We have a private building this year. Very relaxed And some beautiful animals

Let’s clear this up, because this one keeps getting recycled like it’s gospel. “Trancing” as people describe it online is a misinterpretation of tonic immobility (TI)—a physiological response that was studied under very specific lab conditions that do not match normal handling. Older studies (1970s–1990s) were intentionally designed to induce a fear-based immobility response using: ⚠️forced inversion ⚠️restraint ⚠️thoracic pressure ⚠️repeated induction That is not how rabbits are handled in veterinary exams, shows, or routine care. 📊 What modern research shows More recent work (2016–2023) looking at: cortisol heart rate respiration glucose …does not support the claim that a brief, supported dorsal exam is inherently harmful. In fact, some studies show: ➡️ lower physiological stress markers compared to upright restraint ➡️ improved ability to safely perform exams ➡️ reduced risk of injury during handling ⚠️ The problem People are taking outdated lab protocols and applying them to modern handling practices like they’re the same thing. They’re not. That’s like taking a crash test and saying “cars are unsafe to sit in.” 🔍 So what’s the reality? Forced, prolonged, or repeated inversion with restraint = stress response Brief, supported dorsal positioning for exam = standard veterinary practice Those are not interchangeable. 💬 Let’s talk What have YOU been told about “trancing”? Have you ever actually read the study being referenced—or just the claim? Drop your thoughts below 👇

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD / RHDV2) Highly contagious viral hepatitis of rabbits (Lagovirus) with 50–100% mortality. Affects domestic and wild rabbits and hares. Not transmissible to humans or other livestock. Transmission Direct: Rabbit-to-rabbit contact Oral and respiratory exposure Indirect (high risk): Fomites (cages, feeders, clothing, shoes, hands) Insects (flies) Contaminated feed, forage, bedding Carcasses/environment Mechanical spread through people and equipment is well documented � campagnolo2003.pdf Timelines (Understand This Correctly) 1. True Incubation (lab): Typically 1–3 days 2. Acute Disease Course: Death often 12–72 hours after fever onset Many cases = sudden death 3. Field Exposure Timeline (real-world): Can extend weeks after exposure due to: low-dose vector transmission partial immunity (prior exposure/vaccine) subclinical infection repeated exposure Clinical Signs Sudden death (common) Fever, lethargy, anorexia Respiratory distress Neurologic signs (paddling, seizures) Blood/froth from nose (not always present) Carriers & Shedding Subclinical infections occur Survivors can shed virus ~1 month or longer � campagnolo2003.pdf Vaccinated rabbits can still carry and shed Quarantine 14 days = insufficient alone 30 days minimum 45+ days preferred in higher-risk situations When to Report RHD is a reportable disease (U.S.) Report when: Sudden unexplained deaths Cluster deaths Strong clinical suspicion Do NOT wait for lab confirmation Report as suspected pending confirmation Diagnosis Confirm via PCR (liver preferred) Necropsy findings supportive but not definitive Control Vaccination (where available) Strict biosecurity Insect control No outside forage in outbreak zones Proper disinfection (clean first, then disinfect) Key Reality RHD is not just a fast outbreak disease anymore. It is now: rapid and lethal in some cases silent and persistent in others That combination is what makes it dangerous.

Rabbits are hindgut fermenters, yes—but they are not the same as horses, rhinos, or elephants in how they process that fermentation. Rabbits use cecotrophy. They produce nutrient-dense soft feces (cecotropes), then re-ingest them to run the digestion process a second time. That allows them to extract nutrients efficiently without needing continuous intake of large volumes of forage. Horses, rhinos, and elephants do not do this. They rely on volume throughput—they have to keep eating constantly because they only get one pass at digestion. Rabbits don’t. They operate on a crepuscular feeding pattern—they primarily eat at dawn and dusk, then spend long periods resting while fermentation occurs in the cecum. During that time, they’re not “needing constant forage,” they’re actively digesting what they already consumed and then recycling it through cecotrophy. So no, rabbits are not “the same” as other hindgut fermenters in feeding behavior or nutritional strategy. They’re a high-efficiency recycler system, not a continuous grazing system.

At this point, ask questions. I’ll answer them. We’ve got some new members looking into the Senita project, so if you’re curious about that line, goals, selection, or how we’re running it, now’s a good time to dig in. We’re also gearing up for New Zealand Nationals this weekend, so the barn’s been in full prep mode getting animals, conditioning, and logistics squared away. On top of that, it’s deep spring clean season here. Cages are getting pulled, extra equipment is being sold off, and everything we’re keeping is getting repaired, reworked, or repositioned. The whole barn layout is about to shift as we reorganize for efficiency and upcoming litters. What are you all working toward right now? Any shows you’re excited about or planning to attend?