This post will probably be rather long, but stay until the end, because I have a lot of news!!

FIRST THING'S FIRST!!!! 

May's sweet baby is a DOE!!!!! I am so excited! I was really hoping May's baby was a doe so I could replace her with it. I decided to name her Huckleberry! Isn't that the cutest? While I was on vacation I was trying to think of a good name. I didn't want Blueberry; even though the baby is blue, it just seemed too obvious. I wanted something super cute but more unique. My family over there recommended cute names but none of them were the right one. Then we were talking about huckleberry something (maybe it was taffy?), and it just struck me! So now the baby's name is Huckleberry! I'm sure I'll call her Huckle for short!! I have a feeling this little girl is going to be a troublemaker - she's already a little spitfire! 

Next I'll update y'all on the pregnancies! I weighed all three does and palpated Clementine, since she wasn't far enough along to palpate before I left. Unfortunately, I think Butterfly is not pregnant. But Clementine and Angie DEFINITELY are!!! I think Clementine will have a large litter (4+ kits), since she has a big belly and she's already gained 3oz and I feel a lot by palpating. Angie might as well, since she's gained 3oz so far as well. I think Angie gained 4oz with her last pregnancy, which had 6 kits (but 2 peanuts)! 
Butterfly hasn't gained anything, although I thought I felt something when I palpated her - but I thought I felt something when I palpated her before with her false pregnancy too. She's also nesting, which she did with her false pregnancy. So we can only wait and see. If anything, it'll be a small litter. 

Tomorrow will be a busy day, since I have to clean cages, tattoo and make pedigrees for Finn, Heidi, and Prince Charming, and organize the rabbitry. But I'm excited to do it all! 

​I have a show coming up this Saturday (July 9th), and so my next blog, probably this coming Friday, is going to be what I am packing!! I'm packing a lot more than usual since I'm bringing sales rabbits. So see you all soon! 

~Holly

LCL's Angus had 6 kits on Thursday, the 18th, at 6:30am. When I went to check on Zuzu and give Zuzu her baby back, I noticed Angie was in the box delivering her kits. 

I left and let her do her thing, and when I checked on her again, at 7:00am, she was still in the box, cleaning something or still delivering. Then, I checked on her again around 8:00 and bribed her out of her box with a treat. She had delivered SIX gorgeous kits, two were peanuts sadly and have passed on, but the remaining 4 are still doing fantastic!! 

Angie and her babies are in the house right now for a week or two. I will make another blog post going into depth, but sadly Zuzu's singleton was eaten by a rat so I want to make sure Angie's kits will be safe until all the rats are dead. 

Angie's kits are four different and really fun colors! She has a chestnut, opal, cream, and chinchilla!!! I just love all these colors and I'm really surprised we got a chinchilla, but super happy about it since it's one of my favorite colors!! The babies are 9 days old today and will open their eyes any day!

I haven't talked much about this yet, besides a little update on Facebook, but I have decided that my rabbitry will be semi-closed. 

This means that I do not allow visitors into my rabbitry. Occasionally, there will be a situation in which I will allow visitors, but my family and I have decided that this policy is best for the safety of the family and for my rabbits. 

I also do not allow people to bring their current rabbits to the premises to interact with my rabbits or be near mine. This is for the safety and health of my bunnies. Whenever I bring a new rabbit into the herd, it stays in quarantine for at least 2 weeks. I do not allow random rabbits to interact with mine because of health concerns. I know your rabbit is probably healthy; but some illnesses, or fleas or mites or somethng can be concealed very well and I just don't want to risk it. 

If you have placed a deposit on a rabbit or would like to come and pick up your new bunny, you are welcome to visit the rabbitry, and meet the parents and siblings (if applicable). 

How is a Semi-Closed rabbitry different from a full-on Closed rabbitry?

A closed rabbitry is not open to the public at all; rabbit purchases are arranged at local public places. I think it is completely fine for you to come to the rabbitry if you are intent on purchasing a rabbit from me. If not, I apologize, but during this school year I do not have enough time to visit with people wanting a tour of the rabbitry every weekend. 

I am very open with my rabbitry and the way my rabbits are housed. I am not closing my rabbitry to the general public because I have anything to hide! Like I said, if you are picking up your rabbit or have the intent to purchase a rabbit from HHR, you are welcome here!

I hope you all have a nice week! Let me know if you have any questions about this new policy. 

