Why We No Longer Raise Rabbits
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- Опубликовано: 24 авг 2024
- The rabbit story that was never told.
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We are a better together family of 6 living in an 800sqft Shed to House Conversion and currently converting a 336sqft shed into a tiny house for our new studio! Oh yea, we are doing our best to build a sustainable homestead in central Texas raising pigs, chickens, and rabbits…. and hopefully more!!!!!
#familycow #buildingahomestead #chickens
RHDV2 is spread by cottontails and is contracted from contact with infected ground where wild rabbits have been. The tractor was your vector, once the tractor rabbits caught it, your contact with the tractor rabbits spread it to the hutch rabbits. I'm so sorry yall went through this, but this is why most rabbit breeders keep our rabbits off the ground and in sheds/barns.
The most intelligent answer yet...because I was wondering.
Thank for this information. It's very helpful for someone who's considering getting rabbits.
Wild rabbits i guess if wild species can carry eithout dying,people should raise them instead....i wonder how every species including humans managed to survive on just a perfect immune system. Lol
Can rabbits be vaccinated for this? And how do you know if their carriers? I just rescued two tiny baby bunnies that are cottontails that we're about to drowned. I have another rescue bunny that was a domesticated bunny that was neglected. I was looking at stuff to build them an outdoor rabbit run on my property. I had planned to till up the ground and add in some plants. Is there any way to prevent this illness?
African farmers use herbs ...bitter leaf , abd others ..and indians use ay urvedic . Why would you vaccinate animals ? When they have immune,give clean environment and natural food not pellets
When I was a young girl. We raised rabbits. One year all of them were killed by a huge dog. I lost 6 baby bunnies that were already sold for Easter. I was devastated. My grandparents called up our customers and told them what had happened. They told me to keep the money to buy a new pair of rabbits so I could start a new family.
Oh Maryann that is so sad, I am sorry. 😞
I know how you felt when you lost all of your bunny's
whats sad in the first place is someone raising rabbits for customers. its time that human beings all got a brain in their heads! this is insane!
@@morganeann4647how is that sad? I don’t understand what you mean by that
@@IEatMyCatch okay i will explain for ya. what does "i eat my catch" mean????
Thank you so much for sharing your story and spreading awareness of the issue. As a rabbit owner, I've done quite a bit of research on RHDV2 and worked with ARBA officials to understand the virus and take measures to prevent it. I would like to address a couple of points that were in the video/comments:
1. Breeding for tolerance
At this time, all rabbit breeds that are kept domestically can contract RHDV2, as can other members of the lagomorph family. Being able to breed resistance would far exceed the expense of vaccines with less effective results. RHD is a necrotizing pathogenic lagovirus (an organism that causes viruses in host members of the lagomorph family) and is similar to hepatitis in humans.
2. Tractor systems
I want to make it very clear that I am not attacking what Better Together Homestead or other operations have done, however, tractor systems are ill-advised by rabbit experts for multiple reasons and should not be part of any rabbitry. Firstly, being on the ground facilitates the transfer of external parasites (ticks, mites, etc.) and internal parasites (E. cuniculi, intestinal worms, etc.) as well as RHDV2, respiratory infections, and other diseases from rabbits and other ground-dwelling creatures. Insects can be a means of transfer and having them on the ground will facilitate that. In addition, most grasses (lawn grasses in particular) are unhealthy healthy for rabbits which can lead to bloat and will reduce the vitality of the rabbit in the long term.
3. Prevention
RHDV2 is a contact pathogen, which means that it will be transmitted through contact with anything an infected animal has come into contact with. There has not been enough research done to determine how many contacts the pathogen can be passed through, however, it is accurate to say it is moderately to highly transmissible in most circumstances. Biosecurity measures and vaccinations are currently the only ways to prevent exposure. When introducing new rabbits or equipment, returning from a show, or allowing people to interact with your animals, sanitization and quarantine processes are essential. I have a hydrogen peroxide-based decontamination spray that I use before and after quarantining new equipment (even if purchased new), however, there are many other effective options. In addition, be very cautious about interacting with rabbits that are not your own, and reduce contact with wild rabbits, hares, and pika to the bare minimum.
4. Vaccines
For many years only RHDv2 vaccines were created, manufactured, and approved in the European Union with other countries approving them on an individual basis. The US government has been known to approve the import and use of European vaccines for large, economically important herds in affected areas. Recently, Medgene labs in South Dakota created a vaccine that was approved for use (medgenelabs.com/rhdv2/). I cannot give personal experience with the vaccine, however, clinical trials have proven efficacy and reliability.
Online resources and references:
www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/rabbit_hemorrhagic_disease.pdf
veterinaryresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1297-9716-43-12
medgenelabs.com/rhdv2/
www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/fs-rhdv2.pdf
Amazingly informative reply. Thank you so much for this!
Thank you
Thank you for the info. It was very thorough. I don't know why ppl think tractors are a good idea. I read storey's guide to raising rabbits before even committing to get rabbits and he doesn't advise it for the very reasons you have.
Wow that’s a long comment
commenting so others see
Sorry for your loss😞... We raise rabbits out in the country in Texas, but one thing we have chosen not to do is put them on the ground where they can come into contact with areas that wild rabbits roam. We have nice big hutches that they can move around in. Not a perfect sinerio but feel it can cut the chances of them contracting it if the virus was to make its way onto the property. We do feed cuttings of things, but nothing that isn't directly from our garden or brush that grows high up off ground. We also have no purebreds, we keep mixed meat breeds in case that too helps with any possible genetic tolerance. Our past research had shown that mixed breed might be hardier. Rabbits are definitely delicate little creatures ❤️🐰❤️
These are all great points Christina!!!! I might need to get your info if we ever decide to raise rabbits again.
I want to buy some of your diverse breeding stock!! 😁
They can still obtain it from foraged food. The only way to prevent is a fully indoor sanitized facility with vikron s and yearly vaccination for every rabbit obtained through a vet
Mmhm. Need a secure house and locks! And make sure every inch, is dig proof. I had to build a large STURDY chicken coop for my hens... lost too many and my rooster recently to a racoon. East tx wild life is no joke! Bears... foxes... cats... etc.
