Transcript Animal, Plant & Soil Science

Animal, Plant & Soil
Science
Lesson C7-15
The Rabbit Industry
Objectives
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Define terms used to describe rabbits,
and identify the parts of a rabbit.
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Compare and contrast the common
breeds of rabbits.
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Recognize the advantages and
disadvantages of rabbit production.
Objectives

Determine the facility and equipment
needs in rabbit production.

Identify common conditions,
parasites, and diseases that affect
rabbits and determine appropriate
prevention and treatment methods.
Objectives

Examine the production practices
involved in raising rabbits.
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Describe the feed rations and
nutritional requirements for rabbits
and examine why cecotrophy is
normal for rabbits.
What are the proper terms used in
describing rabbits, and what are the
parts of a rabbit?
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Knowing basic rabbit terminology is important.
A. The following are common
names and terms used in
describing rabbits.
1. A mature male rabbit is a buck.
2. A mature female rabbit is a doe.
3. A newborn rabbit is a kit.
4. The process of giving birth to young rabbits is
kindling.
5. A group of young rabbits born at one time is a
litter.
6. A group of rabbits is simply called a group.
What are the proper terms used in
describing rabbits, and what are the
parts of a rabbit?
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B. Rabbits were once classified as
rodents.
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However, rabbits have two more
incisor teeth than rodents.
Therefore, rabbits are lagomorphs,
or members of the order Lagomorpha.
Three rabbit genera are the jack rabbit (Lepus), the
North American cottontail (Sylvilagus), and the domestic
rabbit (Oryctolagus).
All domestic rabbits in America are descendants of the
Oryctolagus rabbit, which has a different number of
chromosomes than the jack rabbit or the cottontail.
The domestic rabbit in America was imported from other
parts of the world.
What are the proper terms used in
describing rabbits, and what are the
parts of a rabbit?
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C. Since the main purpose of
rabbits is meat consumption
and fur bearing, we need to
look at the basic parts and
muscle groups.
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One must be familiar with many
external parts of a rabbit.
Among these are forequarter, rib, loin, hip, hindquarter,
rump, leg, chest, forehead, and crown.
The crown is the part of a rabbit’s head between the
ears and behind the brow.
These terms help describe the conformation of rabbits.
What are the proper terms used in
describing rabbits, and what are the
parts of a rabbit?
What are the common breeds of
rabbits, and how do they differ?
The American Rabbit Breeders Association
(ARBA) recognizes 45 different breeds.
 A. Rabbit breeds are broken down into
several different categories.
 Rabbits can be classified by fur type,
body type, variety, size, or marking.
 1. The first fur type is normal.
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Normal fur has long guard hairs that protect a
dense undercoat.
Normal fur can also be called commercial fur.
Most rabbits are classified as normal fur.
What are the common breeds of
rabbits, and how do they differ?
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2. The second fur type is satin.
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3. The third fur type is rex.
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Satin fur has luster, is composed of transparent hair,
and is finer than normal fur.
Only one breed of rabbit has fur of this kind, and it is
appropriately named the Satin.
Rex fur has a very soft feel because it is dense and the
undercoat and guard hairs are the same length.
Only two breeds of American rabbits have rex fur, the
Rex and the Mini Rex.
4. The final fur type is angora (or wool type).
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Angora fur is used to manufacture clothing because of
its long wool-like fibers.
Rabbit wool is much warmer than sheep wool because of
its denseness.
Only six breeds fall into this group: the American
Fuzzy Lop, Jersey Wooly, English Angora, French
Angora, Satin Angora, and Giant Angora.
What are the common breeds of
rabbits, and how do they differ?
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B. Before selecting the kind of rabbits
to raise, the producer should consider
available space, available time, and
production goals.
1. The two most popular breeds for meat
production are the New Zealand and the
Californian.
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a. The New Zealand is completely white, red, or black
and weighs between 9 and 12 pounds.
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Besides being raised for meat, New Zealands are used for
research and show.
b. The Californian is a white rabbit with colored nose,
ears, tail, and feet.
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At maturity Californians weigh between 8 and 11 pounds.
They are used for meat and show.
What are the common breeds of
rabbits, and how do they differ?
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2. The Checkered Giant has a white body with
black ears, nose, and circles around the eyes.
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It also has black spots on the hindquarters, cheeks, and
sides of the body.
The breed can also express black spine
marking and black spots on the tail.
At maturity Checkered Giants weigh
more than 11 pounds.
They are used for show and for their fur.
3. The Dutch rabbit can have a black, blue,
chocolate, gray, tortoise, or steel body.
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It has a white band over the shoulder, under the neck,
and over the front legs and hind feet.
At maturity Dutch rabbits weigh between 3½ and 5½
pounds.
They are used for research, meat, and show.
What are the common breeds of
rabbits, and how do they differ?
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4. The Holland Lop, despite its compact body,
