1. Rabbits Chapter 9

2. History: Classified as Rodentia Lagomorpha
Difference between rodents and rabbits is that rabbits have four upper incisor teeth arranged one pair between the other.
Rabbits date back million years ago.
All domesticate rabbit breeds come from the European wild rabbit.
Hares are larger than rabbits, have long ears, do not build nests, young are born with fur, and eyes open.

3. Uses of rabbits:
Meat – food (low in fat, sodium, cholesterol, high in protein, and very palatable)
Research – 400,000 used for skin test, AIDS, Eye tests
Fur/Wool: Normal, Rex, Angora, Satin
Pets/Showing

4. Breeds: 45 breeds and 5 weight categories:
Dwarf or Miniature
Small
Medium
Large
Giant

5. Anatomy:
See diagrams of External and Internal parts.

6. Housing and Equipment:
Hutches 24” X 24”
Shaving tray
Wire floors
Ventilation is important for rabbits
16 hours of light for Does if you want to breed
Ceramic water
Feeders
Nest Box

7. Feeding: Feed commercial feed
Do not feed many fruits or veggies – cause gastrointestinal problems.

8. Handling: Pick up by scurf of neck
Never pick up rabbit by it’s ears (will break crown)
Support it’s hind legs with hand

9. Diseases and Ailments:
Best way to stop diseases and ailments is to practice good sanitation.

10. Reproduction: Rabbits become sexually active at 5-8 months
Gestation period – days
Does are in heat all the time
Always put female in males cage, otherwise they will fight
Kindling is the birth process
Kits – young rabbits are born without fur and eyes closed (10-15 days)
Wean litter in 4-8 weeks
Male – Buck
Female – Doe

11. The End