Hey friends! I feel like it's been FOREVER since I've blogged...my most recent post, Why Did I Choose Wire Cages? was written months ago and posted last week, and so the most recent blog that I've written and posted back-to-back has been my update on Zuzu's hopeful pregnancy. 

School has been super busy. I've had a lot more homework than I expected. Since my previous quarter had mostly *easy* classes for me, I just didn't expect the amount of work that would be required. I'm taking an online Children's Literature class, which I love, English 102 which I don't love as much, and Honors Psychology which is just so much fun. 

Because of the busyness, I haven't been on social media as often as I would like. Friday is my primary day of the week to catch up on Youtube videos, blogs, comments and messages on Facebook, and emails. I try to get back to messages and emails as soon as possible, but sometimes I just don't have time until that weekend. 

Okay - so now onto what I'm sure you guys are mostly here for, the rabbit talk!

Updates on Angie and Zuzu's *Hopeful* Pregnancies - 

I palpated and weighed both does on Sunday, when they were 13 days along. I am almost positive that Angie is pregnant but I don't know about Zuzu. I filmed a video during it for Youtube, and I will post it this week. Keep your eye out, it gives a lot more details. 

Updates on the Remaining Babies - 

Blizzard is not exactly a baby anymore - he's almost 5 months old! This is the longest I've had a baby for sale. But he's so sweet I don't really mind. I wish I could keep him as a pet. He has the BEST personality I could ask for! But I just don't have the room :(. Anyway, he might have someone interested in him, so I'm hoping that all works out and he finds a fantastic home soon!

Charlotte, my other fuzzy, is also still available. She's 3.5 months old so still fairly young. She's a super sweetheart and molting her baby coat currently, so she looks pretty silly. 

Clementine is Butterfly's baby and she's currently 9 weeks old but I haven't weaned her yet. I will be weaning her tomorrow or the day after. Her and Butterfly love each other so much, they are always grooming each other or teasing each other or playing together.

Updates on For Sale Rabbits - 

As most of you know, because of his absence on the For Sale page, my precious teddy bear Lance has been sold. His presence is definitely missed around the rabbitry. 
All rabbits on the For Sale page are still available. Even though I don't have a lot of time to be online, I do keep the Sales page current and as up-to-date as possible. All the rabbits (except Blizzard), on my sales page have a new reduction price because of my need of cage space.

Updates on the Show Schedule - 
I am so excited to say that, most likely, I will be going to the show this Saturday in Port Orchard! I will be showing Ty, Clementine, and Butterfly if I go. Although I have Saige, Rosie, and Wicket available for showing right now too, I know Saige and Rosie don't stand a chance against Butterfly. She's definitely my best doe. Wicket, likewise, doesn't stand a chance against Typhoon. He's (Ty), in prime showing condition right now and Wicket sprays and doesn't like to pose. So Wickies has to stay home, lol. 

I just LOVE how Clementine is turning out! I think she's my nicest doe at this stage in development. Butterfly didn't fully blossom until around 12 weeks. Clemmi is only 9 weeks and she looks amazing! 
My thoughts on her strengths: Clemmi has wonderful width throughout her head, chest, and body. Her legs are spaced far apart which is something most rabbits in my herd don't have. Her body depth is equal to her width and length - another thing my herd needs! Most rabbits in my herd have very poor depth. Her body is wide and compact, and slopes gradually - it doesn't slope too soon and she doesn't have length in her midsection or shoulder. Her ears are the perfect shape and length. Her color is clean and a nice bright, rich orange. I really love her color. I need another broken doe since I am selling two of my main broken does and both my bucks are solid. My herd could quickly be taken over by solids! At this stage in development, Clemmi looks very promising. 
My thoughts on her faults: Clemmi has a tight crown, which is partly due to being outside all the time in the cold. When she comes inside or warms up while I'm holding her, her ears fall. She does have "flipper feet", which is a serious fault in the SOP - but she has so many strengths that my herd needs, I will be keeping her for a while to see her mature. 
Clemmi has been added to my Herd page in the Juniors section :) She is staying here for the time being!! 

Rosie is *hopefully* expecting! I bred her to Ty on Friday (Aug 7), and this blog is going to be on what C O L O R S we can expect in this breeding!
~Chestnut (highest chance)

~Opal

~Chinchilla

~Squirrel

~Orange

~Black

~Blue

~Black tort

~Blue tort

All of these in both solid and broken are possible! Can you guess which color (with great type), I am most excited for, and most hoping for?
Which one are you hoping to see here at HHR?

