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Commercial
RABBIT RAISING
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INTRODUCTION
Americans eat 25 to 30 million volume is necessary to market them
pounds of domestic rabbit meat satisfactorily.
each year. The rabbits come from An increasing demand for rab-
small rabbitries with three or four bits for laboratory and biological
hutches and from large commercial purposes offers opportunities to
producers. Rabbit raising lends breeders living near medical
itself to both types of production. schools, hospitals, and laboratories.
Rabbit meat is pearly white, fine- Rabbits have made large contribu-
grained, palatable, and nutritious. tions to researcli in venereal dis-
It is a convenient source of high- ease, cardiac surgery, hypertension,
quality protein and is low in fat and virology, and are important
and caloric content. tools in pregnancy diagnosis, in-
Rabbitskins also have some com- fectious disease research, the devel-
mercial value. Better grades of opment of hyperimmune sera, de-
rabbitskins may be dressed, dyed, velopment of toxins and antitoxins,
sheared, and made into fur gar- and the teaching of anatomy and
ments and trimmings. Some skins physiology. A recent development
are used for slipper and glove lin- in the rabbit industry has been
ings, for toys, and in making felt. the increased use by scientific per-
Fine shreds of the flesh part of the sonnel of various rabbit organs and
dried skins, which are often left tissues in specialized research. The
after separating the fur for mak- availability of these byproducts
ing felt, are used for making glue. has greatly facilitated many basic
Because of the relatively low value research programs.
of skins from meat rabbits, a large
The recommendations in this
^ Dr. Casady was formerly with the bulletin are based largely on stud-
Sheep and Fur Animal Research ies at the U.S. Rabbit Experiment
Branch, Animal Science Research Di- Station formerly
maintained at
vision, Agricultural Research Service.
Dr. Sawin is responsible for the section
Fontana, by the Sheep and
Calif.,
on Systems of Breeding he was with the
; Fur Animal Research Branch,
Roscoe B. Jackson Memorial Laboratory, Animal Science Research Di-
Hamilton Station, Bar Harbor, Maine,
and is now retired.
vision, Agricultural Research Serv-
Mr. Van Dam is responsible for the sec- ice. At this improved
station,
tion on Economics of Rabbit Production ;
methods were developed for pro-
he is farm adviser, Los Angeles County,
University of California Agricultural Ex- ducing rabbits for meat, fur, and
tension Service. wool of fine quality, for insuring
2 AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 3 09, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
CHOOSING A BREED
Whether you raise rabbits for 1 lists some common breeds of
meat and fur, wool, laboratory ani- rabbits.
—
mals, or show stock select the Mature animals of the smaller
breeds best adapted to the purpose. breeds weigh 3 to 4 pounds each;
The American Rabbit Breeders those of the medium breeds, 9 to
Association lists standards for 28 12 pounds; and those of the larger
different breeds, and approxi- breeds 14 to IG pounds. They also
mately 77 varieties of these breeds vary widely in color.
of rabbits, to cover characteristics Rabbits best suited in size and
such as type, color, and size; dis- conformation for producing meat
qualifications also are listed. Table and fur are such medium and large
Table 1
.
Some common breeds oj rabbits
COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISING
SYSTEMS OF BREEDING
In planning a breeding program in the production of eggs or sperm,
for rabbits, attention should be plus the ultimate union of ^gg and
given to the concepts winch have sperm at mating and conception,
been shown by long years of study provides the mechanism for trans-
to be relatively constant in do- mission of hereditary characteris-
mesticated mammals. These con- tics from one generation to the
cepts are described in a number of next. It also provides the mecha-
textbooks of genetics in greater nism which in nature insures suffi-
detail than space will permit here. cient variability for adaptation of
Such books are in college, univer- the species to minor changes in the
sity, and most of the large city environment and for its perpetua-
libraries. A breeder today, who tion.
attempts to develop a strain with- The gene pool of the rabbit has
out recourse to such material, would been modified in many ways dur-
be at a distinct disadvantage. It ing domestication and by selection
should be understood that this to establish the different breeds.
