Rabbits

Question 1

Describe rabbit digestion

Answer 1

Food chewed thoroughly to break it down and it mixes with saliva.
Food then passes to stomach and then into small intestine.
Within the small intestine, protein is absorbed as well as some starches and sugars.
The remaining residue is then passed to the ileum and then the caecum.
At this stage any large indigestible fibre passes the colon and is excreted as small round droppings.
Small soluble particles, pass into the caecum where they undergo bacterial fermentation.

Question 2

What is the maintenance requirement in rabbits?

Answer 2

100kcal X BW0.75 per day

Question 3

What are the relative requirements in a rabbits diet?

Answer 3

12-14% protein
1% fat
20% crude fibre

Question 4

What kind of vegetables do rabbits eat?

Answer 4

kale, broccoli, herbs, cabbage, spinach, carrot tops, sprouts and swede