Welcome to |
and Waterfowl Farm
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Pastured Rabbits |
Free-Range Ducks & Geese |
Fresh Duck & Goose Eggs |
Last modified on March 5, 2010.
© 2006-2009 by Mary-Frances Bartels. All rights reserved
Who Are We? |
Rudolph's Rabbit Ranch is the name given to our family's "microfarm" in central Ohio. Its humble beginnings were on a small city lot in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. The year was 1993, and the Bartels family desired to replace some commercially-raised meat with a more wholesome alternative in our diet. Our foundation breeding stock consisted of four rabbits --- three does and a buck. Fast-forward to the year 2004, when the Bartels Family was able to fulfill a long-time dream of having a house with some land. We headed east to the small hamlet of Centerburg, Ohio. Wanting to increase the family's consumption of healthful protein even more, we added three Brown Chinese geese and 16 Khaki Campbell ducks --- chief egg-laying breeds within their respective species. In 2006 the "ranch" expanded by adding a few more Brown Chinese geese, about 30 Welsh Harlequin and Golden Cascade ducks. In 2009 we added a handful Indian Runner ducks. Most of our duck breeds are among the rarest, yet still egg-prolific, in the world. We try to maintain a flock of at least 40 laying ducks and six laying geese; we do keep several males on hand so we can offer hatching eggs. We have four breeding rabbit does and two rabbit bucks.
Our newest endeavour involves raising goats for both meat and milk. We started with two Nubian wethers for meat in 2007. The next year we purchased two half-Kiko/half-Nubian does. One was already bred and we kept one of her twins, a fawn doe, for breeding. In November and December 2008 all three does were bred to a Kiko buck for spring 2009 kiddings. Kikos are a rare, but hardy, breed from New Zealand. We have since gotten out of raising goats full time, and plan to keep only a few "brush goats" during spring, summer, and fall.
Who knows what we will try next?
Our Animals |
When it comes to caring for animals, our top priority is their welfare. We provide roomy accommodations, protection from inclement weather, fresh air and water, clean feed, sunshine, and lots of attention.
Most of the rabbits are kept in wire cages, both outside in hutches as well as inside our barn. They are fed commercial feed with occasional treats. We also pasture some rabbits in "rabbit tractors." "Rabbit tractors" are simply "chicken tractors" for rabbits. Ours are essentially very low lying cages on wheels that allow the rabbits access to the underlying grass. The tractor is moved as needed to give the animals fresh grass for grazing. As the rabbits dine, they also fertilize the pasture.
The ducks, geese, and guineas are free-ranged and spend most of their days frolicking in the stream in our backyard. They enjoy dining on scrumptious young grass as well as any succulent insects they can catch. They are confined to the barn at night for protection from predators where they snack on a locally-made feed to help round out their diet.
We practice rotational grazing for the goats. This helps ensure minimal exposure to parasites decreasting the need for regular deworming treatments. Most days they are permitted time outside their paddock allowing them to explore the property.
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