brief article can be only a sum- This pool, in the rabbits at hand,
mary of the sort of information is the breeder's capital stock, and
which a breeder needs. intelligent breeding depends on
The first concept is that of the knowing as much as possible about
gene pool. Any breed or other that iDool. How
well does it per-
foundation stock selected for breed- petuate itself? How
much varia-
ing constitutes a pool or group of tion does it transmit that is either
many, perhaps thousands, of hered- good, bad, or indifferent, particu-
itary units, commonly referred to larly with respect to reproductive
as genes. The genes are specifi- capacity? How much of it is ap-
cally located in the chromosomes, parent to the breeder, and how
very small thread-like bodies found much can be revealed onl^ by
in every cell of the body. In the breeding experience? In spite of
rabbit there are 22 pairs, and their all man knows about genetics and
segregation (one member of each reproduction, nature is still the
pair going to each egg or sperm) most successful breeder. If this
COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISING
were not so, we would not have interrelations in the gene pool.
the infinite number and variety of Over a long period of time, a wild
species that exist in the world, population continually- mating in
many of which are known to have this way appears to achieve a rela-
existed for mau}^, many centuries. tively high degree of homeostasis,
But even nature slips. Species are or stability, in a variable environ-
known to have been lost as a result ment, Avith seemingly a minimum
of circumstances with which they of variation. "When man steps in
were unable to cope, and mal- with artificial selection under do-
formed offspring are known to oc- mestication, and an artificial small
cur sometimes in the wild. Na- environment the chances of un-
ture's success is essentially due to favorable recessive genes coming
the size of the gene pools of each together in any one mating are
species, plus the ruthless elimina- greatly increased. In standard-
tion of the unfit as they appear. bred strains, selection over a long
These combine to insure a high period of years by one breeder un-
proportion of successful individ- der one type of breeding may also
uals, and some individuals adapt- lead to homeostasis, but when such
able to any ordinary change which a strain is put in inexperienced
may occur in the environment in hands, or under a different system
which they live. Ability to adapt of breeding, it may not produce
to differing environments is the the same results. Selection, al-
feature which makes for survival though in itself something of a
and is the mechanism by which breeding system without the ruth-
species have evolved. less objectivity found in the wild,
When man steps in, success or becomes highly dependent upon
failure of his breeding system de- other factors only controllable by
pends on the genes maintained in the skill and understanding of the
the pool and his ability to select breeder. Two factors are of ma-
those genes intelligently. The jor importance. First is the quality
first task of the breeder becomes of the gene pool when selection is
one of devising methods of ascer- first started. It is obviously im-
taining the sort of genes his ani- possible to select for a characteris-
mals possess and the second is the tic, such as high performance, if
elimination of undesirables. To the genes for this characteristic
accomplish these objectives there are not there in the first place.
are tools at his disposal, the use Second is a good environment
of which must be clearly under- which will allow the results of the
stood. Such tools are: selection, genetic selection to be fully ex-
outbreeding or outcrossing, and pressed. Feed, housing, and man-
inbreeding. agerial practices are most impor-
Selection has been called the key- tant. Overfeeding and pampering,
stone of the arch of animal breed- however, may cover up poor genes
ing. It has been practiced in the and thus not lead to permanent
wild since the beginning of life on improvement or stability.
this earth. In free-roaming ani- The supports of the keystone at
mals, such as the rabbit, where the the two outer extremes of the
chances of uniting between closely breeding arch are outbreeding and
related animals are small, unfavor- inbreeding.
able recessive genes seemingly are Outbreeding, or the mating of
rare. Actually, there are many but unrelated rabbits, differs from na-
they tend to be covered up by domi- ture's usual procedure in no way
nant favorable genes and by their except in the degree of selection.
6 AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 3 09, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
424-402 O - 71 - 2
8 AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 3 09, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
BN 26084
N 45961
(81331 B)
Figure 4. —Outdoor hutches used in Central States.
COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISING 11
11527-D
FIGURE 5. — Semienclosed hutches for use in cold climates.
12 AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 3 09, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
N4593g
Figure 6. — Quonset-shaped, wire hutches with counterset nest box
all-
and hopper feeders.
crosspiece nailed between the studs from the galvanizing process. Al-
that support the shed, or you can ways put the smooth surface on
hang it from the rafters or ceiling top. Solid floors should slope
of the shed with heavy wire or light slightly from the front of the hutch
lumber. to the rear to provide proper
Semienclosed Hutches. The — drainage. You can use hardwood
semienclosed hutch is constructed slats, 1-inch wide and spaced %-inch
with ends and back of wood (figs. 4, or %-inch apart. A combination of
5). An extended roof gives added solid floor at the front part of the
protection. You can use this hutch hutch and a strip of mesh wire or
in outdoor rabbitries in cold cUmates. slats at the back may be used.
