NOVA SCOTIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rabbit Production Manual A Guide for 4-H Leaders and Beginning Farmers Rabbit Production Manual Table of Contents Disclaimer .................................................................................................................................... 4 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 5 A Brief History of the Rabbit ............................................................................................ 5 Section 1: Selecting an Animal ................................................................................................... 6 Purchasing and Selecting Stock ...................................................................................... 6 Common Rabbit Breeds .................................................................................................. 8 Showroom 6 Breeds ................................................................................................................ 8 Showroom 4 Breeds .............................................................................................................. 10 Fiber Breeds (Showroom 4 or 6) ........................................................................................... 14 Body Type .................................................................................................................... 17 Standard of Perfection for Purebred Rabbits ................................................................. 19 Associations and Rabbit Resources .............................................................................. 19 Section 2: Care and Management ............................................................................................ 20 Housing and Cages ....................................................................................................... 20 Recommended Cage Sizes ................................................................................................... 21 Types of Housing .................................................................................................................. 21 Materials: ............................................................................................................................... 23 Other Equipment ................................................................................................................... 25 Sanitation ..................................................................................................................... 28 Uses for Rabbit Manure ........................................................................................................ 28 Ventilation and Temperature ......................................................................................... 29 Hot Weather ........................................................................................................................... 29 Heat Stress ............................................................................................................................ 29 Wet Weather .......................................................................................................................... 30 Code of Practice ........................................................................................................... 31 Handling a Rabbit ......................................................................................................... 32 Removing a Rabbit from its Cage ......................................................................................... 32 Carrying a Rabbit ................................................................................................................... 32 Flipping a Rabbit Over ........................................................................................................... 33 1 Grooming Trimming Nails ...................................................................................................................... 34 Shedding ................................................................................................................................ 35 Spot Clean ............................................................................................................................. 35 Traceability and Identification ....................................................................................... 36 Identification ......................................................................................................................... 36 Section 3: Nutrition .................................................................................................................... 38 Digestion ...................................................................................................................... 38 Nutrients ...................................................................................................................... 38 Carbohydrates ....................................................................................................................... 39 Fats ........................................................................................................................................ 39 Protein ................................................................................................................................... 39 Minerals ................................................................................................................................. 39 Vitamins ................................................................................................................................. 40 Water ..................................................................................................................................... 40 Classes of Feed ............................................................................................................ 40 Concentrate Feeds ................................................................................................................ 40 Dry Roughage Feeds ............................................................................................................. 41 Succulent Feeds .................................................................................................................... 41 Feeding Program .......................................................................................................... 41 Pellet Purchasing Tips .......................................................................................................... 42 How Much to Feed? .............................................................................................................. 42 Changing Feeds ..................................................................................................................... 43 Body Condition Scoring ................................................................................................ 43 Section 4: Health ....................................................................................................................... 44 Stress........................................................................................................................... 44 Examining the Rabbit .................................................................................................... 45 Signs of a Healthy Rabbit .............................................................................................. 47 Parasites ...................................................................................................................... 48 Common Rabbit Parasites ............................................................................................ 49 General Conditions ....................................................................................................... 50 Breeding and Pregnancy Conditions .............................................................................. 52 2 Administering Medications ........................................................................................... 53 Orally (liquid form) ................................................................................................................. 53 Orally (pill form) ..................................................................................................................... 53 Injection ................................................................................................................................. 54 Biosecurity ................................................................................................................... 55 Sanitation Maintenance ........................................................................................................ 55 Section 5: Breeding .................................................................................................................... 57 Selecting Rabbits to Breed ................................................................................................... 57 Principles of Breeding ........................................................................................................... 59 Pregnancy Determination ..................................................................................................... 60 Feeding a Pregnant Doe........................................................................................................ 60 Nest Box ...............................................................................................................................