Monday, July 6, 2009

Website Review - Rabbitweb.net

Overall, Rabbitweb.net is a clean and uncluttered site with very little advertising. There is a community board available for rabbit enthusiasts to gather and discuss everything rabbits including health care or just simply sharing pictures of your bunnies. For breeders and showing information, this site offers useful information but for a rabbit website, I was disappointed in the lack of care information especially for those of us who own house rabbits.

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Rabbitweb.net Review

How to Breed Rabbits

Although artificial insemination is available for rabbits, the natural method is the most commonly used. Brothers and sisters should not be mated and unless you are breeding for meat production, you should breed only rabbits of the same breed. Unless the ancestry is the same for at least four generations, the rabbits cannot be sold as pedigree breeds.

Rabbits with genetic disorders such as malocclusion should not be bred. If you are starting a breeding program, you will need to keep breeding records of your rabbits. It is highly recommended that if you do not want to have rabbits as a business then do not allow your rabbits to breed. If you are interested in having several rabbits as simple pets, there are many available for adoption at animal shelters across the country.

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How to Breed Rabbits

How to Care for a Pet Rabbit

While this information only covers the basics of caring for a pet rabbit, it should give new owners an idea of where to start with ownership. Along your journey of rabbit ownership, you may want to research the different diseases and ailments that rabbits are prone to contracting. You will want to learn about the many plants that are toxic to these animals as well as the behavioral issues that you might encounter. Just like with any new pet, a rabbit has needs and by supplying these basic necessities, your rabbit will provide you with many years of extraordinary companionship.

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Pet Rabbit Care

Poultry Breed Facts - Orpington Chicken

The American Poultry Association (APA) first recognized the Orpington breed in 1902. The only recognized colors by the APA are black, blue, buff, and white. The plumage on the body is broad which gives this breed a stocky appearance. Considered a multi-purpose bird, the Orpington is still bred and raised for meat and egg production and for show purposes. This amazing breed is on the "Recovering" list of the conservation status. This chicken breed is known for its docile temperament and is quite popular by both breeders and backyard hobbyists.

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Orpington

Poultry Breed Facts - Iowa Blue

Despite their colored name, the Iowa blue has a silvery white head. The neck and breast area of the body has white feathers with a thin black stripe down the middle that alternate to black feathers with white lacing. The lower portion of the breast, body, legs, wings, and tail are black with a bluish tint to gray tone with penciling. The neck of the roosters will resemble their back and saddle portion while hens will have a bluish to gray with penciling on their backs. Beaks of the Iowa Blue are horn, their eyes are dark brown, and the shanks and toes are slate in color.

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Iowa Blue

Goose breed facts - Toulouse

All types of Toulouse geese have loose, downy feathers on their rump and the lower portion of the body. The most common color seen is the original gray color. Buff is not as common but can be seen in the Standard and Exhibition Toulouse goose. The buff Toulouse will have a light orange bill as well as shanks and feet while the eyes are dark hazel. The tail on the buff Toulouse is a mixture of white and buff. Gray Toulouse geese have an orange bill with a light toned horn bean. The shanks and feet are reddish-orange and the eyes are hazel or dark brown. The tail is white and gray.

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Toulouse

Book reviews: Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds, by Carol Ekarius

Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds is just what the title states - it is a guide to breeds. There is very little information provided concerning the health and care of poultry. There are professional color photos of each bird giving readers better insight of the breed. If you are looking for a care manual, you will need to find an alternative as this book is simply an introduction to the many breeds of poultry. Those who appreciate and enjoy poultry will enjoy this guide especially learning about the history of the different breeds.

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Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds

Duck breed facts - Campbell

The original Campbells created by Ms. Campbell had a Mallard-like colored appearance. During this time era, buff was the more appreciated color in poultry. To improve on the plumage color, she bred the Campbells again with Penciled Runner ducks. Although these new ducks were not buff, they did resemble in her mind the color of the British military uniforms of that time. Ms. Campbell called these new ducks "Khaki Campbells".

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Campbell Duck

Poultry breed facts - Cubalaya Chicken

The Cubalaya has the stately appearance seen in many fighting breeds but is noted for being mild-mannered. Easily tamed, Cubalaya chicks take to human interaction and are popular to backyard hobbyists because of their docile dispositions. However, even though they are calmer than most other game birds, they can be more aggressive than other non-game birds especially the roosters.

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Cubalaya Chicken