Podcasts about new zealand white

Many of us in the homesteading movement are making major life changes as we work toward a simpler, but not necessarily easier, way of life. It takes great courage to step away from the security and familiarity of convention into a world that is, for many of us, unfamiliar. The promise of a better life drives us into that new world and the challenges we face are met with the determination to truly live the dream we have for ourselves and our families. My guest today is someone who, three years ago, took that leap with his family into the world of homesteading. Leaving behind a mainstream, suburban life and a couple of corporate careers, Greg Sweeton and his wife Laura stepped out to carve out a new way of living for their family. They faced the new challenges of homestead living head on and, in just a few short years have developed systems of abundance for their family and the community that they live in. Topics of discussion: * How Greg raises New Zealand White rabbits, Dexter Cattle, hogs in silvopasture as well as utilizes multi-species rotational grazing with Cornish Cross chickens and Katahdin-Dorper Cross sheep. * How health issues drove Greg and his wife toward a Keto diet and, ultimately buying a small farm/homestead. * How the movie “Food, Inc.” was a major inspiration and the influence that Joel Salatin has had on their decision to homestead. * His experience using a Chickshaw and Meatshaw, both designs by Justin Rhodes. * Perfectionism and its hindrance to progress. * Learning to adapt to your own homestead context through constant problem solving * The joys of raising children on a homestead and homeschooling * The challenges of leaving corporate life and consumer culture to become more independent and truly productive * How they developed side hustles and eventually started Shepherd's Crook Coffee. * The philosophy of planning your homestead production around a seasonal diet. BUY SHEPHERD'S CROOK COFFEE: https://www.shepherdscrookcoffee.com/ FOLLOW SHEPHERD'S CROOK ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shepherdscrookcoffee/ FOLLOW TRUNORTH FARM ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/trunorthfarm/ SUPPORT THIS PODCAST: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/plansnprov SIGN UP FOR THE PLANS AND PROVISIONS NEWSLETTER: https://www.plansandprovisions.com/landing-page/ VOICEOVER INTRO/OUTRO PROVIDED BY: https://www.sweetteafilms.com/

Shayan Acharya, Wriddhaayan Bhattacharyya and Vijay Lokapally are back on Matchpoint Paradox and in this week's episode, the trio look at India's whiteball series against New Zealand, the ongoing Test series and all the personnel changes made in the Indian cricket landscape in between it all. Follow our complete cricket coverage: https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sportstarweb Twitter: https://twitter.com/sportstarweb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sportstarweb/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/sportstar1978 Telegram: https://t.me/sportstarweb #TeamIndia | #CricketPodcast | #IndianCricketTeam | #INDvNZ | #RahulDravid | #TestCricket | #WBBL --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sportstar-podcast/message

So, there was a study done in 1978 that became known as the “Rabbit Effect” There has since been additional studies and a book written about it. It has opened up new and groundbreaking research. What is this study you might ask and how did it reveal the secret to living longer? Let's start with the study. Dr Robert Nerem and his research staff performed a study to establish the relationship between a high fat diet and heart health. To do this they put together several groups of New Zealand White rabbits and feed them a diet high in fat. They expected to find high cholesterol levels in the rabbits and fatty deposits in the small blood vessels like the long proven and recited results of today. But they came upon a problem: there was a significantly large number of rabbits that did not have the results they were expecting. So how does this play into our lives? In a day when heart health is part of most conversations about health. In a society that speaks constantly about “Low Fat” At least 48% of the US adults have some form of cardiovascular disease. Half of the adults in the US have some form of heart disease. That is so huge! But the important question is why? Well, the difference that was found in the rabbit effect had nothing to do with the high fat diet. In fact, it had nothing to do with what the rabbits ate. It all boiled down to how they were treated. It had more to do with the love they felt from the researcher. Well in a day when we are more apt to get someone hating on us for what we said rather than love for who we are. In an age when depression affects more than 18 million adults in the US and is the primary cause of disability for ages 15-44. This is a huge problem, to more than just our mental health! How is it that something that accounts for $23 billion in lost workdays each year doesn't have every headline? Some Politicians are concerned with gun violence. If we compare homicide at 16,000 lives per year in comparison to suicide which is over 41,000. Homicide is less than half. Where is the outrage that people are killing themselves? If we look at Veterans it affects even more of this small population. Up to 20 out of every 100 Vets deal with PTSD. This is something that needs more people talking about it. But what can we do to have a longer life? Well, the answer is pretty simple: surround yourself with love and show love to everyone else. It doesn't matter if you agree with people or not. It is possible to love people and disagree with them. I have many family members that I don't agree with on so many levels but I still love them. It doesn't matter what they believe or think. But so many times in society we judge not only the beliefs but the person for having them. We have to hate on others because they see things differently. Hate is the opposite of love. We close ourselves off from love and cripple our ability to feel it when we have hate, inside of us. Please subscribe to this podcast and leave a rating and review, to help others find this podcast. Also join the Facebook group. Here is the spot to click and set up a time so we can discuss how you can use these tools and others to get your amazing life! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/youramazinglife/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/youramazinglife/support

Kim Crawford Iluminate Sauvignon Blanc:  https://www.kimcrawfordwines.com/our-wines/illuminate-sauvignon-blancFour Roses Bourbon: https://fourrosesbourbon.com/bourbon/four-roses-bourbon/Chartreuse Liqueur: https://www.chartreuse.fr/en/produits/green-chartreuse/ 

In this episode, Dr. Andrea Sanchez will talk about how different infusions of norepinephrine affect the cardiovascular response in rabbits.

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.08.21.260992v1?rss=1 Authors: Rytky, S. J. O., Huang, L., Tanska, P., Tiulpin, A., Panfilov, E., Herzog, W., Korhonen, R. K., Saarakkala, S., Finnilä, M. A. J. Abstract: Purpose: Only little is known how calcified cartilage (CC) structure changes during exercise, aging and disease. CC thickness (CC.Th) can be analyzed using conventional histological sections. Micro-computed tomography (CT) allows for three-dimensional (3D) imaging of mineralized tissues, however, the segmentation between bone and CC is challenging. Here, we present state-of-the-art deep learning segmentation for CT images to enable assessment of CC morphology. Methods: Sixteen knees from twelve New Zealand White rabbits were dissected into osteochondral samples from six anatomical regions: lateral and medial femoral condyles, lateral and medial tibial plateaus, femoral groove and patella (n = 96). Samples were imaged with CT and processed for conventional histology. Manually segmented CC from the histology and reconstructed CT images was used as the gold standard to train segmentation models with different encoder-decoder architectures. The models with the greatest out-of-fold evaluation Dice score were used for automated CC.Th analysis. Subsequently, the automated CC.Th analysis was compared across a total of 24 regions, co-registered between the imaging modalities, using Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman analyses. Finally, the anatomical variation in CC.Th was assessed via a Linear Mixed Model analysis. Results: The best segmentation models yielded average Dice scores of 0.891 and 0.807 for histology and CT segmentation, respectively. The correlation between the co-registered regions across the modalities was strong (r = 0.897). The Bland-Altman analysis yielded a bias of 21.9 m and a standard deviation of 21.5 m between the methods. Finally, both methods could separate the CC morphology between the patella, femoral, and tibial regions (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The presented method allows for ex vivo 3D assessment of CC.Th in an automated and non-destructive manner. We demonstrated its utility by quantifying CC.Th in different anatomical regions. CC.Th was the thickest in the patella and the thinnest in the tibial plateau. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info

This week DOC's Nicola Toki has chosen the New Zealand white faced storm petrel, takahikare-moana or Jesus Christ bird as Critter of the Week. 

Reem Lascelles from EVER Sanctuary is in the studio, talking about the devastating plight of rabbits farmed for meat in Australia and why they are largely invisible in our society.  She describes the appalling conditions that they are subjected to, from birth to slaughter, and the physical and psychological impacts that such conditions have on a highly sensitive, social, and intelligent animal.  Reem also explains the many different degrees of welfare protection that may be applied to this single breed, the New Zealand White, and how she follows a campaign path that incorporates both incremental reform and abolition.  EVER Sanctuary  www.eversanctuary.orgEVER Sanctuary on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/eversanctuaryberry/Aussie Farms  www.aussiefarms.org.au

Terrorists live among us. It's time to stop labels --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mwenya5/support

Rabbit Clubs Today we are going to cover 5 national Clubs/Association/Councils to give you an idea of what they do, and how you might benefit by joining a club. Hello Listener! Thank you for listening. If you would like to support the podcast, and keep the lights on, you can support us whenever you use Amazon through the link below: It will not cost you anything extra, and I can not see who purchased what. Or you can become a Fluffle Supporter by donating through Patreon.com at the link below: Patreon/Hare of the Rabbit What's this Patreon? Patreon is an established online platform that allows fans to provide regular financial support to creators. Patreon was created by a musician who needed a easy way for fans to support his band. What do you need? Please support Hare of the Rabbit Podcast financially by becoming a Patron. Patrons agree to a regular contribution, starting at $1 per episode. Patreon.com takes a token amount as a small processing fee, but most of your money will go directly towards supporting the Hare of the Rabbit Podcast. You can change or stop your payments at any time. You can also support by donating through PayPal.com at the link below: Hare of the Rabbit PayPal Thank you for your support, Jeff Hittinger.   Easter Easter is a season that has popularized the purchase of rabbits as surprise "Easter bunnies" for young people Easter morning. Please remember to learn about how to care for a rabbit prior to purchase and that rabbits are a 5-10 year commitment. The American Rabbit Breeders Association The ARBA is an organization dedicated to the promotion, development and improvement of the domestic rabbit and cavy. With over 23,000 members throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad, their members range from the pet owner with one rabbit or cavy to the breeder or commercial raiser with several hundred animals. Each aspect of the rabbit and cavy industry whether it be fancy (for exhibition), as a pet, or for commercial value, is encouraged by their organization. There are numerous benefits for joining ARBA, including a copy of the Official Guidebook To Raising Better Rabbits & Cavies (free with the initial membership), a subscription to Domestic Rabbits magazine, Registration, Grand Champion certification and other privileges. The History of the American Rabbit Breeders Association In the late 1890s the Belgian Hare affair brought a serious touch to the American rabbit world that previously had been pet and perhaps meat rabbits. With serious prices paid for Belgian Hares there was not a national organization as with other livestock. In 1910 the National Pet Stock Association was formed. National Pet Stock Association of America was founded on January 10, 1910 by Charles S. Gibson at his home at 1045 West Warren Ave., Detroit, Michigan with a total of 13 people present who became charter members. Charles Gibson was elected as the Secretary/Treasurer. It is not known who designed the first national emblem, but it was common place for the time to use the head of Lady Liberty with the laurel leaves in her hair along with the crossed flags as part of an American symbol. Seven years later the “Pet” was dropped from the name as it began including not just rabbits and cavies but other small fur bearing animals and later another name change was made to the “National Breeders and Fanciers Association of America.” The organization changes their name to the National Breeders and Fanciers