expresses massiveness, with an overall look
similar to that of a bulldog.
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5. The Tan rabbit originated in England and has a
two-colored body.
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The Holland Lop weighs only 3 to 4 pounds and has short
lop ears.
The breed expresses broken and solid colors.
Holland Lops are used mainly for show.
It weighs an average of 4 to 5 pounds and is known as
one of the most beautiful breeds because of its color
combinations.
The Tan is primarily a show breed.
C. Regardless of the breed, all rabbits should be
purchased from a reputable breeder and
evaluated for health, reproduction ability,
longevity, and vigor.
What are the advantages and
disadvantages of rabbit production?
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Rabbit production has several advantages
and disadvantages.
A. The advantages of raising rabbits
are:
1. Rabbits reach market weight by
eight weeks, providing a quick return
for the investor.
2. Basic housing and equipment needs are low
compared with those of other livestock
enterprises.
3. A variety of breeds are available from which to
choose.
4. The production schedule for rabbits is short.
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The gestation period for a doe is 27 to 35 days.
The potential is for four to eight cycles per year
(depending on rabbit type).
What are the advantages and
disadvantages of rabbit production?
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5. Rabbits are born in litters
of from 2 to 15.
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6. The rabbit industry
provides six markets: meat,
fur, pelts, pets, laboratory rabbits, and
reptile feeders.
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Most litters contain 6 to 10 kits.
The rabbit fur and wool industry also provides
the opportunity to sell pelts.
7. Rabbits are excellent pets and easily
managed.
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They make good beginning 4-H and FFA
projects.
What are the advantages and
disadvantages of rabbit production?
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B. The disadvantages of raising rabbits are:
1. Finding a reputable rabbit breeder can be
difficult.
2. Types of feed should be of high quality.
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Some common feeds cause fertility and digestive
problems.
3. The costs of facilities and equipment are
minimal; however, the proper design and location
of hutches is important.
4. Marketing rabbits can be challenging if no local
harvest facility is available.
5. Raising rabbits is usually a supplemental, not a
primary, income source.
What facilities and equipment are
required in rabbit production?
Facility and equipment needs for
raising rabbits depend on the
various types of production
and climate.
 Number of rabbits, amount of space, kind
of hutches, location, environment and
climate conditions, amount of money
readily available for investment, and use of
other facilities and equipment are all key
factors in planning for rabbit production.
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What facilities and equipment are
required in rabbit production?
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A. Hutches are essential in rabbit
production.
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A hutch is a small compartment that
allows ease of handling, protection, and
proper management.
The size and number of the hutches
depend on the operation.
Cages can be built from wire or wood.
Two advantages of wire cages are that they are easier to
construct and clean and that they last longer.
Wood cages protect animals from climate factors if the
hutches are located outside a building.
Ventilation is very important in rabbit production,
whether the number of rabbits is large or small.
Hutches should also allow indirect sunlight to rabbits.
What facilities and equipment are
required in rabbit production?
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B. A nest box is a box provided to
a doe so that she can make a nest
and have babies in it.
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It is also called a kindling box.
The nest box is typically 12 inches
wide × 18 inches long × 12 inches deep.
One end of the box is cut down to 6 inches deep.
Straw or some sort of bedding should be placed inside
the nest box before the doe gives birth.
C. Automatic waterers are highly recommended.
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They improve sanitation and require less labor than
water dishes.
Feeders should be heavy enough that rabbits do not tip
them over.
What facilities and equipment are
required in rabbit production?
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D. Other equipment needs include
measuring cups, scales, brushes and
combs, and carry baskets or carts.
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Measuring cups are important for accurate
feeding in rabbit production.
Scales are used for checking rabbit growth so
rate-of-gain records can be maintained.
Brushes and combs are necessary for rabbit
care and grooming needs.
Carry baskets or carts ease rabbit handling.
What are common conditions, parasites, and
diseases that affect rabbits, and what are
appropriate prevention and treatment methods?
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Several common conditions, parasites,
and diseases can affect rabbits.
Good management systems and
prevention programs can control
these.
A. Broken back can be caused by sudden noise or
improper handling techniques.
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One way to prevent this condition is to educate
beginning growers about the proper way to pick up a
rabbit.
Another is for growers to play soft radio music around
the hutches.
The music will allow the rabbits to ease in noise
changes.
What are common conditions, parasites, and
diseases that affect rabbits, and what are
appropriate prevention and treatment methods?
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B. Snuffles (Pasteurella multocida) is a bacterial
infection.
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Signs may include pneumonia, sneezing, nasal discharge,
coughing, and weepy eyes.
