christmas in the bunny barn

On christmas day we had to go and feed are bunnys. When Allison and Samantha went to the barn they walked in and found three jumps and a A-frame for are agility there was a card on the A-frame that said from: Speedy and cocoa star are agility bunnys. The other present was carrots in the stocking we hang up in the barn.s

Last show of 2007

What a great show we had last weekend in E. Lansing. There were over 100 entries in the youth Dutch show. We entered a few more than normal because it was only a single show. Unfortunately a lot of our animals are molting. The chocolates seem to always be in the middle of a molt when it is showtime. Cashew our blue buck with multiple wins was left behind on show morning because of his coat. You just brush your hand over him and knew he should just stay home. I am afraid that if we took him we would of had to vaccuum the van afterward :) So off we went. We got there plenty early but couldn't believe how full the building was. It was hard to find a spot to unload the rabbits.
When all was said and done we had Best of Variety Blue and Best opposite Variety Blue and Chocolate. It was a fun show and it was great to see all of our friends again that we have made this year. I am sad that there are no shows for a few months.
Before we left we were able to sell Bellairs George. A real nice blue buck, and full brother to Bubba. Mike was excited to have an empty carrier spot until he realized that we were picking up a black doe. Oh well, you know how hard it is to say no.
We would like to take time to say thank you to all of the rabbit breeders that have helped us out this year. It has been great getting to know everyone and learning more about showing.
Thanks from Mike, Sheri, Allison, and Samantha Bellairs

bunnies everywhere

We have been breeding does for next years National Dutch show. We wanted to have some nice Juniors ready to go. Well we were successful in breeding and now we have bunnies everywhere. Our barn is overflowing. We still need to purchase more cages to fill our new addition and we are busting at the seams. It is exciting to check out all the new litters though. We have our eye on several chocolates, and blues. We haven't gotten any black litters yet but they are due this week and next week. We even named a couple and put them up for sale, trying to make room. Check out the pictures of Zaphod and Flower (both chocolate). They are adorable and show a lot of promise.
Next Saturday is the last Michigan show of the year. The girls have been grooming for a couple weeks to make sure their rabbits are ready. Finally we can put Domino a blue Sr. Doe and Hershey a chocolate Sr. Doe on the table. They have been home all summer between raising a litter, then going through a molt. So we are all excited to see how they will do. Then of course there are Jasmine, Banner, Slingshot and Cashew; our group that has been doing well all year. Allison has aquired a new Satin doe also. She is a beautiful broken copper and she plans to take her to the show and see how she does.
Well that is all for now. We are anxiously awaiting more cages and new litters. If you are at the show next week please stop by and say Hi. We love to talk to other breeders.

Speedy's training

Hi, my name is Speedy. When I was younger two girl's would take me and my brothers and sisters to play. Then one day we where all put in a carrier then we where let out I seen a cage so I ran to it. When I got in the cage they shut the door. And they yelled I was in first place. When I got to the next level and had to run and jump to get to the cage. Know I have to run through a tunnel and jump over a jump with my buddy coco. Some day me and coco hope to do rabbit agility. With more jumps and a teeter toter also the A frame. If you liked this story look at hershey's adventure. Also keep watch for a new story.

Floor is in

Well our barn is almost complete. When we priced the patio stones we changed our plan to concrete. Unfortunately it was in the high 80's with high humidity this past weekend when we decided to put it in. But at least it is finished. Tonight we were able to move the 2 stacks inside that were under the overhang. With cooler weather coming in this week we are glad to be moving them all inside. It is so exciting to have more space. We are hoping to get more cages in the next couple weeks. With all the litters we have coming we need some extra cages. We are looking forward to a trip to convention this weekend to pick up a new doe from Dennis and Barb Kline from Ohio. She will take the place of our brood doe that we lost earlier this year.

new bunny barn is coming along

Well just wanted to give an update on the Bellairs bunny barn. Our newly added 12X24 shed is almost finished. The walls are up, and the outside has been stained. We need to do some fill in the new half and then we will be laying patio stones for the floor. After much deliberation this seemed to be the best answer. We have a gable fan in the door and have a new window waiting to be installed. I am posting pictures that include a side view of the original shed and a front view of the new addition and the new window. Just for fun I have also posted a picture of the sand pile.

OH Yeah the sand! I called to order the sand delivered and well...... I don't know that much about the capacity of a dump truck. When I ordered a half load he questioned it and said that he has a 5 yard truck and a 10 yard truck. Well since 5 is half of 10 I went with that one. When I called my husband to happily report that the sand was on the way he was somewhat dismayed by the amount. Well you know there are always places in the yard that need fill :)

This is our original shed.

This our new addition with a new window that we will install next to the door.

Who knew that 5 yards of sand would be more than we need :)

BIG WIN!

This past Saturday we attended a double show in Ann Arbor. The girls did really well with their bunnies. In show b we took Best chocolate, best opposite chocolate, and best blue. Then the blue doe (Bellairs Jasmine) won Best of Breed and our chocolate buck (Canfield's Slingshot) won Best opposite Breed. We were super excited as this is our first Best of Breed at an ARBA sanctioned show. Way to go girls!

new addition to bunny barn

How exciting it is to watch the construction of our bunny barn. We began with a 10X12 shed and have doubled our size. We will be able to keep one section for the brood does and babies and one section for show animals. So just as soon as we can get some new cages we will be in business.

Beginning in blacks

OK, I know I said several times that we were only going to raise blue and chocolate dutch. We don't have the room to work on 3 varieties. In fact we had a black buck for a while and sold him. After all we weren't planning on raising blacks.

Well that all changed recently. A fellow breeder needed to clear out his small herd in a hurry. We went down to his house and picked up the whole lot. Well the girls and I couldn't bear to sell the blacks that were included in the package with the blues and chocolates. They are some nice quality animals. So....... now we are going to begin raising and showing black dutch as well as our blue and chocolate.

We are excited to get to the next show table.

Sheri

Chelsea Community Fair

Well after attending Ingham county fair only a couple weeks ago, we headed off to the Chelsea community fair this week. Today was the rabbit show. Whew, what a day. We did great with our dutch. The girls won Best of Breed with Bellairs Olivia ( a chocolate jr. doe), and Best Opposite of Breed with Bellairs Jasper (blue sr. buck). Then Olivia advanced to Best 4 class and Best in Show. What an exciting day!

Sheri

Fair Week

Well here we are at the end of an incredible week with the kids and bunnies at the fair. We have had a great time and have done great. Show day was extremely warm with temps in the high 90's. The girls did alright in showmanship but got nervous and forgot what they were doing.

Allison's bunny (Jasmine) placed Best of Breed with Sammy's bunny (Jasper) taking best opposite. Then Allison went on to win best 4 class and Best in Show. It was awesome and a great accomplishment as there are a lot of nice rabbits in our fair.

Now they are extremely tired but happy and they are already talking about next year.
Sheri

Dissapointment to Delight

We found a trio of Jr. Dutch chocolates on the internet that we were quite interested in. Good markings and great body type. The would of made a great addition to our breeding program. However the breeder of these wonders was in Ohio. Although only 4 hours away with gas prices and our fair coming up we could not make the trip. I tried to find transport but that fell through too.

Well God is good and turned our dissapointment in delight when we recieved a call from a neighbor wanting to give us 2 black Dutch rabbits. Well we were really excited when they showed up and are both Sr. Does. Two new brood does!

Then another friend called and has a chocolate doe she purchased from us that is now breeding age. The doe is getting a little territorial and has bitten her daughter. I sugested she bring her over and let me breed her and see if that will calm her down. As she doesn't want to deal with baby rabbits she will be boarding with us until after weaning. That will provide a litter of Chocolate Dutch bunnies.
So when our plans don't work it is just possible that God has something bigger in mind.

Sheri Bellairs

Hershey’s adventure #1

Hi, my name is Hershey I’m a rabbit. I’m going to tell you about my trip to the national Dutch show.
It all started on Friday with a long car ride. When we got there it was huge it seemed like miles of cages. All the other rabbits got put in there pens now it’s my turn I got put in a small pen. That smelled weird like other rabbits. On Saturday we all got brushed then I hung out till a person came and took me out of my pen and put me in a carrier. Then we got picked up again then got put in these boxes. And the judge called me a little chocolate covered peanut. Then he said I need to go back home and grow up.
So on Sunday my mom came and got me they put me in a carrier. Then we took a long car ride home. I got home and fell asleep. Wait for the next time I tell you another adventure I will come on.

Wee ones lost

Well it was a sad day for us when we lost the 3 little kits we had hoped to save. Not only is the doe gone but also the kits as well.
On a good note another doe gave birth. She was about 4 days overdue and her 2 live kits already have hair. We were real happy to see the straw and fluff moving this morning. It is always amazing to see new life.

Lost a good doe

When we came out to the bunny barn yesterday morning we found a tragedy. One of our blue brood does died giving birth. At first glance we were sure that all of the kits were dead having been born on the wire sometime this morning. To our amazement 3 of the 7 newborns were still alive. We did what we could to warm them and placed them in a nest box. Then we brought out our only other brood doe currently nursing and placed her in the box. After the first few seconds she hovered over them and began to let them nurse. It was quite a relief. Later in the afternoon we put her with her foster babies again and she not only let them nurse but she was cleaning them as well. What a great mom she is. Our blue brood doe will be sorely missed.