Haha no, HHR is not expanding and breeding Netherland Dwarfs now. I'm boarding these two - Moki and Clover - for a friend, and so far we're having so much fun with them. Talia also gave me little Basil to try and sell. He's a little seal baby boy Netherland, and he's so sweet and cute! We're going to be boarding Moki and Clover for quite some time (over a year), so their going to be part of the rabbitry for a while!
Moki is the solid black otter doe, Clover is the broken black otter doe, and Basil is the little seal buck.

Okay, get prepared....this is a long one. 

I had so much fun at the WSHLRC Cluster show yesterday! What a great day! In the first show, both Wicket and Butterfly got second place in their very large classes, under judge Allen Mesick.

In the second show, with judge Jenny Poprawski, I table wrote. In this show, Wicket only got 5th place out of 7, but the rabbits above him had awesome bone and massive heads so it was totally understandable. In Butterfly's class, BJD, she got 1st place out of 6 and then went on to score BOSV!!!!! She gets her first leg at only 15 weeks old! I kind of in shock when it happened, because since I was table writing I didn't see it coming! 

What is BOSV (feel free to skip this part if you already know)?

After a rabbit has won its class, it stays on the table to compete for  Best of Variety and Best of Breed, with all the other rabbits of that breed that got first in their classes. 

Varieties are judges within the solid or broken pattern. Since there are 8 classes, there will be 8 class winners. 4 of these class winners will be solid and the other 4 will be broken. The judge chooses one out of the solids to be Best Solid, which Best of Variety, and then the runner-up to the Best Solid is the Best Opposite Sex Variety. Two of the same sex cannot win BOV and BOSV. If the BOV is a buck, the BOSV is a doe. This was the case with Butterfly in the broken category. 

THEN, (wait, there's more!), the BOVs and BOSVs (there are now 4, two for each categories - broken and solid), compete for BOB and BOSB. Best of Breed is the best rabbit on the table, within that breed. Best Opposite Sex Breed is the runner-up to BOB, and is of the opposite sex. 
Butterfly didn't make it that far, which is perfectly fine with me! She did so well for her second show!

Ok, back to the show news....sadly we were unable to participate in the third and final show, because my cousin's 17th birthday party was that afternoon and it was over an hour away. 

Over lunch, around noon, there was a rabbit auction to raise funds for the WSHLRC. They hold one at this show every year. A lot of amazing rabbits were donated by lots of amazing breeders. 

From the auction I got a fantastic new buck!!! SURPRISE!!!! He's opal! He can produce colors like chinchilla, other opals, squirrel, maybe even blue....I'm going to have some amazing colors in the agouti program I am finally starting up! He has great short bone which my herd needs, and a nice body! His head isn't very good but he's in a crazy molt right now it probably looks worse because of that. His name is Bramblehedge's Typhoon, but around here he's going to be fondly called Ty: 

I got Ty for such a deal, because he was the first Holland to go up for auction and everyone was waiting for the does that wouldn't be displayed until closer to the end of the auction. Lots of people have too many bucks right now and not enough does, so they didn't want another buck. Some of these does went for $390 and $375!!!! These were some super nice does too! This is so much money for our club! We're all really pleased at the turnout. 

Ty is proven and registered, and he has two legs. He is almost exactly a year old (in August), and he is related to L&R's McMolly, who is a famous rabbit that won a Convention show in recent years!

What I find pretty interesting too is that he shares a lot of the same rabbits in his pedigree as Hazelnut does. I sold her so these guys can't make babies together, but Zuzu has her lines and so Ty, Zuzu and Wicket are all somewhat related! It's good to breed rabbits together that are partially related because then you can "fix in" good traits and get more reliability in your offspring. 

Also something I noticed is that he shares one or two rabbits in his line with my first breeding doe, Gracie. They are also distantly related! 

Super fun day! I hope you guys all enjoyed the news, see you in my next blog! 

UPDATE #1: Saige's baby, Peaches (or Momo), is 2 weeks old today! What a little cutie s/he is! We are just in love with this little one. So far, I have plans to keep her if she's a doe. If a buck, he'll be for sale (unless he's nicer than Wicket). 

