1. Rabbits
Chapter 47

2. Objectives Describe the common breeds of rabbits
Discuss nutrient requirements and feeding practices for rabbits
Discuss reproduction and breeding of rabbits
Discuss management of the rabbit herd

3. Objectives (cont.)
Describe common diseases and prevention of disease problems with rabbits
Discuss housing and equipment for rabbits
Discuss marketing of rabbits

4. Classification of Rabbits
Ancestor of the domestic rabbit in the U.S. is the European wild rabbit
Modern breeds of domestic rabbit raised in the U.S. have been developed since the eighteenth century

5. Uses of Rabbits Primary use of rabbits in U.S. is for meat production
Also used for
Pets
Research
Wool production

6. Breeds
There are 47 breeds of rabbits listed in the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) Standard of Perfection
Standards based on color, type, shape, weight, fur, wool, and hair
Breed selection should be based on expected use

7. Breeds (cont.)

8. Breeds (cont.)

9. Breeds (cont.)

10. Breeds (cont.)

11. Breeds (cont.)

12. Breeds (cont.)

13. Breeds (cont.)

14. Breeds (cont.)

15. Breeds (cont.)

16. Feeding Nutrient Requirements
Rabbits are simple-stomached animals, and are herbivorous
Nutrient requirements are available from cooperative extension resources
Rabbits fed balanced rations have a feed to meat conversion ratio of about 3:1

17. Feeds Hay Green Feeds/Root Crops Grains
Makes up between 40 and 80 percent of diet
Green Feeds/Root Crops
Grasses, palatable weeds, cereal grains, and leafy vegetable crops
Grains
Oats, barely, wheat, buckwheat, grain sorghum, rye, soft varieties of corn

18. Feeds (cont.) Protein Supplements
Soybean, linseed, sesame, and cottonseed oil meals are solid protein supplements
Should not be mixed with grains, as they will settle out and be wasted
Feed in cake, flake, or pelleted form
Soybean oil most common

19. Pelleting Feeds Rabbits prefer a pelleted ration
Rate of gain, feed efficiency are improved
Commercial producers typically use complete pelleted rations
Two types: all-grain pellets and complete pellets

20. Storing Feeds
Feeds stored for more than 4 weeks lose value, palatability
Prevent rodents and insects from contaminating stored feeds
Do not allow cats or dogs into feed storage areas

21. Feeding Methods Typically hand-fed in small rabbitries
Feed placed by hand in feed crocks or troughs
Regular feeding more important than number of times per day provided
Rabbits may be self-fed or full-fed by means of a hopper or self-feeder

22. Maintenance Feeding
Rabbits not in service can be fed a maintenance ration
Fine-stemmed, leafy, legume hay will provide nutrients required for maintenance

23. Feeding Herd Bucks in Service
Allow free access to high-quality hay during breeding season
Prevent bucks from becoming too fat, but feed enough to stay in good condition while in service

24. Feeding Growing Junior Does and Bucks
Daily, 2 to 4 ounces of all-grain or grain-protein pellets and free access to good-quality hay will provide proper nutrition for medium-weight breeds
Daily ration of 4 to 6 ounces of complete pelleted feed sufficient for proper growth of medium-weight breeds
Adjust for light and heavier breeds

25. Feeding Pregnant and Nursing Does
Feed maintenance ration until does are determined to be pregnant
Good-quality hay or hay pellets may be fed
Limit feed when using all-pellet ration to keep doe from becoming too fat
Avoid sudden changes in diet to keep doe from going off feed

26. Rabbit Breeding Gestation period lasts 30 to 32 days
Can be rebred 6 weeks after kindling
Does can produce up to five litters per year
Ovulation occurs 10 hours after the female is bred by the male
Average about eight young per litter

27. Kindling
Prepare for kindling by providing a nesting box in cage 27 days after the doe is bred
Feed intake often reduced just prior
Usually occurs at night
Healthy does seldom have issues
Inspect litter next day

28. Losses at Kindling
Does can occasionally give birth on hutch floor rather than nest box
Frightened does may kindle prematurely
If doe fails to produce milk, young will die within 2 to 3 days
Transfer to litters where they can nurse and be cared for in such instances

29. Weaning
Young rabbits will start to eat solid feed at about 19 to 20 days of age
Does usually nurse young at night
Ensure all young rabbits are with mother at time of nursing, or mother will not nurse
May be weaned at 8 weeks of age

30. Handling Rabbits Don’t handle unless it is necessary
Don’t lift by ears or legs
Proper method of lifting
Grasp loose skin over shoulders with one hand
Support weight of rabbit with other hand under the rump

31. Sexing Rabbits
Rabbits to be kept for breeding stock should be separated by sex at weaning
Check rabbit’s sex by exposing reddish mucous membrane
Rounded tip for buck
Protruding slit for doe

32. Identification of Breeding Rabbits
Tattoo breeding rabbits in the ear to mark for identification
Do not use ear tags or clips; they often will tear out of the ear

33. Castration
Rabbits raised for meat purposes are typically not castrated
Limited research to indicate castration of bucks will improve feed conversion, rate of growth, or carcass quality

34. Care During Hot Weather
Rabbits need to be kept cool in hot weather
Good ventilation without drafts is necessary in the rabbitry
Pregnant, newborn litters are especially susceptible to hot weather

35. Care During Cold Weather
Protect rabbits from direct exposure to rain, sleet, snow, and wind
Provide adequate ventilation in enclosed buildings to reduce excess moisture
Mature rabbits less susceptible to cold weather than young rabbits

36. Maintaining Healthy Rabbits
Sanitation and Disease Control
Good sanitation is important in disease control
Remove manure and bedding on regular basis
Do not overcrowd animals in rabbitry
Clean and disinfect hutches and equipment after outbreak of disease

37. Maintaining Healthy Rabbits (cont.)
Isolate sick and new breeding rabbits
Prevent visitors from touching rabbits
Isolate from animals that may carry disease or parasites

38. Maintaining Healthy Rabbits (cont.)
Preventing Disease Transmission
Isolate new animals, or those who have returned from shows, from the rest of the herd for a period long enough to determine that they are free of disease
May need to remove all animals, clean and sanitize facility

39. Common Health Problems
Pasteurellosis – most serious of health problems in rabbits
Enteritis – complex disease associated with bloating and diarrhea

40. Common Health Problems (cont.)
Other health problems
Caked breasts
Coccidiosis, intestinal or liver
Ear mange (canker)
Fur block
Heat prostration
Mastitis (Blue breast)

41. Common Health Problems (cont.)
Other health problems (cont.)
Paralyzed hindquarters
Pinworm
Ringworm (favus)
Skin mange
Sore hocks

42. Common Health Problems (cont.)
Other health problems (cont.)
Tapeworm larvae
Urine-hutch burn
Vent disease (spirochetosis)

43. Keeping Records
Keeping good records is essential for an efficient rabbit enterprise
Performance cards and financial records need to be kept
Computers can be used to keep records
Good records are essential for tax purposes

44. Facilities and Equipment
Buildings
Hutches
Feeding and Watering Equipment
Nest Boxes

45. Marketing Rabbits
Commercial rabbitries usually sell live fryers to processors
Live weight of fryers ranges from 3 to 6 pounds (1.36 to 2.7 kg)
The best carcasses dress out at 50 to 59 percent
Rabbits weaned, sold at 8 weeks