Another satisfactory type of
hutch, which is light, movable, and Feedins Equipment
inexpensive, is shown in figure 7.
Rabbits kept in hutches made of It is desirable to use feed crocks,
wooden frames and wire need addi- troughs, hoppers, and hay mangers
tional protection in cold climates. that are large enough to hold
—
Hutch Floors. Several types of several feedings, to save time in
floors are used in hutches, and each filling. Use a type that will prevent
has its particular merit. waste and contamination of the
Wire mesh floors are used ex- feed.
tensively where a self-cleaning type —
Crocks. Crocks especially de-
is desired. They are a necessity signed for rabbit feeding, which are
in commercial herds, where it would not easily tipped over, have a lip
be impossible to provide enough that prevents the animals from
labor to keep solid floors in a sani- scratching out and wasting their
tary condition. In installing this feed. The chief objection to these
type of floor, examine the wire for is that the young rabbits get into
sharp points which result sometimes them and contaminate the feed.
6otjyl-B'
N45944
Figure 8. — Feed hopper (self-feeder) constructed from 5-gallon can.
424-402 O - 71 - 3
16 AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 3 9, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
2 Sid(
Front & Reor
,Nail
lO'A"
'/4" 3 Ply or
13'/2"
Metal Other Light
from Moterial
Feeder
Opening
10 d V
Nail/
r'x 4"
Board Cut
Diagonally
- 9'/4"-
Boffle Baffle
down as the rabbits eat. Make the will rest against the top edge of
baffleboards to fit snugly against the can.
the sides of the can so feed cannot Cover the exposed edges of
sHp by. Mount the top corners boards with tin to prevent gnaw-
of the baffles so that each baffle ing. Put a finishing nail in the
COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISn^TG 17
outer edge of the triangular piece w^ater crocks or coffee cans. They
supporting the baffle, and bend the eliminate the tedious and time-
nail to hook over the lower lip consuming chores of washing, dis-
of the opening to hold it and the infecting, rinsing, and filling. They
baffle in place. supply fresh, clean water for the
You can save hutch floor space rabbits at all times. When an auto-
by using a hopper with a feed matic watering system is properly
opening on one side only and by installed, dirt and fur will not collect
placing the hopper only part way in it and plug it up. In cold cli-
into the hutch. Cut an opening mates, an automatic watering sys-
large enough to accommodate the tem must be protected against
hopper in the side of the hutch. winter freezing unless the hutches
Then wire the top of the hopper are in a heated enclosure. Protec-
to the hutch for support. One tion may be obtained through the
short baffle on the side opposite the use of heating cables wrapped
hopper opening will keep feed out around, or running through the
of the rear corners. water pipe. If winter temperatures
A one-compartment feed hopper are not too severe, protection
is used when only one kind of feed against freezing can be obtained by
is given. When mixed feed that having valves at the ends of the
the rabbits can separate is offered water lines and allowing water to
in the hopper, the feed will be dribble throught the pipes during
selectively consumed. The rabbits short periods of subfreezing tem-
scratch out and waste the part they peratures.
prefer not to eat. You can prevent
this waste by using a hopper with
individual compartments for each
feed.
valves. The valves are used to valve is 9 inches from the hutch
bleed out air bubbles, to drain the floor for medium and heavy breeds
system as needed, or to shut off the and 7 inches for the smaller breeds.
water. If the water contains sedi- The pipe may be hung on the out-
ment, a half -barrel can be advan- side and at the back of the hutch
tageously used instead of the stand- so no water drips on the rabbits
ard pressure-reducing tank. The and the hutch floor. An opening
outlet for the supply pipe can be in the back of the hutch will per-
installed several inches above the mit the rabbit to use the valve
bottom of the barrel. The sedi- (fig. 10).
ment will then collect below the When hutches are back to back
outlet pipe and will not get into use one pipe for supplying w^ater
the system and clog it. Other sedi- to both luitches. Use a four-way
ment traps, installed between the outlet and short nipples for in-
tank and the supply pipe to the stalling the valves.
hutches, can be used with any type You can install one drinking
of tank. valve for each hutch by drilling
One-gallon tanks or smaller and tapping the supply pipe and
tanks sometimes are used where the screwing the valve into it.
weather is warm. Such tanks are If you are not equipped to make
emptied more often. The constant the plumbing installation, substi-
flow of water in and out of the tute a 34-inch rubber hose for the
tank keeps fresh cool water before 1/2 -inch supply pipe. Cut a hole in
the rabbits at all times. tlie hose and screw in the valve.
