Barwon Valley Bunnies

03/12/2025

Two Minilop Boys looking for forever homes 🌟
Please Pm to enquire

03/12/2025

Little Boy looking for his forever home ⭐️
Please contact me if interested

02/12/2025

Aflatoxin. The Invisible Assassin.
Why Moldy Hay or Corn Can Be Deadly For Rabbits.

What is aflatoxin?
Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain molds, especially Aspergillus that grow on damp corn, grains, and hay. They’re invisible, tasteless, and incredibly dangerous.

Why rabbits are so vulnerable:
* Rabbits lack the detox systems that larger animals have.
* Even tiny amounts of aflatoxin can cause liver damage, immune suppression, or sudden death.
* Inhaling spores from moldy hay can trigger respiratory infections or allergic reactions.

Moldy corn is a double threat:
Corn is a common carrier of Aspergillus mold. Aflatoxins can survive processing, so even “clean looking” feed can be contaminated. Feeding corn to rabbits is risky unless it’s been rigorously tested and stored in ideal conditions.

Hay isn’t safe if it was baled damp:
Mold can grow deep inside bales, especially if they were baled before fully drying. A musty smell or white/green fuzz is a red flag, but mold can be present even without visible signs.

Aflatoxins are so potent that just 50 parts per billion can harm a rabbit’s liver. That’s like a single drop in a backyard pool, too small to see, but powerful enough to kill.

02/12/2025

Cecals 101: What’s Normal, What’s Not

Cecotropes are the glossy, berry like delicacies your rabbit insists on eating straight from the bun-quet.

What’s normal?
Healthy cecals are:
* Shiny and soft, like a bunch of blackberries
* Produced once or twice a day
* Usually eaten immediately (you rarely see them!)

They’re not waste, they’re nutrient packed second chance meals, rich in:

* B vitamins (especially B12, B1, B2, and niacin)
* Vitamin K
* Amino acids
* Volatile fatty acids that fuel the gut lining
* Beneficial microbes that support cecal flora balance

What’s not normal?

Overproduction, mushy piles, or uneaten cecals can signal imbalance.

Common causes include:
* Too many carbs (treats, fruit, grain heavy pellets)
* Too much alfalfa (especially in pellets rich in protein and calcium, but low in fiber)
* Too little fiber (not enough coarse hay)
* Sudden diet changes
* Stress, illness, parasites or antibiotic use (disrupts gut flora)

02/12/2025

Mint and Dill: Your Early Intervention for Rabbit GI Health

Rabbits are creatures of habit and excitement, especially when it comes to food. So when your bun doesn’t rush up at mealtime, and just sniffs, takes a nibble or two, then backs off? That's your early warning sign.

Enter mint and dill. These fragrant, rabbit safe herbs do more than smell amazing, they can help stimulate appetite, ease mild gas, and support digestion. They're especially helpful when your rabbit is acting slightly off but hasn't fully stopped eating yet.

Benefits of Dill for Rabbits
* Appetite stimulation: The strong aroma and flavor can entice hesitant eaters.
* Digestive support: Dill may help promote gut motility and reduce mild gas buildup.
* Anti-inflammatory properties: Contains compounds that may soothe minor digestive irritation.
* Rich in antioxidants: Supports immune health and cellular repair.
* Vitamin boost: Offers small amounts of vitamins A and C, plus trace minerals

Benefits of Mint for Rabbits
* Appetite stimulation: The menthol aroma often encourages nibbling, even in reluctant rabbits.
* Gas relief: Mint's carminative properties may help ease bloating and early Gl discomfort.
* Cooling and calming: Can have a mild soothing effect on the nervous system.
* Vitamin rich: Contains vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber to support overall health.
* Antibacterial and antifungal: May help reduce microbial imbalance in the gut.

Here are signs and symptoms to watch for and what to do.

What to watch for:
* A rabbit who approaches food but doesn't eat with their usual enthusiasm
* Small, dry, or misshapen poops
* A subtle shift in posture or energy

What to do:
* Offer fresh dill and mint, many rabbits will nibble even when they're hesitant about other foods
* Administer simethicone (baby gas drops) to help relieve early gas buildup
* Encourage gentle movement and hydration
* Monitor closely and contact your vet if symptoms persist or worsen

GI stasis can escalate quickly. But early, gentle intervention before your rabbit is completely off feed can make a big difference. Dill and mint are part of a proactive, rabbit savvy tool kit that supports gut motility and comfort in those critical early hours. Something every rabbit parent should keep in the fridge.

28/11/2025

Coccidia vs. Weaning Enteritis: Not
the Same Thing

It's easy to confuse the two, both can cause diarrhea, weakness, and rapid decline in young rabbits. But they're not interchangeable.

Here's the breakdown.

Coccidiosis
Coccidia is a Protozoa (Eimeria spp.).
Transmission is through the f***l oral route. Coccidia targets the intestines or liver. It is common in recently weaned kits, especially in crowded or unsanitary conditions.

Symptoms:
* Watery or diarrhea (sometimes with blood)
* Lethargy, weight loss, dehydration
* May be subclinical in adults
Diagnosis: F***l float or smear
Treatment: Toltrazuril
Note: Diet can support recovery but won't eliminate protozoa

Weaning Enteritis
Bacterial overgrowth (often Clostridium spiroforme). Dietary shift during weaning is the most common cause, though overcrowding or stress can trigger it. Weaning enteritis is common in kits 3-10 weeks old, especially upon starting pellets or on pellet heavy diets.

Symptoms:
* Mushy or watery diarrhea
* Bloating, hunched posture
* Sudden death within 24-72 hours
Diagnosis: Clinical signs + f***l testing
Treatment: Hydration, probiotics, fiber rich diet
Note: Prevention hinges on slow weaning, high fiber diet, and stress reduction

Treating coccidiosis with probiotics alone won't work. Treating enteritis with toltrazuril won't help. A f***l test is your best friend, it tells you what you're fighting so you can treat it effectively.

26/11/2025

We have
3 minilops &
3 Netherland dwarfs
Babies available to pet homes please pm me if interested ♥️

21/11/2025

Only 6 spots left to sponsor for our upcoming show!

‼️Sponsorship Opportunity‼️
🎄Janine Daniel 4* Christmas Show 🎄

Best in show- $20 Sherwood
Runner up- $15 Ribbontail
Third- $15

Best adult- $10 Rivkah
Best U5- $10 Fernwood
Best U14- $10 Ribbontail

Best Fancy- $10
Best Lop- $10 Ribbontail
Best Fur- $10 Tonveldia
Best Rex- $10 Barwon Valley

Judges Choice- $10 Raggamuffin
Best Presented- $10
Best Pet- $10
Best Juvenile- $10
Best Ownerbred- NCRC

Please Put Stud name and what ribbon you would like to sponsor below 👇

Payment Must be made to

Northern Country Rabbit Club
BSB: 633 000
A/N: 1566 2881 0

03/11/2025

Baby Netherland dwarfs looking for their New homes ready to go next week
Boy (left)
Girl (right)
Pm me if interested

24/10/2025

Red eyed white Female Netherland Dwarfs
Ready for their forever homes now
Please Pm me if Interested

07/10/2025

Please note we will be closed till 22nd of October as leah needs a much needed rest and holiday! So it may take me sometime to reply to messages!

16/09/2025

Northern Country Rabbit Club September show

A good successful day, lots of new babies coming along and doing well 💓
Main results from the show are as follows:

🥇 Barwon Valley Artemis- Best of Breed, Best Ownerbred & 3rd Best in Show
🥇 Barwon Valley Scarlett- Runner up best U14 in show
🥇 Barwon Valley Everest- Best U14 In show