This disease is contagious and should be treated with an
antibiotic in the drinking water.
The water for the entire rabbitry should be treated.
C. Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease that has two
different types: intestinal and liver.
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Signs of this disease include anorexia, debilitation, and
poor weight gain.
The use of an antibiotic is recommended as the
treatment.
A preventive practice is cleaning cage floors daily with a
wire brush to remove any droppings stuck to the wire.
What are common conditions, parasites, and
diseases that affect rabbits, and what are
appropriate prevention and treatment methods?
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D. Ear mites are common external
parasites of rabbits.
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Two types of mites can infect rabbits:
Psoroptes cuniculi and Sarcoptes scabiei.
Common signs of mites are shaking of the head
and scratching and flapping of the ears.
Mineral oil rubbed on the ears can serve as a
control or treatment.
If mites have infected the fur area, an
antibiotic should be used.
Mites can do terrible damage to the fur coat
and cause fur loss.
What are common conditions, parasites, and
diseases that affect rabbits, and what are
appropriate prevention and treatment methods?
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E. Viral hemorrhagic disease is a viral
disorder in rabbits.
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It can cause hemorrhage in the
lungs and intestines.
Rabbits may show signs of bloody nose and
bloody stools.
There is no cure for this disease, which can
wipe out a rabbitry.
Exposed rabbits must be destroyed.
Prevention of viral hemorrhagic disease
involves quarantining new rabbits for 30 days
before introducing them into a group.
What are common conditions, parasites, and
diseases that affect rabbits, and what are
appropriate prevention and treatment methods?
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F. Wool block can occur when rabbits
are not trimmed or groomed
properly.
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Extra-long wool left on a rabbit
can be ingested.
This can cause a wool ball in the
digestive system that can kill the
animal within days.
Symptoms are coughing and difficult breathing.
Treatment requires the animal to drink
pineapple juice for several days.
What production practices are
involved in raising rabbits?
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Production practices are no different whether a
few rabbits or a hundred are being raised.
Common maintenance of facilities and proper care
of animals are necessary.
A. Facilities and equipment should be cleaned
daily to decrease diseases and parasites.
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Feces should be disposed of properly.
Waterers and feeders should be cleaned and should be
free of any foreign materials.
For rabbits to maintain healthy and shiny coats, quality,
clean water is important.
B. Carefully selecting breeding stock is the first
step in guaranteeing disease-free rabbits with
good maternal traits.
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Selection of rabbits should also be based on
conformation and style of the particular breed.
What production practices are
involved in raising rabbits?
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C. Understanding production schedules is
essential.
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If production requires breeding,
a producer must understand
gestation period and rebreeding
times.
If schedules are followed, does can be very
productive.
Meat rabbits can be ready for market in less
than 12 weeks.
Marketing as many fryers per doe as possible
will maximize returns.
Growth records should be kept to maintain
efficiency.
What production practices are
involved in raising rabbits?
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D. Feeding rabbits is a daily
production practice that must
be taken seriously.
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Rabbits have different nutrient
requirements at various
stages of production.
They must receive proper minerals and
adequate protein.
Clean water is important; a lactating doe can
drink up to a gallon a day.
What production practices are
involved in raising rabbits?
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E. Health maintenance and disease prevention are
essential for successful rabbit production.
The producer should:
1. Never loan out bucks.
2. Isolate new rabbits for 30 days.
3. Quickly dispose of dead rabbits
and disinfect cages and all equipment.
4. Burn droppings.
5. Clean cages regularly.
6. Wash and disinfect nest boxes after each litter.
7. Clean up extra fur from cages.
8. Control flies and rodents.
What production practices are
involved in raising rabbits?
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F. Record keeping is a production practice
that allows good management decisions to
be made.
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Identification of animals should be
documented.
Records of breeding, rebreeding,
nesting, kindling, purchases,
weight, feed conversions, and
marketing should be kept.
What production practices are
involved in raising rabbits?
G. Effective marketing is
essential to ensure an
adequate financial return.
 Develop a marketing plan for
rabbits based on meat, fur, or other uses.
 1. Meat rabbits are raised as fryers or
roasters.
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A fryer is a domestic rabbit, usually 12 weeks
old or less, whose carcass weighs more than
1½ pounds but no more than 4 pounds.
A roaster is a rabbit that is heavier than a
fryer or cull animal from the breeding herd.
What production practices are
involved in raising rabbits?
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a. To raise rabbits successfully for meat, one must
assess the amount of feed required to produce the rabbit
weight desired.
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b. Most commercial operations sell fryers and roasters to
processors.
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Fryers typically consume 4 pounds of pelleted feed for
every pound of gain.
They should gain ¼ pound per week.
