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Small Animal Management

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Bunny baby rabbit. Kit baby rabbit. Kindle giving birth (terms cont.) F. ... Number of bunnies. Healthy. Content. Adequate nest materials. H. Weaning ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Small Animal Management


1
Small Animal Management
  • Rabbits
  • From foukeffa.org
  • Written by Johanna Davis
  • GA Ag Ed Curriculum Office
  • To accompany the Georgia Agriculture Education
    Curriculum Lesson 02421-6.1
  • July 2001

2
I. Terms
  • Buck male rabbit
  • Doe female rabbit
  • Bunny baby rabbit
  • Kit baby rabbit
  • Kindle giving birth

3
(terms cont.)
  • F. Litter group of young kindled by the same
    doe
  • Junior rabbit under 6 months
  • Senior rabbit over 6 months
  • Breed animals with similar physical
    characteristics that are passed on to their
    young.
  • Variety subdivision of a breed, usually by
    distinguished by color

4
(terms continued)
  • K. Molting shedding fur
  • L. Gestation the length of time a female is
    pregnant
  • M. Lactation production of milk
  • N. Snuffles respiratory ailment in rabbits

5
II. Parts
6
Neck
Ear
Shoulder
Rump
Cheek
Tail
Dewlap
Belly
Hock
Flank
7
III. Size Classes
  • Small
  • a. 2 7 lbs
  • b. Examples
  • 1. Netherland Dwarfs
  • 2. Dutch
  • 3. Tans

8
(size classes continued)
  • Medium
  • a. 8 - 12 lbs
  • b. Examples
  • 1. New Zealands
  • 2. Florida Whites
  • 3. Satins

9
(size classes continued)
  • C. Large
  • a. over 13 lbs
  • b. Examples
  • 1. Flemish Giants
  • 2. Checkered Giants
  • 3. Giant Lops

10
IV. Classes by Use
  • Pets
  • Show / Exhibition
  • Meat Production
  • Pelts
  • Wool
  • Laboratory / Research

11
V. Breed Selection
  • Over 30 recognized breeds
  • Over 80 recognized varieties
  • (divisions within a breed)

12
(breed selection continued)
  • Selection based on use
  • 1. Meat Production
  • New Zealand (White, Black, Red)
  • California (White w/eight black points)
  • Satin (Colors vary specialty fur)

13
(breed selection continued)
  • (Selection based on use, cont)
  • 2. Research
  • New Zealand White consistent
  • 3. Show / Pet
  • Any breed

14
(breed selection continued)
  • (Selection based on use, cont)
  • 4. Pelts
  • Rex
  • Mini Rex
  • Satin
  • 5. Wool
  • Angora

15
VI. Locating Breeding Stock
  • Feed Stores
  • American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA)
  • Journals / Magazines

16
(Locating Breeding Stock, cont)
  • D. Telephone Book
  • E. County Agricultural Agent
  • F. Agriscience Teacher
  • G. County Fair Exhibits
  • H. Newspapers

17
VII. Selection of Breeding Stock
  • They are healthy and vigorous
  • They are average size for their breed
  • Age to buy
  • Juniors (unproven)
  • (-) must wait to breed them
  • () can ease them into production

18
(selection of breeding stock/ age to buy
continued)
  • 2. Seniors
  • (-) age difficult to determine
  • () ready for production
  • Older Rabbits
  • (long heavy toenails and the meat along the back
    bone is sinewy (stringy) and tough)
  • (-) less production potential
  • (-) may be sterile
  • () may be cheaper

19
(selection of breeding stock continued)
  • Start with a trio
  • One buck and two does
  • Trust the breeder to select compatible breeders

20
VIII. Proper Handling
  • Best Method
  • Grasp the nap of the neck and the rump
  • Always support the hind quarters
  • Alternate Methods
  • Grasp in front of hip
  • Underarm, clutched against body
  • C. NEVER BY THE EARS!!!!!

21
IX. Feeding
  • Requirements vary depending on
  • Weather
  • Condition
  • Production Stage
  • Breed
  • Size
  • Age

22
(feeding continued)
  • Rule of Thumb
  • Mature Rabbits - Maintenance
  • 3.8 to 4 of their body weight per day
  • increases based on growth production
  • Easiest buy complete pellets needs

23
(feeding continued)
  • D. Limit Feed vs Full Feed (free choice)
  • Full Feed rabbits eat more cost more
  • overweight rabbits lazy/poor breeders
  • less attention given to rabbits

24
X. Housing
  • Free of Drafts
  • Protect from rain, snow, wind, sun heat
  • Pens wire floor
  • Size 1 square foot floor space per one pound
    live rabbit (4 needs 2 ft x 2 ft)

25
XI. Equipment
  • Feeders
  • Waters
  • Nest Boxes
  • Tattoo Pliers

26
XII. Reproduction
27
A. Age to breed
  • Dwarfs Small breeds 5 months
  • Medium breeds 6 months
  • Large breeds 8 months

28
B. Selecting mates
  • Doe
  • Good weight (not skinny or fat)
  • Vulva dark in color
  • Buck
  • Good fur condition
  • Bright eyes
  • Evidence of both testicles in the scrotum

29
C. Gestation Period
  • Average 31 days
  • Range 28 31
  • days

30
D. Mating
  • Take the doe to the bucks cage
  • Doe is more defensive of her territory than the
    buck
  • Dont leave alone

31
E. Pregnancy Test
  • Palpation 12 days
  • Attempt to rebreed
  • in 14 days

32
F. Preparing Cage
  • On 27th day, place nest box in cage
  • Provide nesting material
  • (hay, straw, wood shavings)
  • 3. Doe will pluck hair from belly to line nest

33
G. Kindling
  • Keep area quiet
  • Inspect nest
  • Number of bunnies
  • Healthy
  • Content
  • Adequate nest materials

34
H. Weaning
  • Creep feed
  • Feed only the babies
  • Reduces stress at weaning
  • Separate at 6 8 weeks

35
XIII Record Keeping
  • Importance
  • Financial Profit/Loss
  • Identify Animals
  • Management Plan
  • Health
  • Reproduction

36
(record keeping continued)
  • Types
  • Pedigree Family Tree
  • Breeding
  • Cage Cards
  • Doe/Buck Records
  • Feeding
  • Health

37
by Johanna DavisUpdated 2/1/2001
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