Install the pressure tank 1 foot Plastic pipe may be used in a simi-
or more above the highest hutch. lar manner. If a rubber hose or
If the supply pipe is raised to clear plastic pipe is used it should be
the feeding alleys, then install the hung on the outside of the hutch
tank about 1 foot above this high- to minimize possibilities of dam-
est point. age due to chewing or gnawing.
Raised supply pipes may require Check the automatic watering
vent pipes to keep air bubbles out system periodically, especially
of the system. Install the vent when you put a rabbit in a hutch
pipe at the highest point in the that has been unoccupied for sev-
supply line. See that the open end eral days. When valves are not
is at least 1 foot above the water
level in the tank. If it is necessary
used —even for a few^ days min- —
erals in the water may cause them
to change the level of the supply to stick.
line from one row of hutches to Rabbits learn to use the system
another, use a piece of rubber hose readily, even young just out of the
to make the connection. nest box.
Determine the correct height for
the tank by fastening a rubber hose Nest Boxes
to the tank outlet and then to the
supply pipe. Raise or lower the No one type of nest box is best
tank until the valves, or dewdrops, suited for all conditions, but all
from which the rabbits drink have should provide seclusion for the
the proper tension. If there is too doe at kindling and comfort and
much tension or pressure on the protection for the young. Nest
valves, the rabbits will not be able boxes should be large enough to
to trip them. Under too little prevent crowding and small enough
tension, the valves will drip. to keep the young together. All
The proper height for the water types should provide good drainage
COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISING 19
and proper ventilation. Two gen- but have the disadvahtage, in some
eral kinds have been used exten- climates, of being cold or collecting
sively—the box type and the nail- condensation of water vapor.
keg type. If a nail keg is used, Another type of nest box in-
nail a 1- by 6-inch board across creasing in popularity is the coun-
the open end of the keg, so that terset type, where the box is re-
it covers one-third to one-half of cessed below the hutch floor (figs.
the opening. To keep the keg from 6, 11). These may be placed at the
rolling, extend the board a few front of the cage and fitted with
inches beyond the sides of the open- drawers for access from the ex-
ing. Drill several 1-inch holes in terior of the hutch. They have
the closed end of the keg for venti- the advantages of providing a
lation, and some 14-inch holes in the more natural environment, since
bottom for drainage. rabbits are burrowing animals, and
Since nail kegs have become dif- of allowing the young easier ac-
ficult to obtain, apple and pear cess if they should be displaced
boxes are frequently used. These from the nest at an early age. The
may be fitted with tops or left young can jump out of the stand-
open. In either event, an opening ard nail-keg or apple-box nest, but
should be cut in one end at the they often cannot jump or climb
top, or a portion of one end re- back in. This means that some of
moved, to provide easy access for the young may go hungry when
the doe and young. As an alterna- the litter becomes divided. The
one end may be fitted with re-
tive, doe usually nurses her young at
movable boards, or slats, so that as night or in the early evening and
the young begin leaving the nest, morning hours. If the litter is
panels may be removed to allow the divided, the doe will either nurse
young to reenter the nest box. the young in the nest or those on
Metal nest boxes also are available the hutch floor. She will not nurse
N 45948
Figure 11. —Counterset nest box and drawer as illustrated in figure 6.
