Breeding Rabbit Management AHS FFA Edited Spring 2014

Topics Breeds Housing Equipment Feeding Showmanship

Breeds American Dutch New Zealand Harlequin Lop & Mini Lop Netherland Dwarf Polish Satin & Mini Satin Thrianta Californian Florida White Havana Holland Lop Flemish Giant Jersey Wooly Rex & Mini Rex Rabbits can cost $20-$200

Housing Rabbits should be kept in a well ventilated area and never in direct sunlight Cage should be at least 4 times as big as your rabbit with a wire bottom to allow feces and urine to pass through either to the ground or to a tray (2ft cube) Cage should be stored away from dogs, cats, etc. If cage is keep outside, place in the shade and provide a fan during the hot summer months. Also, a frozen bottle of water Having a block of untreated wood in its cage is a great way to keep your rabbit from being bored

Equipment Water Bottle $4 Feed Bowl $3 Cage (galvanized metal wire) $40 The smaller the gap in the wires the better Or “J” feeder 3” PVC Flat End- Cap

Feeding Never use a plastic bowl for food or water!! Unless PVC Change your rabbits water twice a day, every day! A Rabbit chow that has at least 16% protein at about 8oz a day Feed your rabbit once a day in the evenings Start feeding 1/3 cup until it eats all of it the bump it up to ½ cup Also treats are not required, treats like sweet potatoes may be given occasionally A few sprigs of alphala hay every week would be good as well As long as the feed bag says “a complete/balanced ration” you do not have to feed anything else

Health Deworm rabbits once you get the animal home then again every 6 months Check ears, teeth, and toes every time you handly the rabbit To fight ear canker, apply 2 drops of Ivomec (dewormer) into each of the rabbits ears once you get the animal home then again 10 days before show

Showmanship You should work with your rabbit every day!! Your rabbit must be comfortable being posed, this will take some patience and should take place on a non-slip surface The rabbit should be “squared up”, feet underneath the body. It will look like a ball YouTube has some great videos on posing a rabbit Grooming- With slightly damp hands run your hand back and forth the rabbits hair for 100 strokes. This helps condition the rabbits hair and remove dead hair. 3-4 days before use cornstarch instead of water.

For additional information High school student explaining how to show Only the first 3 minutes Feeding Great showmanship video