Totally agree with you also quarantine any new stock for at least 30 days
@K Barnes , we built 5ft wide and 7 ft long hutches and spit them down the middle longways, with a door on each side. The roof is pitched and prolly 3ft in middle and 2 ft on sides.
So each rabbit has about 2.5 wide and 7-8ft.
They are 4ft off the ground
I’m so sorry to hear about this! I’m 13 and live on a small farm and rabbits will forever have a very special place in my heart. They are the animal that first helped me find my love for livestock and agriculture. It all started when I was 12 and wanted to show rabbits for 4H. I found a mini Rex breeder and got 2 beautiful rabbits, a doe and a buck. They truly brought me so much joy every day. Eventually I decided to breed them. It was very successful and the doe had 5 baby bunnies. Only a couple days after they were born I found the wire of the cage pried open from the outside and the doe and all 5 babies we’re gone only a little blood and fur was left. I was devastated but still so grateful I still had my buck. I moved the cage into the garage where it was safe from predators and I was very careful with him. I grew very attached to him since he was the only rabbit I had. 5 months later My friend and I bread our rabbits together because we both wanted kits.Then about 3 weeks after that I found him laying in his cage dead. I hugged his body and cried so much. I had been aware of RHD and how bad it was and I immediately thought that was what it was since I have him a peice of pear wood from my yard. I felt extremely guilty. My dad sent him to a laboratory to get an autopsy to know for sure if he had it since we were expecting kits any day. We got the results and he did not have RHD he died of a cancerous tumor in his lung cavity. I prayed that the breeding with him and my friends rabbit was successful since I didn’t have him or any rabbits anymore. A few days later the kits were born. 2 look just like my buck and 2 look just like my friend’s doe. It’s amazing how god woks his miracles. And now today I’m just waiting for the kits to be old enough to take home. I wish you and your family well with your homestead and hopefully you will be able to have rabbits again someday. ❤️
@@growterps_1508 that’s ok and thank you 🙂
You should stay off the internet and go live your life.
Aww, sweetheart, I’m glad you were able to see some of his babies! Were you able to keep any to raise?
@@kricketjoy Yes! I kept a doe and now its been 2 years since and I have started my own breeding program for mini rex and Californian rabbits!
@@Obliteratedphonevlogs That’s awesome! Rex is a good breed. You’ll be great at it. Don’t let setbacks get you down. Rabbits have a rough life in nature, but you can improve on that. Best of luck!
I could only hold it in so long...when I saw Rex's decline I burst into tears. So sorry this happened to you guys. And so brave of you to share. Glad you are bringing awareness...i had never heard of this before. ❤
Thought this comment was silly until i got to that part…
I am fully impressed! It's just a complete ruclips.net/user/postUgkxGqOCINHE0Z0E5gxzSdNi9NWGugRY5Hm2 plan with the best resources and step by step instructions . These shed plans are so satisfying as if the sheds build themselves on their own. Worthy work Ryan!
This is a rabbit video. Are you talking about the cheapest way to roof a “shed to house”?
If so I would not be thinking this way.
Instead I’d be saying….. what’s the proper way to roof a house. You don’t want to cheap out on your houses roof. That would be a bad idea.
Sorry, for you lost. My rabbit pass away last winter, it's very hard,it's part of the family.
RHDV has always been a big concern when owning rabbits. You can get the bunnies vaccinated each year but that doesn’t 100% prevent them from getting the disease.
Here in Denmark it blows up at around spring and fall each year. Keeping the bunnies in a contained environment and not mingle with people that got bunnies themselves is the best way to avoid this horrible disease.
I’ve had bunnies for almost 20 years and luckily mine have never caught RHDV but I’ve seen so many other bunnies around the world that has.
The main transmission is unfortunately through us owners. If we’re in contact with someone who has sick bunnies and we then go home touching our own then they end up getting sick. Also the more bunnies you got the bigger the risk is of an outbreak.
raise people instead for home steading. maybe some children.
Ok, are they tasty?
I will decline to comment.. as mine would be harsh, as any comment referring to anyone continuiing to choose to breed this day and age Much love to your unsuspecting animals, who have no choice in the matter! Praying for their long and healthy lives!!!
I do not understand what you are trying to say. You said, “I will decline to comment”…. And then you continued to comment.
As a carnivore I'll decline a comment as well ... my food is competing to eat healthy, so that I may continue eating healthy
I know this video is old, but damn what a cringe comment. As breeders, this story is more upfront and honest than most. And unlike other breeders who continue to breed for the sake of money no matter the outcome of the animals, at least this group acknowledged that they cannot ethically continue down the road with the virus looming. No fault on the breeders here, as humans cannot control what virus takes on and at what point.
Okay, I cried watching Rex slip away...even a little sparrow's fall matter to our Heavenly Father (Matthew 10:29-31). We do all we can to help our animal friends, but it's the things we don't see that are sometimes the cause. God knew, but He will never give you more than you can handle, it's His promise. Thank you for sharing your experience with us, good advice on all fronts.
Thank you, yea. I was a grown man tearing up as I edited it. I miss that cool rabbit.
Our God gives me more than I can handle on the daily. This way, I'm always reliant on him. If you could handle it, you wouldn't need Him.
@@bugs825 You "think" it's more than you can handle. However, His promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13 says “God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able”. It's the trying times that keeps up on our knees in prayer.
Thank you for video. Most states now have the RHDV2 vaccine made in the US and is protecting rabbits in our County in California. We have been vaccinating for 2.5 years at our rescue, shelter and public. As you know how easily contagious RHDV2 aka bunny ebola. We are so sorry for your loss. There is a bright light and you can protect these amazing creatures!
Thank you very much for your comment Kimmy. Just not sure if raising an animal that needs to be vaccinated is what we need. But I am glad that there is something out there!!
@@BetterTogetherLife you mean, you just don't care enough to properly care for your animals. I cannot fathom how anyone caring for rabbits has not heard of RHD. That's like having chickens and not knowing about mareks, which btw if you now have chickens you should get them vaccinated before you let all of them die as well
Sadly though most rabbits raisers like myself cannot afford to vaccinate our entire herd so while it's great to have it available, it's not practical for everyone.
