Raising Rabbits: Hints, Tips and Helpful Ideas
Housing Good housing is very important. The rabbits,while unable to tell you of I use KW cages, double stackers with plastic trays. I cover the trays with plastic sheeting then use a mixture of pine shavings and paper shreds to collect waste and help minimize smells.
their needs in housing, are expected
to perform in your cages, raising large healthy litters.
Suggested floor space allotments are: Small breeds—21/2 x 21/2 ft. = 61/4 sq. ft. Medium breeds—21/2 x 3 ft. = 71/2 sq. ft. Large breeds—21/2 x 4 ft. = 10 sq. ft.
Cleanup is fast and easy.
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Links:
King Brand feed:
http://www.king-brand.com/
KW Cages:
http://clover.forest.net/kwcages/index.html
Health
The best way to keep your animals healthy is to stay away from sick animals or those with parasites, mange, respiratory, or eye problems. Keep your animals well fed and in clean, dry housing. If you have a sick rabbit, isolate it. While doing daily chores, feed and care for the well rabbits first, then treat the patients and wash your hands.
Feed
I recommend King Brand Rabbit food. I use Life Long Combo. I have found this feed promotes show quality fur and helps eliminate hairballs.
Clipping Nails
Rabbits nails can be cut with the guillotine type clippers or even with human toe nail clippers. To avoid bleeding, cut only the white portions of the nail. This can be difficult on rabbits with dark nails. If having trouble on rabbits with dark nails, you can use a flashlight behind the nail to illuminate the quick. Cutting into the quick will cause the nail to bleed. Styptic powder or Corn Starch can be applied to the nail to stop the bleeding.
One of the easiest ways I've found to clip my rabbit's nails, is to lay the rabbit on its back in your lap. Place the rabbit's head near your knees and the rabbit's back feet near your stomach. For rabbits that like to move around a lot, you can wrap the rabbit in a towel, with only the leg that you are working on exposed.