Association of America. The emblem you see was created by the George Lauterer Company of Chicago, Illinois. There is once again the crossed US flags, eagle with her stretched wings, double maple leaves (no doubt to recognize our neighbors to the north’s membership), plus the heads of four animals; top is a raccoon, right a cavy (guinea pig), bottom a fox and finally a rabbit. In January, 1918 the first national convention and show is held in Kansas City, Missouri with a total of 540 entries. The organization splits in October, 1919 and Charles Gibson incorporates the new branch in January, 1920 as the National Breeders and Fanciers Association, Inc. Gibson is replaced as secretary in 1921 by Raymond L. Pike and the national headquarters is moved to Crawfordsville, Indiana. Pike is replaced by Arthur Weygandt as secretary in 1923 and the national headquarters is moved once again to Weygandt’s home at 3166 Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Illinois, then shortly after to 7408 Normal Ave., Chicago. In 1923 the rabbit fancy began to split into fur breeds and meat breeds. The name of the association was changed to the American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association to narrow the focus to just rabbit and cavy owners. The organization became more specialized with the small stock that they promoted and once again changed their name officially on January 20, 1925 to the American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association, Inc. Before this change, the association catered to not only rabbits, cavies, raccoons, and foxes, but most all furred animals including rats, mice and even skunks. Oddly enough the association did not have an official logo until the 1940’s. Arthur Weygandt proved to be an outstanding choice for secretary and served the organization well for 20 years until he was forced to resign in early 1943 due to a stroke, being replaced by Mr. Lewis S. J. Griffin. A new logo appeared only in the 1940’s which touted the domestic rabbit for it’s meat, fur and wool, with special emphasis placed on the cavy as an important laboratory animal, which indeed it was. The scalloped border is believed to be designed after a rosette ribbon showing that both species were highly popular as show animals. The war years were hard on the organization, but the meat of the domestic rabbit received a huge boost for its quick growth and high nutritional values by the United States government. Griffin as secretary moved the national offices to his home at 812 East Costella, Colorado Springs, Colorado and then to rental facilities for a short time in 1945 at 25 East Colorado St., Colorado Springs. Due to failing health Griffin resigned in 1945 and James Blyth moved the offices to 5941 Baum Blvd., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when chosen as the new secretary. A milestone was reached when affiliated clubs of the national and her membership pitched in together and purchased a permanent headquarters at 4323 Murray Avenue, in Pittsburgh. Not pleased with the design of the previous emblem of the national association a new design appeared in the late 1940’s, however this designer was unknown as with previous designs. The scalloped edges were increased to be more in style with a prize rosette and the emphasis of what the species were mainly used for were removed. The organization grew and by 1948 an estimated 12,000 members were involved in the organization. Then in 1952 the name was changed to the American Rabbit Breeders Association, although the cavy still today falls within the scope of the association. Six years later a youth division was added to afford adults to compete as well as the youth against their own age and experience level, with a youth division specialty club. During the 1952 national convention and show the association decided to change the name of the association for the final time to American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. It was the consensus that the national mainly existed for the promotion of the domestic rabbit, however cavies would continue to be sponsored by the ARBA. With a brand new name, came a brand new logo and this time we do know the designer, Edward H. Stahl of Missouri. He retained the scallop border, included the words, Food, Fancy and Fur and the heads of two rabbits looking to the right, or as Edward Stahl once said, “Always towards the Future.” The rabbits used in the logo were actually real animals; the top a Standard Chinchilla buck called Chin Champ was Best Standard Chinchilla at the 1924 Lima, Ohio Convention and the bottom rabbit a New Zealand White buck called White Champ that won Best of Breed at the 1932 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Convention. This was changed in 1971 when Oren Reynolds became president and the youth became a part of ARBA that had the same as an adult membership except for that of voting. The ARBA grew and with the increase in members and finances fliers, booklets and the Domestic Rabbits magazine became available to members. Today there is a guidebook, beginner book, year book and the Standard of Perfection that are updated regularly as well as other publications available through ARBA. Secretary James Blyth retires in December 1972 after a remarkable service of 27 years in the position under no less than 6 presidents. Ed Peifer, Jr. became secretary from 1973 until December, 1984. He moved the national headquarters to rental facilities at 1006 Morrisey Dr., and then to 2401 E. Oakland Ave. both locations in Bloomington, Illinois. In 1976 the ARBA purchased their own facilities at 1925 South Main in Bloomington. Upon Ed Peifer’s retirement, Glen C. Carr of Ohio was appointed secretary, but instead of moving the national offices he was the first secretary to move to where they were located. Peifer had begun to bring the association into the modern era of the internet age and Glen Carr certainly continued to improve and streamline all office operations. The organization today maintains coops and equipment for the national convention shows, it has raised over $150,000 for the research and development fund that contributes to research that benefits rabbits as well as cavy research. There is also a youth scholarship, Hall of Fame library and an active membership that is not just about breeding rabbits. While a large part of the membership do show and breed their choice of dozens of breeds there is also a benefit for pet owners of information. Because of the changing times and the attitude of people, it became very apparent that the words “Food and Fur” was no longer the primary focus of the fancier's organization. Although the American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc. recognizes the many valuable benefits of the domestic rabbit; meat, laboratory, fur, wool, fun, pet and fancy (exhibition) the words “Food, Fancy and Fur” were removed from the emblem. Kevin Whaley created the current logo to bring it into the 21st century as the ARBA continues to adapt to a changing country and world from it’s nearly century of existence. With the continued growth of the ARBA it quickly became apparent that a much larger facility was needed. A modern 10,000 square foot facility was located by Secretary Carr at 8 Westport Court in Bloomington which the ARBA purchased. In 1999 construction began for the Hall of Fame Library within the headquarters, which quickly became the world’s largest single collection of rabbit and cavy publications. In 2003 the name of secretary seemed out of place for what the position had evolved into and was renamed Executive Director. Executive Director Glen C. Carr retired on December 31, 2006 and was succeeded by Executive Director Brad Boyce. After a brief term as ARBA Executive Director, Brad Boyce was succeeded by Eric Stewart in 2009. Mr. Stewart, ARBA's current Executive Director, is committed to steady progress as far as establishing improvements and advances in technologies utilized in the ARBA office. The most recent improvement involved a redesign of the ARBA website. Additional changes to the ARBA's online presence are planned.. This steady evolution will improve existing services while adding new elements contributing to the betterment of the ARBA and its members world-wide. Although ARBA has been through several name changes in the last 100 years since inception the promotion of the domestic rabbit and cavy has remained. Today ARBA has members from around the world that come to the annual convention and show. Rabbits included within the scope of the association are not just fur rabbits or meat rabbits but include breeds that can do both as well as smaller breeds, wooled angora rabbits and fancy marked breeds. The cavy breeds are also distinct and compete at the national convention. The American Rabbit Breeders Association Inc. provides unification within its membership that is composed of rabbit and cavy enthusiasts throughout North America and the world. The ARBA serves to promote the domestic rabbit and cavy fancy as well as all facets of the industry including commercial and scientific research facilities. Its organizational roots can be traced back over 100 years when, in 1910, the National Pet Stock Association came into being in response to the skyrocketing popularity of the Belgian Hare (actually a domestic rabbit - not a true hare), that had come on the scene around 1890. Over the years, the ARBA has grown and evolved into its present identity - enhancing, through it's membership, high standards of perfection, efficiency and cooperation between all phases of the rabbitry industry; the all encompassing objective remaining the promotion of the domestic rabbit and cavy. Today: There are 49 rabbit and 13 cavy breeds currently accepted by the ARBA. Today the ARBA claims over 23,000 members worldwide; many who travel to the annual convention and shows held each year in a different major US city. Rabbits that are included within the scope of this association consist of 49 unique breeds ranging from rabbits prized for their fur, wool, beauty, and/or utility value to those most suitable as pets due to size and/or temperament. The ARBA also actively promotes 13 different breeds of cavies (commonly known as guinea pigs). The cavy breeds are also distinct and compete at the national convention along with rabbits, as well as local shows across North America and other countries. ARBA Library and Hall of Fame The ARBA headquarters based in Bloomington, Illinois houses the The ARBA's Hall of Fame Library - the world's largest single collection of rabbit and cavy publications in the world. There are over 9,000 items/pieces, housed in the collection, which continues to increase in size through donations and contributions of historical items. The Library is an archival library and not a lending library. Access to the Library for research by members is available by appointment only. The ARBA boasts a growing contingent of youth members who have the opportunity to participate in ARBA shows and character-building youth activities. They also have the opportunity to qualify for youth scholarship funds made available by the ARBA. The ARBA encourages youth rabbit and cavy showmanship and related activities as a means to demonstrate not only a working and practical knowledge of rabbits and cavies, but to encourage youth members to explore critical thinking skills. These are desirable values youth learn and experience through their involvement in the ARBA. Character-building values such as responsibility and sportsmanship, will benefit youth throughout their lives. ARBA youth members, while participating in character-building youth activities, have the opportunity to qualify for scholarship funds. The ARBA offers a Youth Scholarship program for high school graduates who wish to further their education. The recipients must have graduated with a minimum 3.0 GPA and be enrolled in their first year of higher education. The scholarship proceeds are designated to be used towards two- or four-year college, vocational, or technical school. While a large percentage of active ARBA members participate in exhibitions such as those hosted at the national convention shows, there is a growing faction that keep companion rabbits and cavies. These pet owners realize a great benefit from the vast stores of knowledge available through ARBA books, manuals, and the bi-monthly publication - Domestic Rabbits. There are numerous reasons owners of all types of rabbits and cavies can benefit from information available from the ARBA. Rabbit raising education This organization helps all levels of rabbit keepers and breeders, including 4-H participants to fanciers, pet owners to commercial producers. The ARBA also produces educational materials such as a guide book, 'Raising Better Rabbits & Cavies', as well as informative books on each registered breed, and a poster with photographs of the recognized breeds of rabbits and cavies, and rabbit registrar and judge training materials. The judges education program is an ongoing program for established judges. Now they also have links to national specialty clubs that are breed specific, as well as a list of all of the shows. Rabbit shows The ARBA sanctions rabbit shows throughout the year, all over the USA and Canada. These shows, sponsored by local clubs, fairs, and show circuits, give rabbit and cavy fanciers the chance to have their animals examined by educated judges and compared to other breeders' animals and the standard. The ARBA holds a large national convention show once a year, which draws in fanciers from across the country and around the world. The 2005 ARBA convention was documented in the film Rabbit Fever. Unified judging and registration system The ARBA has a standardized judging system in which rabbits are judged against the respective