rabbit husbandry Flashcards
behaviour
- social and gregarious species
live in small bonded family groups
-prey species - communicate through scent marking and body language
- crepuscular - most active at dawn and dusk
gaining a rabbits trust
-take time = let them come to you
-avoid touching nose
-stroking round cheeks and chin can mimic natural mutual grooming behaviour
-do not pick up
-food
handling
introduce from young age
as little as possible
support hindlimbs -avoid damage to spine
NEVER by ears
tonic immobility
fear response
cortisol increases
respiratory rate increases
heart rate increases
diet and feeding
hindgut fermenters - fibre essential
browsing creatures - highly selective
use food as enrichment in domestic rabbits
increased dietary fibre = decrease stress
food to avoid
cereal and concentrate mixes =
high protein, high calorie. selective feeding, reduced caecotrophy, boredom, dental disease, obesity
starchy food lead to GI disturbances
why is it problematic that rabbits are very selective and will choose grains and pulses over grass pellets in a concentrate diet?
low fibre intake = increased risk of dental disease and reduced gut health
high concentrates = lots of energy in small meal
fibre
indigestible fibre - vital for gut motility
digestible fibre = for energy
correct foods
grass - 80% of diet
-mixture of timothy, fescue, cocksfoot, meadowgrass
-alfalfa - only for growing rabbits - high calcium and protein
- clover - high energy
supplement with edible wild leafy plants and leafy greens
carrot tops, beet tops, spinach, rocket
fruit only as a treat
neonates
stomach pH = 5-6.5
milk oil produced due to reaction of does milk with digestive enzymes = antimicrobial
housing
space to:
sit up with ears erect
hop
lie down fully stretched
play
eat and drink
maintain hygiene
10-20 degrees
scent marking spaces
access to outside
should be large enough to accommodate 2 rabbits
6x2x2ft
problems of a lack of cleaning
flystrike/myiasis
pododermatitis
respiratory disease