The processors harvest the rabbits and market the pelts
and meat.
Colored pelts are not worth as much as pure white ones, so
most growers raise only white rabbits.
c. Some producers harvest and market the rabbits they
grow, but they must follow the same strict sanitation and
harvesting regulations as large processors.
What production practices are
involved in raising rabbits?
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2. Rabbits are also used to produce
fur, often of the wool type.
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The wool of angora rabbits grows
2½ to 3½ inches long and can be
harvested at a rate of 1 inch per month.
On average, angora rabbits shear 14 to 15
ounces annually.
To raise angora rabbits successfully, the
rabbits’ environment must be kept clean and
their wool harvested often.
Since the price for rabbit wool is low, raising
animals for both wool and meat is a good idea.
The wool is marketed for use in clothing.
What production practices are
involved in raising rabbits?
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3. Rabbits are also used for their skins.
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The pelts are usually marketed by the pound and bought
by raw-fur buyers.
A pelt is an animal’s skin that still has the hair attached.
Skins must meet requirements and therefore should not
be cut or mutilated by overstretching or overdrying.
4. Rabbits raised for pets or for 4-H and FFA
projects are usually grown by small producers.
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Rabbits can be raised outside, or they can be raised
inside a small shed or garage.
Marketing of rabbits raised for pets or projects is usually
done locally.
What production practices are
involved in raising rabbits?
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5. Rabbits can also be marketed to
research laboratories.
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These laboratories have strict guidelines
that must be met.
A laboratory may require a certain size, age,
breed, or sex.
This type of marketing is typically handled
through a contact.
6. Rabbits are marketed to zoos and other
types of operations.
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Rabbits are the food of choice for snakes,
crocodiles, alligators, eagles, and wolves.
What are common feed rations and
nutritional requirements for rabbits, and
why is cecotrophy normal for rabbits?
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Rabbits require the same basic nutrients as other
animals.
Carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, and
vitamins are important in rabbit rations, as is
water.
The amount of each depends upon the age,
production type, and growth rate of the animals.
A. Percentage of protein in rations is typically 14
to 16 percent.
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Bucks, pregnant does, does with litters, and growing
rabbits need 14 to 18 percent crude protein.
Dry does, nonactive bucks, and maturing rabbits should
be on rations with 12 to 14 percent crude protein.
Wool-producing rabbits require 10 to 12 percent for
short-haired adults and 13 to 15 percent for long-haired
adults.
What are common feed rations and
nutritional requirements for rabbits, and
why is cecotrophy normal for rabbits?
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B. Fats are required and should account for 1 to
1½ percent of total caloric intake.
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Eicosanoids have essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty
acids acting as their foundation and should be a part of
the diet. Eicosanoids control blood pressure, blood
clotting, and muscle contractions.
C. The rabbit has a digestive system
similar to that of the horse.
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This type of system allows for the
utilization of high-quality hay, grasses,
and/or green vegetables.
Hay should be clean and contain nutrients and highquality leaves.
Alfalfa is preferred because of its high content of
nutrients.
Other vegetable greens can be fed to rabbits as long as
the animals are three months or older.
Fiber content is very important in a rabbit’s diet.
What are common feed rations and
nutritional requirements for rabbits, and
why is cecotrophy normal for rabbits?
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D. A common ration for a rabbit would
include a commercial feed, along with hay
or green feeds.
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The commercial feed should be only
40 percent of the total amount fed.
The rest of the diet should include hay or
greens in addition to water.
Commercial feeds are available through many
feed companies and provide different
percentages of protein to meet the specific
needs of rabbits.
What are common feed rations and
nutritional requirements for rabbits, and
why is cecotrophy normal for rabbits?
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E. Cecotrophy is a process in which rabbits eat
their soft feces.
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It is a normal practice that rabbits mainly perform early
in the morning or late at night.
This procedure allows rabbits to make use of bacterial
digestion in the lower tract.
Through the process, rabbits fully convert forage protein,
synthesize B vitamins, and further break down cellulose
or fiber into energy that can be used.
Rabbits should be allowed to practice cecotrophy,
because it contributes 20 percent of the protein and 10
percent of the required energy.
Rabbits will eat only soft, green pellets.
They will not eat hard, brown pellets.
Review
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What are the proper terms used in
describing rabbits, and what are the parts
of a rabbit?

What are the common breeds of rabbits,
and how do they differ?

What are the advantages and
disadvantages of rabbit production?
Review

What facilities and equipment are required
in rabbit production?

What are common conditions, parasites,
and diseases that affect rabbits, and what
are appropriate prevention and treatment
methods?
Review

What production practices are involved in
raising rabbits?

What are common feed rations and
nutritional requirements for rabbits, and
why is cecotrophy normal for rabbits?