@@katp7148 that is a mean spirited thing to say they obviously care enough about the animals that they are holding off raising more until they can be sure to provide a safe environment
@@katp7148 I always look for the cheaper alternative which for my livestock guardian dogs and heart worms was simple. Is there a similar way for rabbit breeders? I certainly don’t want to raise animals only to have a preventable disease cause problems. I also don’t want to raise animals that need expensive upkeep. I rescue and shelter animals and cannot afford expensive upkeep. Thanks
Oh my goodness this is so sad! I'm so sorry for you and your family loosing all your bunnies to this disease, especially sorry you had to watch Rex suffer and die! Tears came to my eyes when you came to tell about him. Thank you for the transparency and imformation to make other homesteaders aware of this issue!
Keep them off the ground when you hear of stuff going around like that.
My mother had well over 100 head in my childhood growing up and they all were super healthy, in cages 3 to 4 ft off the ground.
But then again, come to think of it, I never really heard of stuff like that going around in "wild" game back then....
🤔🤔🤔🤔
Even caged, domestic pets can get it. We are up north and only one case in our state but they say it can transfer from hay coming from out of state. We buy local and my prize buck is outside on a tractor all year!
I did rabbits some time ago and they multiplied by 10s quite often. At the time I lived in Colorado and was new at it all. Sadly I lost them all to the cold. And I never returned to raising them. Now I just peacefully watch them romp run and play wildly here in south Texas. Even found some kits under a palm tree. Watched from day one till day run! Exciting to see in the wild. Not so much so in a rabbit hutch. Anyway great story. (The things we never knew). Appreciate the share.
That’s odd because rabbit do quite well in the cold if kept dry.
@@Junkinsally not when it gets to -24 below zero.
I just noticed a wild Cottontail has dug under our back deck, I think as long as there is no damage to the house I will leave it, it is fun to watch run around the yard
I has the disease go through my colony but I didn't stop. Sometimes you have setbacks. The value we get from the meat far outweighs the burden of loss. The rabbits that lived produce healthy strong babies and I butcher at 16 weeks have had no loss since.
How is that working? Do you keep them in hanging cages ? What about their feed and sanitation? DO you think they built tolerance to it and that it was passed down to the offsrping? I'd like to know what you have order in order to keep it from coming back at your colony if you don't mind sharing?
Any further advice? We have various livestock and want to add rabbits next year, colony style.
@@alphacat9302 keep them on wire. Use cut out rubber Matt's for foot savers. Don't spend big money on commercial cages build your own and do not breed more than you can eat... the market is very unstable.
@@andreamoscoso8820 I've had 2 guns since no issues I did even do a tester batch with a aunt to nephew breeding to see if maybe closer genetics might pop a carrier gene to show symptoms but it did not all those buns went in the freezer.
@@erinbean344 we were planning on building out a large run outside (with a coop like building for inclement weather). Layer the ground with metal grid fencing to prevent escape. This was a scary vid though, having a whole colony die would be heart breaking
Wow, that’s pretty sad, thank you for sharing. I had not heard of this rabbit pandemic until this video. Hopefully rabbits ultimately become immune, or at least resistant.
You said everything I was thinking.... 🤔 That's so sad. 😔
They can never gain immunity. They have to be vaccinated by a vet yearly
@@Theysewfear it came from overseas. Been in the UK for years
@@Theysewfear I understand your reference. I've always had my suspicions too as I had just read an article that rabbit breeders couldn't be tracked and they had no control over knowing who was raising them. Unlike sheep, cattle, cats, dogs, etc there wasn't the avian flu or other sicknesses severe enough to provide tracking. Now with rhdv2 the risk is get your herd vaccinated and every rabbit and production you make tracked or risk your herd dying and loosing everything if not vaccinated. It also now allows them to come onto properties and depopulate every rabbit where it is found which is something they could never do before. Story is they brought infected rabbits from overseas to control a wild population on am island off of Washington and it so happenned to skip across a while ocean and become endemic in the US. I don't believe in coincidences either and I do believe it was purposely planted to affect our ability to feed ourselves. They are also rising feed costs rapidly like every week it's gone up a dollar to where 16 plus is normal for a bag of feed when it used to be 8 to 10 per bag. If they can't kill off every rabbit they sure as heck are trying to make it impossible to feed them as well. It's pretty sick agenda so I get it I was just saying that it's definitely not something they can gain immunity. It's basically HELLP syndrome for bunnies and it's devastating many
I’ve been saving articles of any animal related viruses etc since the start of the pandemic and it’s crazy. Thinking bird flu is as well
We lost our herd of rabbits to this way back when it first started. When the state vet was still ordering people to exterminate all rabbits on the property, including my daughter's indoor pet, in an attempt to halt the spread.
We someday we'll raise rabbits again. Just don't know when yet. I still feel the ache of having to put down my daughter's perfectly healthy pet.
That is so so sad. I am sorry and we understand how you feel. 😞
I’m very sorry for your hardships. Thank you for sharing and helping others understand the downs of homesteading better.
What a tragic situation. I'm so sorry for your family. I raised rabbits for over 10 years and finally decided to stop, THEN this stuff came along and it made me all the more determined to not raise rabbits anymore. I can't imagine the heartbreak you all went through. I managed to get out of raising rabbits before it got my herd.
So sorry that you guys had to deal with this terrible sickness. Thanks for sharing this as I will pass it on to my daughter who homesteads in southern Oklahoma right across the Texas border.
Thanks a bunch
I bought 18 rabbits, and was going to start my own little rabbitry. Within a week 16 had died. I spent hundreds on vet bills, and found out they had died from RHD. Which they were supposedly vaccinated against. It was absolutely heartbreaking. 3 weeks on and I've still got my buck and one doe. My little side hustle has fallen flat on its face, which I can cope with, but to see rabbit after rabbit die, dreading going to check them as I didn't know how many would still be alive. Soul destroying.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I'm raising rabbits in central Alabama and had not heard about this scary condition. I had considered tractors but will be keeping them all off the ground now
Wow I’ve never heard of this. I started raising rabbits earlier this year and everyone has been healthy and lovable. Sorry for what happened to you!