UPDATE #2: Rosie has been bred! I bred her to Lance, instead of Jet, this time. I've been wanting a litter out of her and Lance for a long time and I hope they have a nice healthy big litter. Her first litter was with Lance and only had 4 DOAs. Hopefully this time, now that Rosie has carried and raised a live litter, and just weaned her previous one recently, she'll be ready to carry a litter from Lance. He's is glad to be back in business - I kept telling him he couldn't breed anymore but I changed my mind :)

UPDATE #3: So far I have high hopes that Wicket can be my new herd buck! He's so promising already and still very young. I hope he keeps developing in the right direction. He just started his baby coat molt so I'm excited to see what he looks like when he comes out of it. Obviously he's still a baby so he can't breed until the end of September. Once he can be bred I'll probably breed him to everybody LOL. Rosie, Saige, possibly Butterfly.... ;)

UPDATE #4: Butterfly is going to be bred in September or October after 2-3 shows, when she reaches 6 months old. I have no idea who I'm going to breed her to yet - either Jet or Wicket.

UPDATE #5: So far Zuzu is still available. But, unless we find a home better for her than mine, I'm going to be keeping her. I will not be breeding her though. She will be staying as a pet only, because I think she really deserves it. 

UPDATE #6: We have a show coming up! Wicket and Butterfly will be debuting at the Monroe July 11th show. Even though they are both going through their "uglies" and molting their baby coats, they have such amazing body type that I think they will do well. 

UPDATE #7: As of right now, HHR's Rabbit Sanctuary, my boarding program, is completely full. I can't board anymore rabbits for the time being until next Wednesday or Thursday. If you want me to board your rabbit, start planning and booking your rabbit's stay now! This summer is going to be very busy, so it's best to book your rabbit's stay ahead of time. 

It's important to go through your herd from time to time and evaluate where you stand. I'm going to be writing a blog hopefully soon (Lord willing), on evaluating my herd as a whole, but today I'm going to take the time to list my evaluations of my new juniors; Butterfly and Wicket. 

STRENGTHS:
~Big head
~Nice head shape
~Awesome head width (between the eyes)
~Might have a butt skirt (she's shedding right now so hard to tell)
~Nice ear shape
~Nice chest and body width
~Nice round body
~Nice bone
~No slipped crown!

FAULTS:
~Ears slightly long
~Lacking in crown height (also shedding so hard to tell)
~Slight weak ankles

STRENGTHS:
~Awesome h/e/c! No slipped crown, ears are wonderful shape/substance/length, head is nice size/great shape.
~Width everywhere! Body/head/HQ/chest. 
~Thick bone
~Nice round body

FAULTS:
~Longer front legs
~Slight weak ankles


I am SO excited to watch these two mature! 

Okay, just be prepared....these are some of the randomest names my siblings and I have ever thought of! I'm loving them! Their names really just "came" to each individual baby...before I even knew genders for sure! 
3 weeks and 4 days old! 
All babies are Rosie's unless otherwise noted (the chestnuts are Hazel's). 

Cisco ~ BUCK ~ Previously Sable point #1, this little dude is THICK and WIDE. He has quite the personality! 

Butterfly ~ DOE ~ Our broken black tort and the smallest of the litter. This little lady is very petite and gentle, and has the sweetest eyes! She's always at the front of her cage licking your finger!

Zuzu ~ DOE ~ This is Hazel's one-eared baby, and Rosie's foster baby. She is super sweet and extremely docile. One of my brothers loves this one the best :) She doesn't let her missing ear get in the way! You can't even tell from her behavior that she's any different from the rest. :) 

Azula ~ DOE ~ Hazel's little fat munchkin! I've been calling her "Princess", because she truly is one! She sleeps all day long and is so sweet. She'll sleep no matter where she is - your lap, the cage, on her back in your arms with her belly and legs sticking up - she's hilarious! She's the biggest baby of the bunch because of how much milk she has access to :) Azula's ears are the cutest ever. They are so short and so wide that they are half-lopped right now. I think it makes her look like a puppy!

 Ares ~ BUCK ~ This little dude is going to be heart breaker! That mustache is probably the cutest one I've ever seen. My sister's favorite, Ares is the biggest in Rosie's litter because I suspect he doesn't have the dwarf gene. Like his sister Butterfly, Ares is always at the cage door begging for attention and licking your finger. 

Misty ~ DOE ~ Previously sable point #2, this little lady is looking extremely promising already! Short, wide ears, huge head,  short thick bone. We love this girl! She is so sweet and very doting! 

NONE OF THESE BABIES ARE FOR SALE. I HAVE NO IDEA WHICH ONES WILL BE FOR SALE EVENTUALLY. Please don't even ask. It kills me to think about selling any of these babies at this point. They are still so little and we are in love with ALL of them! You CAN request to be on my notification list to receive an email when we have babies available. If you are interested in one of these babies, request to be on my notification list!