Rabbit Husbandry Flashcards
What are the subtle means of communication that rabbits use?
Scent marking
Body language
When are rabbits most active?
Most active at dawn and dusk
What does a rabbit banging its hind feet suggest?
Its giving a warning
What do rabbits do when they’re really happy?
Binkying - high jumps
In what groups do rabbits live in?
Small family groups -
- single-sex sibling groups
- neutered pairs
When housing rabbits what should you ensure the stability of?
Environment - don’t disturb scent marks
Population - introducing new rabbits is tricky
How many recognised rabbit breeds are there?
Around 60 breeds
What is an issue associated with lop rabbits?
They have a shortened face which an lead to more dental problems.
Describe a dwarf lop.
(Known as mini lop in USA)
Small/medium breed
2 - 2.5kg
Friendly, playful
Describe a mini lop.
Smaller than a dwarf
1.5 - 1.7 kg
Sociable, friendly
Describe a French lop.
Large
4.5 - 6.8 kg
Sensible ear length
Describe an English lop.
Around 5.5 kg
Laid back
Ear length can be problematic -
- heat loss
- adequate space is required
Describe a Lionhead rabbit.
Small
1.1 - 1.6 kg
Docile, clever, flighty when stressed
Wooly coat requires daily attention to prevent mating
Describe an Angora rabbit.
Coat maintenance is very important
English - 2 - 3 kg
French - 3.5 - 4.5 kg
German - 2.5 - 5.5 kg
Giant - >5kg
Describe a Rex rabbit.
3 - 3.5 kg
Playful, gentle, enjoy human company
Describe a Satin rabbit.
Medium breed
2.7 - 3.6 kg
Docile, calm
Describe a Himalayan rabbit.
Black and white - temperature dependent
1.5 - 2 kg
Gentle, enjoy human company
Describe a Dutch rabbit.
Black and white - temperature dependent
2 - 2.5 kg
Sociable, friendly
Describe an English rabbit.
Black and white - temperature dependent
Around 3 kg
Sociable, friendly, gentle
Describe a Netherlands dwarf rabbit.
< 1 kg
Timid, skittish, occasionally grumpy
Short face - problems
Describe a Polish rabbit.
About 1.1 kg
Calmer than other small breeds
Docile, friendly, intelligent
Describe the New Zealand rabbits.
Meat and lab use originally
New Zealand Red and New Zealand White
About 5kg
Great personalities
Clever, laid back, docile, friendly
Describe a Belgian hare.
A hare that’s not a hare
Around 3 - 4 kg
Very clever, generally friendly, can be skittish
Describe a continental giant rabbit.
7 kg +
Great pets, shorter lifespan (CV or dental problems)
Describe a Flemish giant rabbit.
Around 7 kg
Can be above 10 kg
Longer lived - 8 - 10 years
Calm, docile, good pets
How can stress affect a rabbits’ digestive system?
Reduce gut motility significantly
On a rabbits face, where should/shouldn’t you touch?
Avoid touching nose
Stroking round cheeks and chin can mimic natural mutual grooming behaviour
How should you examine a rabbit?
Don’t pick them up
Let them come to you
Examine on the floor
Put a towel down
How should you handle a rabbit?
As little as possible
Ideally introduce from a young age
Make sure you support hindlimb, to avoid damage to spine
Never by the ears
What is tonic immobility?
It is a fear response and should not be used as routine restraint or instead of sedation or anaesthesia. They are fully aware. Induced when turned onto their backs.
Cortisol, respiratory rate and heart rate increase.
What is essential when feeding rabbits?
Fibre as they are hindgut fermenters
Rabbits are browsing creatures, what does this mean when feeding them?
They can be highly selective
What is the link between dietary fibre and stress in rabbits?
Increased dietary fibre = decreased stress
Rabbits are very selective. They will often choose grains and pulses over grass pellets in a concentrate diet. Why is this problematic?
Low fibre intake = increase risk of dental disease and reduced gut health
High concentrates = lots of energy in small meal
What does feeding starchy foods to rabbits lead to?
Gastrointestinal disturbances
Describe what indigestible fibre is used for in rabbits.
Vital for gut motility
Ligin and cellulose from secondary plant wall
No nutritional ‘value’
Not easily fermented - excreted as hard pellets
Describe what digestible fibre is used for in rabbits.
For energy
Smaller particles from primary plant wall
Fermented in caecum
Results in volatile fatty acid production
What does excess digestible fibre result in for rabbits?
Caecal dysbiosis
e.g. lawn clippings
What should you feed rabbits?
Grass (fresh, dried, hay) ad-lib (80% of diet)
A mixture of Timothy, fescue, cocksfoot and meadow grass is ideal.
Supplement with edible wild leafy plants and leafy greens (carrot tops, beet tops, spinach, rocket)
What is alfalfa used for when feeding rabbits?
Only for growing rabbits due to the high protein and calcium levels and lower fibre
What is clover used for when feeding rabbits?
Weight gain
Very high energy
How is calcium regulated in rabbits?
By the kidneys, not the gut
In rabbits, what dietary level of calcium is required for optimal health?
0.6 - 1 %
What is the pH of the stomach of neonatal rabbits?
pH 5 - 6.5
What is milk oil produced due to in rabbits?
Due to a reaction of doe’s milk with digestive enzymes = antimicrobial
As a kit starts to take in plant matter, what changes?
Bacteria colonise in the caecum and pH in the stomach drops
When housing rabbits, what do they need space to do?
Sit up with ears erect
Hop
Lie down fully stretched
Play
Eat and drink
Maintain hygiene
What temperature is ideal for housing rabbits?
10 - 20 degrees Celcius
What does a dirty environment predispose rabbits to?
Flystrike
Pododermatitis
Respiratory disease
What vaccinations are part of routine health care for rabbits?
Myxomatosis
RHD (Viral haemorrhagic disease - caused by calicivirus)
