My current home doesn't have a verandah or even a porch but I dream of owning a little farmette again, with a verandah overlooking chickens, goats and gardens. Absolute heaven!

Grow to Feed Rabbits, and another Blizzard

As you know, we have one Ruby-Eyed White French Angora rabbit, who we plan to mate and breed for more rabbits. Wonderful fiber to spin, and also makes decent-enough wicks for candles (more on how to do that probably next Fall). Here's our plan for growing enough in our garden (being self-reliant/self-sufficient) to feed our rabbits:

For now... we keep the pellet dispenser full of ManaPro Grow, and keep a good suppy of fresh hay in the back of her cage. When we get a hay-rack, that will be kept full.

Morning:
3 baby carrots
Hay

Evening:
Hay
1 or 2 of the “treats” below (3 months old and above)

Treats (Alternate – 1 serving of seeds per week):
-dandelion leaves
-parsley
-turnip greens
-clover
-grass
-carrot tops
-blackberry leaves
-broccoli
-lettuce
-spinach (1-2x/wk)
-green bell pepper
-carrots
-1 tsp flax seeds
-1 Tbl wheat berries
-1 Tbl sunflower seeds
-apple
-banana, banana peel
-2 Tbl rolled oats

WATER: Clean and refresh with clean water daily.

Our bunny, Blanca, loves her pellets, but quickly ignores them for a chance at "real" food. We keep her pellet dispenser full, as she's good as self-regulating. If we get a bunny that eats and eats without self-regulation, or paying attention to hay, then we'll feed pellets only once a day.

When we eliminate pellets, replace with 2-4 cups of “treats” per day, with all the hay they can eat, starting at 12 weeks of age.

We plan to still feed them 2 papaya tablets 2-3 times a week to help prevent wool-block. Keeping the rabbit cage clean, keeping the rabbit clean, and giving plenty of healthy hay will also keep down the wool-block.

= = = =

Another blizzard hit us yesterday. Expected for several days, this started with humongous wind gusts followed by rain that was quickly followed by freezing sleet. After an hour or two it became snow. Within 15 minutes the ground was covered.

When we got up this morning (early so Hubby could make the hour drive in about 2 hours), we had snow drifts of 2-3 feet but for the most part, snow measures about 6 inches here. Expecting another couple of inches today but for the most part, snow stopped.

The Kid and I and the critters (quail and rabbit) are safe and snug in our home. If the electricity goes out (this is a heavy wet snow), then we'll light candles, open all the blinds, and figure out how to light a fire. We have plenty of food and drink, toilet paper, and things to do. My goal for today is to unpack more for the bedroom, bathrooms and kitchen. Oh, and work more on planning our 2 acres with permaculture and hopefully the county extension office will call me back today.

Just hope Hubby makes it to work safely. He usually calls when he gets there. Hope he remembers today.

Dinner tonight: crockpot with extra-wet rice, lentils, chopped mushrooms, diced onions, garlic, and chili powder. Maybe tomato sauce too. Kinda like a non-meat taco meat. Will serve with tortillas. I'll add cheese and sour cream to mine. Spinach and zucchini on the side.

Have a great day, all. Stay warm.

1 comment:

Trashdigger said...

most of Denver is shut down today for this little snow