Rabbit Essentials Texas 4-H and Youth Development

Topics to Discuss The following topics will be discussed: General Information Selection Validation Facilities and Equipment Feeding Health Texas 4-H and Youth Development

General Information Rabbits typically shown as meat pens and fryers Consult rules to see if meat pens can be purchased from breeder or must be raised by individual. If ordering rabbits purchase four in case one gets sick or dies. Contact breeder at least four to five months before the show. Texas 4-H and Youth Development

Selection Commercial breeds work better for meat pens. Medium in length with depth equaling width, showing roundness of body and firmness of flesh. Most common used: –Champagne d’ Argent –Satin –Palomino –New Zealand (most popular) –Californian (most popular) Texas 4-H and Youth Development

Selection cont. Pens must be same breed, but do not need to be same sex Must be mirror images of each other in appearance and weight Weight is one of the most important things to consider Must be balanced. Most shows have 5lb. per rabbit weight limit Most shows have age limits for meat pen (60 – 90 days) Texas 4-H and Youth Development

Validation No state validation for rabbit projects See county rules for validation dates If showing meat pens at Houston there is a validation date and exhibitors must own parents of pen. Texas 4-H and Youth Development

Facilities and Equipment Hutches must be protected from the elements. Each rabbit requires its own hutch Meat pens require two to four cages –Allows you to more closely monitor feeding Meat pen sized rabbits needs a 24 in. X 24 in. wire mesh cage. Commercial breeders need 24 in. X 30 in. wire mesh cage. Does and bucks need 24 in. X 24 in. wire mesh cages Texas 4-H and Youth Development

Facilities and Equipment Sides should be made out of 2 in. X 1 in. wire mesh and the bottoms should be made of ½ X 1 in. wire mesh. All hutches should be under roof Side walls will be needed in most rabbitries Not as important to keep rabbits warm as it is to keep them dry and out of wind Must keep them well ventilated and clean Texas 4-H and Youth Development

Facilities and Equipment Use j-feeders to feed rabbits For watering can use heavy crock bowls, water bottles, or an automatic watering system. Texas 4-H and Youth Development

Feeding Many feeds to choose from Recommended to use a 16% protein feed. Works well for all stages of development. When feeding meat pens start out by feeding as much as they can eat and adjust their feed as they get close to the show. Chart weight gain Can use steamed rolled oats or steamed rolled barley as filler when adjusting feed Also do a good job of hardening muscle on rabbits. Most important thing to remember when feeding rabbits is have fresh water Texas 4-H and Youth Development

Health Most important thing to keep rabbits healthy is provide clean environment with plenty of food and water. No vaccinations needed Consult local veterinarian if health problem does come up. Texas 4-H and Youth Development

Conclusions All aspects of the selection process should be understood. Proper facilities should be available. Proper diets and nutritional information about feeding rabbits should be identified. Vaccinations are not necessary when raising rabbits. Identify what breeds are used in raising rabbits. Texas 4-H and Youth Development