Basic Care Clinic Rabbits Dates of Importance Saturday

Basic Care Clinic Rabbits

Dates of Importance � Saturday June 21 st 9 am-12 pm Fair Registration RTC Building � Wednesday July 16 th Showing & Fitting Clinic 7 pm RTC Building

Welcome!!! � Committee Introductions � 1 st 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

Choosing a Breed � 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

Purebred vs. Crossbred � 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 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

Choosing a Breed � Availability � Cost of the rabbit � Cost of care � Amount of Space � Size of the handler � Research ARBA and your local, state, and national clubs

Buying the Rabbit � 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!!!

Cages � ARBA recommended sheet enclosed � Dwarf breeds 18 x 30, 24 x 24 (inches) � Medium breeds 30 x 30 (inches) � Large breeds 30 x 36 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

Weather � 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

Feed �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 � Smith http: //www. millstonefg. com/ Farm Supply 43920 (330) 386 -6458 � Roger’s Mill � Tractor Supply 14880 E Liverpool Rd, East Liverpool, OH 7431 Depot St, Rogers, OH 44455 (330) 227 -3214

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/morespecies/rabbits/premium-rabbit-pellets/index. jsp

Feed Supplements � Hay � Straw � Oats � Conditioner mixes

Feed Supplements � Calf-Manna � Oxygen & Cir Q late � Showbloom � Nutripreme � Showboost

Do Not Feed To Rabbits � 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

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

Daily Tasks � 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? ? ?

Weekly Tasks � Clean cages: wire brush, trays, feeders, waterers � Check over rabbits you may not check everyday � Repairs � Breeding/weaning information

Monthly Tasks � Toenails � Teeth � Check fans, air vents, etc. � Worming � Coccidiosis treatments � Pressure wash/burn wire cages each year at least once, preferably twice.

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

Cold 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

Common Health Problems � 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

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

Rabbits Teeth � Teeth grow ½ a month � Constantly wearing them off: wood, hay, etc. � Most have no problems � 28 total teeth � Congenital, trauma, infection

Rabbits Teeth

Malocclusion �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

Common Health Problems � 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, Bene. Bac, baby food, yogurt, Pedialyte, hay, Nutri-drops, Nutri. Cal � You may have to syringe fluids

Useful Sites � https: //www. arba. net/ � http: //osrba. net/ � http: //www. osrba. net/miniconvention/ � http: //www. rabbittalkinohio. net/ � https: //www. arba. net/shows. Search. php � http: //sugarcampfarms. weebly. com � Penn-Ohio Rabbit Club