1. Animal Science Rabbits Adapted from www.AgriTeach.comwww.AgriTeach.com By Mr. Melby, Winneconne Ag Ed, & Mr. Behrends, Bruce Ag Ed.

2. Rabbits  Rabbits are an important agricultural animal: Parts of Europe have raised rabbits extensively for food. 7 to 10 million rabbits are grown every year.  They are an excellent project animal: They require very little space. They require very little equipment and facilities. They are easy to raise. They reproduce very quickly.  One pair of rabbits can produce 60-80 new rabbits a year!

3. Types of Rabbits  Rabbits are divided into three types: Rabbits: give birth to blind, hairless young in burrows. Cottontails: give birth in nests above ground, have hair, eyes open. Hares: are similar to cottontails; larger hind legs and ears.  Domestic rabbits are divided according to use: What are some uses of rabbits?  Meat – the New Zealand breed.  Fur – Satin, Rex, and Havanna.  Laboratory use – New Zealand White, Dutch, Florida White.  Showing & Pets – all breeds.

4. Rabbits

5. Some Rabbit Breeds New ZealandRex Dutch

6. Practices  Approved Practices in Rabbit Production: Select the correct breed for the intended use. Use purebred stock if you intend to maintain uniformity. Purchase breeding stock only from reputable breeders.

7. Practices Choose a hutch of proper size for your breed:  Small and medium – 30” wide, 36” long, 18” high  Large breeds – 30” wide, 48” long, 18” high Place hutch properly:  Consider ventilation and protection from weather. Provide space for feeder and waterer Provide a separate hutch for each mature rabbit.

8. Rabbit Care A hutch that may be typical to an FFA project. This hutch may be purchased or easily constructed. An example of pelleted rabbit food. A rabbit cage for keeping a rabbit as a pet.

9. Practices  Approved Practices, continued. Breed rabbits when:  Does are 5-6 months old.  Bucks are 6-7 years old.  Delay breeding for large breeds until 9-12 months. Take the doe to buck’s cage for breeding; return immediately after. Use at least one buck for every 8-10 does.

10. Practices Keep handling to a minimum:  Tuck their head under your armpit  Support their weight with your arm  Do not grab the ears  Grab their nape of the neck at a bare minimum

11. Feeding Feeding:  Feed pelleted food free-choice to does with litters.  Feed single does and bucks 3-6 oz. each day.  Feed in the evening if possible, once a day.

12. Practices  Approved Practices, con’t. Maintain accurate breeding and health records. Tattoo breeding rabbits in the ear…if you are a large scale rabbit owner. Conduct a strict herd-health program. Dispose of sick and dead rabbits properly. Market rabbits when they reach market size/weight.