DEVELOPING A RABBIT HABIT Rabbits aren’t rascally. They require owners who know proper care and maintenance

Rebecca Moncur rabbits to digest. Enteritis is com- feed dealer will have the specific abbits have a number of uses – mon and deadly in kits just beginning feed in stock. Rabbits also need Rexhibition, meat, fur, wool, com- to eat solid foods and those newly grass hay. Grass hay helps a rab- panionship, therapy animals, and as a weaned from their mothers. Many bit avoid fur block in their digestive manure source. dwarf breeds cannot tolerate high systems. Many people give their All rabbits require quality food protein feeds. Our family raises Mini bunnies treats, shredded wheat, oat and clean water, which can present Rex show rabbits, and we have raised cereals, or carrots, but our rabbits are challenges for the Wyoming rabbit Holland Lops in the past. Experience crazy about hay. We also have dried producer. has taught us to feed 16 percent pro- oak leaves for travel to shows and for tein feeds to all our stock. digestive upsets to keep our rabbits Feed Me, Please Rabbits do not adjust well to eating and healthy. Rabbit feeds are available at most feed changes. Plan ahead so the co-ops and feed stores, but acces- Care for a Drink? sibility varies around the state. Some Wyoming’s environment and feeds are better than others. Feed water for the rabbit are closely linked. comes in complete, show, and pro- Frozen water is a headache for fessional formulas and have between cattlemen as well as rabbit breed- 16 and 18 percent protein. Show for- ers. Rabbits can withstand very cold mulas have more oils for better coats. temperatures as long as they are Many of the higher protein, pro- protected from wind. Many breeders fessional feeds are too rich for young in Wyoming and Montana do not heat their barns. Because of our automatic

SPRING 2015 5 water system and the babies we raise rabbits, we have a swamp cooler and raccoon. I came out to the barn and for national shows, we keep our barn large fans to move the air. found nothing but traumatized does at 45 to 50 degrees F during winter. and fur where baby bunnies once Putting water cups in their cages is Ventilation and Vermin thrived. The only way to deal with Sanitation is a major concern in best if in an unheated barn. The ice the dog and raccoon problem is to a rabbit barn. A clean barn is one of needs to be removed from the cups keep them out of the rabbitry. In the the best ways to keep stock healthy. twice per day and refilled. Rabbits summer when the doors are open Cages may have drop pans or they soon learn to drink their fill imme- for ventilation, have screen doors in may be hanging cages where the diately after water is replenished to place strong enough to deter deter- urine and feces drop directly to the avoid ice. Even small breeds drink 8 mined predators. Keep an eye out for barn floor. There are even flush-clean to 16 ounces of water a day in the stray dogs. systems that allow droppings to be winter and more in the summer. Dogs and rabbits don’t mix. washed down a drain to outside the Summers in the Big Horn Basin building. Regardless of the system, it are hot! Rabbits do not tolerate high Disease must be kept clean through biweekly Many rabbit diseases temperatures well. They need shade, or weekly cleaning. are communicable, so ventilation, and plenty of water to get Removing droppings reduces illness allowed in through the summer. Many breed- ammonia fumes that cause illness the barn leads to ers freeze plastic pop bottles and put and keeps flies under control. There sick bunnies. Sick them in cages. Because we raise fur is a silver lining to all that housekeep- animals should be ing – the best gardens you ever grew! isolated. We have Composted rabbit manure is one of a policy to never the best fertilizers. allow any rabbit Have a plan to keep mice, rats, with the respirato- birds, and spiders out of your barn. ry disease snuffles Mice and rats spread filth and cause on our property. This stress to rabbits. Rats can attack kits illness can be treated and stress the nursing does so much with antibiotics, but it Chocolate does abandon their nests. Cats are cannot be cured. Wry lionhead good for pest control but make sure neck also goes in this cat- they respect the cages and leave the egory. It is not worth having babies alone. Mouse bait held in long the entire herd sick for the sake tubes along the walls allows the of one rabbit. We have treated rabbits vermin in but keeps rabbits out. for enteritis. Lactated Ringer’s solu- Clean barn floors to remove tion, given subcutaneously, can be food sources and nesting sites used in emergencies to help a sick, for vermin. dehydrated rabbit survive. Dogs and Raccoons To Market, To Market Most rabbit breeders If raising rabbits for market pur- have experienced the heart- poses, have clear breeding goals and break of predation by dogs knowledge of the market for rabbits or raccoons. Raccoons in your area. The pet market in our will literally shred rab- state is fair to poor outside the larger bits by pulling them cities. Meat raisers require a well- through cage wire. developed market for their produc- One year we lost tion. The fur and wool market can be five valuable and strong but is best when paired with a adorable Holland value-added product. Lop litters to a

6 BARNYARDS & BACKYARDS QUALITY MATTERS, BUY THE BEST There is a tendency for first-time rabbit buyers to buy a cute bunny here and a cute bunny there with- out consideration of how they will work together. 1. Choose a breed that fits your interest. There are 47 American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) recognized breeds ranging from rabbits prized for fur, wool, beauty, and/or utility value to those most suitable as pets due to size and/or temperament. Go to an ARBA show, talk to breeders, handle the rabbits, and inquire into their temperaments. Some breeds are easy-going and make great youth rabbits, while others are not for first-time owners. Running breeds need to run, and giant breeds need special accommodations because of their weight.

2. After choosing a breed, ask around for reputable breeders. Make sure they keep disease-free stock. Shows are a good place to make connections. 3. Staying within the same breeding lines is important when starting. Many lines don’t cross well requiring a lot of time and work to get the desired quality. Buy the best trio a breeder can sell. If breeders can only spare a pair, contact them in a few months and ask for another doe or contact another breeder carrying the same lines. 4. Other tips: a. Mothering ability is genetic, so buy good mothers. b. A great buck is worth his weight in gold. He will have more influence on a herd or project than a doe. Spend as much money as your budget allows on a buck. c. Many top breeders make special deals to youth to give them a good start.

Have fun and make new friends This hobby can be fun, and nothing relieves stress like grooming a friendly rabbit. Some of the best friends I have live in different states, and we meet at shows. We bought our first rabbit 12 years ago for my daughter to show in 4-H. Now we only have a senior in high school left at home who helps with the herd, but Momma has developed a lifelong rabbit habit!

As noted in the article, Rebecca Moncur knows a thing or two about raising rabbits. She can be reached at rebecca. [email protected].

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