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General Feeding and
Management
Starting Right
In selecting a breed, first consider the one that meets
the qualifications you have in mind. A beginner should
first select the breed, and then contact a reliable
breeder to help select the best stock available. County
extension agents can usually supply information on breeds
and reliable breeders. You may also contact the American
Rabbit Breeders Association (http://www.arba.net/) to
find a show near you.
Breeding
Determining when to mate rabbits for the first time
depends upon the breed of rabbit and individual development.
Smaller breeds develop more rapidly and become sexually
mature at an earlier age than medium or larger breeds.
Normally, a doe of a small breed may be bred at 5 or
6 months. The medium- or heavy-breed female may be 8
to 10 months at first breeding. The breeding age of
young bucks is from 7 to 8 months. The gestation period
of rabbits is 31 to 32 days. The average litter size
is 6 to 7 young.
Weaning
A doe with good mothering ability and being properly
fed will nurse for 6 to 8 weeks. By that time, milk
flow will have tapered off and the young rabbits should
be eating dry feed. Weaning at this time will be less
stressful than if done at an earlier age. Does and bucks
must be separated at weaning.
Housing
Hutches don't need to be expensive, but should protect
rabbits from rain, hot sun, and too much draft. Housing
should be cool, airy, and comfortable. Floors should
be constructed for good drainage. Wire mesh works well
for this. Wire mesh over the interior of the cage or
hutch also eliminates chewing. Housing should include
a good roof, a solid back, and wire netting on sides.
In a cold climate, wooden sides should be used so that
hutches can be closed in during the winter. Hutches
should be large enough to allow litter to be left with
the doe until weaned. Does and bucks should be kept
in separate hutches.
Sanitation
Each day, manure, soiled bedding, and dirty feed should
be removed from the hutch. Water and feeding equipment
should be cleaned every few days. Hutches should be
cleaned and disinfected weekly. Observe rabbits carefully
at all times for evidence of disease or parasites. Diseased
rabbits should be removed from the rest of the herd.
Practice good sanitation programs to keep rabbits healthy.
Handling
To keep rabbits tame and gentle, do not handle them
more than necessary. When they must be handled, grasp
them with one hand by the loose skin over the shoulders
and place the other hand under the rump. Never pick
up rabbits by the ears or legs.
Coccidiosis
Coccidiosis is a problem that has plagued the rabbit
industry for years. There are two types: hepatic (liver
related) and intestinal. It is caused by a protozoan
parasite that invades the epithelial cells of either
the bile duct or the intestine. In some situations,
intestinal diarrhea is low-level and goes undetected.
But once clinical signs are apparent in a severe "cocci"
diarrhea outbreak, it must be treated because major
internal damage has occurred and death may follow. Some
industry experts believe coccidiosis is present in most
rabbitries, causing reductions in feed efficiency and
growth. Liver coccidiosis is a major concern because
rabbits can become emaciated and die. Meat rabbits with
liver coccidiosis may face condemnation at slaughter
because of damaged livers.
- Courtesy of Kent Feeds Rabbit Feeding & Management
Guide
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