Cavy Capers

Summer is here and it's the perfect time to deep clean the caviary!  This means rolling out all the cages, giving them a good scrubbing, sanitizing, and vinegar rinse to break down the calcium build up on the pans.  I also get to dust and wash all the walls, cage racking, plastic urine guards and vacuum every corner to make it all spic 'n span (at least for 5 minutes)!

This is also the time of year we inventory all our equipment, update record keeping systems, pedigrees and start planning for the fall show season.  We eagerly await to see what will come of our summer breeding and start to make pairings for fall and winter babies.  As litters are born we will share our newest cuties as we welcome them to the caviary below!

This was the first year our farm participated in the Coconino County Fair since showing sheep in the mid-90s.  We exhibited 23 American, American Satin, and Teddy cavies and 2 Golden Laced Wyandotte chickens.  It's a beautiful drive and lovely weather in Flagstaff to show amongst the piney woods.  Everyone was friendly and welcoming as we figured out where to go and got settled in.

Being a small county fair they don't have many cavy entries.  We got to show a variety of breeds and colors they often don't have exhibited.

Best in Show - Nevada (American)

Reserve in Show - Nestle (Teddy)

Best of Breed American - Nevada

Best Opposite of Breed American - 

Best of Breed American Satin - Killer

Best of Breed Teddy - Nestle

Best Opposite of Breed Teddy - Alvin

It was a wet week at the Arizona State Fair showing cavies and rabbits.  We exhibited a total of 35 American, American Satin, Teddy, Silkie, and Coronet cavies.  

Judged under Randy Shoemaker:

Best in Show - Nutmeg (American)

Reserve in Show - Snip (Silkie

Best of Breed American - Nutmeg

Best Opposite of Breed American - 

Best of Breed American Satin - Killer

Best Opposite of Breed Am. Satin - 

Best of Breed Teddy - 

Best Opposite of Breed - 

Best of Breed Coronet - Hawkeye

Best of Breed Silkie - Snip

CopperClover Mango, American Orange Senior Boar, also won Best in Show for Ava Chavez in the Youth Show.

Born: March 15, 2025

A joint breeding with one of my 4-H kids.  

For his first ever breeding project, we paired his REO roan sow "Salt" with my REO boar "Mace".  Salt had the largest litter we've had so far in the caviary with six babies!

Sadly one was born DOA, but the remaining five are thriving!

Boars - 3

Sows - 2

Born: July 16, 2025

We're excited for this pairing as this is the first breeding of our new black boar acquired during ACBA Specialty along with a new American Satin black tan sow.  These babies will be our first American tan patterns born in the caviary.

Boars - 2

Sows - 1

Born: August 15, 2025

A new adventure in the caviary - Blues!

This past year we joined up with Sheryl Newland to raise and show her American and American Satin blue cavies.  This will be the first litter, hopefully of many!

Boars - 2