Hutch & Harvest Rabbitry

01/08/2026

We relate! 😂🫶🏻

The only bad thing about this- when you open the pantry and it’s only ingredients 🤣
❤️

01/08/2026

🎭 Laissez les bons temps rouler! 👑
Today marks Twelfth Night (Epiphany)—the official beginning of King Cake season. Traditionally, King Cakes celebrate the day Jesus was revealed to the world, with a tiny baby hidden inside each cake.

This season, we’re bringing back our seasonal sourdough King Cake, topped with dye-free sprinkles and made with all organic ingredients. We also offer a dairy-free option, so everyone can enjoy this cherished tradition.

✨ Orders will be opening next week, and we have a special surprise in store—stay tuned! 💜💚💛

01/08/2026

Throwback Thursday 🐴 💕

I stumbled across this picture earlier this week and couldn’t help but smile. Me, one of our quarter horses Trinkit, and a little blue heeler called Daisy who just showed up one day. I don’t remember how old I was, but I definitely remember how much those horses changed life! Trinkit was easily one of the best listeners we had. She minded SO well. And then there was my old man Pepper Jack. He was a saint. That paint would do anything and go anywhere I wanted without question.

Finding this felt like a sweet reminder of where my love for animals and this wild life started. Just to good not to share with y’all ✨

01/07/2026

Well… no big answers today 👀

I tried palpating the ladies and didn’t feel anything I could be sure of, so for now it’s fingers crossed and a few more prayers. It’s been one of those long, wild days over here. Somehow the most normal thing that happened was a quail egg exploding in the freezer 🤪

Nothing left to do but feed everyone, clean up, and call it a night. Tomorrow’s a new day… 🫶🏻

01/06/2026

Baby time??🤭

I spent a little time with the does today practicing how to palpate for babies 🐇✨

It’s amazing how much you can feel if you’re gentle and know the right timing. Around day 12 to 14 after breeding them is best. You just place your hands lightly on their belly, right in front of the hips, and roll gently. Tiny firm little bumps are usually the kits.

My Black Rex was reserved and firm, which is a good sign! Blue Fawn didn’t show much yet, but every doe is different. If she’s tense, the belly will just feel tight and smooth. Patience is key… and I rarely have it. 🤞🏼

We’re going to try repalpating tomorrow and see what we can feel. Praying for some healthy little babies and smooth mamas 🤍✨

01/06/2026

A small win tonight 🤭🪺

Our celadon hen laid her very first egg 🥚
That soft blue with the faintest little speckles… it’s just beautiful! One of those simple moments that makes the daily feel worth it.

Grateful and heading to bed 🤍

01/05/2026

Need some oinkers? 🐽

Pending!!!

We have two purebred KuneKune males available. Their parents are registered, but these guys will go unregistered. They were born on August 31st and are ready for their new homes!

01/05/2026

The Secret to Rabbits’ Feed-to-Meat Efficiency 💭🐇

When talking about raising meat animals, one of the biggest things I’ve learned is that efficiency matters. Not just financially, but ethically too.

Feed to meat conversion is simply how much feed an animal needs to grow into usable protein. The better the conversion, the fewer resources are required over that animal’s lifetime. Makes sense, right?

Rabbits are incredibly efficient here 👏🏼

On average, rabbits convert feed to meat at about 3 pounds of feed for 1 pound of meat. For comparison, pigs often require 5 to 7 pounds of feed, and cattle can require anywhere from 6 to 10 pounds. (From my understanding) Chickens are efficient too, but rabbits quietly hold their own while requiring far less space.

Rabbits also reach harvest size pretty quickly, often within 8 to 12 weeks. That shorter growth window means less feed overall, fewer stress points, and less strain on the land supporting them! Compared to animals that take many months or even years to mature, rabbits do what they were designed to do. They turn feed into nourishment with very little waste. 🌱

For me, that matters because less feed means less pressure. Shorter timelines mean calmer animals. And efficiency allows us to raise our meat with intention, not urgency. I’m still learning as I go, but understanding efficiency has drastically changed the way I look at raising rabbits.

Has learning more about efficiency changed the way you approach raising or choosing meat? I’d love to know about what works best for your goals ✨

01/04/2026

Look at this rainbow! 💕

A sweet friend brought my oldest the most thoughtful little gifts and the prettiest carton of fresh eggs. I truly have the best people around us. We feel so loved and super grateful. Thank you for thinking of my boy and blessing our family 🥚✨

(Yes, yes I did a photo shoot🤭)

01/04/2026

What “Humane” Really Means 👩🏼‍🌾🐇

“Humane” gets thrown around quite a bit these days, usually by folks who’ve never had that one hard day with the tough call…

Around here, humane isn’t about what looks kind on the internet. It’s about doing what’s actually kind for the rabbit. We want to talk about that for a minute 👏🏼

Humane is knowing rabbits are prey animals and keeping stress low, handling calm, and decisions quick. Non-humane is dragging things out because it makes us feel better.

Humane is understanding biology, digestion, and stress response. Non-humane is putting human emotion ahead of any animal’s nervous system.

Humane is a swift, respectful end when the time comes.
Non-humane is delaying, hovering, or over-handling in the name of “trying everything.” Humane means choosing education over ideology and responsibility over comfort. ❤️‍🩹

This kinda care takes heart and grit. I’m tired of seeing honorable farmers being barked at for making responsible decisions that most couldn’t bear to carry. It’s not pretty, and it’s not performative. Stewardship rarely is…

Humane isn’t loud. It’s thoughtful, informed, and willing to do the hard thing with compassion 🫶🏻

01/03/2026

Learning to Forage 🌿🐇

Yesterday one of our friends stopped by and we ended up taking a nice walk around the place talking plants, forage, and what God grows right under our feet. I got to learn how to ID a few new things and what we could safely pick more of for the rabbits.

Foraging isn’t about knowing everything. I’m far from expert, but I’ve loved picking up bits and pieces over the years. This year I’m being much more intentional about journaling, sketching plants, researching, and learning what actually grows around here.

Foraging just feels like such a great way to learn and connect with what God has already provided around us. It’s also a very useful tool for rabbit keepers. It adds enrichment, variety, and nutrients while helping you understand your land better. There are a bunch of healthy plants rabbits can enjoy, and just as many you need to avoid, which is why slowing down and doing thorough research matters. 🫶🏻

This is your encouragement to get outside, take a walk, and start learning what God has already placed around you. Start small, stay curious, and keep researching. No rush, no pressure, just paying attention and exploring as we go. ✨