breed standard, set by a 100-point scale, and published in the Standard of Perfection. It is a book detailing all of the recognized breeds in the United States and their attributes. The association has licensed judges since the early 1900s who may judge at sanctioned shows and fairs. The registration system maintains records on all rabbits which have passed a registration examination to ensure the animals are healthy and meet the ARBA Standard for the rabbits' breed. ARBA licensed registrars conduct the examination. Registrations are ranked Red; White; or Red, White, and Blue to distinguish how many ancestors of the subject rabbit have been previously registered. Judges: The American Rabbit Breeders Association is proud of its judges who must adhere to the strict standards which have been set by the ARBA Board of Directors. In order to earn his or her judge's license, each individual must have been engaged in breeding and exhibiting rabbits and/or cavies at least five (5) years; two of which must include serving as an ARBA Licensed Registrar, having registered a minimum of thirty-five (35) rabbits or fifteen (15) cavies. Additionally, an applicant for an ARBA Judge's License must have secured the endorsement of 20 ARBA members in good standing. This endorsement must be in writing. All of the preceding must be accomplished before an individual can even apply for a license. Once an application for an ARBA Judge's License has been accepted, that applicant must then pass extensive written and oral examinations and must assist in judging eight (8) shows under at least six (6) judges and must secure the endorsement of these judges as well. Once an ARBA Judge's License has been granted, each judge is expected to participate in at least one Judges' Conference every 5 years and must pass yearly review examinations with a minimum score of 80%. ARBA members can be confident that the judges evaluating their rabbits or cavies on the judging table are well qualified to render their opinion as to the show worthiness and quality of each animal in each class. Registering Rabbits: The American Rabbit Breeders Association has a unique and exacting registration system. Unlike other animal registration systems, each rabbit or cavy must be examined by a licensed registrar, certified free from heritable defects and found to meet specific breed requirements as outlined in the ARBA Standard of Perfection. The ARBA does not issue registrations of litters or register individual rabbits based on the registration or pedigree of its sire or dam. Each rabbit or cavy must be at least six (6) months of age before it can be inspected by a licensed ARBA Registrar. Because of its exacting requirements, the ARBA Rabbit/Cavy Registration system is arguably the single best livestock or pet-stock registration system in the world. In order to receive an ARBA Registrar's license, each individual must be a continuous member of the ARBA for at least three (3) years, as well as have secured the written endorsement of 20 ARBA members in good standing prior to submitting an application to the ARBA office. Upon being approved to apply for an ARBA Registrar's License, the applicant has two (2) years in which to pass a written and oral examination delivered by an official examining judge appointed by the ARBA and must work under three (3) judges at three (3) shows, assist one (1) registrar with registering animals, and secure the endorsement of the registrar and at least two (2) of the judges under whom he or she has worked. Each rabbit or cavy that successfully passes the examination and whose owner (a current member of the ARBA) upon submission of the $6.00 registration fee, may receive an official ARBA Registration Certificate upon which may be affixed a seal: ~ Red denotes registration of both parents ~ Red and White - all parents and grandparents have been registered ~ Red, White, & Blue indicates that all animals on the registration form were registered ~ Gold indicates all ancestors on the registration certificate were registered grand champions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Rabbit_Breeders_Association https://www.arba.net/index.htm https://learnaboutrabbits.wordpress.com/2014/07/25/the-history-of-the-american-rabbit-breeders-association/ The British Rabbit Council The showing and exhibition of rabbits - known as "The Fancy" - started more than 200 years ago! By the middle of the nineteenth century there were many Local Clubs which had formed with the objective of holding regular shows for their Fanciers to enjoy. By the end of the 1800's Specialist Clubs had formed who were devoted to the improvement of individual breeds of rabbit. This structure still exists today with The Fancy still going strong, the number of recognized breeds steadily increased up to the beginning of the 1914-18 war but all of them were 'Fancy Breeds' with just two 'Fur Breeds'. During war time rabbit keeping was enjoying popularity and, coupled with the improved travel available, it meant that many Fanciers went overseas and saw many new breeds - not known in Great Britain - which had been developed. Today there are over 50 recognized breeds and over 500 varieties! By the end of the 1914-18 war the most important Fur rabbit was the Beveren. This inevitably led a group of Beveren breeders in May 1918 to set up, in Birmingham, a new National Club called The Beveren Club. In the words of its seventeen founders, it was established "in an endeavor to raise the dignity and status of rabbit breeding with the best fur breeds." Today, The British Rabbit Council continues to raise the profile and status of rabbit breeding. As new breeds were developed during the 1920's, they were standardized and adopted by The Beveren Club until the society had become a general fur breed club. To recognize its new status, it had two name changes, first to the British Fur Rabbit Society and then later to the to The British Rabbit Society. By 1928 the Society had 13 different fur breeds under its jurisdiction. It also managed its individual members, a number of Clubs and Agricultural Societies. However, things were happening in the rabbit world! There was at this time great deal of interest in Angora wool production and attempts were made to found an Angora wool testing center. Although this idea was backed by a number of influential people, not only in the rabbit world but in the agricultural and scientific worlds, the idea was eventually abandoned. However, the meetings held did give rise to a new national organization for rabbit breeders with the resounding title of...... The National Rabbit Council of Great Britain and her Dominions. Like The British Rabbit Society already in existence, this organization became a forerunner to today's British Rabbit Council. The new organization grew very rapidly but strife developed between the two national bodies. This eventually led, in 1934, to the two organizations merging with approval from all sections of the rabbit world and the affiliated societies. The British Rabbit Council was born! There had always been a need for the permanent identification of rabbits with the numbers being registered with a central organization. A scheme was started in the late 1920's when the British Rabbit Society arranged for the formation of a National Rabbit Marking Council. This Council carried out a ringing scheme for a number of years but in 1938 The British Rabbit Council took over the ringing scheme with Fur & Feather handling the distribution of the rings. This arrangement was not entirely satisfactory and in 1946 the British Rabbit Council took over the whole matter - an arrangement which continues today. Until 1960, the British Rabbit Council was concerned not only with the showing of rabbits but also with the commercial farming of rabbits. The Commercial Rabbit Association was formed for commercial rabbit keepers and this organization took over responsibility for the rabbit farmers. Today, The British Rabbit Council recognizes that the rabbit is an enormously popular domestic animal and Britain's third most popular pet. It is a much loved part of many children's childhood as parents chose a rabbit to help teach their children about responsibility and commitment. The British Rabbit Council has made the decision to encourage the pet owner to join them so they also have access to good advice and that the Council can aid the welfare of the rabbit. The British Rabbit Council's objectives today do not differ too much from the original Beveren Club as the Council "promotes the breeding and showing of rabbits and helps pet owners with the welfare of their rabbits." Throughout its history, The British Rabbit Council has used its influence to help on a number of issues. For example, during the war regulations prevented landlords from prohibiting the keeping of rabbits. After the war, the association was largely responsible for having this particular wartime regulation put into permanent legislation thus insuring that rabbit keeping was not prohibited. Also, when there was considerable transit of rabbits by rail to and from shows, The British Rabbit Council played a large part in getting compensation from the Railways for delayed transit and hence loss of entry fees and rail fares. Other examples include a stock transfer scheme if rabbit breeders lost their entire stud in terrible flooding as they did once on the East Coast; the administration of the bran rationing scheme for the Government after the war; the provision of lecturers for Local Club meetings, and so on. In the late 1990's representatives from The British Rabbit Council have attended international conventions to secure the British Rabbit Council's place as a leading European rabbit organization. Alongside all this extra work, the Council is still the governing body for The Fancy and has established over the years a comprehensive set of Show Rules. Each year approximately 1000 shows take place throughout Great Britain! Today sees a structure of District Advisors who give their time to help people in their regions. These are well respected members of great experience appointed by the Council to give advice locally. At shows, awards are available from the Council. The basis of these is the Challenge Certificate which is awarded to the best rabbit of its particular group. Today, The British Rabbit Council encourages research into diseases etc. among other topical issues. As the role of the rabbit has developed into a popular pet, the British Rabbit Council actively encourages good rabbit keeping among pet owners. The Newark Head Office receives many hundreds of letters or calls each month asking for advice or information on an extremely wide variety of topics concerned with the rabbit. These are not confined to individual people but are sometimes from official bodies, Governments or overseas. "To protect, further and co-ordinate the interests of all British rabbit breeders; to assist and extend the exhibition rabbits, to influence, advise and co-operate with central and local authorities, departments, education and other committees and schools in promoting the extension of the breeding of rabbits, and to promote and encourage education and research of a scientific and/or practical nature for the welfare and benefit of the rabbit." As a member of the BRC you will receive the following: Articles of Constitution & Rules Book; Breed Standards Book; Year Book; Five Freedoms; Benefits of Vaccination; Top Tips How to Look After Your Rabbit; Composting Rabbit Manure; Recommended Reading; Ring Order Form, in all Adult packs. The membership also enables you to exhibit rabbits at a BRC Star Show and Join National/Area/Local BRC Clubs. The 'bible' of rabbit showing is the Breeds Standard Booklet. There is also a library consisting of a considerable number of books relating to the rabbit. It is difficult to sum up an organization with such a long and interesting history - and bright future -as The British Rabbit Council. One thing, however, is very certain. The British Rabbit Council is made up of its members and exists to help all rabbit breeders and keepers. Most members consider that it is not only a pleasure to be a member but perhaps also a duty which allows him or her to give back a small part of the happiness he or she has gained from the Fancy. http://thebritishrabbitcouncil.org/standards.htm The Australian National Rabbit Council Why did we need a National Rabbit Council? We have now grown into a fully fledged National body with almost three years behind us and our first National Convention held in March 2014. Perhaps the most important thing to remember about a National Governing body is that it will not change the way your local rabbit Clubs run to any great degree. The National Rabbit Council is not there to change the way you do things now but to hopefully allow all the rabbit Clubs across Australia to improve the service they give to their members and to co-ordinate some activities to all Rabbit Fanciers across Australia. The only rules that affiliated Clubs would be expected to run under National Club rules would be the show rules same as what happens with the BRC. To quote the BRC rules: All affiliated organizations shall retain freedom of action and to be at liberty to carry through any program within their own sphere as they may deem desirable or which may be most suited to their particular locality, except that all organizations affiliated to the Association must hold their shows under BRC Show Rules. Anyone who has read the BRC rules will know that there are some rules in there that we do not/cannot run by. So to say Clubs run under BRC rules is somewhat of a misnomer. Most of us run under most of the Show Rules but I don’t believe anyone runs under all the Rules. The BRC has an Investigation Committee but I am not aware of any Club that