RABBIT management and their types

Breeds of Rabbits

These are the important breeds of domestic rabbits:
the New Zealand white. Flemish Giant, the New Zealand Red and Checkered Giant. Some rabbits breeders recommend the New Zealand for Nigeria.

Management practices in Rabbits

Housing:
Rabbits are kept in cages called hutches.

It is most essential that the hutches are protected from rain and sunlight.

Each adult rabbit should have its own. hutch, which should be 60cm high 75cm deep and 1 ½ – 2m long.

The cage should dry and self-cleaning.

The bottom of the cage should be made of wire mesh so that the faeces and urine can drop to the ground.

Also, the cages should stand on legs and the total height of each should be waist high.

It is difficult to keep cages with solid bottom dry.

Wet cages encourage breeding of flies, and coccidiosis.

A three unit cage is always recommended, that is, that can hold three adult rabbits; two does (female rabbit) and a buck (male rabbit).

The walls of the hutch can be made of split bamboo while the roof is made in such a way mil rain from tickling through. All cages must stand in filled with water to keep off ants.

Breeding cages may, be provided with nest boxes.
These be built into the cages or they may be removable boxes that can be set in cages several days before the does are ready to kindle (give birth to young ones).

A nest box should be 55cm. A few small holes should be drilled at the bottom of the box drainage.

Water must be provided in each cage always and the waterer leaned off every morning before adding new one.
The waterer must not be leaking.

(ii)

that is in the morning – evening.

Grains are fed in the morning while green led in the evening.

Nursing does require more feeds than dry does or bucks.

The best

feed is poultry mash either growers layers mash.

Since poultry mash is dusty, it should prevent irritation of the nose and lungs.

Alternatively, a mixture of guinea com and groundnut cake can be alter grinding. The best green feeds are Amaranthus. Aspilia Africana Talinum triangular and grasses.

(iii)

Breeding:

Most large breeds of rabbit such as New Zealand white sexually mature in 8-9 months and can be bred then. The smaller breeds like the polish can be used for breeding when four months old.

Bucks (male) and does (female) mature about same age. One buck can service about ten does if the breeding spread out.
However no buck should be used more than two times a week for service. when the doe shows signs of heat, it should be taken to the buck’s cage for mating. This is is because if the duck is brought to doe’s cage, the doe may attack it. If the doe is just placed the hutch with the buck, it will often squat in the corner of hutch and will not accept service.

Therefore, holding the will quicken mating. After mating, the doe should be sent back to her hutch.
The service date should be recorded and approximate kindling date noted.

Gestation period is 31 After two weeks,

the doe should be examined for pregnant pressing gently with the hand on her belly. If she is pregnant one will feel some small marble shaped lumps in the uterus. If the doe is not pregnant, it should be sent back until it comes on heat again.

(iv)

Kindling:

Kidding is the act of giving birth to the young. A nest should be placed in the hutch about 24 days after the has been mated.
If it kindles on wire floor the litter (a group young ones born at the same time) may perish.
No straw bedding is to be placed in the cage. The cage must be The doe will pull out enough hair from her belly to cover litter. As each infant is delivered, the doe licks it.

After kindling the litter should be inspected and dead or deformed removed.
The cans on which the hutch is standing must be with water to prevent ants from entering to kill the young of Rabbits are nervous animals and are more nervous during kindling periods. Therefore, keep the doe as quiet as poi during this period, keep off all natural enemies like do cats.

Keep people and children away from her hutch. Avoid the doe as much as possible on the day before and after kin Excitement also causes abortion.
Some does kill their young ones. This may be a sign under feeding. Some kill for no purpose. Such does should called. Hygiene: With good housing, it is not difficult to maintain hygiene in rabbits house.

It is important to clean hutches and waterers regularly and remove droppings from the floor to build up of disease organisms. Major diseases of rabbits are pneumonia and diarrhea.

These should be controlled when they occur by consulting the nearest veterinary doctor. HYGIENE Whit good housing, it is not difficult to maintain good hygiene in Rabbit house.

it is very important to always clean the hutches, waterers and feeders regularly. also making sure that droppings are removed from the floor to avoid build up of disease organisms.

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major diseases of Rabbits are pneumonia and diarrhea. these should be controlled when they occur by consulting the services of a veterinary doctor