Basket of Babies

There are few things as exciting as your first litter of Fuzzy Lops (well the second, third and fortieth are close!).  After just celebrating the arrival of the litter, the next fun part is to figure out what varieties are in the nestbox.  Since we have so many torts, its not usually that difficult.  But some of the lighter colors can be more challenging.  For example, I have thought I had a ruby eyed white (REW) kit until the eyes opened and the wool started growing and I realized it was probably a blue point.  Experience also helps a lot.  I recently had an email conversation with a new exhibitor/breeder who wasn’t sure whether her sable point juniors were solid or broken.  My suggestion—let’s look at the photos of young kits before the wool grows in.  Watch these Fuzzies grow:

So what varieties are in these two litters?  Its one broken tortoise shell, two REWS and two solid sable points.  Beautiful!

Warm weather = power washing

  So why are all the rabbits loaded up in transport cages?  Sure its nice outside, but they would rather be in their normal cages, eating and relaxing on a warm weekend day.

Do you think something is happening in the barn that we should investigate?

It is time for spring cleaning, one of those days that we both love and hate.  It is a huge job, and best done with lots of help.  First everything is removed from the barn—rabbits, tables, feeders, and assorted junk that accumulated over the past 6 months.  Next, the wool is burned off with a hand held torch.  This doesn’t remove all the wool, but it helps. A broom and shop vac are used to clean the light fixtures, walls and rafters.  The biggest step and most time is spent with the power washer.  It takes at least two times over the cages, and heavy work with wire brushes to clean everything. 

Eight hours later, the Fuzzies are all back in their cages, fed and water.  The trays may still have a few stains that collected over the years, but the cages are clean and fresh smelling!  Ready for the summer now.

More Nationals 2011

On Friday, the show room was just starting to fill as exhibitors came to load Fuzzies into the coops.  Christina is playing with Natalee, Parker and Stuart.

The American Fuzzy Lop club booth was decorated with the award quilts, and a great silent auction.

Show day (Saturday) was busy but there was still time to talk to old friends (Lisa B, Mia B, Shari A, Sherry H, and Carol G)

Nate B, Muriel K, Diana K work on the paperwork of the show.  Great team!

Christina G, Irving, and Marian S watch the judging.

AFLRC National Show Recap

The National show weekend started out looking like this and I really wanted to give you minute-by-minute updates this year.  But once that train started rolling, there was no time to write or post to a blog. 

Here is my first view of the mountains with snow as I head west to Reno.  (Yes, I did take this photo while driving, but I did not talk on my phone at the same time!).

By now many of you have heard who won but nothing tells the story better than photos. 

Our judges were Deb Dyer-Pagel and Kevin Stanford.  There were 46 American Fuzzy Lops shown in youth and the winners were:

• Solids
• Senior buck Ella Todd
• Senior doe  Hayley Cowles, BOV and BOSB
• Junior buck Sarah Compton, BOSV
• Junior doe Dalton Kelman
• Brokens
• Senior buck Madison Todd, BOV and BOB
• Senior doe Hayley Colwes, BOSV
• Junior buck Madison Todd
• Junior doe  Dalton Kelman
• Best wool Dalton Kelman
• Best display Dalton Kelman

In open there were 152 Fuzzies shown.  The results were:

• Solids
• Senior buck, Shari Albrecht, BOSV
• Senior doe, Carol & Kendall Green, BOV
• Junior buck, Nate & Stuart Burbidge
• Junior doe, Nate & Stuart Burbidge
• Brokens
• Senior buck, Shari Albrecht, BOV and BOB
• Senior doe, Valerie Uptagraft & Michelle Uptagraft-Smith
• Junior buck, Lisa Davis & Tim
• Junior doe, Kathy Nicholls, BOSV and BOSB

Congratulations to the winners!

We got wool!

Photos from 2008 National show in Colorado.  This National show will be a bit more deluxe, since its in a major hotel/resort rather than a dirt floored fair barn.  But the fun will be the same!

Entries are in for the AFLRC National show for this coming weekend.  Numbers entered look very good and there are a lot of wonderful friends making the trek to Reno.

Open, 150 entered

• Solid senior buck 20
• Solid senior doe 29
• Solid junior buck 15
• Solid junior doe 11
• Broken senior buck 25
• Broken senior doe 20
• Broken junior buck 19
• Broken junior doe 10
• Wool 28

Youth, 44 entered

• Solid senior buck 8
• Solid senior doe 9
• Solid junior buck 4
• Solid junior doe 4
• Broken senior buck 6
• Broken senior doe 11
• Broken junior buck 2
• Broken junior doe 2
• Wool 5

National Show Entry Deadline!

Its time, its time—April 11!  Send your entries, via email to Nate B at utahrabbitman@yahoo.com today.  This is the deadline.  No kidding. We need to give Nate time to get the show entries in the program, print the cards and coop labels.  So sit down and send ‘em now! 

So far the numbers of rabbits entered looks very good and we are anticipating exhibitors from all over the country.  But when you sit down to enter, don’t hesitate to add just a few more.  The exhibitor who enters the most rabbits in Nationals wins one night’s hotel fee ($89).  Plus if you are traveling, you can win one night’s hotel fee for coming the most miles to Nationals.  We want to see the faces of some of our distant friends!

What about the awards for Nationals?  Just fantastic.  The quilts are gorgeous.  In fact, all the awards are really very nice.  The theme is “western” but also handmade.  You won’t believe how talented our fellow rabbit friends are!

Everyone loves a winner

  Remember this rabbit?  This is the broken senior doe, owned by the mother and daughter team of  Valerie U and Michelle U-S, that won Best of Breed at the ARBA Convention.  Viola and owners are at it again! 

The show was March 26 held in Ontario, OR, hosted by the Snake River Rabbit & Cavy Breeders.  This gorgeous doe won Best of Breed in both shows and then judges Allen Mesick and Randy Shumaker, both picked her for Best in Show!  Congratulations to Team Viola!

Great time to peak, right before Nationals, ladies.  We have our eye on you……