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 15: Boy 'o boy, was it a crazy-busy week! We worked our tails off on adding new pens for our new additions. (WHO -EVEN decides its a good idea to bring 13 new Giants home at one time?!?!... well, apparently we do - or so we did - or have almost, lol - anyway, its been just like that - quite the adventure!) And no - we did not succeed in having 13 new pens installed before the 13 new Giants have began arriving. But thats ok. We are making do until we can get them all finished. It sure would be greatly helpful though if the weather would cooperate with the wallet. As it is, we're either low on funds, or its pouring the rain - both being major delays in our building agenda & we have much work to do.
At any rate... as I previously mentioned, we are switching our main focus-group on the weight issues over to the litter-mate junior buck and doe that were born here. By doing this, we can have a better understanding of what is working, what is not working, and what the weights are from 1 month up to senior age. With that said, here are the results of the past week.
WEB's Karla & WEB's JohnBoy have been housed in smaller/traditional size cages up to this point and will remain in them for a while longer yet. They are fed the same amount of feed, treats, water, etc., and they are removed from their homes for 'roaming time' at equal intervals.
Karla has only gained 4 ounces, but has gained a solid inch in length. She has been a bit pickier about eating though, where-as Johnboy has emptied every crock given to him and gained a full 6 ounces, but has gained no length. While it's not uncommon for every rabbit to grow at the same rate, we are taking into consideration that amounts eaten obviously play a large roll in weight gain. Both of their weights seem basically the same however, and they are consistently gaining no less than 2 - 4oz per week, and this is a promising indication to us that they are growing well in these smaller sized pens.
At any rate... as I previously mentioned, we are switching our main focus-group on the weight issues over to the litter-mate junior buck and doe that were born here. By doing this, we can have a better understanding of what is working, what is not working, and what the weights are from 1 month up to senior age. With that said, here are the results of the past week.
WEB's Karla & WEB's JohnBoy have been housed in smaller/traditional size cages up to this point and will remain in them for a while longer yet. They are fed the same amount of feed, treats, water, etc., and they are removed from their homes for 'roaming time' at equal intervals.
Karla has only gained 4 ounces, but has gained a solid inch in length. She has been a bit pickier about eating though, where-as Johnboy has emptied every crock given to him and gained a full 6 ounces, but has gained no length. While it's not uncommon for every rabbit to grow at the same rate, we are taking into consideration that amounts eaten obviously play a large roll in weight gain. Both of their weights seem basically the same however, and they are consistently gaining no less than 2 - 4oz per week, and this is a promising indication to us that they are growing well in these smaller sized pens.