RABBIT CARE AND INFORMATION
This page is to help
you with general care of your rabbit, Hope there is something to help you
out here.Last Updated 9/22/98.
CHOOSING
YOUR RABBIT
With over 40 different breed
to choose from and many of them coming in many different colors how do
you decide which one is for you. They range in size from 2 to 20 pounds
and even more. Ask yourself what are you going to do with your rabbits?
Is it a pet, are you going to breed them? Are they for meat? pets? How
much room do i have? What will i do with the young if i breed them?
Once you have decided what
you are going to do with them, then think about the breed you want to get
into.
When buying you rabbit/rabbits
buy from a reputable breeder you can get pet stock for reasonable price
and if you want breeding stock you can tell them what you are after and
they could help you out. They will also be able to help you out with problems,
answer some of your questions, and help you find information if you need
it. Most breeders sell breeding stock with pedigree's. Don't be afraid
to ask questions, and ask to see the parents of the rabbits you are buying,
most breeders love showing off their prize winning rabbits (I know
i do).
Check the rabbits over, look
at him/her carefully, check teeth, nails, eyes(make sure they are
bright) and nose (make sure it is clean). Does his coat look healthy? some
rabbits in late spring will molt where they lose their coat, so look, ask,
if you don't know how to check for these things ask the breeder to show
you about them.
 |
The incisors of the rabbit elongate continually throughout the entire
life of that animal. The exact angle of the occllusive surface "bite" of
the animal is very important to insure that the incisors "wear off" evenly
during the mastication proscess.
The normal bite (pictured here) is that the upper incisors slide over
the or in front of the incisors. Any postion of the incisors other than
described is malocclusion. |
 |
Malocclusion, often called "Buck Teeth" or "Wolf Teeth" shouwn in this
picture is easily determined. However a simpler form of malocclusion, and
just as important to the breeder is................ |
 |
called "Butting Teeth" Thsi condition where the upper incisors are
directly over the lower incisors. This condtion in many forgein countries
is called "Trap Teeth" This condtions is most common in breeds with extreamly
rounded heads, such as hollands, dwarfs, dutch, lops.
however they can be found in any breed. |
CARE
AND HANDLING
Rabbits make excellent pets,
and with proper care and love will live for 10 or more years. Never handle
your rabbit in rough or careless manner, he will just get scared. To pick
him up grab him by the loose skin behind the ears and over the shoulders,
then support his weight in your other hand, and hold him close. NEVER PICK
THEM UP BY THE EARS.
When taking them from the cage
be careful not to snag his toes on the wire.
You can keep your rabbit inside
or outside, They can be litter trained and to go on a leash.
You need to know that rabbits
do like to chew, so if you keep your rabbit in the house and runs loose
PLEASE do be careful for extension cords, wooden furniture. Male rabbits
may spray when they reach maturity to mark their territory. However they
can be fixed by the vet.
You can buy ready made cages
or make them yourself, if he is outside then you must supply certain things
for him to protect him. Keep him out of direct sunlight, rain, and wind.
and from other animals, such as dogs.
30 x 30 x 18 is a good size
for most rabbits, the more room they have the better they like it.
it can have wood or wire bottom
or both, and if using shavings, DO NOT use cedar shavings, they will eat
it, and cedar is not good to eat.
Feeding them there is ready
made rabbit pellets available at any pet store. The amount of feed varies
from rabbit to rabbit, you don't want them to become overweight. Small
treats of hay, bread, apple, dandelion, are always a nice treat, however
becareful feeding them, if your rabbit is not used to feed like that introduce
it careful and very slowly. Lettuce and cabbage are NOT good for you bunny.
And always fresh water.
Keep his pen clean and dry.
Check their nails and teeth regularly.
MANAGEMENT
When and if you breed your
rabbits, take the doe to the bucks pen, the job only takes a few minutes
then remove her back to her pen. Put her back in a few hours if you like.
You can palpate (feel for the babies) at about 14 days, They usually kindle
at 31 days (26-32 days)
They will want to build a nest
so on about the 27th day give her a box and some hay or straw to gather
and fill the box for her nest. She will pull hair from her stomach to line
the nest with, the kits or born with eyes closed and no hair at all. Check
the box after she is done for dead ones and remove them. The kits will
start to grow hair in only a few days, and their eyes open at about 10
days, and start to come out of the nest at about 14 days.
Keep good records of your
breedings, and kits (baby rabbit).
these kits are two days
old, netherland dwarfs
BUCKS OR DOES?
here are the genital area of a rabbit for male or female, once
you know what to look for it is easy to tell what sex your rabbits are.it
may take little practice.
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