When I first heard that this had hit the west coast, I knew that it would eventually (probably sooner rather than later) become a problem for everyone in America. After purchasing a rabbit out of state that had my own rabbits on the pedigree, I realized how quickly bloodlines travel all over, and how quickly any sort of disease could spread, including genetic, but of course anything contagious as well. It's futile to try to restrict the movement of livestock; that would require everyone's voluntary cooperation, including wildlife. People lie/are mistaken/make mistakes, and wildlife poop and pee on the "Coastal" hay we buy. I feed my rabbits from trees that grow in my yard, but they have birds perching in them whose feet could have touched down anywhere. It is a "sticky" virus that can travel via bird feet or unaffected wildlife such as possums and raccoons, as well as on human shoes and car tires and anything that a bird or possum might ever brush up against. RHD can stay in the ground for up to 2 years. It seemed inescapable, and I braced myself to lose my rabbits to this awful disease. If that happened, I planned to also quit raising them. But...
I used ivermectin on my rabbits and never saw this in my herd.
When my stock from the west coast was on its way to me, I dosed all of my own rabbits. When I picked up my new stock to bring them home, I dosed them too, and left them in their transport cages for 24 hours. One drop per 3 pounds of body weight. One dose for a 180 lb mammal is still less than a quarter teaspoon; my rabbits are less than 12 lbs each, so one or two drops in each ear is plenty. Since the virus shows up within 24 hours of exposure, I quarantined the newcomers for 24 hours after they arrived, and found out later that they had actually (unknowingly) been directly exposed to a rabbit who was bred to one that died 24 hours after they were bred. But the ivermectin seems to have worked. The newcomers were successfully integrated into my herd, and I've still never had any deaths.
Ivermectin isn't a preventative for it but you shared great info on the ability to use it. It is great stuff and I used it every 6 months as preventative for anything 6 weeks and older. However rhdv2 is basically hello syndrome for bunnies. It removes the ability for their blood platelets to clot therefore causing them to hemmorage internally and slowly die a horrible and painful internal bleeding death. Vaccinating your rabbits and disinfecting with vikron s correctly diluted, practicing high biosecurity, and being mindful of what you bring in is really only way to prevent it. Coccidiosis is found in the ground and usually needs treated separately with corrid or toltaurizil so that's good you haven't dealt with that from feeding foraged foods as opossums are a big spreader of that which attacks the liver and causes seizures and death within a week after exposure. Rhdv2 is exposure within 24 to 48 hours symptoms show but it can wipe out a herd slowly over the course of a week to two weeks depending on bisecurity measures and exposure. Sounds like you got a bad transporter and extremely lucky. I try to keep transporters from endemic areas discouraged from coming into our state and so far we remain a clean state after two years because most move around us not through us. That won't last forever and it will eventually be spread across the US but it gave us 2 years to finally get a cost effective vaccine. That being said as a show breeder the value of my animals is extremely important to me but I doubt many meat and fur breeders will pay for the vaccine since their return on cost is already very low. I can see why it wouldn't be cost effective for everyone. I've had several friends and friends of friends affected by rhdv2 in the US and overseas where it has been endemic for far longer then the US. It has wiped out herds and broken tons of hearts so I empathize with the person who lost her rabbits as well. The story goes just because it hasn't happenned to you doesn't mean it hasn't happenned to others. The virus is very real and ivermectin isn't a cure all for it but I am glad you are promoting the use of it in herds because it's vital
Thank you so much. Can you recommend the brand you safely use with your rabbits?
@@suran396 I honestly don't know, but it shouldn't matter. Ivermectin is sold to humans as a brand called Soolantra. I've purchasesd several brands, including apple-flavored horse paste, two brands of the liquid cattle pour-on, and some creams. I try to get anything with the fewest amount of other ingredients. The pour-on has four ingredients that I researched to make sure I wasn't harming any mammals that get some on them, possibly by accident. They were all acceptable to me, mostly there to keep it on the skin, even in rain. Water will not wash it off, but it should be used on skin that will not be washed with soap for 6 hours.
Best comment ever.
@@gonnaposeto6873 how do you get ivermectin these days when they got rid of it since it's very effective against infections like covid?
Top 3 things to always do when raising rabits 1)never give them food off the ground unless properly sanatized 2) if you have bunnies showing signs of ilness keep that group separate from all others and sanitize very thoroughly before handling unefected rabits 3)always keep your rabits off the ground atleast 2.5feet to keep ticks and mites from getting on them and its best to treat the ground around the cages with peppermint oil as ticks and mites hate it you can also feed peppermint to the rabbits once a week they love it and its good for them
I lost my 4 colony bunnies to a coyote Sunday night. When you think your cage is secure enough, do more. Then do more again.
Oh Nathan, I am so so sorry.
We're having yotee problems in West Central Florida too. Lost some free range chickens and a few piglets that got out. My boys are on it though so hopefully we can turn a yotee or two into chicken feed and fishing lures 😉
So sorry for your devastating experience! I truly appreciate you sharing your story though. It's important to understand what can happen when we venture into homesteading. I pray that your hearts will be comforted knowing you are not alone! Blessings to you 😢
Thank you Betsy for your kind words. It means a lot.
I'm so sorry that happened to you guys :( Very heartbreaking. I can't imagine the feeling of loss.
Thank you Tiffany. It was hard, but good to finally find the words to share. You saw it before any of us, so thank you!!
I look at these beautiful innocent bunny faces and I cry for them.
Yeah, being a steward has rewards and heartbreaks. Thanks for making the effort to share.
You are absolutely right Dom!
Great video. We had 7 Flemish Giants and 2 New Zealand. Dogs killed half, 1 died from a gut issue, and the others died from a timber rattlesnake that decided to bite all of my rabbits without focusing on just one. We were able to kill the snake, but we're to late to save our rabbits. Knowing them...they probably greeted the snake trying to cuddle
So sorry - so heartbreaking. Something so hard to share but I had never heard of this disease. Thank you for sharing.
