Rabbits

everyone's ideal pet. Can be kept indoors or out.;

While there are literally hundreds of varieties of rabbit most  people want the smaller , or dwarf varieties.

At Pets Pantry we breed four  varieties of Rabbit.  The Netherland Dwarf, The Dwarf lop, the lionhead  and the  Mini Lop.

Before purchasing a rabbit please read up on the subject .   Remember a rabbit is for life not until the novelty wears off.

As well as breeding rabbits we can supply everything you need to  house and feed your new pet.

Basic Rabbit Care.

Housing. Buy the largest hutch you can, do not forget about a run.

Winter Housing. If possible move the hutch into a garage  or shed for the worst of the winter. If this is not possible make  sure the hutch is warm and dry.  If you do put it in the garage  remember do not put the car in it!!  ( exhaust fumes kills).

Food and water.  Rabbits must have fibre in their  diet. So as well as best quality dry food they must have constant  access to best hay. Drinking water must be available at all times.  Vegetables are good once the rabbit is over 16 weeks old, but do not  overdo them.  Carrots, cabbage, broccoli etc.  Do NOT feed  anything from the roadside, it may be contaminated.

Handling.  always " scoop up" your rabbit, This  supports the back end . NEVER PICK A RABBIT UP BY ITS EARS.

Neutering.  Consider neutering your rabbit. This will  eliminate most problems associated with sexual and behavioural  hormonal changes. If you are keeping two rabbits together this is  even more important.

Common Problems . 

Teeth:  Rabbits teeth grow continuously and sometimes  they can get misshapen and grow like a tusk.  This usually  happens with the front teeth. In these cases they will need cutting  back roughly every six weeks. Sometimes they can be removed  altogether.

Skin: Rabbits can get Ringworm, mites, wounds or Bacterial  infections. These are usually easily treated.

Digestive problems:  This usually occurs if there is a  sudden change of diet or there is not enough fibre in the diet.  Never change a rabbits food quickly and always offer unlimited  amounts of best hay.

Vaccinations:  Rabbits can be vaccinated against  myxomatosis and Viral haemorrhagic disease ( VHD)  . 

In general every time you feed your rabbit , pick him up  and inspect him.  Is his eyes clear and bright? is his nose  moist but not running?  is his fur clean and bright?  is  he the correct weight, not too fat and not too thin?  is his  nails the correct length? does he look happy?.  Any problem ,  get advice sooner rather than later.

BREEDING RABBITS

This is basic guide to breeding from your pet  rabbit based on over 15 years of practical experience in breeding  and selling small animals.

Before you start it is important to read as  much as possible on the subject. Books are available in your local  pet shop or in the library. It is also important to consider your  responsibilities for the welfare of the parent animals and their  offspring. Do consider how you will rehome the young; do not think  that friends will take them or that the local pet shop will  automatically want them.   

Breeding rabbits, or any animals, should not  be seen as a money making venture.  remember you are responsible  for the lives of any Young born.  I repeat ,  This is Not a money making venture .

The breeding of Rabbits will take up a lot of  your time. You will need a separate hutch for the buck and doe as  well as a third hutch for the young.

Giving birth can be stressful to the doe and  complications can arise that may cost you a lot of money in vets  fees and could harm or even kill the doe.

Basic Sexing of Rabbits.  

With a little practice this becomes quite easy.  It is not always  possible to accurately sex a rabbit under 8  weeks old, We recommend that any rabbit sexed under 8 weeks is  checked again!

Once the buck is over 4 months old he will have  prominent testicles , so is quite easy to sex. 

If in any doubt , consult an experienced rabbit  keeper or a vet with rabbit knowledge. 

   sexing the male rabbit( buck)

  sexing the female rabbit ( doe)

Rabbits should not be bred before six months of  age. You should choose a mate for your rabbit that is the same  variety as your own and in perfect health. 

Firstly introduce the Buck (male) to the Doe  (Female). They should mate almost immediately. After an hour remove  the Buck and mark a calendar as day 1. Hopefully the Doe is now  pregnant and should be left alone. Make sure she receives the very  best in hard feed, plenty of hay and unlimited access to fresh  water. Clean the hutch out on day 25.

 Around   day 30 She will make a fur lined nest and give birth. If she has not  given birth after day 32 then she was not pregnant and can be  remated.

It is important that you leave her alone with  her young for at least 14days. The young should now have their eyes  open and will be covered in fur. You can now give the hutch a good  clean out.

The young will wean themselves naturally at  four to five weeks of age and should be separated from the Doe and  by sex at six to seven weeks old.  

The young can  then be rehomed at no less than 10 weeks old.