has one in Australia. The WARCI had one for a number of years but had to dissolve it in the end because they were really too small to support one. Also many of the BRC rules relate to show support and as most Clubs run as individual Clubs and not under a governing body they do not need to apply for show support. With a National Club the rules would relate to Australian conditions and allow for the long distances in Australia and the introduction of non BRC accepted Breeds. So Australian Rules for Australian Rabbit Clubs. One of the huge advantages to being an affiliated Club to the Australian National Rabbit Council would be that they would not have to pay their own Public Liability Insurance as they would be covered by the ANRCI Insurance. At the moment many Clubs – especially smaller ones – struggle to find the large amounts required for their Public Liability Insurance. As an affiliated Club they would pay ANRCI a Third Party Insurance Levy (which would be a small percentage of their previous payments) and would then be covered. This is a service the BRC also offers to its Affiliated Clubs. Another service that ANRCI hopes to set up is a National Stud Register. The idea of having an Australia wide database of stud names has been discussed – and generally supported – for many years. This service would be relatively easy to set up and maintain with the cooperation of the affiliated Clubs. It would allow already duplicate Stud Names to be acknowledged (perhaps with the state of registration added to the stud name – Stud Name (WA)) and to ensure that future stud names are not duplicated. It would also allow members to use the stud names in every club and not have to pay separate registration fees at every club they wish to show in. Our Committee is looking at the feasibility of having a Stud Name Register, the best way it could be run and the rules under which it could be run. The Steering Committee is also looking at the feasibility of having an Australia wide Ring Register. There are many ways this could be done and all the options will be examined to find the best way that it could be set up. In the future, we may be able to access our own rings and not having to bring them in from England. Just having our own rings will save our Clubs all having to buy and import rings (costs of exchange rates and postage) and decrease the time of ordering and receiving the rings. An Australian Breed Standard that allows non BRC standard breeds would be a long term goal. This would be a long process and would require a lot of research and discussion. There are many breeds and colors we will never have here in Australia but there are some unique breeds that we do have that deserve to be in an Australian standard. These are all areas that the Steering Committee will be examining to find the feasibility of setting up these processes within an ANRCI. We expect that some of these subjects will produce a lot of discussion – both for and against – and also many different ways that these things could be set up. We welcome good sensible ideas and suggestions. We will look at all of them and try and find the best way that these things can work in Australia. We feel that Australian rabbit breeders deserve an Australian governing body that is developed with our own local conditions in mind. We hope that you all feel that this is a huge step forward for the Rabbit Fancy in Australia and that you come forward with lots of positive ideas to help us develop the best Australian National Council possible. ANRCI is an Incorporated Association (WA) . We have an elected Management Committee made up of State Representatives. All Rabbit Clubs have the option to affiliate with ANRCI and enjoy the benefits of shared ideas, databases and costs. All fanciers or owners of rabbits are able to join ANRCI as well, you do not need to be a member of an affiliated club, but you do need to be a member of a club The Rabbit Fancy in Australia is relatively small compared to the UK and the US. The website offers support for both affiliated and non affiliated Clubs. It contains the Stud Prefix database, The Championship System, Judging Training Guidelines and the Breed in Development Program. All this information is listed under the Club Support Heading Fanciers Professional Development Seminars ANRCI is really excited to announce a great new initiative which we are sure will help provide showing, breeding and judging information to members of the Fancy - especially in rural areas. We hope it will develop Professionalism in all aspects of the Fancy – whether it is running a Club and shows, assessing and breeding your stock, or showing and judging rabbits. Last year they undertook to use any profits from the ANRCI raffle to help with education of the Fancy. So we have now put that promise into practice! They plan to run these seminars (as many as we can afford each year) in a number of different regional centers. These seminars will cover showing, breeding and judging and range from information suitable for beginners, or people just interested in improving the standards of their rabbits as well as Fanciers that hope to become judges in the future. They will also be great refreshers for existing judges. They hope to build on these seminars in the future and offer different perspectives or emphasis depending what is being asked for. John Porritt together with Debbie Pulford have created the program and they will present the lectures - with assistance at times from other suitable people. They know that once you see the agenda of the seminars you will be very excited as well!! Apart from the formal learning opportunities from the lectures the informal learning from exchange of ideas and networking make these seminars something not to be missed!! ANRCI is paying the transport and accommodation costs of the lecturers and also the cost of the venue. Participants will need to pay a small fee to help cover some of the costs (so that we can run more of these learning weekends) and their accommodation if required. They hope that lots of Fanciers make an effort to come along and listen to the most experienced judges and exhibitors in Australia. Many exhibitors, particularly rural ones, rarely get this sort of opportunity and we at ANRCI are very proud to be offering these great learning experiences. It is envisaged that this road show will also visit Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. People keep rabbits for many reasons. Many of us buy a bunny as a pet for ourselves or our children. Some people decide that they would like to have pure bred rabbits and exhibit them in competitions. Others keep them for Agility or Hopping Competitions. Keeping rabbits as a food, fur or fiber source is also quite common. Whether you keep your bunny for a pet or for exhibition they hope to provide you with all the information you need. https://www.australiannationalrabbitcouncil.com/ European Association of Poultry, Pigeon, Cage Bird, Rabbit and Cavy Breeders. The EE for short. European Association of Poultry, Pigeon, Cage Bird, Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Founded in 1938 . As a charitable and non party political and non denominational organization, it is the objective of the EE to unite all small livestock organizations in Europe. The object of our organization is also, apart from enhancing the contact among nations, to process the technical and breeding problems of all indigenous breeds. A further object includes taking charge of shows and judging panels. Organizing shows and seminars as well as dealing with all technical issues unites all European small livestock fanciers, which is a high priority within our organization. Austria : Rassezuchtverband Österreichischer Kleintierzüchter Belgium : Fédération Nationale des Éleveurs d’Animaux de Basse-Cour asbl Bulgaria Croatia : Hrvatski Savez udruga uzgajatelja malih životinja Czech Republic : Český svaz chovatelů Denmark : Danmarks Kaninavlerforening Finland: Finnish Rabbit and Rodent Breeders’ Federation France : Fédération Française de Cuniculiculture Germany : Zentralverband Deutscher Rasse-Kaninchenzüchter e.V. Great Britain : The British Rabbit Council Hungary : Magyar Galamb- És Kisállattenyésztők Országos Szövetsége Italy : Federazione Italiana delle Associazioni Avicole Lettonia Luxemburg : Union des Sociétés avicoles du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg Netherland : Kleindier Liefhebbers Nederland Norway : Norges Kaninavlsforbund Poland: Polski Związek Hodowców Romania Russia Serbia Slowakia : Slovenský Zväz Chovateľov Slowenia : Slovenska zveza društev gojiteljev pasemskih malih živali Spain : Federación Española de Avicultura, Colombicultura y Cunicultura de Raza Sweden : Svensk duvavelsförening Switzerland : Kleintiere Schweiz The European Standards Committee of the Rabbit section (ESKK) is a technical committee within the EE. The European Society for Poultry and Rabbit breeding (European Society for Small Livestock breeding) was founded in Brussels on the 18th of June 1938 by the small livestock societies of Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The society will hereinafter be referred to as the EE, in line with the French translation of the original name - Entente Européenne d'Aviculture et de Cuniculture. Nowadays the EE is known as: European Association of Poultry, Pigeon, Cage Bird, Rabbit and Cavy breeders. The legal seat of the EE is in Luxembourg. The European Standard Committee(ESKK) has the responsibility to establish a European standard and thereafter amend it whenever necessary, in accordance with the Constitution of the EE The European standard has been in existence in German since 2012. All non German speaking countries can translate this standard and use all photographs after approval of the ESKK In order for a breed or colour to be included in the European standard, it needs to be fully standardised in at least 3 EE affiliated countries. The breed or colour must have been shown at a European show prior to inclusion. Breeds or colours of rabbit that are not included in the European standard, can be judged at a European show as long as a guidance description is available to the judge in one of the 3 official languages (German,English or French). 31 Nations comprising 2.5 million members It seems that they are the holder of the rules for Kanin Hop as well. Changes of these regulations require the consent of the European Kanin Hop responsible. The consent shall require a simple majority of countries organizing Kanin Hop tournaments. http://www.entente-ee.com/about-us/ The Malta Rabbit Club The Malta Rabbit Club - in brief The Malta Rabbit Club was founded in 1964. The club has approximately 300 members and amongs others, the club organises an Annual National Rabbit Championship Show. Over 40 different rabbit breeds in around 160 classes. Malta National Rabbit Society - WHERE EXHIBITION AND LEARNING ARE A PLEARSURE !!! http://www.petngarden.com/maltarabbitclub/ Benefits of Joining an Organization Here's five great reasons why joining an organization near you is a good idea: 1. When you join a rabbit organization you will get to meet other rabbit breeders from abroad and have an opportunity to learn, share and gain valuable experience in your field. 2. You get to stay informed about the latest news in the rabbit industry on a consistent basis. 3. If you love rabbits, you'll fine the atmosphere of events etc fun and enjoyable as you learn and share. 4. You have the opportunity to help “give back” to the rabbit industry as a whole. 5. If you are joining an organization specializing in rabbits you will potentially have the opportunity to help save the lives of bunny rabbits whether you adopt or donate. https://www.justrabbits.com/rabbit-organizations.html © Copyrighted