20 AGRICXILTURE HANDBOOK NO. 309, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
both groups, nor will she pick up the wire bottom to the nest
the young and return them to the box.
nest. —
Protecting strips. To prevent
The counterset nest boxes are chewing and splintering, nail
easier to keep clean than the apple- 30-gage galvanized sheet metal,
box and nailkeg nest boxes because bent to form a I/2- by %-inch
the inner drawers of the counterset angle, to the exposed edges of
nest box can be slipped out for wash- the nest box and drawer.
ing and disinfecting. These draw-
ers also can be interchanged from
—
Hinges. T wo 1-inch strap
one hutch to another. When the hinges for the door.
young no longer need the inner In shaping the sides of the nest
drawer, it can be left out to provide box for the slanted roof, you can
more space in the hutch. use the piece of lumber cut from
the rear of each side to build up
BILL OF MATERIAL FOR NEST BOX AND the front. The completed sides
DRAWER should be 17 inches long, and
Nest box: should slant from 16 inches tall in
the front to 8 inches tall at the
Sides.—Two pieces of lumber,^ rear (fig. 6).
by 12 by 17 inches.
1
Suspend the completed nest box
—
End. One piece of lumber, by 1
in the hutch by the cradle of No. 12
8 by 1214 inches.
wire at the rear and the three re-
Door. —One piece of lumber, 1
maining strands of hutch flooring
by inches.
121/4,
in the front. The cradle of No. 12
Winter enclosure. — One piece of wire can be made in three sections
lumber, by 8 by 12 14 inches.
1
to fit down each side of the box
Cover. — One piece of l^-inch and under the bottom, or in one
hardboard, 12 by inches. 121/4,
long piece. In either case it is
Bottom. — One piece of 16-gage merely hooked onto the hutch
galvanized wire, 1- by l/^-inch flooring next to the nest box on
mesh, 12 by 18 inches. one side, passed down and across
Nest drawer: beneath the box and up the other
Sides. —Two pieces of Vs'iiich side to a^ain hook on the hutch
floor. This provides adequate sup-
hardboard (tempered), 71/4
by 16% inches. port for the rear of the nest box.
—
Ends. Two pieces of lumber, 1 Slip the three strands of flooring
into notches cut into the front end
by 8 by 10 inches.
—
Bottom. One piece of i^-inch of the nest box just above the door.
To prevent the nest box from
hardboard (tempered), 81/^ by
16% inches. slipping to the rear so that the
floor wire at the front end no
Miscellaneous
Nails. —^Use sixpenny or eight-
longer acts as a support, the side
boards of the nest box can be cut
penny nails to fasten the end,
so as to extend a little above the
top, and sides of the nest box,
back board of the nest box. Then
eightpenny to fasten the nest
as the back board comes up under
drawer, and lV4-inch roofing
nails (large head) to fasten the hutch floor, these side boards
project a little above the floor and
prevent the nest from being pushed
*No. 2 construction knotty pine or
1-inch box lumber. to the rear.
COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISING 21
To help keep the nest dry, cut holes, 1/^- to %-inch in diameter,
some 1/4, -inch drain holes on the in the lid at the end opposite the
bottom of the nest-box drawer. opening to the nest box, for venti-
Losses of young rabbits kindled lation and to prevent condensation
in winter can be largely prevented within the nest box. On the bot-
if you furnish proper nesting ac- tom of the inner box, put one or
commodations. If a doe reacts two layers of corrugated cardboard
normally to her newborn litter by or several thicknesses of paper to
pulling enough wool to make a keep the newborn litter from com-
warm nest and feeding her young, ing in contact with the cold boards.
and if the nest box is well insu- Fill the nest box so completely
lated, the young can survive tem- with new, clean straw that the doe
peratures as low as 15° to 20° be- will have to burrow into it to form
low zero. a cavity for a nest. Inspect the
You can make a good type of box daily for the first 3 or 4 days.
winter nest box by placing a stand- If the cardboard or paper becomes
ard size nest box inside a larger damp from accumulated moisture,
box. Pack straw into the space of remove it promptly. Replace it if
3 inches or so on all sides except cold weather continues. A
simpler
entrance and top. A
lid of ordi- nest box for use in winter consists
nary box wood covered on the of a single box lined completely
under side with two thicknesses of with one or two layers of corru-
paper will supply the necessary top gated cardboard and filled with
insulation. Make two or three straw.
