Basic Care ClinicRabbits

Saturday June 21st 9am-12pm Fair Registration RTC Building

Wednesday July 16th Showing & Fitting Clinic 7pm RTC Building

Dates of Importance

Committee Introductions 1st Year 4-Her’s??? Do you have your rabbits for fair??? You can register 3 rabbits for the fair, even

if you only bring 1. Dover, Ohio show today Butler, PA 4/27/14 Ohio Mini Convention 5/2/14-5/4/14

Welcome!!!

Crossbred Rabbit: the mating of rabbits of two different breeds

Purebred Rabbit: the same breed used for many generations, usually contains a pedigree

There are 48 recognized breed of rabbits, visit the ARBA site for more information on individual breed

https://www.arba.net/breeds.htm

Choosing a Breed

The housing and feed costs are the same If your plans are to breed and sell your

rabbits at some point, PUREBRED rabbits are in higher demand and bring a better price

Just because it has a pedigree, does not mean it is “perfect” or should be used

If you plan on showing outside of 4-H, PUREBREDS are a must in an ARBA show

Purebred vs. Crossbred

Availability Cost of the rabbit Cost of care Amount of Space Size of the handler Research ARBA and your local, state, and

national clubs

Choosing a Breed

Know the breed, know the standard Find a reputable breeder to help and answer

your questions Check the rabbit over, visually and

physically Look at the pedigree (if available) There is no “set” price of a rabbit Ask if the breeder about 4-H/Youth pricing DO NOT pay more than you can afford Any doubts…..DO NOT BUY!!!

Buying the Rabbit

ARBA recommended sheet enclosed Dwarf breeds 18x30, 24x24 (inches) Medium breeds 30x30 (inches) Large breeds 30x36 or bigger (inches) Giant breeds 3 x 6 (feet) Wire floors are easier to keep clean than

solid floors

Cages

Breeds weighing less than 4.5 lbs 1.5 sq ft Breeds weighing 4.5 to 9 lbs 3 sq ft Breeds weighing 9 to 12 lbs 4 sq ft Breeds weighing over 12 lbs 5 sq ft Doe with litter (under 4.5 lbs) 4 sq ft Doe with litter (4.5 to 9 lbs) 5 sq ft Doe with litter (9 to 12 lbs) 6 sq ft Doe with litter (over 12 lbs) 7.5 sq ft

Cages

Cages

Rabbits must be kept out of the elements: snow, rain, wind, sun, etc.

In a building, good ventilation is the key Cooler temperatures are better for rabbits In the heat, you can use frozen bottles

and/or tiles, misting systems, or fans and good air flow

Weather

A quality feed is going to cost money There are many brands of food, what works

for some will not work for others Feed a pellet that is fresh and smells good Feed crocks, dishes, hopper type About 1 ounce per pound of body weight Weigh your feed, weigh your rabbits

Feed

Cold weather and kindling may increase food intake

15% protein to 18% protein Complete feed Pellets, not fruity pieces Do not be afraid to question your feed Gradual feed changes: ¾ old ¼ new, ½ old

½ new, ¼ old ¾ new, all new

Feed

Millstone http://www.millstonefg.com/

Smith Farm Supply 14880 E Liverpool Rd, East Liverpool, OH 43920 (330) 386-6458

Roger’s Mill 7431 Depot St, Rogers, OH 44455 (330) 227-3214

Tractor Supply

Feed

Showrite/Hubbard http://www.hubbardfeeds.com/default.aspx

Pen Pals http://www.admani.com/

Rowe http://www.rowenutrition.com/

Blue Seal/Kent http://www.kentnutritiongroup.com/

Manna Pro http://www.mannapro.com/products/rabbit/

Purina http://www.rabbit.purinamills.com/Default.aspx Nutrena

http://www.nutrenaworld.com/products/more-species/rabbits/premium-rabbit-pellets/index.jsp

Feed

Hay Straw Oats Conditioner mixes

Feed Supplements

Calf-Manna Oxygen & Cir Q late Showbloom Nutripreme Showboost

Feed Supplements

Vegetables, especially lettuce (small piece of pineapple, banana for wool block)

Fruit/veggie seeds Treats/yogurt drops Mineral/salt blocks Alfalfa (can be mixed in hay) Cereal

Do Not Feed To Rabbits

Clean, fresh at all times Crocks vs. plastic bottles Can add supplements IF necessary

Water

Water AM/PM, Feed PM stick to your schedule

Observe feed and drinking habits, hay habits

Nails, teeth, ears, behavior, bottoms Use a wire brush to clean cage bottom Handle rabbit Hay???

Daily Tasks

Clean cages: wire brush, trays, feeders, waterers

Check over rabbits you may not check everyday

Repairs Breeding/weaning information

Weekly Tasks

Toenails Teeth Check fans, air vents, etc. Worming Coccidiosis treatments Pressure wash/burn wire cages each year at

least once, preferably twice.

Monthly Tasks

AIR, AIR, AIR!!! Outdoor hutches in shady areas Indoor cages need ventilation Cool, clean water Frozen bottles/tiles Misting

Hot Weather

Protect from wind, rain, snow, etc. Winterize hutches and indoor rabbitries Possible increase in feed Water at all times Rabbits still need good ventilation even in

cold

Cold Weather

Ear Canker Caused by mites that burrow into the ear Brown, crusty material builds up in the ear Oil on a Q-Tip to clean out the ear two or

more times a day (mineral oil, sweet oil, or vegetable oil)

Treatment is usually for 3 days

Common Health Problems

Sore Hocks Caused by thin fur on hind foot, dirty cages,

sharp wire floors, etc. Bare spots, bleeding, sores Preperation H, Bag Balm, Vetrycin Place a board or resting mat in the cage

Common Health Problems

Skin Mites Mites burrow into the skin Dandruff-like flakes usually on neck, behind

ears Untreated causes hair loss and lesions Cat flea powder, Ivomec/Wazine Mixture in

water spray

Common Health Problems

Cocciciosis Caused by protozoa parasites Symptoms: soft droppings, rough fur, poor

weight gain, pot belly Treatment: clean and disinfect cage, treat

with sulfaquinoxaline (in water) treat 5 days off 10 treat 5 more

Treatment 3 or 4 times a year

Common Health Problems

Once a month, when breeding, as needed Nail clippers, dog clippers, etc Keep trimmed just above the quick

Trimming Nails

Teeth grow ½ a month Constantly wearing them off: wood, hay,

etc. Most have no problems 28 total teeth Congenital, trauma, infection

Rabbits Teeth

Rabbits Teeth

A misalignment of teeth Signs: wetness, drooling, swelling, pain,

food/eating changes, weight loss, grinding Wolf teeth Use clippers to trim teeth to normal length

every 2 or 3 weeks Rabbit is never cured

Malocclusion

Malocclusion

Mucoid Enteritis: often affects young rabbits, droppings covered in a clear gel like mucus, bloat, teeth grinding,

Cause: Harmful bacteria have grown in the intestinal tract of the bunny, and it needs to be removed while leaving the good bacteria in the digestive system

Treatment: Simethicone infant drops, Neomycin Sulfate, Dri-Tail, BeneBac, baby food, yogurt, Pedialyte, hay, Nutri-drops, NutriCal

You may have to syringe fluids

Common Health Problems

https://www.arba.net/ http://osrba.net/ http://www.osrba.net/miniconvention/ http://www.rabbittalkinohio.net/ https://www.arba.net/showsSearch.php http://sugarcampfarms.weebly.com Penn-Ohio Rabbit Club

Useful Sites