Learning a New Trick...Like Pulling a Rabbit (or Three) Out of a Hat

We researched and researched, then we put it on the back burner.  Then we searched, re-searched, and finally found our meat rabbits.

We found a great rabbit breeder near Wimberley, Texas.  She is keeping the heritage American rabbit breed thriving.  The breed was popular in the past, but fell out of favor when new hybrid breeds, like the Californian and New Zealand, were created.  But a handful of dedicated breeders saved the breed and are continuing to improve its characteristics, such as the bluest fur color of all rabbits.

We took a day trip to Wimberley.  We  started by hiking up Old Baldy to survey the landscape from the highest peak around.  We drank brew pub beer from a huge goblet as a caravan of VW microbuses stopped for some pizza.  Before heading outside of town to pick up the rabbits, we walked along a beautiful nature trail that followed Cypress Creek.

Meet our new rabbits!

Cosby, 4.5 month old male.  Named after Bill Cosby, his cage jiggles like Jell-O when he jumps around.

Blackberry, 4.5 month old female.  She is a little sweet, a little sour, and a bit prickly.

Violet, 2 month old female.  The shy one of the bunch, she is our shrinking violet.

We had just enough cages made and hung in the chicken run to keep them safe and comfortable (and out of our room!).  However, we have spent every evening this week finishing the set-up, especially the automatic water system.

The chickens like their new neighbors.  Looking at the rabbits and listening to the chickens makes it seem like we have Cadbury Bunnies.  They don't lay chocolate eggs, just droppings that are golden fertilizer for the garden.