice from this video: wait until the doe is 9 months old before breeding her. I've been breeding for 5 years and until I incorporated this rule, I experienced a lot of failure. Now, my does stay healthy, the litters are large, and very few kits die.

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

It's really amazing how much of a difference waiting just a few months makes.

It’s me again. Lol as I said in another video I’m in central Texas. Tamuk’s are real popular around here. Do you have any knowledge of this breed and any opinions? Thank you

@SpragueRiverHomestead

2 жыл бұрын

TAMUK are interesting, as they are a composite and not truly a breed in and of itself. They were designed and bred at Texas A&M to be a good commercial animal for the south/southwest. They were bred for higher heat tolerance than a lot of the other breeds, good growth and large litters. I have heard the temperament is sorely lacking and they are only fair mothers. Consistency is their biggest issue, as they were developed from several breeds and tend to pass on a multitude of different features. A man who worked on the original program once told me that the TAMUK now isn't at all what the university originally bred. Breeders didn't focus on the same criteria and have even bred in other breeds.

hi what size mesh wire should i used on the floor.thanks

@SpragueRiverHomestead

2 жыл бұрын

1/2 x 1 inch floor wire. Minimum 16 gauge. Galvanized after welding 14 Ga is even better.

#7 Rabbit Lies and Deceit... reminds me of the 30,000+ lies by a former strongman.

What is the size of the wire you showed?

@SpragueRiverHomestead

3 жыл бұрын

I'm pretty sure it's 16ga GAW. I bought that particular piece a few years back so am not 100% positive. It could be 14ga GAW.