Judges Conference

I had a great time at the annual judge’s conference held on Friday night at the Pennsylvania State Rabbit Breeders Association (PaSRBA) speaking about angoras and the difference between the breeds and their wool. All four angora breeds (English, French, Giant, and Satin Angora) were represented. My good friend Debbie McCormick  aka "Heart Felt Hares" of North Carolina was my assistant as I spoke about the four angora breeds. Debbie even brought her electric spinning wheel to demonstrate how to spin the angora fiber.

The life of a show piggy

The life of a show piggy is hard, the attention to detail on spa day and show day. The nice warm bubble bath.  The pedicure and manicure. The nice warm towel that they are wrapped in after the bath. Next is the drying process, which is done carefully not to burn the pig with the hair dryer.

We have Harlequins again!

After dispersing of Jessica’s Harlequins last fall, I thought I was done with the breed completely. Except for my commitments to the Eastern Harlequin Rabbit Club, as secretary and the 2016 Show Secretary for the National Harlequin Show in that will be in New Jersey.  In late December early January, I started to miss the breed and the surprises that would pop up in the nest boxes. So I started to put feelers out for a couple of Japanese and Magpies.

Fuzzibutt’s Rabbitry will be working with Harlequins on a small scale and may occasionally have some available to pet/brood or show homes in the future.  Thank you to Sarah Freund of The Harlequin Hatchery in MD, John Spence of Charmed Rabbitry in PA, Gail Smith of Sunshine’s Rabbitry in NY and Nicole and Jarrett Keys of Eagle Creek’s Rabbitry & Caviry in MD for a new start in the breed.

Fingers crossed for healthy, nicely marked babies in the nest boxes this spring.

Judges Conference Angora Wool Presentation

I was asked at the 91^st ARBA Convention in Texas if I would like to be a presenter/speak at the Official ARBA Judges Conference Friday, February 6, 2015 in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Rabbit Breeders Association Show. Of course I jumped at the opportunity to speak about my love of wool breeds (English Angora, French Angora, Giant Angora and Satin Angora).

The conference was broken down into multiple stations where a presenter/speaker could demonstrate and talk about their specific breeds for up to 12-15 minutes. My good friend and buddy in crime Debbie McCormick was helper for the evening. Debbie allowed me to use Odin one of her Ruby Eyed White English Angoras in FULL show coat to demonstrate the proper texture and density and body on a English Angora. Those who attended the conference had the opportunity to have “hands on” with an exceptional specimen of the breed. Debbie even did a brief lesson on spinning angora fiber. This allowed the judges the unique experiences to see angora fiber in action, doing what it was meant to do.

 

 

I am proud to say that all 4 Angora breeds (English Angora, French Angora, Giant Angora and Satin Angora) were well represented at the judge’s conference. A big THANK YOU to Deb Clemens and June Abbott of North Carolina for allowing me to borrow a French Angora and a Satin Angora for my presentation.

The following day I had quite a few judges come up and thank me for my detailed description of the three DISTINCT types of Giant Angora fiber. 

Primary Care Giver…

Here at Fuzzibutt’s Rabbitry & Caviary I am the primary care giver for the critters. My husband works full time, is a full time college student, and taking the maximum number of credits every seven to fifteen weeks year round…working on his Bachelors of Science in Behavioral Health.  Since I am home 99% of the time I give EVERYONE a handful of hay in the mornings. I go through with plastic clothes pins (blue for water and white for feed). For each rabbit I go through and put a white clothes pin on each cage if the rabbit did not finish its food the night before. I usually feed around 7 pm or 9 pm and go out in the mornings after my coffee and a quick glance at my email around 9 am. If someone has not drank ANY water from the previous night they get a blue clothes pin. By placing the clothes pins on the cages I can check those specific rabbits again around 2 pm. If the rabbit did not eat by feeding time, I will check the rabbit over (check teeth, feel the belly, look to see if there are pellets in the tray (poop), etc. I will only let a rabbit go 24-32 hours without supplementing with Critical Care and Immunize Paste. Precaution is KEY!

Three times a day, I check all of the cavies that are being coated out a once over. Especially the little ones to make sure they do not chew. My intermediates and seniors are pretty good about leaving there wraps in.  For the angoras, each breed has a day that I have designated to groom bellies and blow their coats out. Everyday those who are being coated out to show are checked for mats (in there cheek wool, under arms and behind the neck). I spend an awful lot of time with each animal.

If, I go away over night to a show or if, I’m not home in the evenings my husband will gladly feed, supplement, hay and water the rabbits and Guinea Pigs. In fact I’ve caught him when he comes home from work giving everyone a treat. He will give the rabbits a cookie (Animal Cracker or Ginger Snap) for the piggy’s he will give them each a piece of carrot or a slice of apple.

As of right now I have surgery scheduled for the middle of February. As the primary caregiver I want to make sure that the animals (rabbits and cavies) have enough feed, supplement, hay and bedding to last at least two weeks. I have EVERY cage labeled with name, breed, variety (color), ear tag or tattoo as for ease of identification. I also have little stickers (yellow, pink and green) that each represents a specific kind of supplement (CirQulate, Oxygen, or both). Also cages with does or sows that are bred also have an extra cage tag. In case I need to ask a friend to come over and care for the critters. My husband says my “little system” makes it easier for him to care for e critters as well.

Bath Time

This is Jolee a red/white Coronet Sow who was bred and owned by Fuzzibutt's Rabbitry & Caviary. Jolee is going to leave with a new youth exhibitor. Well her new owner is not knew to cavies, just long hairs.

I'm getting pretty

 

Brrrr It's Cold Out Side

What to do with an expecting doe when it's cold outside? I bring my ladies in the house to kindle where it is nice and warm. Even though, they are housed in my garage I am a worry wart so I bring them in the house.

That's better mom and babies are doing fine!