I would like to thank you for letting me take a week off from podcasting. As you may or may not know I like near Charlottesville Virginina, I will be briefly discussing what happened in Charlottesville this weekend past. I live in Greene county Virginia Susan Bro who is the Mother of Heather Heyer, works at my local 4H office. My children are active with 4h. I have had conversations with her many times about many topics. She is a friend. We have discussed house rabbits because she has had them in the past for many years. She is a sweet lady, and this past week has been a painful week. I know that this is probably not the venue to pour this out, but I feel that I need to. People say that this could never be in my backyard… This was in my backyard. To quote my wife “If this could happen in Charlottesville, this could happen anywhere.” We had a Japanese exchange student staying with us through4H, and we had planned to go to Charlottesville this weekend past. It was a Pre-planned outing. It was the last weekend she was staying with us, and there is a Virginia store on the downtown mall, about a block from Lee (Emancipation) Park. We knew about the protests and being from the school of “don’t do stupid things with stupid people in stupid places”, Charlottesville fell into two of the three categories… We went over the mountain to the Route 11 potato chip factory in Mt. Jackson, then to Harrisonburg and Staunton. We went to a glass blowing factory, and we saw live music. I hoped that they had the police in place to keep anyone from getting hurt, especially anyone that my wife or I might know. I received a notification about a car hitting protesters. We went to the "Virginia Store" for made in Virginia items for our Japanese student to take home to Japan. We came back home on a scenic drive through the Shenandoah National Park. Along the ride, my wife says that Susan posted a message about loosing her daughter standing up for what she believes in. My wife works at the University of Virginia and they found out about the plans for the torch-lit march through social media, and were told the route that was planned by speaking to the march leaders. This is not the route they took. They marched to where the few students that are able to move in early were. The marchers were despicable to the students that were on grounds. The students were moved to a basement to get away from the “Peaceful” march. One of the teachers has had a stroke this week. He was hit in the head with a tiki-torch (Probably a brain bleed of some sort). This was Friday nights activities in Charlottesville. I believe that the Saturday event was designed to push the protesters (Antagonists) together. I had spent a few days feeling angry, and angry at the news for still creating divides. My wife was on edge. I went to a yoga class and stopped reading the news for a few days. To quote the judges father on night-court “I’m feeling much better now". https://youtu.be/3SnGU6Jtxc0 If you want to see something beautiful, check out the candle-lit walk that the faculty, staff and students participated in last Wednesday. There were at least 2000 people that participated in this walk. It was promoted only by word of mouth. This was not promoted through social media for fear of the Nazi's and KKK showing up again. A youtube link to the candle-lit walk is in the show notes. https://youtu.be/cITuxcGlAr8 Now for our One Eared Rabbit breed: One Eared Rabbit Breed Most of the info about this breed is from Domestic Rabbits and Their Histories by Bob D. Whitman. Now it is possible rather then a gene mutation it might be more likely that the mom "over-groomed" it as a newborn. Sometimes when cleaning the blood off of the babies, the mom will accidentally get carried away and chew off an ear, tail, or foot. England appears to be the native home of the "Unicorn of the Rabbit World" which was being bred true to form during the later part of the 18th century. I have been able to find next to nothing on this unusual rabbit, other then a small passage in John Sheail's book, "rabbits and their history" published in 1971. Sheail mentions that the one eared rabbit bred true, and the population slowly increased. However little commercial value could be placed on such a rabbit, and that little notice was taken by the authors of the time. From all indications, it would appear that the One Eared rabbit breed was produced in the Warrens of the day, and was probably of the wild agouti coloration. I have not been able to location any further information on this most unusual mutation. There is a picture of a pair of of One Eared rabbits in the February 1959 issue of the National Rabbit Raiser Magazine. Claude Holbrook of Evansville, Indiana, who raises rabbits for a hobby, got a surprise when he looked into a nest box recently. "Two of the new litter had but one ear - right in the middle of their forehead.". So as rare as the legendary Unicorn may be, so is the One Eared rabbit. http://karlshuker.blogspot.com/2011/10/unicorn-rabbit-from-county-durham.html A pet rabbit that its owner, 9-year-old Kathy Lister of Trimdon Grange in County Durham, England, had very aptly named Unicorn is most extraordinary . Due to a genetic fluke, Unicorn had been born with just a single ear. Yet whereas there are numerous reports on file of individual mammals of many different species in which one or other ear is missing, Unicorn’s condition was rather more special. For unlike typical one-eared individuals, her single ear was not laterally positioned, but arose instead from the centre of her head, standing upright like a long furry horn! Born in spring 1981, Unicorn was a Flemish Giant doe bred on James’s farm, and she subsequently became the much-loved pet of his daughter Kathy. In more than 35 years of rabbit breeding, this was the only one-eared rabbit that James had ever observed. In autumn 1984, Unicorn escaped from her pen, but three days later she was found, recaptured, and placed in a new hutch. Over the next month, she grew steadily fatter, and 31 days after her original escape Unicorn gave birth to a litter of five offspring. As she had never been introduced to any of the farm rabbits, it is clear, therefore, that during her brief period of freedom Unicorn had encountered and mated with a wild rabbit. Of her five offspring, four were normal, but the fifth displayed its mother’s remarkable median-ear condition. Regrettably, however, all five offspring died shortly afterwards during a very severe thunderstorm, so no details of their sex are known. Happily, Unicorn survived, and lived for a further two years, but she did not give birth to any further litters, so the unidentified mutant gene presumably responsible for her median ear and that of one of her offspring was lost forever when she died in November 1986. Judging from the 4:1 normal:mutant ratio of offspring, it is likely that the median-ear condition was induced by a recessive allele (gene form), and that Unicorn was homozygous for it (i.e. possessing two copies), thereby enabling the condition to be expressed by her. If so, then it must also be assumed that her wild mate was at least heterozygous (possessing one copy) for this same mutant allele, in order to explain the birth of the single median-eared offspring in her litter. Yet if this mutant allele is indeed present in the wild population, one might have expected it to have been expressed far more frequently (especially in animals that are famous for breeding...well, like rabbits!). Could it, therefore, be associated with some debilitating trait too, so that individuals expressing it are more vulnerable in some way to predation? The most obvious affliction to be expected that may prove detrimental to survival in the wild is some form of hearing impairment – an occurrence that normally accompanies most ear-related mutations. Yet Kathy had observed that when Unicorn was called, she would turn towards the direction of the voice, thus suggesting that her hearing was not severely impeded (although by having only one ear, it meant – inevitably - that Unicorn’s hearing could only be monoaural, not stereo). Tragically, however, in the absence of further litters from Unicorn upon which to base breeding observations, little more can be said of her apparently unique mutation. So it is likely that its identity will remain undiscovered, unless this remarkable ‘unicorn ear’ condition reappears one day in some other rabbit farm. Through the 2012 edition of Ripley's Believe It Or Not, there is a second unicorn rabbit. Owned by rabbit breeder Franz-Xaver Noemmer, from Egglham, Germany, it was born in February 2010, and has snow-white fur. Now a Book about a one eared rabbit that I found while researching one eared rabbits. Podkin One-Ear (The Five Realms #1) by Kieran Larwood Podkin One-Ear is a legend: a fearsome warrior rabbit whose reputation for cunning and triumph in battle has travelled the ages. But how did he become such a mighty fighter? The answer may surprise you... When a travelling bard arrives at Thornwood Warren on Midwinter night, he is warmly welcomed. In return for food and lodging, he settles down to tell of how Podkin One-Ear - and soon the rabbits are enthralled to hear the story of how one lost little rabbit overcame the cruellest enemy imaginable, and became the greatest warrior their land has ever know. Another popular one eared rabbit is Bongo! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_in_Hell Life in Hell is a comic strip by Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons and Futurama, which was published weekly from 1977 to 2012. The strip featured anthropomorphic rabbits and a gay couple. Groening used these characters to explore a wide range of topics about love, sex, work, and death. His drawings were full of expressions of angst, social alienation, self-loathing, and fear of inevitable doom. Bongo is Binky's illegitimate son, the product of a drunken night of "jungle passion." He was introduced in a 1983 storyline in which his mother, Hulga, left him to Binky so she could seek her fortune in New York. Bongo's defining physical attribute is his one ear, which Groening admits is solely so that the casual viewer can tell him apart from Binky. Bongo made an appearance in the Futurama episode "Xmas Story", where he is seen being sold in a pet shop. He also appeared in The Simpsons episode "Treehouse of Horror XII" as one of the rabbits that Homer catches in the trap. He appears in The Simpsons again in another episode as a plush toy in Lisa's room, though he is called Madam Bunny. He is shown as a plush toy in "The Fool Monty" where Mr. Burns is eating it in Bart's closet. He has a cameo in "Simpsorama" as one of the rabbit-like creatures rampaging New New York, where he writes on a wall "Crossovers are hell" Word of the Week: Sanitary Plant of the week: Coltsfoot News: Now we had an episode about Rabbit Jumping, and the sport has been mentioned a few times in the news recently. http://www.dailyinterlake.com/article/20170817/ARTICLE/170819865 Rabbit jumping debuts at Northwest Montana Fair Onlookers draped themselves over the fence surrounding the bunny jumping competition Thursday at the Northwest Montana Fair. Handlers and their rabbits were spread out beneath the shade of a canopy, some taking time for an extra snuggle with their competitors while others kept a close eye on the competition. Before them was a line of jumps, ranging in height from roughly 3 inches to about a foot. There were roughly 20 competitors who participated in the fair’s first bunny jumping contest. The sport ranks competitors based on speed and how clean their runs are. The event was spearheaded by Glacier View 4-H leader and Glacier Rabbit Breeders founding member KelleySue Bain, who wanted to raise awareness about the burgeoning sport. “Most people don’t even know about it or don’t know that it’s available here,” she said. Rabbit hopping, also known as Kaninhop, originated in Sweden in the 1970s and has a sizable following in Europe — there are more than 4,000 rabbit hoppers in the U.K., Germany and Scandinavia, according to National Geographic. She hosted the club’s first contest in April and introduced rabbit hopping to fairgoers in Missoula last week. Bain has another competition set for Sept. 16, which will also feature rabbit agility, but noted that the contest will be low-key, at least for now. “We’re still trying to keep it really fun because everybody is so new, so we’re not making it really serious yet,” Bain said. “Rabbits are very easy to train and they’re very smart. Some people clicker train them and can get them to do all kinds of tricks. You can get them hopping pretty quickly — at least a little bit,” Bain said. “Sometimes you’ll get a rabbit that just doesn’t want to do it, but definitely the majority of them want to do it once they get comfortable.” Competitors come in different shapes and sizes too. Bain said the September show, which will also take place at the fairgrounds, will be open to youth and adult contestants. Hop to it! Wisconsin State Fair competition includes rabbit obstacle course http://www.thecountrytoday.com/Country-Life/Country-Life-News/2017/08/15/Hop-to-it.html WEST ALLIS — Donna Towell said she had never heard of rabbit hopping — at least not as an official sport — until some of her Waukesha County project members saw a story in a rabbit magazine. “They came to me with this article, and I thought, this is cool, so I made the straight-line course and introduced it at the Waukesha County Fair,” Towell explained. “It really took off from there.” Six years ago Towell and her rabbit project youngsters introduced Wisconsin State Fair visitors to the sport with demonstrations, but for the past three years, the event has been offered officially for both junior and open competition. Five courses are offered at the state fair: straight-line, crooked, high jump, low jump and agility. “That’s like an obstacle course hopping up, over and through,” Towell said. “They have a platform, a teeter-totter, a bridge, an A-frame, a tire and then jumps.” Rabbit hopping will be featured this year at the American Rabbit Breeders Association convention Oct. 1-5 in Indianapolis. More information can be found at http://www.indyarbaconvention.com. Czech university announces new type of rabbit fever http://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/czech-university-announces-new-type-of-rabbit-fever A Czech university has announced the discovery of a new strain of rabbit fever. The discovery has been announced by the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Brno after the sudden deaths of scores of rabbits across the country in July. They found a previous version of the fever as well as a newer once which often lasts longer but appears to have a reduced death toll of up to 70 percent compared with the 90 percent death rate of the older fever. A vaccine against the new version is expected to be ready in August. Uni graduate finds riches keeping rabbits at interactive bunny farm https://coconuts.co/kl/news/uni-graduate-finds-riches-keeping-rabbits-interactive-bunny-farm/ A bunny-loving Agriculture Science graduate has managed to make a small fortune from turning his hobby of rabbit-keeping into a booming business. Opening a bunny petting zoo, Arnab Village (Rabbit Village), in Kampung Purakagis, Ranau, Sabah, he’s managed to earn RM300,000 (US$75,000) in ticket sales after a year of operation. It’s become a legitimate attraction on the Sabah tourist trail, conveniently nestled between hot springs, fish spas and tea plantations. He tells The Sun that his farm carries 8 species of rabbits, New Zealand White, Standard Rex, Mini Satin, Lion Head, Netherland Dwarf, Lop Ear, Anggora and the local breed. He started with RM5,000 (US$1,250) of capital for facilities and landscaping, and has been consistently upgrading