For this particular experiment, we will be focusing on the growth and development of Flemish Giants. To see this entire process from beginning to end, please follow the posts with this (above) title, which will be numbered.
WEEK 10: Once again, we have spent another week on doing condo renovations. As we get further and further into this experiment, we are finding little flaw's in design and other ways to improve the pens (aka condo's). Boy! It's been a long ride, and a ton of work has been done. We are so close to having it "perfected" that we can almost taste it!
As I go back to the first week of this experiment and compare all the notes with all of the weights of the Flemish, it is becoming clearer that while the size of the pens do matter, I am still not able to come to a full-blown conclusion as to which size of pen is actually best, in regards to growth and weight increase.
On one hand, we have some Flemish that are living in a full-sized 'condo, measuring at 8' wide by 16' long (& 6.5' tall). Next, we have other Flemish that are living in Bi-split condo's, allowing two Flemish in one pen that has been sectioned off as into two pens, measuring 4' wide by 6' long. And finally, we have others that are a tri-split condo - allowing for 3 Flemish to be housed in one condo, divided into sections that measure about 3' wide by 4' long. Every Flemish is being free-fed now, without restriction. They are also standing true to the fact that rabbits do not eat just because they are bored, or otherwise. Regardless of how much we give them, or what we add into the feed (*Rowe's 16-18 Bovatech additives), they are only eating what they appear to need. However... the one result, to date, of this experiment is showing that the few Flemish that have been kept inside the shed, in much smaller / standard sized pens, are not increasing in the way that is beneficial to them. They are slowly gaining, or at a minimum of maintaining their weight and a 'decent' flesh condition... but, they are not developing the higher levels of muscle tone, development, and weight increase that the ones living in the Condo's are. Still though.... there is something missing! There is one key element that we havent yet "nailed". As stated above - we are very close - but to date, there's still no cigar to be handed out.
Check back next week to see how things are going, and to see if we have mastered this missing ingredient. Until then.... there's work to be done, so I better get out there and hop to it.
As I go back to the first week of this experiment and compare all the notes with all of the weights of the Flemish, it is becoming clearer that while the size of the pens do matter, I am still not able to come to a full-blown conclusion as to which size of pen is actually best, in regards to growth and weight increase.
On one hand, we have some Flemish that are living in a full-sized 'condo, measuring at 8' wide by 16' long (& 6.5' tall). Next, we have other Flemish that are living in Bi-split condo's, allowing two Flemish in one pen that has been sectioned off as into two pens, measuring 4' wide by 6' long. And finally, we have others that are a tri-split condo - allowing for 3 Flemish to be housed in one condo, divided into sections that measure about 3' wide by 4' long. Every Flemish is being free-fed now, without restriction. They are also standing true to the fact that rabbits do not eat just because they are bored, or otherwise. Regardless of how much we give them, or what we add into the feed (*Rowe's 16-18 Bovatech additives), they are only eating what they appear to need. However... the one result, to date, of this experiment is showing that the few Flemish that have been kept inside the shed, in much smaller / standard sized pens, are not increasing in the way that is beneficial to them. They are slowly gaining, or at a minimum of maintaining their weight and a 'decent' flesh condition... but, they are not developing the higher levels of muscle tone, development, and weight increase that the ones living in the Condo's are. Still though.... there is something missing! There is one key element that we havent yet "nailed". As stated above - we are very close - but to date, there's still no cigar to be handed out.
Check back next week to see how things are going, and to see if we have mastered this missing ingredient. Until then.... there's work to be done, so I better get out there and hop to it.