May 3: Tried to breed again just in case it didn't take the first time. No success she wouldn't let him near her. I hope this is a sign she is bred.

May13: Moved Holley (p26) to a new, larger cage. I hope that this will be more suitable for her. The last time she seemed to jump in and out of the nest box quite a bit because the cage was fairly small. I'm worried that she will be upset and harm the pregnancy somehow.

May 23: Have been having some trouble with raccoons in the chicken pen. I hope the stress doesn't effect Holley much she doesn't seem to be eating well. I've read this could be do to the pregnancy but she's not due until June 2.

May 26: Holley has all but stopped eating and doesn't seem to be drinking much either. I'm concerned about a hair blockage or maybe stress from the raccoon incident. Seems to early to be related to the pregnancy.

May 27: Posted a letter to Showbunny today. I hope to get some feedback about Holley not eating. All is well with the chickens - well, really not well, we lost all of them to a raccoon - but we did manage to get rid of the raccoon in the process so atleast there's not that stress to worry about.

May 28: Had lots of response from Showbunny this morning. Everyone is so helpful. Seems like it could be a blockage or just related to the pregnancy. Several people responded that they have does who stop eating up to a week before due date. I got a very helpful mail telling me to place a board under the cage to check for passing urine and droppings. Also to feed greens such as clover, grass, and plenty of hay.. Several people suggested pineapple and lots of hay and something I hadn't thought of - feeding Pedialite or Ensure. She is passing some urine and eating the greens. I fed her a carrot and I've been placing ice cubes in her cage and she really enjoys these. Still not eating pellets.

May 29: Holley passed a clump of dried, small pellets held together with mucus. This may be a dual problem. I keep feeding her plenty of hay and I offered her some pineapple which she flatly refused. Put in the nestbox on the opposite side of the cage she uses for her droppings. I learned this last time because she used her nestbox for droppings instead.

May 31: Evening - I caught her in the act of making a nest tonight. Her cage was a mess, bowl upset and every bit of hay was missing and in the nestbox. I shouldn't say every bit because she did have six of seven pieces hanging out of her mouth. She also had one of those looks like..Who me I didn't do anything.

June 1: Still no babies. I'm still in touch with several Showbunny breeders. Holley is alert and doing fine just not eating.

June2: New kits in the box this morning. I'm nervous about counting them so I just feel inside to make sure they're warm. Everything appears fine. Holley not eating pellets but is eating more hay and grass.

June 3: Holley eating better. Droppings are still small and hard. Babies appear fine I still haven't reached in yet. The kids have and they think there are four.

June 8: Kids in a panic this morning one of the kits is dead. Looks like we had five -but lost one. It was pushed the side of the nest when we found it and full of maggots. I took the nestbox out of the cage and counted everyone, replaced the hay and then put them all back in, Holley seems appreciative. Hind sight being 20/20 I did think she acted strange last night - she kept peering into the box and looking back at me. She did the same thing last time we lost a kit to the cold. What a good mom!

June 10: All is well. Everyone eating and kits seem fine. I guess I'll surf the web or read my Showbunny digest for the day.

June 28: So far the month of June has ended without any more rabbit related crisis'. We went on a brief vacation and had the neighbor feed our little herd, I do beleive they were happy to see us return ( the rabbits and the neighbor). The kits are growing well and eating oats, pellets, and hay. The summer heat hasn't been to bad here in Ohio we have only had to place frozen water bottles in the cages two or three times so far - the rabbits are outside and under shade all day. Keeping the bowls clean in the nursery is a pain - they all love sitting in the food bowl and from the looks of the water bowls they sit in those too. The kids are getting ready for the fair, we've had one rabbit care session on clipping nails and grooming and a little bit about showmanship - plenty more to come I'm sure.

July 03: Received the new issue of the Dutch Reporter yesterday. It's always exciting to read more articles about Dutch and congrats to all the winners in the National Dutch Show. At our place this week we took the nest box out and cleaned everyones cage. The weather has been nice here for several days. Kids have been grooming rabbits at least once a week, trying to get ready for the fair.

Sept. 7: Got a call today from a friend who found three wild bunnies in her back yard. She has to go out of town so we volunteered to take care of them. Their eyes are open and they are about 4-5 inches long and seem to be eating a some grass.

Sept. 8: I'm concerned that they still need milk. Found an article in the House rabbit society homepage about keeping wild rabbits. They reccomend feeding the kits kitten milk 1-2 times a day and putting in rabbit droppings from healthy rabbits.

Sept.9: Received email from Dohna with a recipe for replacement formula 1 cup whole milk, 1 egg yolk, 1tsp karo syrup, and multi vitamins. Thanks Dohna

Sept. 10: The kits are doing great! They love the kitten milk. We feed them from an old syringe. We put them out to eat grass and get some sunshine in a bottomless box my daughter divised.

Sept. 11: Miss the bunnies. Our friend takes them home today. Everything seems to be fine. I hope they live.

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