throughout the year. His last phase will see a restaurant built on the premises. Let’s hope there’s no rabbit on the menu. That would be a bit creepy. Starting with 400 rabbits, he hopes to reach 1,000 by next year. Considering rabbits have a reputation of ahem multiplying profusely, we’re sure he’ll hit those targets soon enough, and then some. Fancy holding a bunny? Arnab Village will set you back RM3 for children and RM5 for adults if you’re a local (US$0.75-US$1.25). Expect to pay RM5 for children and RM10 for adults (US$1.25-US$2.25) if you’re an international visitor. A few Rabbits in the movies: 'Rabbit': Film Review | Melbourne 2017 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/rabbit-film-review-melbourne-2017-1027487 'Rectify' star Adelaide Clemens anchors a psychological thriller about a young woman searching for her twin sister. If Get Out was transplanted to Australia and had its sense of humor confiscated by customs, the result would surely look something like Rabbit. Making its debut in Melbourne but filmed in the leafy suburbs and surrounds of Adelaide, this debut feature from director Luke Shanahan is arresting to look at but exhaustingly portentous, with hometown stars Adelaide Clemens (Rectify) and Alex Russell (the upcoming Only the Brave) gamely committing to the helmer's own script, which withholds any sense of narrative clarity until the closing minutes. Nominally interested in cryptophasia, the phenomenon of twins who develop their own language, this nothing-but-mood piece showcases strong work from its two promising leads and striking location photography. The film begins with a bedraggled Clemens running through the woods, pursued by a hoody-wearing man in black. She runs into the arms of an elderly woman, who welcomes her into her home before restraining the girl with the help of several accomplices. Cut to Germany, where Australian student Maude (Clemens again) wakes up from the same recurring nightmare — or is it a vision of something that actually occurred? Maude's identical twin Cleo has been missing for over a year, and she returns home to figure out if the dream is trying to point her in her sister's direction. She's joined on her quest by Ralph (Russell), as Cleo's fiancé, and an obsessive cop (Jonny Paslovsky) who thinks Ralph had a hand in the girl's disappearance. How Porgs are bringing the cuteness back into Star Wars Read more: http://metro.co.uk/2017/08/12/how-porgs-are-bringing-the-cuteness-back-into-star-wars-6841526/#ixzz4qF34rwm4 There can be little doubt that the galaxy far, far away has delivered some of cinema’s most astounding moments, riveting plot twists and memorable characters. We’ve had the terror of Darth Vader, the innocence of Luke Skywalker, the sliminess of Jabba the Hutt and the wisdom of Yoda. Star Wars changed the landscape of modern cinema in so many ways, but not all of it was about being cool. Sometimes it was about being cute. Think back to the original trilogy. In the original 1977 movie we were first introduced to cuteness in the form of Artoo Detoo. The cutest character in the original (with the Mousedroid a close second), he almost stole the show and ignited a following that endures to today, with the R2 Builders doing such an amazing job of recreating the little droid that their work is seen in the modern Disney era of Star Wars films. The Empire Strikes Back was a darker film that introduced Master Yoda to the series. While he wasn’t conventionally cute, he gained a rabid following of his own. However, the third film was the one that really smashed the cute button. Arriving in the film as our heroes land on the forest moon of Endor, tasked with destroying the shield generator and allowing the Rebel fleet to attack the second Death Star, we first met the frankly adorable ewoks. Hated by some, George Lucas referred to the Ewoks as the little rabbit by the side of the road who helps the hero when they are in trouble. The ewoks were certainly that: helping the Rebellion defeat the Empire on the ground while the fleet took on the Empire in space. Marvel’s comic series also had their fair share of cuteness in the form of the hoojibs. Basically telepathic rabbits, the hoojibs assisted the rebellion as they fought the Empire and became firm favourites with the readers. The Force Awakens smashed box office records in 2015 and brought with it a new level of droid cuteness – BB-8. This diminutive astromech droid well and truly stole the show as he fought alongside Rey, Finn and his master Poe Dameron in their battles against the First Order. Early images and footage from The Last Jedi have revealed what are quite possibly the cutest characters ever to grace the screen in a Star Wars film – the Porgs. How Porgs are bringing the cuteness back into Star Wars Looking very much like puffins, these wide-eyed, open-mouthed, bird-like creatures live on the world of Ahch-To. If you thought the ewoks were marketable (and they were, the fuzzy denizens of Endor were a marketing phenomenon back in the mid 80’s) then you’ve seen nothing yet. With Star Wars fandom online already delirious over the Porgs (seriously, check it out, fans and the staff at the official Star Wars site are losing their minds) there’s every chance these creatures will be the toy of the year, just as BB-8 was a couple of years ago. I would like to thank those that purchased through the Amazon link at the HareoftheRabbit.com website. It looks like we had a few books, disc golf, and headphones.    

In this weeks episode we are going to explore the New Zealand Rabbit, which has a two interesting somewhat shaky stories of how the New Zealand Red was created, as well as why the New Zealand is the most popular Meat Commercial Breed of rabbit.  A story about the New Zealand rabbits that are in New Zealand. The plant of the week Brussel Sprouts.  The Hare of the Rabbit Amazon item of the week which is The Encyclopedia of Pet Rabbits.   The Word of the Week:  Altitude.  Our Folktale this week is How The Rabbit Stole The Otter's Coat, and finally some recent News. Today we are going to explore the New Zealand Rabbit Now two weeks ago I mentioned New Zealands in New Zealand being bred to the Flemish Giant to get a larger rabbit, so I had guessed that the New Zealand was bred in New Zealand.  Again we find a breed that is named for a place from where it did not originate.  Perhaps surprisingly, New Zealand Rabbits are the very first truly American breed of rabbits.  Their genesis seems to be tied much more to Belgian Hares than it is to rabbits from New Zealand.  The very first New Zealands were Reds.  It is also the history of New Zealand Whites, as they are nothing more than albino sports of the early New Zealand Reds. Since New Zealands are as American as sliced bread, why are they called ‘New Zealand Rabbits?’  There are two, somewhat shaky, stories of how the New Zealand Red was created... There’s a story that they came from imported wild rabbits of New Zealand.  From a booklet called 'The New Zealand Red Rabbit', written in 1918 by Mr. C. P. Gilmore, we know that some New Zealand rabbits were imported from New Zealand to San Francisco and Los Angeles.  Most people suspect, although no document proof exists, that the New Zealand Red Rabbit is a blend of the popular American rabbit and the New Zealand rabbits that were imported from New Zealand.  The article connected them to the newly developing breed of rabbits known as New Zealands.  So maybe there is some New Zealand in the mix. The second theory is that fawn Flemish Giants were crossed to Belgian Hares, and eventually the New Zealand Red appeared around 1910.  While the alleged imports may or may not have contributed to the breed that would bear their name, the establishment of the New Zealand Rabbit is now understood to be a completely American story, since the breed arose in multiple locations concurrently across the USA, with or without any New Zealand imports.  It is also commonly believed that the red coloration was the result of a cross between a Belgian Hare and a White rabbit.  The Belgian Hares had been developed before the New Zealand Red breeding program started.  Breeders had taken Belgian Hares and crossed them with Flemish Giants.  After a few years, the offspring of such crosses were called Golden Fawns, sadly now extinct, they lent their blood lines in additional crosses back to Belgian Hares to enrich the red color. Apparently, according to Mr. Bob D. Whitman in his book Domestic Rabbits and their Histories, Breeds of the World, crossing Golden Fawns, Belgian Hares, Belgian Hare sports and Flemish Giants was the next logical step in the minds of several breeders from the East to West coast of America. By 1913, breeders in both Indiana and California offered several reddish-fawn-colored, meaty rabbits, that still retained a Belgian Hare stance, on the show table.  Despite the origins at different ends of the nation, all the rabbits were very similar in appearance, although the California rabbits were more agreeable from a meat producing perspective.  Both strains of these new rabbits were America's first New Zealand Red Rabbits and were very successfully bred in California and Indiana from 1906 to 1925. Documentation and records show that while most breeders were calling their new breed of rabbits 'New Zealands', some breeders favored the title of 'California Reds', or 'American Reds', and even entered them in shows using those names. As more of these New Zealand rabbits were seen on the show table, local and national clubs started to spring up.  In 1916 a vote was taken to decide on a final name.  The final contenders were the 'New Zealand' & 'American Red'.  Obviously New Zealand won (in favor of 10 to 1) and became the official name. New Zealand Whites first showed up in the nest-box of a New Zealand Red doe in 1917.  Four albino bunnies showed up in the same litter of seven kits.  The fact that one was a buck and three were does must have looked to the breeder, Mr. William Preshaw, like a gold-embossed invitation for the development of a new variety - White New Zealands.  It is thought that this white variety came about from the cross breeding of the Flemish Giant, American White, and Angora. Two years later, in 1919, Mr. Preshaw showed his "White New Zealands" at the Stockton, California Fair.  They were met with huge interest. By 1920, Mr. Preshaw was advertising "Pure White New Zealand Rabbits" for sale. In the 1920’s rising popularity for this new breed began.  These White New Zealand rabbits bore only slight resemblance to the NZW Rabbits of the Twenty-First Century.  In 1920, NZW rabbits were stocky and white, but they tended to pose in a modified arch much like their progenitors, the Belgian hares.  This New White breed became well known and was soon imported into the UK after the Second World War in 1945. Black New Zealands first occurred around 1924.  However, today’s New Zealand Blacks were bred by Dr. Alfred DeCastro with Black New Zealand sports from California breeder, using many crosses including the Giant Chinchilla.  The variety was accepted by the ARBA in 1958.   New Zealand Broken The Broken variety has been a recent addition to the New Zealand breed and was accepted by A.R.B.A. in February 2010 by David Mangione.  Now broken blacks and broken reds can be shown and compete for Best of Breed and Best Opposite Sex of Breed. It is my understanding that Blue New Zealands are being developed through a Certificate of Development from the ARBA.  Blue New Zealand rabbit are recognized in British Rabbit Club and United Kingdom.  In Fall of 2015 the Blue New Zealand passed after first showing at the American Rabbit Breeders Association National Show in Portland, Oregon.   Many breeds were brought from England to America over the years, but this is one that crossed the Atlantic the other direction in 1916 (reds) and 1949 (whites).  Today the British Rabbit Council treats the New Zealand Red as a different breed than the white, blue, and black.   British New Zealands look quite a bit different from the American ones, retaining more of their original type.  Americans have bred them to a deeper and rounder body style.  In both countries, the breed is considered a prime commercial rabbit.   Body: A New Zealand’s body should be long enough to pack in plenty of meat, but not so long as to be out of balance with the depth of body.  Yes, balance is key.  The ears should balance in length with the head and body.  The width should balance with the depth at the shoulders, midsection, and hindquarters.  Fly-back fur should be clean and set tightly in the pelt.  A New Zealand should be very firm of flesh.  New Zealand White rabbits have large, broad, and muscular bodies. Bucks (males) weigh between 9-11 pounds, while the does (females) weigh between 10-12 pounds. In addition to their greater size, females are distinguished by the presence of a dewlap,which is a flap of fur below the chin that stores fat to be used as extra energy if needed during pregnancies and lactation. Shape: New Zealand rabbits have a commercial body type with balance and uniformity. Being a meat rabbit qualities should include:     well rounded hips     well filled loin     ribs that carry forward to combine with the shoulders to balance with the rest of the body The body of New Zealand rabbits are medium in length, with good depth and with shoulders blending smoothly into the midsection. The midsection should blend smoothly into the hindquarters. From Side: When a New Zealand is viewed from the side, the top-line should start immediately at the base of the ears and rise in a continuous curve to the high point over the center of the hips and then fall downward in a smooth curve to the base of the tail. From Top: When the New Zealand is viewed from above the sides of the rabbit should tape slightly from hindquarters toward the shoulders creating the ideal meat production animal. Ears: All varieties of New Zealands have long perforated ears that stand straight up. Unlike the thick, snowy fur on their bodies, their ears have shorter fur that allows their skin to show through.     