Blue New Zealand Rabbits Join the Homestead

A short post since I am running 0-60 right now, but I wanted to introduce you to the newest members of our farm.





Not to worry. These little guys are not going to be eaten.

They are blue New Zealand rabbits. The blue trait is so new the rabbit association doesn't recognize them as a distinct breed yet, but they will soon, I think.

I was very impressed with the breeder. Not only were these bunnies friendly and healthy, but the breeder kept meticulous records--always a good sign.

The farm is bustling despite the heat. I am searching in earnest for a paramour for Lucy and Heidi. I'd like a young buckling to better my chances that he won't have any bad habits. The girls have been a delight, so I'm hoping to have equally good luck with a buck.

***

Google Reader: I still can't decide which reader to use. I've got my feeds on Feedly and The Old Reader. Each has its good and bad points. I'm more than a little miffed with Google Reader for upsetting the apple cart.  What are you using?


Comments

Angela Brown said…
Those rabbits look so adorable!!

And I'm using Bloglovin' for the time being for reading the blogs I don't have on e-mail subscription.
B.E. Sanderson said…
OMG, they're so cute!

I'm still using my dashboard to read blogs I've 'followed'. Never did get into the actual Google reader thingie. We'll see if my dashboard goes away, too.
Maria Zannini said…
Angela: I know I'll get used to the changes, but it's like furniture. Once it's in place I don't want people moving my chairs around.
Maria Zannini said…
BE: I thought there was a rumor that dashboard was going away--or maybe it was being modified. I'm not sure.

The only thing we can be sure of is change.
Stacy McKitrick said…
Cute bunnies! Are you going to name them, too?

Exactly what are bunnies good for anyway? Besides looking cute?
Rebekah Loper said…
Aww, cute bunnies! *snuggles*

Out of curiosity, what are you doing with them, since they're not for meat? They don't, at a glance, look like fiber bunnies to me.

Re blog reader: I use Feedly now. It's easy to customize, and as I get used to the slightly different layout, I'm finding I actually like it better than Google Reader.
Sarah Ahiers said…
Yay for bunnies!! Are you going to keep them in the wire cages?

And i switched over to feedly yesterday. It is what it is at this point
The rabbits are adorable. Are you naming them too.
Maria Zannini said…
Stacy: New Zealands are primarily a meat rabbit. It's a good source of protein and a fine-flavored meat.
Maria Zannini said…
Rebecca: They're primarily meat rabbits, though the pelts are still used too.
Mike Keyton said…
We had two English wild rabbits my uncle bestowed upon us for reasons known only to himself. They used to leap onto our window sill as we ate sunday dinner and bang the window like we'd forgot to invite them. All I'm saying is, teach them some manners :)
Maria Zannini said…
Sarah: We've always used wire cages for hygiene's sake.

Re: It is what it is at this point.

Yup.
Maria Zannini said…
Susan: I call them Blue and Belle, but rabbits don't come when they're called so the names are more for me. :)
Maria Zannini said…
Mike: English rabbits might be more demanding than these guys. LOL.

So far, they ask for very little.
Jackie said…
If nothing else they are good to cuddle since they are friendly, sure miss my rabbit from childhood but would not enjoy seeing one in a cage right now it is too blooming hot!

Maria my email blog posts are still my "reader" but have cut down to less than 50 since my husband's little stunt at end of May. He starts his new "career" on Monday July 29th as the City position in LaGrange is now his since he passed his physical and so forth.
Maria Zannini said…
Jackie: Congrats to your hubby! I knew he'd get that job.

Now your days will be your own again. :)
Gwen Gardner said…
Oh, they look so huggable!

Gonna have more kids, eh? You sure have your hands full!
LD Masterson said…
Is "buckling" another name for "studmuffin"? Be good to your girls. Make sure he's a hottie.
Maria Zannini said…
Gwen: A little too full, but hopefully it'll be more manageable when Greg retires next year.
Maria Zannini said…
Linda: Unfortunately all the "hotties" are very expensive, but I'll have to see what I can do.
Jenny Schwartz said…
Cute rabbits -- bet the dogs think so too :)
Shelley Munro said…
New Zealand Blue - I've never heard of them before but they're very cute.

I'm using BlogLovin' and I also have my reads on Flipboard. It depends on my mood as to which way I read.
Maria Zannini said…
Jenny: Strangely enough, the dogs seem okay with them. But then the bunnies don't move around much.
Maria Zannini said…
Shelley: Would you believe they're not even from New Zealand! They're an American breed but I don't know why or how they came by that name. I'll have to do a little research.
Angelina Rain said…
Those little rabbits are adorable! I want one. :-)
Anonymous said…
They are adorable Maria!! They can be litter trained too.

Ref: Google Reader
I've loaded everything into Wordpress for now, mostly so I wouldn't lose any, and have subscribed via email to the ones I really don't want to miss. I think once my new smartphone is up and running I'll end up with Feedly because of the sync aspect. Shrug, we'll see.
James Garcia Jr said…
So cute!
Hi, Maria. Don't work too hard over there. How hot is it? We're getting baked over here on the west coast. We were just recently in San Diego, and now we already can't wait to get back! It was perfect weather. *sigh*
Take care, my friend.

-Jimmy
Unknown said…
LOL! Your home is turning into quite a zoo! I love those bunnies! So cute and fluffy! One thing, I understand the chickens and goats, but bunnies?
Maria Zannini said…
Angelina: They're very sweet. That's not true of all rabbits, but so far these guys are.
Maria Zannini said…
Raelyn: I haven't been able to find the sync feature on feedly. It keeps sending me to Cloud.

I know I'm doing something wrong.
Maria Zannini said…
Jimmy: You guys have been roasting over there. I was shocked at your recent temps.

It's hot here too, but then it's always hot. We're actually enjoying a cold snap. Only the mid 90s. :)
Maria Zannini said…
Darke: Rabbit meat is considered a delicacy in some parts, but it seems quite common here. The meat is especially good for people with delicate digestions.

I don't like to talk about the "real" side of farming because I know some readers can't handle that part.

Not to worry though. These two in the picture will never be eaten.
Rula Sinara said…
They're gorgeous, Maria! Congrats on getting them.
Maria Zannini said…
Rula: Greg is building them an awesome hutch stand too. Very safe and shady.
So what do rabbits do? Are they just for cuddles? I'm fine with that, btw.
Maria Zannini said…
Barbara: Rabbits are mostly used as livestock. It's a very fine meat that's easy on the digestion.

But these little guys will not know the pot.