Digestible Total
Feed Dry matter crude digestible
protein nutrient
CONCENTRATES
Barley grain 89 10 70
Beet pulp, dried 90 4 70
Bread, dried 64 8 65
Brewers' grains, dried. 93 23 58
Buckwheat grain 88 7 70
Corn, grain dent #2... 85 7 82
Cottonseed meal 92 32 66
Linseed meal 91 31 70
Milk, cows 13 3 16
Milk, dried 96 26 117
Oats, grain 90 9 65
Peanut meal 93 39 85
Sorghum grain, milo.. 89 8 84
Soybcan meal 91 40 82
Soybean seed 90 33 98
Wheat grain 89 11 79
Wheat bran 90 14 57
young, for maintaming the breed- hay increases the rate of growth of
ing herd, and for wool production. young rabbits 13 to 20 percent and
It also is a factor in the quantity effects asaving of 20 to 25 percent
of food required for a certain gain in the quantity of feed required
in live weight. Adding the proper for a unit of gain.
quantity of protein supplement to Protein is the most expensive
a ration composed of grains and part of the feed, but the propor-
COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISING 23
feeding where legume hays are not desired. You can use them to
readily available. maintain mature animals that are
The grass hays ordinarily con- not in production.
tain only about half as much pro- Feed root crops and green feed
tein as legume hays. If you sparingly to rabbits that are un-
feed them, include more pro- accustomed to them. There is no
tein supplement in the diet. If danger in feeding fresh green feed
they are cut before the plants are that is wet with dew or rain. Do
in bloom, when the stems are fine not use feed that has been piled
and there is a high proportion of and become heated.
leaf, the grass hays are much more Place green feed in a hay man-
suitable for feeding. They have ger; never throw it on the floor of
a higher protein content at this the hutch. Contaminated feed
time but they never contain as may cause digestive disturbances
much protein as legume hays. or re-infect rabbits with internal
Hays furnish bulk or fiber in parasites. Remove any feed that
addition to nutrients. Rabbits fed is not readily consumed.
insufficient bulk have soft drop-
pings that mash on the hutch floor Grains and Milled Feeds
and cause increased labor in keep-
ing the hutch clean. They also may Use oats, wheat, barley, the grain
chew their fur. If you feed young sorghums, buckwheat, and rye as
rabbits too much bulk they will whole grains or as milled products.
not get enough nutrients for rapid You can feed the softer varieties
growth and market finish. of corn whole, but there will be
considerable waste of the flinty
varieties unlessyou feed them in
Green Feed and Root Crops meal or cracked form. The grains
are quite similar in their food
Rapid-growing plants, such as
values and you can substitute one
grasses, palatable weeds, cereal
for another on a pound-for-pound
grains, and leafy garden vegetables
basis without materially altering
free from insecticides, are high in
the nutritive value of the ration.
vitamins, minerals, and proteins,
Milled-wheat products such as
and make excellent feeds, espe-
bran, middlings, shorts, and red-
cially for the breeding herd. Use
dog flour, and byproducts from
them in the diet when they fit into
manufacturing foods from other
the management program. grains for human use may be in-
Root crops, such as carrots, cluded in mash mixtures and
sweetpotatoes, turnips, mangels, pellets.
beets, and Jerusalem- artichokes, Rabbits eat sunflower seeds read-
are desirable feeds throughout the
ily,but because they have a much
year, and are particularly good in
higher value for other uses they
winter when green feeds are not
seldom are included in rabbit diets.
available.
Fresh green feeds and root crops
Protein Supplements
should be used as supplements to
the concentrate part of the diet. Soybean, peanut, sesame, cotton-
You will get best results when you seed, and linseed meals are rich in
use variety. Fresh feeds contain protein and desirable for balancing
90 percent or more of water. Use rabbit rations. These feeds in meal
them only as supplements to grain form are used in mashes and pel-
or pellets when choice carcasses are leted rations but are unsatisfactory
COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISING 25
for mixing with grains. They will is not prohibitive, cow's or goat's
settle out of thegrain mixture and milk may be used in the diet. If
be largely wasted. The pea-size the milk is not sour or contami-
cake, the flake form, or the meals nated, it will not cause digestive
made into a pellet are satisfactory troubles. Dry bread mixed with
for use with whole grains. If their milk is a satisfactoiy feed for does
protein content is the same, the with young litters and for rabbits
meals in pea-size cake, flake, or being conditioned for shows.
pelleted form provide approxi-
mately the same nutritive value. Pelleted Rations
Make your selection on availability
and cost. Use fresh plant -protein Many
brands of pelleted rations
supplements. are on the market. Ingredients
Although soj^bean seeds contain and proportions vary but they are
usually made according to recom-
approximately 36 percent protein
and 18 percent fat, the meal from mended specifications of nutrient
or feed content. Follow the ad-
the seeds, with fat extracted, has
vice of the manufacturer.