The Red variety, in the US, is to be a brilliant reddish sorrel color, not becoming so dark that it resembles a mahogany red coloration.  The color is to be carried as deep down the hair shaft as possible and the belly color is to be similar if not the same shade of red as the top color.  White coloration on the underside of the tail or on the front or rear foot pads is permissible.  Eyes of the New Zealand Red are to be brown in color.     The Black variety is to uniform jet black coloration throughout. The under-color is to be dark slate blue with dark brown eye color.     The Broken variety, in the US, is the newest and most complex of the four New Zealand varieties.  The same emphasis is to be placed on the color of the broken pattern, as well as the marking pattern itself.  The Broken variety include any recognized color of the breed in conjunction with white.  The colored areas of the broken pattern are to match the standard for the colored variety (black or red).  The marking pattern of the broken variety is to have the following pattern: brokens are to have both ears colored, color around the eyes, and on the nose (balanced nose marking ideal), and a body pattern that may be spotted, or blanket. The preference is to have an evenly balanced pattern, whichever the marking pattern may be.  The toenails of the animal may be white, colored or any combination of the two, and eye color is to correspond with the eye color specified under the respective solid colored variety.     The White variety is to be pure white, with pink eyes, with faults for any discoloration including dirt and hutch stains. New Zealand white rabbit has a genetic deviation called albinism. Albinism is caused by a lack of melanin, which is a vital pigment that gives all creatures, including humans, their skin, hair and eye color.  The most noticeable characteristic of New Zealand White rabbits is their bright eyes, which range in shade from pale pink to bright ruby purple. Due to their eye color their coloring is often referred to as REW (red eyed white). A very rare variation of New Zealand White rabbits have blue eyes. These are known as BEW (blue eyed whites)coloring.  The snowy coat of a New Zealand white rabbit is a normal length like other rabbit breeds. Most New Zealand rabbits also have a white/pink/light brownish tint to their noses. Fur/Coat: All New Zealand rabbits have short, fly-back fur. Their fur should be clean and set tightly in the pelt.  A New Zealand should be very firm of flesh. Today, New Zealand Rabbits have been bred nearly to perfection. They give other breeds very stiff competition for the coveted Best In Show award. There is no resemblance in today’s New Zealands to the Belgian Hare breed.  The majority of New Zealands in the USA are in very close conformity to the breed standard of perfection. Judges have to get picky in order to rank the entries.   Over the years, NZW rabbits have now become the number one meat rabbit in the United States.  The NZW rabbit has now become the breed of choice when it comes to most commercial rabbit operations.  In fact, it is estimated that 90% of all commercial rabbits farms in the U.S. use the NZW. These white rabbits have become the most popular for meat production because of their large, broad, and muscular bodies; plus their fur can be dyed to other colors. New Zealands have enjoyed rising popularity since the mid 1920’s. That’s a lot of years of breeding, line-breeding and at times, in-breeding. As a result, traits like...     mothering     siring     numbers of kits per litter     milking     fryer vigor     feed to gain ratio have been carefully maximized and built in to many commercial herds. Diet The diet of a New Zealand rabbit is no different than for any other rabbit breeds.  A high quality pellet feed (protein ~ 16-18%), along with unlimited timothy hay and fresh water and exercise will maintain a healthy individual.  In production rabbits a higher protein feed (protein ~ 18-20%), and alfalfa or mixed hay in addition to unlimited fresh water may be necessary to maintain proper condition. Commercial use New Zealand White rabbits were not bred to be a domestic pet.  Instead they were bred for their excellent fur and meat.  Fryers are slaughtered at two months of age and older rabbits are sold as roasters.  Fryers gain weight rapidly, reaching 5 pounds by 8 weeks or close to it.  The rabbits with high grades of fur are used to make fur coats and fur trimmings.  The lower grades are used to make felt hats and glove linings ("Commercial Rabbit Raising").  New Zealand white rabbits are the number one meat rabbit in the United States.  Some commercial operations look for the addition of hybrid vigor by crossing their NZW’s with a second breed, or even a third, utilizing Californians, or Altex, a new breed designed to be a terminal cross within a commercial herd. (Note: Altex are not recognized by the ARBA.).  If you’re thinking of raising meat rabbits or starting a commercial rabbit herd, you may want to consider the New Zealand White. Laboratory testing Along with commercial purposes, New Zealand White rabbits are also used for laboratory purposes. Rabbits react similarly to humans to diseases and medications. This reaction allows them to be used at pharmaceutical laboratories, the U.S. Public Health building, cancer research centers, and university hospitals. New Zealand white rabbits have been used to develop tests and drugs for diseases like diabetes, diphtheria, tuberculosis, cancer, and heart disease.  The effects of skin creams, cosmetics, special diets, and food additives have also been tested on New Zealand white rabbits.   Another advantage the New Zealand White has, is it  also reacts similar as humans do to certain medications and diseases. Therefore, NZW rabbits are now used in labs for certain developments and drug testing for cancer and heart disease.  NZW rabbit serum, or blood which has been cleaned, is blood that is close to a humans blood and therefore in very high demand for cancer, diabetes and tuberculosis research.  For this reason, NZW rabbits may one day be responsible for saving a lot of human lives. There is a high global demand for this wonderful breed of rabbit.  The New Zealand White Rabbit, because of its meat, fur, blood, rapid weight gain and ability to reproduce so quickly, make it special above all other breeds for commercial production. Breeding A doe (female rabbit) becomes fertile between 8-12 weeks of age and can be safely bred at 16-17 weeks of age.  Breeding before this age can cause harm or death to the doe and/or kits. Does are fertile all year long although day length can affect that some.  The gestation period is around 28–35 days, although most will kindle (give birth) at 31-32 days.  A nest box should be provided for the new mother two to five days prior to the expected kindling date.  The doe will pull fur from her abdomen and dewlap and along with hay or other materials provided she will create a nest.  The young are born hairless, deaf, and blind. Fur begins to grow in by day 3 to 5 and after 7 to 10 days the kits' eyes will open by 2 weeks they may begin exploring and sampling outside food sources.  At the age of three to four weeks their mother will begin to wean them off milk, meanwhile the kits will switch to eating hay and pellets. The average number of bunnies per litter is seven but commonly range from one to fourteen.  Because rabbits are induced ovulators a doe can become pregnant by the simple act of mating if conditions are right. A doe can get pregnant within 24 hours after giving birth.   Over the years, some recessive disorders have arisen in New Zealands. See Autosomal Recessive Disorders to learn more. On the other hand, the same frequency of breeding can lend itself to test-breeding and eliminating the same recessive disorders that may have been uncovered. Nevertheless, if you’re thinking of raising meat rabbits or starting a commercial rabbit herd, you may wish to ask questions about any recessive disorders in the rabbits you’re considering for purchase. Other than ensuring genetically excellent foundation stock, you can hardly go wrong in choosing New Zealand Rabbits as a meat rabbit or as a show breed Showing: True, this rabbit is used in meat production more than any other single breed worldwide.  But like the Californian, this breed also makes a very attractive show animal.  A tip-top New Zealand has no trouble hopping away with Best in Show; one even took home the trophy at the 2011 ARBA Convention, one of the largest rabbit shows in history.  White is the most valuable variety for commercial purposes, and therefore is the most highly developed, most commonly seen, and most competitive color.   Showroom variety colors are:     White     Black     Broken (US)     Red (US) (Separate in UK)     Blue (UK) Lifespan The average lifespan of a New Zealand rabbit is between 5 to 8 years. However this can vary depending on conditions such as diet, health care and housing. Personality New Zealand Rabbits are usually good with children and other pets, very relaxed about being handled and rarely aggressive. They are a wonderful rabbit and make a great beginner bunny as they are calm, easy-going and friendly. They are also known for their social and outgoing behavior and enjoy being part of the family. They like everybody including other household pets, and most importantly, they are not biters. One of their most lovable features is that they usually love to be handled. Pick them up, set them down, or hold them in your lap. They are often likened to 'Rag Dolls' because they flop down like a rag doll where ever you plonk them, even across your shoulder! New Zealand rabbits are comfortable both indoors and outdoors but I think because of their wonderful personalities they would make excellent indoor pets and companion rabbits. They do like to nibble though so make sure your bunny proof cables, wires and your favorite shoes! Also make sure they have plenty of time to run around outside and they have access to fresh water, hay, grass and hiding places. Breed Status All New Zealand Rabbits are safe and not endangered. They are not on any 'at risk' registers anywhere around the world. Their development and breeding continues with vigor and popularity. uses Rabbits tend to be bred for one of four things: meat, fur, show, or pet use. The New Zealand rabbit is referred to as an “All-Purpose Rabbit” because it fulfills all four of these purposes.  It is a Multi-purpose rabbit, and It is a fine breed for either meat production or for showing, and they should also make for a great pet!  Even though this is a large breed of rabbit, they are gentle and easily handled.  This makes them good for pets or show rabbits as well as meat production. Club The New Zealand is recognized by the BRC (British Rabbit Council), and the ARBA, (American Rabbit Breeders Association). These rabbits have a breed slogan known as "The Breed in the Lead". Note: The BRC recognizes the New Zealand White, Black & Blue together, while the British New Zealand Red is classed as a different rabbit and is recognized by a separate breed standard. The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) maintains the breed standard for all of the recognized rabbit and cavy breeds for it's international membership.  Recognized breeds are eligible for Registration and Grand Champion recognition. The AMERICAN RABBIT BREEDERS ASSOCIATION, INC. is an organization dedicated to the promotion, development, and improvement of the domestic rabbit and cavy.  With over 30,000 members throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad, its members range from the pet owner with one rabbit or cavy to the breeder or commercial rabbit raiser with several hundred animals.  Each aspect of the rabbit and cavy industry, whether it be for fancy, as a pet, or for commercial value, is encouraged by the organization. The British Rabbit Council (BRC) is a British showing organization for rabbit breeders. Originally founded as The Beveren Club in 1918, its name first changed to British Fur Rabbit Society and finally to The British Rabbit Society. Today, the BRC among other things investigates rabbit diseases, maintains a catalog of rabbit breeds, and sets rules for about 1,000 rabbit shows annually in the UK. Owners of house rabbits are also encouraged to join the organization to learn how to care optimally for their pets. http://www.raising-rabbits.com/new-zealand-rabbits.html http://www.crossroadsrabbitry.com/new-zealand-white-rabbit-history/ http://rabbitbreeders.us/new-zealand-rabbits http://www.justrabbits.com/new-zealand-rabbits.html The bunny rabbit may be an adorable symbol of Easter for many around the world, but in areas of New Zealand the rabbit is public enemy number one. This Good Friday, hunters killed over 10,000 rabbits in New Zealand’s South Island in the 25th year of what has become known as The Great Easter Bunny Hunt. Rabbits are not native to New Zealand or Australia, having been introduced by European settlers in the 1830s. With few predators and an endless landscape of fertile vegetation, the population exploded on the island nations. The damage to the natural ecosystem has at times been catastrophic, with millions of dollars spent annually to control the “pests” and booms of the invasive species regularly referred to as “plagues”. The 328 hunters who participated in the 24-hour cull in Central Otago were divided into teams with names like Happy Hoppers, Hopper Stoppers and The Anti-pestos. The winning team, called Down South, finished on top for the second straight year bagging 899 rabbits. The kill total was up 8,439 from last year but was still a far ways off from the record year of around 30,000. Some 287,679 rabbits have been killed during the course of the event’s history. http://globalnews.ca/news/2602059/over-10000-rabbits-killed-in-new-zealands-great-easter-bunny-hunt/ Have I Missed Anything? If you know something about the breed standard, history or status of this rabbit, please let me know.   