I had a virus outbrake on my homestead and all my pure breeds died. Mostly Flemish and German spotted giants but not a single one of my mixed breeds died. With all the experience i have with rabbits i recommend to everyone mix breed rabbits they are much tougher and very very resilient that way
Thank you for raising awareness about this. I’m contemplating raising meat rabbits here in Upstate NY once we get living on our land. I will look into this disease in our area before making the decision for sure.
You know it! And yes, I think you should be good to go up there. The disease is mostly down in the south.
This is the first I’ve heard of this. I checked with our state authorities and they said we might have had 1 report in the state this year but it was a feral rabbit. Sorry for your misfortune and hopefully it won’t prevent you from doing rabbits again. ❤️
Thank you Sheri!
Which state for both of you?
@@illinoisvideoatlarge8039 the state of insanity apparently.
What a beautiful video, even if it's sad. Thanks for sharing, being honest, and reporting how this disease presents.
Thank you! We just try to share our experience, absolutely!
Sorry that you encountered health issues with your rabbits. But just know that things normally go better than that in the big picture. I raised a LOT of rabbits when I was younger. (350 does, 17 bucks). I operated the business and sold rabbits live weight to a small slaughter facility for about three years. I had very few sick rabbits. But one thing I did from the start was to cull any animal that had any symptoms of any sickness immediately. Things can go awry, but in the big picture it’s probably a once in a decade or longer event. I hope you are able to approach your rabbit husbandry again when the time is right, and enjoy great success. Thanks for sharing your story.
My wife is a teacher and told me today that another teacher is getting rid of some newborn rabbits, I immediately said yes and went to YT for ideas on pens/tractors for them. Your video was the first to pop up. Now it’s less than an immediate Yes. Sorry to hear but thank you for sharing
Oh well, where do you live? And do you live where wild rabbits are?
I would say most likely you are safe to get the bunnies.
@@BetterTogetherLife I live in a neighborhood and there are wild rabbits on the outskirts of the neighborhood but none close to my house. I do have possums in the backyard from time to time. Should I be concerned? The pen will be looked at all times.
I think you’d be fine.
So we now have rabbits and mom and babies were together since beginning. We go dad a few weeks ago and he was isolated. We introduced what we think are all males to dads cage and dad is now bleeding from his groin and there is blood on the back (not under) of a 11/12 week old rabbit. Did dad just mate with his daughter or is male bleeding not normal?
So sorry for your losses. I hope you consider them in the future. The current spread is hard on all. Total losses take a toll on you. Feeling like a failure when there seems to be little you can do. Education is learning and applying what you and others have learned to help others. Bio security is such an important needed practice today. I'm almost certain your rabbits contacted the virus from the wild rabbits already on your homestead. Over the last few years state health agencies have studied this and it's spread. Recommended that rabbit transport and shows not be allowed in some areas and states to help contain the spread. There is a vaccine now that has helped some but is very hard to get. I want to say THANK YOU for posting this subject and hopefully others can learn from it. Keep living the homesteading dream. Good Luck
Thank you so so much, B Hill. I do hope someday to have rabbits again. They are such a joy seeing baby bunnies hop around.
Perhaps another breed will be more hardy. Thank you again!
@Tom WaterFooler wild rabbits in the US and domestic rabbits are a different species. You'd have to get wild European rabbits to breed.
Thank you for sharing. We had disease hit our hutch in Oregon and it was so tough. Expensive trips to the vet and doing all we could, we lost a lot of rabbits. Your story is meaningful and important. Keep being awesome.
Thank you so much. We really appreciate the kind words, means more than you know!! ♥️
Chemtrails they spread the updated virus for rabbits
It happens in australia too
I think you should try again. My rabbits have not yet showed signs of RHDV2 and I do my best to keep them all contained in the backyard. I hope the food supply does not give it to them. Life will find a way to adapt and hopefully this virus helped with that problem in Australia.
So sorry for your loss ❤️
This is why my rabbits never go on the ground
It hit her hutch first. Did you watch?
Wonder what “they did “ to cause that? They keep spraying things in the air. Sorry you lost your rabbit herd.
You might be right. It was just so bizarre.
The same thing happened to my rabbits, but I didn't know there was a virus going around. Yet another thing to wipe out the food supply!
I was thinking the same thing.
it's why it is so important to diversify.
Virus going around or not you are supposed to vaccinate rabbits it's common sense
Or we could just keep rabbits indoors and/or vaccinate them.
and probably also to force mrna injections on livestock as well to destroy their genome as well. just look what they are doing to Dutch farmers
Y’all are such a blessing, not least sharing your many blessings and (Lord, have mercy upon your family and farm!!) suffering, both being presented with equal humility and integrity! It is so exciting and affirming to be witnesses to your growth in God’s grace as a family and farm! Thank you!
As lovely as rabbits in hutches and tractors are I don't recommend it now. I bought a building like you live in, insulated it, added a window unit ac, and hanging cages with trays beneith, and a sink with running water. That is my rabbitry. I feel that the benefit and income are worth it. I don't pick grass that could be touched by wild rabbits. I cut tree fodder for my rabbits. I recommend that you consider doing this. They are important to your homestead. And you are not far from an amazing rabbit breeder.
I am so sorry for your loss
Sorry for your loss. We started our journey with the same plan as you... but knowing about this situation. It's hard not to be suspicious and "tin-hat" with the timing so close to c19 and so many other flock/herd diseases and culls. Many prayers for you all.
Humans are built to make connections wherever we can even if it's not actually connected.
exactly. it sounds like more bio weapons than C19 in order to destroy the food supply.
I’m so saddened to see this, it’s distressing for the rabbits and your family. I hope you can find out what’s causing it and regrow you stock. 🥰
Thank you so much Lesley.
I keep rabbits for moringa nutritional research, however has been very rare when someone suddenly dies. I put 1drop of hidroxide of chlorine per Gallon of drinking water l keep them in cages. I also mixing different breeds for meat proposal.
When you have animal that show signs of being sick. Make sure you add teaspoon of 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide to 1 galon of water and shake thoughly and have the animal drink that every times as their water. Also give them alkaline water between 6 am to 3pm daily regularly. You will be surprised how those airborne sickness will go away. Keep them in close monitoring
Oh that is a great tip, thank you!
This is absolutely devastating 😭 I'm a bunny mom and though I can truly see you cared deeply for these buns. There are a lot of problems I am seeing with their hutches. I'm not here to judge. But perhaps you will consider adopting a bunny as a pet rather. They need sooo much space to run. Wired cages hurt their feet because they don't have paw pads. They are so loving and affectionate and deserve to live inside just like our dogs and cats. They need vaccines just like our other animals too. Doe's become pregnant just 30 minutes after giving birth. When kits reach maturity, they start fighting their own litter. It CAN be deadly. They need proper bonding. Please don't breed them. There are so many buns in shelters needing a good home. And when buns aren't needed anymore they just get dumped! A healthy domestic bun can live over 10 years. But I am so happy that Rex gave you a taste of how much attention and love they really need. He looked like such a sweetheart. Still, I am really sorry for your loss. It's such a tragic thing to see a loving pet cross the rainbow bridge. Bless all those beautiful little thumping souls ❣️
@@Jesusiscoming24 they can be litter trained like a cat. Also if kept as a pet it's common to spay or neuter them which also helps with litter habbits.
I have a litter trained rabbit. He would never just pee or poo anywhere. He is so smart he understands English. He is smarter then some dogs.
Please don't think I'm being rude, that is not my intention. These rabbits were raised for meat and selling to others for the same reason. It would be rather difficult to raise them for meat without breeding them. And I think it would be rather untenable to raise them in one's house for meat as well. Honest question: I've never seen a rabbit hutch that doesn't have hardware cloth at the base, what is the alternative?
@@ahtemmathehun3506 ideally, there is also a plastic matt with holes on about 1/5 of the wire to give their feet some rest and a small wood tunnel they can go in or lay on top of. The tunnel should have no floor and just be on wire. Add a little hay that they can nest in and then wire is best because it is sanitary.
Wire (poop and pee to fall through,) a plastic resting pad (with holes,) a tunnel to climb in or on, and a little hay.
@@MillennialMountainMama Can you make a video on him? Sounds very interesting. All the best to you!
Thanks for sharing. I'm hoping that in a few months, you're able to publish an update to this story with the good news that someond has found a solution to this horrible problem.
There's a vaccine but we are waiting for official approval for it to be released publicly. Vets can get it but it's often expensive to get it done by a vet, many timeshare the cost of the rabbit itself, and has to be administered annually.
Thank you for sharing. Please don't give up.
Thank you! We aren’t giving up with animals, just focusing on species that fit better for our property.
So sorry for your loss. I am raising some here in my home. Greetings from Africa -Uganda 🇺🇬
Wow I thought rabbits kept off the ground were safe? I'll look into this more. We are in southwestern KY but it will likely spread.
They let them eat grass on the ground maybe that's why
Dry hay from out of state can transfer it.
I too have had losses. But the missing ingredient in your Rabbit homestead was Iodine added to their water. Look it up. It stops the infection cycles prevalent in rabbits. I was so thankful to find this remedy. I raise Holland Lops and Lion heads both beautiful but same Rabbit vulnerabilities .
🤍 very sad 🤍 i had rex rabbits when i was young. Some of them were docile and some not so much. The illness that made our bunnies sick was Snuffles, a respiratory problem. Later we were worried by calicivirus and myxomatosis but it didnt infect our bunnies, it was a risk. Lovely video, even though it is sad to see your situation. You have learned from a terrible experience and your homestead is going to be a place of learning. Thank you for raising awareness of the problem so others can also learn. Our animals are special and all need such close attention and care. Beautiful bunnies.
My 70 rabbits died with zero explanation. I still cry. It hurts deep.
Oh my gosh..
So sorry!!..❤️
I had a litter of Silver Fox rabbits just recently that were 5 weeks old and every single one of them had seizures and died no bloody noses though and all the adults are fine I don't know what happened or what I did wrong. Anybody have any ideas?
Not sure. It’s been weird since 2020 for sure. It might be it.
Coccidiosis possibly
What a heart wrenching tale, I just started raising rabbits here in Louisiana. They are hopefully one day going to be on my table for food for my family, but I pray that they are happy and healthy until then. The thought of them suffering from something like this is hard to imagine. Thank you for sharing so others will be aware and hopefully do everything possible to prevent this fate to any other livestock.
We've been raising for years here in Louisiana. Never had these problems. Pray I never do.
put human beings on your table instead. this is insane!
So sorry that happened.
My first flock of chickens was taken from us from newcastle disease when it was spreading in southern California. Our favorite lady was the last to pass also. It was truly heartbreaking. Years later I have chickens again. It took time to heal and to be ready to homestead again. Also now we live in a different state
Understandable. You have to wonder about these livestock diseases running rampant through the US, as well as all the fires destroying livestock.
It is super super weird.
Sorry that you had to experience this! I've had something similar in Sweden with my rabbits, three times have I tried to start over and three times they have gotten this disease or something similar :(
Sorry you had that. I had heard about the virus and was worried for mine. Leary about letting them on the ground where wild animals (birds, rodents and wild rabbits) have been. I haven't had any issues with disease but have had a doe eat a few of her litters and then heat killed my buck and best doe. Although I grew up hunting and eating wild game I find that "harvesting" my rabbits is emotionally exhausting. P.S. If I were you I'd burn those old hutches and maybe even have a burn off if the ground where you tractored them. Too little is known of the disease.
Not a bad idea. Yikes that would be a hard loss. Many hours went into the hutches.
@@BetterTogetherLife ... Just spray bleach over areas needed
You made the right call. Try again in the future.
Thanks. It was hard for sure.
Many of my bunnies died from this when I was a child. The dreaded “snuffles.” When I kept rabbits indoors exclusively they never got it.
Correct. But that’s not feasible for most people.
Thanks for sharing this tragedy. I have been thinking of raising some rabbits for meat. But decided to wait until I know more. This information is invaluable and thank you for sharing your experience. ♥️
Thank you. Hopefully it wouldn’t happen to you
Just don't put them on the ground. That's how it's transferred to a hutch
check where you are for recent known cases.. ours was 2 years ago.
