Rabbit Production – An Introduction Meat Pets Research – Hairless Rabbit Pelts

Classifications of Rabbits Order of Lagomorpha Includes: families of Leporidae and Ochotonidae Ochotonidae includes the Pika resembling a guinea pig Leporidae includes rabbits and hares Genus Sylviagus = American Cotton tails Genus Oryctolagus = European wild rabbits Genus Lepus = True hares European wild rabbits is the specie from which all domestic breeds were developed Hares are larger than rabbits, do not build nests, born fully furred with eyes open and live above ground American Cottontails were not used to develop other breeds

History of Rabbits Raised in monasteries for production Rabbits remains date back 37 million years Phoenician traders found rabbits on the coast of Spain European wild hare introduced to New Zealand and Australia in the later half of 19th century Responsible for taking rabbits to other parts of the world Considered a wide spread pest Rabbits were great economic importance Spread to Chile and South America in the 20th century Hunted for food and pelts for clothing Only major rabbit in North America is Cottontail French Monks responsible for domestication of rabbits in middle ages

Uses of Rabbits Used for Meat Largest producers and consumers of rabbit are: High in protein, low in cholesterol Low in fat, low in sodium Italy, Germany, France and Spain Very palatable (tastes good) Low consumption of rabbits in the U.S. Easily digested Popular food in Europe Image people have of rabbits seen in cartoons and games Major meat production breeds: New Zealand & Californian

Uses of Rabbits Used for Research United States reported 554,000 rabbits used in science in 1987 2006 declined to 240,000 used for science Reasons for the decline: Controversial Tests done on rabbits for research: Public protest of live animal research Draize Eye Test no longer used done to test cosmetics Development of alternative methods of research Skin irritation tests – testing patches of rabbit’s skin for reaction. Rabbits blood is a great medium for growing the AIDS virus Used to study reproduction, antibody development and human diseases

Uses of Rabbits Used for Fur Fur is divided into four types: 1. Rex: Short, with guard hairs the same length standing straight up from skin. Softy and Plush Angora: Wool fiber that comes from angora breeds. Softer, finer, lighter and warmer than sheep’s wool. Less irritating. Expensive. 3. Normal: Fine hair with a fine guard hair that is found on majority of rabbit breeds. Used as stuffing for pillow or lower quality blankets. 4. Satin: fur mutation that has a smaller diameter and transparent outer shell. This gives a more intense color and sheen or luster.

Uses of Rabbits Used as Pets Clean, gentle, lovable and require little care Some can be aggressive and territorial Can easily be trained to use a litter box. They can fit into any home situation does to the diversity of sizes. Small and Dwarf sizes are the most popular.

Breeds of Rabbits Grouped by five weight categories (1-3) 2. Small Dutch Tan Florida White Silver Havana Mini Lop 1. Dwarf and Miniature Britannia Petite Netherland Dwarf Himalayan Dwarf Hotot Polish Jersey Wooly Holland lop American Fuzzy lop Mini Rex 3. Medium English Spot Rex Standard Chinchilla Sable English Angora Harlequin Lilac Rhinelander Silver Martin Belgian Hare Satin Angora French Angora

Breeds of Rabbits Grouped by five weight categories (4-5) 4. Large Beveren Silver Fox Californian New Zealand Hotot English Lop Palomino American Satin Cinnamon Crème d’ Argent American Chinchilla 5. Giant Giant Angora French Lop Checkered Giant Giant Chinchilla Flemish Giant