Do You Have a Story About This Particular Breed?  What do you love about them? Do you have any tips or tricks up your sleeve for what might make this breed happiest? Perhaps you're a breeder of this type of rabbit. Let us know, and maybe we can set up an interview? Plant of the Week: Brussel Sprouts.     Encyclopedia of Pet Rabbits: Now this week our HOTR Amazon item of the week is the Encyclopedia of Pet Rabbits: This book is the book that I have been referencing for the plant of the week.  This book is filled with a wide variety of colored photos of the different types of rabbits.  It also provides a good description of rabbit care and housing.  In addition, there are medical tips and photos illustrating the results of poor care.  This is a useful guide for the young or old rabbit owner who may wish to explore other breeds.  It has Excellent photos, and is a compact book. Word of the Week:  Altitude. How The Rabbit Stole The Otter's Coat http://www.ilhawaii.net/~stony/1197lore.html     The animals were of different sizes and wore coats of various colors and patterns. Some wore long fur and others wore short. Some had rings on their tails, and some had no tails at all. Some had coats of brown, others of black or yellow. They were always disputing about their good looks, so at last they agreed to hold a council to decide who had the finest coat.     They had heard a great deal about the Otter, who lived so far up the creek that he seldom came down to visit the other animals. It was said that he had the finest coat of all, but no one knew just what it was like, because it was a long time since anyone had seen him. They did not even know exactly where he lived, only the general direction, but they knew he would come to the council when the word got out.     Now the Rabbit wanted the verdict for himself, so when it began to look as if it might go to the Otter he studied up a plan to cheat him out of it. He asked a few sly questions until he learned what trail the Otter would take to get to the council place. Then, without saying anything, he went on ahead and after four days' travel he met the Otter and knew him at once by his beautiful coat of soft dark brown fur. The Otter was glad to see him and asked him where he was going. "Oh," said the Rabbit, "the animals sent me to bring you to the council, because you live so far away they were afraid you might not know the road." The Otter thanked him, and they were on together.     They traveled all day toward the council ground, and at night the Rabbit selected the camping place, because the Otter was a stranger in that part of the country, and cut down bushes for beds and fixed everything in good shape. The next morning they started on again. In the afternoon the Rabbit began to pick up wood and bark as they went along and to load it on his back. When the Otter asked what this was for the Rabbit said it was that they might be warm and comfortable at night. After a while, when it was near sunset, they stopped and made their camp.     When supper was over the Rabbit got a stick and shaved it down to a paddle. The Otter wondered and asked again what that was for. "I have good dreams when I sleep with a paddle under my head," said the Rabbit.     When the paddle was finished the Rabbit began to cut away the bushes so as to make a clean trail down to the river. The Otter wondered more and more and wanted to know what this meant.     Said the Rabbit, "This place is called Di'tatlaski'yi (The Place Where it Rains Fire). Sometimes it rains fire here, and the sky looks a little that way tonight. You go to sleep and I'll sit up and watch, and if the fire does come, as soon as you hear me shout, you run and jump into the river. Better hang your coat on a limb over there, so it wont get burnt."     The Otter did as he was told, and they both doubled up to go to sleep, but the Rabbit kept awake. After a while the fire burned down to red coals. The Rabbit called, but the Otter was fast asleep and made no answer. In a little while he called again, but the Otter never stirred. Then the Rabbit filled the paddle with hot coals and threw them up into the air and shouted, "It's raining fire! It's rain- king fire!"     The hot coals fell all around the Otter and he jumped up. "To the water!" cried the Rabbit, and the Otter ran and jumped into the river, and he has lived in the water ever since.     The Rabbit took the Otter's coat and put it on, leaving his own instead, and went on to the council. All the animals were there, every one looking out for the Otter. At last they saw him in the distance, and they said one to the other, "The Otter is coming!" and sent one of the small animals to show him the best seat. They were all glad to see him and went up in turn to welcome him, but the Otter kept his head down, with one paw over his face. They wondered that he was so bashful, until the Bear came up and pulled the paw away, and there was the Rabbit with his split nose. He sprang up and started to run, when the Bear struck at him and pulled his tail off, but the Rabbit was too quick for them and got away. Rogue rabbit ends up in Manchester polling station http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-39804727 An escaped rabbit wandered into a polling station to the amusement of council staff and voters. Fudge's owner was shocked to find his pet when he arrived to vote at the station in Chorlton, Manchester. An appeal had already been made on social media, as voters were choosing the mayor of Greater Manchester. One person working inside the station tweeted: "Missing: brown rabbit has just wandered into our Polling Station #Chorlton. Random Election Day!" A council worker said: "The owner was very surprised to be reunited with Fudge inside the polling station." There appear to be no rules regarding rabbits in polling stations. But rules regarding other animals seem clearer. Before the 2008 London Mayoral election polling staff were issued with advice stating that dogs had to be in an "accompanying" role rather than "free-range". And dogs have been pictured outside polling stations across the UK. In rural constituencies where voters may arrive on horseback, animals should be tethered outside. United pays five-figure sum to owner of deceased rabbit:report http://www.freepressjournal.in/world/united-pays-five-figure-sum-to-owner-of-deceased-rabbitreport/1061966 United Airlines has reportedly paid a five-figure compensation to a British rabbit breeder whose giant bunny died under its care, the second out of court settlement the beleaguered American airline has made in a week. Three-foot Simon, who was expected to outgrow his father Darius to become the world’s biggest bunny, appeared healthy when he touched down at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport en route to a celebrity buyer but was found dead a short time later. Giant bunny breeder Annette Edwards was paid a five- figure compensation by the United Airlines after the 1,800 pounds rabbit died in their care, The Sun reported. Under the agreement, “she received an undisclosed cash payout and his ashes will be returned — providing she does not talk about the case which made headlines around the world”, the report said. Simon froze to death after bungling ground staff at Chicago’s O Hare airport put him in a chiller by accident and they later cremated him before a necropsy could be performed, it said. In a statement, Edwards, of Worcestershire, said, “I confirm that United Airlines has been in regular contact with me regarding the sad death of Simon the rabbit and that the matter has now been resolved to my satisfaction.” “I would like to thank everyone for their condolences. This matter has now been resolved to my satisfaction and I will not be commenting further,” she was quoted as saying. Simon’s new celebrity owner in Iowa is also thought to have been included in the settlement but no details were released, the report said. “We were saddened by the loss of Simon and have worked with Annette Edwards to reach a satisfactory resolution,” United Airlines told the daily. This was one among a slew of public relations disasters for the United Airlines in a tormented month. Three weeks ago, footage emerged of a doctor being violently dragged off from one their flights after overbooking meant United airlines staff had no seats. The matter was finally settled out of court last week. Just days after the incident, it emerged that a bride and groom headed for their wedding were booted from a United Airlines flight after they relocated to empty seats three rows up without permission. The makers of PaRappa The Rapper and Elite Beat Agents are allegedly collaborating on a new music game called Project Rap Rabbit. http://metro.co.uk/2017/05/03/parappa-and-gitaroo-man-crossover-game-rumoured-6613628/ Not that we’re complaining, but all of a sudden we seem to be drowning in video game crossovers. From Marvel Vs. Capcom: Infinite and Puyo Puyo Tetris to the rumors today of Mario + Rabbids and now… Gitaroo Man and PaRappa The Rapper. The release of a remastered version of PaRappa The Rapper last month naturally encouraged speculation that a new game of some kind might be on its way, but if this rumor from website Rice Digital is accurate it won’t be a straight sequel. What at first seems to be just a random, outsourced rumor does have some fairly believable looking artwork attached to it. And even a little logo. The game is called, or perhaps just code-named, Project Rap Rabbit and is supposedly a collaboration between PaRappa developer NanaOn-Sha and Gitaroo Man creators iNiS (also known for fellow rhythm action games Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan and Elite Beat Agents). The Japanese text at the bottom of the screen apparently says, ‘Make rhythm-action great again’. Which is an idea we can certainly get behind. How similar the game will be in terms of game-play between the two is impossible to know at the moment. But while Gitaroo Man was never as successful as PaRappa it is one of our favorites in the genre, and well worth seeking out on PlayStation 2 or PSP. Watch now: A giant bunny rabbit searches for "Help" in Papa Roach's new video http://www.wjbdradio.com/music-news/2017/05/01/watch-now-a-giant-bunny-rabbit-searches-for-help-in-papa-roachs-new-video Posted on 5/1/2017 10:16 AM Eleven Seven MusicPapa Roach has premiered the video for their track "Help," a single from the band's forthcoming album, Crooked Teeth. The clip follows a man dressed in a full-body bunny rabbit costume as he tries to go about his day, only to be met with constant ridicule and abuse. As the end of the video, he finds a helping hand in another bunny-costumed person. Crooked Teeth, which also features the tracks "American Dreams" and "Born for Greatness," will be released May 19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RDHYLTsdeO2uA&v=4HS2DQrG7wE

Great Escape Podcast is an audio version of the blog posts from Great Escape Farms, Specializing in Unique Edible Plants, Permaculture Gardens, and Homesteading. The blog posts can be viewed at GreatEscapeFarms.com.  This week we cover; The Week in Review, Troubleshooting NNT Trailer Wiring Issues, New Zealand White Clover – Another Permaculture Wonder Plant, Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond Volume 1 2nd Edition Book Review

Growing evidence supports the substantial pathophysiological impact of platelets on the development of acute lung injury. Methods for studying these cellular mechanisms in vivo are not present yet. The aim of this study was to develop a model enabling the quantitative analysis of platelet kinetics and platelet-endothelium interaction within consecutive segments of the pulmonary microcirculation in vivo. New Zealand White rabbits were anesthetized and ventilated. Autologous platelets were separated from blood and labeled ex vivo with rhodamine 6G. After implantation of a thoracic window, microhemodynamics and kinetics of platelets were investigated by intravital microscopy. Velocities of red blood cells (RBCs) and platelets were measured in arterioles, capillaries and venules, and the number of platelets adhering to the microvascular endothelium was counted. Kinetics of unstimulated platelets was compared with kinetics of thrombin-activated platelets. Velocity of unstimulated platelets was comparable to RBC velocity in all vessel segments. Unstimulated platelets passed the pulmonary microcirculation without substantial platelet-endothelial interaction. In contrast, velocity of activated platelets was decreased in all vascular segments indicating platelet margination and temporal platelet-endothelium interaction. Thrombin-activated platelets adhered to arteriolar endothelium; in capillaries and venules adherence of platelets was increased 8-fold and 13-fold, respectively. In conclusion, using intravital microscopy platelet kinetics were directly analyzed in the pulmonary microcirculation in vivo for the first time. In contrast to leukocytes, no substantial platelet-endothelium interaction occurs in the pulmonary microcirculation without any further stimulus. In response to platelet activation, molecular mechanisms enable adhesion of platelets in arterioles and venules as well as retention of platelets within capillaries. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel.