PA State Convention and UARC Specialty

Annette and I left for Pennsylvania on Friday PM. We had a great time on the way - talking all the time. :^) We arrived at the showroom before dark, got unloaded and looked around a bit. Then we had dinner at Ruby Tuesdays with Amy, her mom, & Julie. We got settle into our rooms in the Quality Inn Lebanon by around 9PM.
The next morning, we registered, and I starting grooming the 2 FA and 1 SA I had entered while Annette looked for the people she was meeting to look at rabbits.
The show was busy with 3 judges juggling the 4 breeds for 2 different shows. Lots of running around to get to the right table at the right time, and still get to watch some of the show for the Giants and English. I wrote for some of the judging, and also sat with Annette while she learned - just for moral support.
Bill Patrick judged the French open show. My Vidal got BOS, which give his his 3rd leg and his championship. Just in tim, too, because I want to run down to the barn later today and cut off that coat. Its starting to web, and took a lot of work to get it looking good for the show.
Dr Chris Hayhow judged the specialty show for all 4 breeds. My Shiraz got BOB. I had sold her before the show, and her new owner was thrilled. That would be Shiraz 7th leg. :^) I am keeping 4 of her daughters and a son, so she will move on to improve another show herd. What a beauty she is, and so sweet and gentle.
We headed home after the BIS judging (went to Amy and her French) and talked all the way home. :^) I got into the house at about 10PM, and I think Annette made it to her place around 11PM. It was a great trip, with lots of fun talking to friends, meeting new ones, and enjoying a break in the weather. Beautiful, sunny, and warm. It was 60 degrees here on Saturday!

That's me and Shiraz on the left, with Amy and her BOB French, Linda with her English, and Terry with her Giant.

I've added pictures of the litters to their birth announcements.
Took them quick - it was -7 degrees this AM. Both litters are active, sleek looking, and growing fur.

PA State Convention trip!

Looks like the trip to Lebanon, PA for the state rabbit convention show is a go! My friend, Annette and I are going together on Friday, staying overnight, and then attending the open show and UARC Angora Specialty show on Saturday. We'll come home Saturday evening.

I can hardly wait!

2-4-09 Birth Announcement

Somerhill Mandalay must have just delivered when I went in to feed this AM. One kit was in the nest and sorta cold, but still moving. The rest were in the front of the box and all wet and bloody and sticky. Some were cool, some were still warm and slippery wet. Lots of placentas and a couple small, limp kits. She has 6 live, healthy looking if somewhat cold ones. I cleaned up the mess, put them all in the nest, and covered them up well. When I put my hand down in the fluff, I could feel heat developing, so I decided to let the group warm themselves. I think they are more efficient and its safer than trying to use a hairdryer. There is a red, broken red, chocolate agouti, a tort, a black, and one broken with blackish markings.(these colors are subject to change) I did not want to take any time examining them since they were cold. I'm glad that it appears only two are broken - it gives me more to choose from when I decide which to keep. Mandy got a thorough body rub and a snack, and I congratulated Mr Spots. I've officially named him HH Hastings for pedigrees. :^)

2-3-09 Birth Announcement

Miss HH Sierra Leone and Mr Somerhill Camaroon announce the birth of their first litter of 8 (does this sound like its right out of the headlines - hehe) All 8 are healthy looking, dry and warm.Looks like she had just had them in the late PM, since when I checked at 5:30, the blood in the nest was still bright red, and a couple of the kits were still a little sticky. She pulled lots of wool. Had them in 2 piles, so I cleaned out the wet spot, rearranged the bedding to my liking, and then counted heads and combined them. I think they are all either reds or torts.

I'll add a photo later; I forgot the camera this morning with all the other stuff I lug around, plus getting the snow studs strapped onto my shoes to test out on the ice. They work really well, BTW.

Adagio and Rowan waiting for dinner. That's Cadence's profile between "Dodgie's" ears. Cadence is a BIG, tall ewe. She is for sale, bred to a Carryhouse R1/Beeston Loyalty bloodline ram.

Somerhill Lanark - 10 month old ram lamb - sired by Carryhouse R1 E+, out of a Beeston Loyalty daughter.