H&H: Volume 6

Highlights from Our Homestead Journey

Weaning Our Current Litter

This week, we began weaning our baby bunnies and separating them from their mom, Embla. The kits turned six weeks old on Christmas Eve, and the day after, we moved three of the seven into their own cage. The remaining four stayed with Embla for another day, and we plan to remove one more baby each day until Embla is back on her own.

Why wean the bunnies gradually?

Gradual weaning over the course of about a week helps the mother rabbit’s milk supply dry up slowly. This is important because if her milk production stops too abruptly, it can lead to mastitis, a bacterial infection of the mammary glands. Mastitis causes painful inflammation and swelling. By removing the kits one by one, her milk supply decreases naturally, reducing the risk of mastitis and ensuring a smoother transition for both mom and babies.

Why did we take several babies away at one time?

We removed three baby bunnies on the first day to ensure they had each other for warmth and comfort during the cold winter nights. Separating them at first in small groups instead of individually also provides a sense of security, making the transition smoother for everyone involved.

Breeding Our Rabbits

With cooler weather here, it’s officially rabbit breeding season! Rabbits generally thrive better during colder months than in the heat of summer, so it’s the perfect time to breed our does and bucks again. This time, we’re pairing our two Creme d’Argent breeding pairs:

• Tyr (PHA251) x Embla (TS362)
• Baldur (A72) x Iduun (A28)

This will be Embla’s second litter, and we’re eager to see how she does again after being a fantastic mom with her first. She pulled fur early, fed all her kits well, and stayed calm even as they grew and became more active. For Iduun, this will be her first litter, and we’re curious to see how she adjusts to motherhood because she’s a bit… spirited. By spirited, I mean she runs circles around her cage and is extremely high energy compared to all of my other rabbits.

We’re also excited to evaluate the kits from these pairings to learn which combinations produce the best rabbits. After these litters, everyone will have been bred to one another except for Iduun and Tyr (our newest buck), which we plan to do later.

Breeding Process

When breeding rabbits, it’s essential to take the doe to the buck’s cage, never the other way around. Does can be territorial and less eager to mate, whereas bucks are usually more enthusiastic. To ensure success, we aim for three fall-offs per session before separating the pair.

A “fall-off” is exactly what it sounds like—a dramatic and unmistakable movement the buck makes after completing his duty. Once we get three fall-offs, we separate the rabbits, give them treats, and return them to their cages. Later in the afternoon, we repeat the process with the same pair to maximize the chances of a successful breeding.

Why Multiple Fall-Offs?

While a single fall-off can often lead to a successful pregnancy, we aim for several to feel more confident in the outcome. If, during the second session, the doe becomes less cooperative or even aggressive, it could mean the breeding took, and she’s no longer interested. Always monitor closely to ensure neither rabbit gets hurt—light hair-pulling is somewhat normal, but any full-on fighting requires immediate separation.

Safety Tips

We use a puppy playpen for breeding and always stand inside with the rabbits to ensure we can separate them quickly if needed. Gloves are highly recommended to protect your hands in case of any scuffles.

We’re looking forward to this next round of kits and can’t wait to see what these pairings produce!

In the News: Food Recalls

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued recalls on more than 10,000 pounds products this week:

1. Raw Pork Sausage Roll

Impero Foods & Meats, Inc. recalled approximately 7,485 pounds of raw pork sausage products that were produced without proper federal inspection. The lack of inspection means there’s no guarantee the products meet safety standards, putting consumers at potential risk.

2. Ready-to-Eat Bologna Recall

Ralph’s Packing Company issued a recall for 3,132 pounds of ready-to-eat pork and beef bologna products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. The product may contain milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label.

Why This Matters for Small Homesteaders

Recalls like these highlight the value of being in control of your own food supply. As small homesteaders, we have the unique advantage of knowing exactly how our food is raised, processed, and stored—something that can’t always be guaranteed with store-bought products. When you’re the one managing the process, you can prioritize safety, quality, and sustainability every step of the way.

It’s also a reminder of why good practices matter so much. From ensuring clean processing environments to properly labeling any shared or sold products, small homesteaders play a role in building trust in local food systems. At the same time, relying on your own production or sourcing locally from trusted farmers reduces the need to question the safety and integrity of what’s on your plate. These recalls emphasize the power of homesteading to reclaim food security and prioritize what’s best for our families and communities.

What We’re Learning

A couple of weeks ago, we officially became registered members of the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) and registered our rabbitry! With our membership, ARBA provides a monthly newsletter packed with valuable information, as well as a comprehensive guide called Raising Better Rabbits & Cavies. This guide covers everything you could ever need to know to get started, from understanding zoning laws to mastering rabbit nutrition.

While we can’t share all the details from ARBA’s members-only documents, we highly recommend joining ARBA to access their wealth of information—especially if you’re considering getting your first rabbits. It’s an invaluable resource for both beginners and experienced breeders alike. We’ve also written a blog post that explains ARBA in more detail and guides you through the signup process. You can check it out here.

Our Favorites This Week

Countty Levin Feeding Bin: A rabbit sift feeder that easily attaches to your cages or grow-out hutches, making it convenient to provide feed to your rabbits.

Lyellfe Plastic Rabbit Cage Mats: Durable resting mats that give your rabbits a comfortable spot to rest off the cage wire, helping to keep them happy and healthy.

All Things Bunnies Twist on Water Bowls (26 oz): Really great bowls that twist onto your cage, so your bunnies can’t throw their freshly poured water across the room.

This Week’s Wrap-Up

As we wrap up this week—and the year—it’s a great time to reflect on the progress we’ve made and the lessons we’ve learned. From growing our rabbitry to tackling winter challenges, every step has brought us closer to our homesteading goals. We’re so grateful for your support and for being part of this journey with us. Here’s to a bright and fulfilling new year ahead! Wishing you all a wonderful end to 2024 and an even better start to 2025—see you next time!

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