as much as 4.5 percent protein and
Pelleted rations require little
1 to 5 percent fat. If there is an
storage space and are easily fed.
oil mill nearby, you may be able
to exchange homegrown soybeans
In some localities they are the only
rabbit feeds available.
for the meal. Rabbits do not eat
—
the seeds readily feed only about
There are two types of pelleted
—
diets the all-grain pellet to be fed
1 pound of them for each 10
pounds of grain. Using this pro- with hay and the complete pellet
(green pellet). The complete pel-
portion of soybeans in a whole-
let usually contains all the food
grain legume hay diet will improve
elements necessary for a balanced
the protein content slightly but not
diet.
enough for maximum growth.
The choice between a home-
Some caution should be observed
mixed feed or a pelleted feed will
in using cottonseed meal as a pro-
depend on the availability and
tein supplement. Untreated cot-
relative cost, and how much time
tonseed meal contains gossypol, a
you have for preparing the ration
substance which is toxic to rab-
and feeding the herd.
bits. Therefore, only degossypol-
Pellets should be. i/g- to %q-
ized meal should be used. Recent
inch in diameter and %- to I/4-
evidence from the U.S. Rabbit P]x-
inch long. If pellets are too large,
periment Station indicates that
small rabbits cannot get them in
degossypolized cottonseed meal is
their mouths. The rabbits bite off
a suitable replacement for soybean
a part of the pellet and drop the
meal at levels up to 7 percent of
rest. The discarded part is lost
the diet.
through the wire hutch floor or is
left to become contaminated on
Miscellaneous Feeds solid floors.
It is usually impractical for you
Dry breador other table and to pellet your own rations.
kitchen waste (except meat and
greasy or sour foods) are accept-
Salt
able to most rabbits. TVlien used
as supplements to grain and rough- Salt is necessary in the diet.
age or pelleted rations, they add Put small blocks or salt spools in
variety to the diet. When the cost the hutch so the animals can feed
26 AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 3 09, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Feeding Dry Does^ Herd Bucks, In the event that alfalfa pellets
are unavailable through local mills,
and Juniors a coarse crumble or turkey-grind
crumble, composed entirely of al-
You can maintain mature dry
falfa, may serve as a satisfactory
does and herd bucks not in service
feed for developing stock. If a
on hay alone if you freely feed a
crumble is used it might be ad-
Hue stemmed, leafy, green-colored,
visable to place a small salt block
legume hay. If you feed coarse
or spool in the hutch, though there
legume hays or carbonaceous hays,
is evidence from trials at the U.S.
feed each 8-pound animal 2 ounces
Rabbit Experiment Station that
(I/3 cup) of a grain-protein mix-
the animals may do without the
ture or an all-grain pellet several
extra salt for the few months be-
times each week. For rabbits of
fore they are placed in the breed-
other weights, adjust the quantity.
ing herd.
For example, feed 3 ounces to a
12-pound animal. Note: Nutritive value of diets,
Feed herd bucks in service the and daily feed requirements of in-
same quantity of concentrates and dividual rabbits, vary. Observe
give them free access to choice the condition of your individual
hay; or provide them with 4 to 6 rabbits and increase or decrease
ounces of a complete pellet daily. quantities of feed to obtain de-
RegiUate the amount to keep them sired physical condition.
in good condition and to assure
that they do not become too fat. Feeding Pregnant and Nursing
For developing junior does and Does
bucks, regulate the concentrate
portion of the diet so that the To feed a doe properly, it is nec-
animals will grow and be in good essary to know definitely whether
condition when they are ready for she has conceived. Palpating (feel-
breeding. With the medium- ing for the developing young in
weight breeds (9 to 12 pounds at the uteri) at 12 to 14 days follow-
maturity), hold the grain-protein ing breeding is a quick and accu-
mixture or the all-grain pellet on rate method of determining preg-
a daily level of 2 to 4 ounces and nancy (see p. 35).
allow free access to a good-quality After mating, you may maintain
hay. As the rabbits develop, they junior and mature does in breed-
will eat more hay to get the addi- ing condition on good-quality hay
tional nutrients required for or hay pellets until you have de-
growth. "When using a complete termined that they are pregnant.