@@thisislife1773 you can have ground community cages IF you have secondary fences that keep wild rabbits away from your rabbits... many people have such situations to avoid predators from getting in anyway.
@Daniel Griff it was made clear in the video they'd just moved to a new property. So unless they tested the ground for this disease, they were taking a risk with all of their rabbits lives by putting them on the ground, weren't they?
Same thing happened to my male Rex in 2020. 2020 was a hellish and sinister year for humans and rabbits alike. I live in southern California and basically live at the black peg on the map shown in the video. The wild rabbits that hang out in my yard must've given my rabbit the "Bunny Ebola". I first assumed the heat from the summer's inferno killed my rabbit but I soon knew it was the Bunny Ebola when I saw dead wild rabbits around my town. Looks like the wild rabbit population bounced back cause they seem to be common again. It was a sad situation and I share your pain.
Oh I am so so sorry Mike. Yea 2020 was BAD for sure!
I raise rabbits and I want to thank you for posting thi video. Sadly I had move my rabbits somewhere else because people were complaining about them and my chickens. I miss seeing them in the yard. But I still see my rabbits everyday. I miss seeing my chickens and ducks, and geese.
We also stopped raising rabbits just recently. A month ago something went wrong with them and they just stopped eating and were bloated. We also tried everything from vet to self force feeding and gave 24 hrs attention. First the mother then the kids and last was the buck they all passed away. We were heart broken specially the kids we all cried. Same here we have empty rabbit pens now and was a sad sight.
We loved our rabbits very much and gave happiness to my family during the pandemic. They also saved my son get through his anxiety depression. They will be missed 😭
Could it be that there is something in the feed?
I remember years ago they were killing birds through the bird seed?
They're also saying now that chicken's not laying eggs is because of the feed.
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss! It is devastating. You are the ones who helped me on my journey to start rabbits here in the city. I thank you for your knowledge and also your honesty even with this sad news about your herd. I wish you the best with all your endeavors and I totally understand your views of being hesitant of starting again. After a loss of my own doe from GI stasis, it was a good hard think to continue. Losses are hard to take, but a reality. No judgements here, just letting you know you’re not alone.
*If you truly love rabbits -- you won't ever eat them!!!*
Why? I can love an animal for ALL of the functional things it brings to my family and farm, right?
But I do get what you are saying. And it’s one of the reasons we know longer raise rabbits.
But, a person can still love what an animal can do for them. And still give them one bad moment.
@@BetterTogetherLife You define "love" in such a way that what matters is what your beloved can do for you. Others define "love" as "deeply valuing another's happiness." Love for humanity would mean deeply valuing humanity's happiness (& survival). Whatever definition you give for Love, do try to ensure that it is, in your mind, the best.
You have one life to live.
Hmmm, they are rabbits. Not humans. You say “humanity”, that is specifically a word for humans.
@@BetterTogetherLife --> -*-I know that-*-
I don't know what you are talking about. This is not the channel for you. I grow/raise food for my family and friends. All the best.
I started raising New Zealand Whites last March, and the breeder we got them from said to never tractor or feed field hay for this very reson. We only feed our rabbits pellets and clippings from our fenced in garden. Hopefully this reduces our risk. So far so good. Sorry for your loss!
I had never heard of this until my vet did a vaccination clinic for this disease. As its now being seen in Canada. I'm so sorry you guys had to go though this. I only have one rabbit but would be crushed if this happened to him.
Wow! Sorry for your loss and thank you for informing your viewers of this devastating problem. My wife and I are planning to start our own homestead next spring and rabbit were going to be a part of that plan.
Hi Guy, well please don’t give up on rabbits. I think it is well worth the effort give them a shot. We know breeders in Houston that have never had a single issue. But central Texas, might be tougher.
Don't be discouraged. Just make sure you do plenty of research. I highly recommend Storey's guide to raising rabbits. Bob Bennett is one of the utmost authorities on rabbits.
Probably a virus disease dropped from chemtrail. We have same breed, but indoor. Our rabbits didn't get it.
Oh yikes Renee, that’s terrifying!
So sorry for your loss 😔
This is the first time I've ever heard of this disease, as I raise Standard Rex here in North Carolina.
Thank you for sharing.
Not to be off topic but what part of NC and do you sell? I’m interested in some standard Rex.
I’m truly sorry for your loss with Rex. I just lost my beautiful Rocky the day before. She was a chicken, but I had her since 2018, and I loved her dearly. We buried her in our backyard, where I hope with time, will become more welcoming as the fresh wounds fade, and my goosey-girl’s memory isn’t so painful.
I have to ask a few questions, though, as someone who wants to get into raising rabbits when I’m on my own. Do you still have the hutches and tractors for your rabbits? Do you remember how much they costed each to set up? Did you vaccinate your breeders, or just the warren in general? What did you do with the breeders that had to retire? I know it’s quite a bit, but I’m always looking to further my knowledge in raising rabbits as to avoid as many beginner mistakes as possible.
Hi, I am very sorry for your chicken loss. People might laugh at being attached to an animal, but I get attached to all of them. Even the ones that are for food. 😕
-yes we still have the tractors and hutches, but not sure how much they cost because I build them mostly out of old reclaimed lumber. I do have a video on my channel with a tour of the hutch.
-no I didn’t get our breeders vaccinated. And we probably wouldn’t have.
-not sure what you mean by the breeders that “retired”. If we had more than enough rabbits we probably wouldn’t have processed them for our family’s food or dog food. But they all died, so we didn’t want to eat them.
So we buried them in the back of our property.
Except Rex, he got a proper burial for our kids and having closure.
There is now a vaccine that my customer is using for this virus. A great story and your animals are very loved!
Thank you Casey!! I will have to look into that. Thanks.
@@BetterTogetherLife you cant show any rabbits here in CO without proof of vaccination.. and the shows were not cancelled because they were vaccinated. Quarantine works and basically culling is the humane thing to do. They dont survive this disease.
I am so sorry to hear that. I am in Central Texas and I had a very close call with RHDV2 back in September of 2020. Thankfully my lab results came back negative and I only lost the one rabbit, but I know how devastating it must have been losing your herd. I will say the one thing that probably contributed to to your rabbits getting the virus was the tractor. The rabbits were on the ground and that is the x spot for the virus. It is extremely easy to spread so just general husbandry could easily spread it. Just something to consider if you decide to try again.
Ive lost so many rabbits and it's heart wrenching, over and over... 😢 I just had weasels take out my more current breeding stock. I currently have a rex buck and two Flemish does and at this point I'm just hoping they make it to breeding next spring.
A devastating story, for sure. I’m sure first-time homesteaders who lost their flock to the avian influenza outbreak a couple years ago and dogs from this year’s new RSV are feeling the same way. However, don’t dispare. Disease happens and it is a sad fact of life that plagues do come around. From influenza to RSV to RHDV, there are invisible threats to our animals just as numerous as those visible threats from hawks, coyotes, owls, and foxes. I’d wait a year to ensure the outbreak is over, then see about restarting. Be sure to sanitize all the old herd’s enclosures and put the hutches and tractors in a sunny place, as UV can kill a lot of viruses and bacteria that threaten our animals. Then, when you are ready emotionally to move on from the old herd, start anew.
Thank you so much for your encouragement!!
Family has a rabbit farm in philippines..they have layered mosquito netting to keep the virus carriers away., change clothes and have a fan room at entrance. Sorry for your loss!
To mitigate the negative impacts of invasive rabbits in Australia, land managers are permitted to release the biocontrol virus, rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), to reduce rabbit numbers.
Wow. Biological warfare like covid19.
Farming isnt for everyone. It hard work and many challenges, and isnt something for the average person.
Sure, but are you saying that we can’t handle farming because we realized that rabbits aren’t the best fit for our property and family at this time?
We having quit farming or homesteading. In fact we’ve cranked it up!!!
@@BetterTogetherLife Good to hear, and if I was saying " we can’t handle farming' I would have said that.
I do not understand how one can raise beautiful animals, gain their trust and love, and then BUTCHER AND EAT THEM. Psychopathy comes to mind, yes, even when others do the same. It is a crowd psychopathy. I could never ever eat an animal of any kind whose trust and love I have gained, and after caring for them.
Do you eat meat?
@@BetterTogetherLife No. There is so much food in the world there is no need to butcher your little friends. Ice age is over.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your bunnies. Even if we are raising animals for meat, we get attached to some of them, and there really isn't anything to not love about them (except for the wild ones eating your garden).
I live in AZ where there is RHD. I had not seen any wild rabbits for two years, until 2 sightings in different areas (6 miles apart) within the last 3 weeks.
I've been doing some research about RHD, and will probably go ahead and keep preparing to get rabbits in early fall. They should be OK if I follow all the guidelines for biosecurity. I know that you all will have to wait for some years if you decide to raise them again. Prayers for you and your children.
I want to try rabbits once to get it off the Homestead bucket list.
In Poland we have a rule that only one owner should have contact with their rabbits. Before germs and viruses were discovered we used to believe that it was just an old tradition about bad luck but now we know that our ancestors were smart enough to discover sanitary rules before viruses and bacterias became known thing. Also rabbits are very fragile on their own so you shouldn't blame yourself for not being succesful in this matter
Rabbits shouild'nt live on wire bottom cages btw. It hurts their feet
We had a trio, had 2 big litters within 2 months. All was good in the hutches. As the kits weaned we gave them small amounts of grass from our yard. 1 by 1 they got sickly, lack of appetite and died. I thought maybe it was the grass that wild rabbits were hoping in + eating. Did more research + found a liquid wormer used in chickens and rabbits. Can't remember the name now but it helps lack of appetite + bloating that we saw in our rabbits.
I still have our buck rabbit as he didn't get sick, but not sure if we will ever replace the female's. Was all such a kick in the pants!
Research "Coccidiosis in rabbits."
I am so sorry to hear about y’all’s rabbits passing. A person I was looking into getting another rabbit from actually told me about the disease and I have since vaccinated my bunny but it is still terrifying to think he could contract it.
I feed wild rabbits some all year! I have gone out to my backyard to find big rabbits just lying dead. They have so many diseases that hit them.
Thank you for sharing. And I give you my deepest sympathy for your family’s loss. The way you presented your story was sweet & touching. Tears welled in my eyes.
Thank you Elizabeth!
It's only passed by direct contact so if your home body's and have no one coming and going and petting or bringing in new tabbits your heard won't catch it
It's so so sad...I'm so sorry for your loss...it really is heart breaking...I know how painful it is . There is a a vaccine to protect them with this disease. They should be given every year to protect them.
My rabbit, Boo, passed away last Monday at 2 years old. She was my first pet rabbit and possibly my only pet rabbit. I have lost pets before, but I never felt this sad in my life. I don’t regret adopting her at all. I love her so much. But If I knew what would happen I would have never adopted her so I am glad I didn’t know. Something so random and common. It was not RHDV 2. Her tube disconnected from her liver and she was in so much pain and couldn’t pee. I had to put her down. I am hurting so much right now. I feel like I have a whole in my heart. I am not getting another bunny.
Oh I am so so sorry.
@@BetterTogetherLife I hope you have a great day. Sadly, I am still hurting.
Oh my goodness. I pray the Lord send a soothing for your heart. And maybe you will someday be open to loving another Bunny again. Boo was so fortunate to have you to cherish and love her.
@@tiathompson6674 Thanks but, I do feel a tad bit better, but sadly it took all my money to put her down so she wouldn't suffer. i am not financially ready to have another bunny.
@@dopytheangel ❤️❤️❤️
I know human trials of collodial silver are being done for aids and malaria and are showing great results. It's a powerful and safe antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal. Tastes like water, so I add it to the rabbit water when they seem stressed or after birth. Works as the best infection prevention sprayed directly in open wounds and eye infections. With rabbits being so fragile and hiding symptoms of illness until it's too late, I like to keep several bottles of this on hand as a way to protect my family and my animals :)