pellet, -4 to 6 ounces daily should If your herd is receiving only com-
be sufficient. Take precautions to plete pellets, restrict the amount
prevent juniors from becoming too that bred does receive daily to that
fat when they are fed concentrates quantity which will keep them in
or a complete pellet. the desired physical condition un-
An alfalfa pellet, consisting of til pregnancy is determined. Full-
99 percent No. 2 leafy, or better feeding complete pellets to a bred
grade, alfalfa meal (15 to 16 per- doe will cause her to put on too
cent protein) and 1 percent salt, much flesh if she fails to conceive.
may be full fed to developing If a doe fails to conceive as deter-
junior does and bucks as the only min'3d by palpation, breed her
feed from weaning until they are again and feed only hay, or re-
to be placed in the breeding herd. stricted amounts of complete pel-
28 AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 3 09, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
lets, until she is pregnant. Wlien then three-fourths new ration and
she diagnosed as pregnant, give
is one- fourth old ration for 3 to 4
her all the concentrates she will days.
eat plus good-quality hay, or all After the doe kindles, she can
the complete pellets she will eat be fed in the same manner as be-
for the remainder of the gestation fore, until the young are weaned
period. You can provide the con- when about 2 months old. From
centrates in the form of grain and the day of kindling feed her all
a protein pellet or all-grain pellets. she readily will consume without
All-grain pellets have the neces- waste, or a grain-protein mixture
sary amount of plant-protein sup- and hay, an all-grain pellet and
plement incorporated with grain hay, or a complete pelleted feed
and salt to make a complete feed until the litter leaves the nest box.
when fed with a good quality hay. As the litter develops, feed the doe
The general practice is to feed and litter greater quantities or full-
pelleted complete feed. feed them to insure maximum
Sudden changes in rations fed growth of the young. If you use
during the gestation period may a feed hopper and the hutch is
cause some does to go "otf feed." small (less than 10 square feet of
If they fail to eat necessary nu- floor space for a 10- to 12-pound
trients for too long a period of doe), placing a hopper in it with
time, abortion or young that are the nest box may make it too
dead at birth may result. Gradu- crowded. Full-feed the doe using
ally change over a new ration by a crock or trough until the nest
feeding one-fourth new ration and box is removed, then introduce the
three-fourths old ration for 3 to 4 hopper. Inspect the hopper occa-
days, one-half new ration and one- sionally to make sure that feed is
half old ration for 3 to 4 days, and always available.
COPROPHAGY
Rabbits re-ingest part of their regurgitated and chewed again.
food, usuall}' in the early morning, Most rabbit breeders are unaware
when they are unobserved. They of this practice. Some who have
re-ingest only the soft matter that observed it believe it indicates a
has passed through the digestive nutritional deficiency. It is, how-
tract. Investigators have called ever, normal in rabbits and may
this trait "pseudo - rumination," actually enhance the nutritive
from the characteristic of rumi- value of the feed by virtue of a
nants (cows, sheep, and others) of second passage through the diges-
chewing the cud, which is food tive tract.
REPRODUCTION
Germ Cells and Fertilization time. If she is not bred, the fol-
licles the ovary remain large
in
Rabbits do not show regular and active for a period of 12 to 16
estrous cycles, that is, recurrent days. After this time they begin
periods of sexual desire. During to regress. Meanwhile, new fol-
the breeding season the doe re- licles grow to replace them. As a
mains in heat for long periods of result, active follicles are present
COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISING 29
at all times during the breeding does and bucks which are exces-
season. There may be a transi- sively fat have lowered reproduc-
tional period, while the new set of tive capacities due to decreased
folliclesis growing and the old sexual urge, or libido, or inter-
set retrogressing, when the doe
is ference with the passage of eggs
lacks interest in the male and i3 and sperm in the small reproduc-
temporarily sterile. tive tubules. Hereditary charac-
Ovulation usually does not occur ters that affect fertility in does are
in the female unless she is mated number of eggs shed and fetal mor-
to a male. Following mating, the tality. In highly fertile strains,
large follicles in the ovary begin the number of eggs shed averages
to grow rapidly. These break about 10, while in low strains, the
about 10 hours after mating. This number may only be 4 or 5. In
process of shedding the egg is some low-fertility strains, normal
called ovulation. In the meantime numbers of ova are shed but an
the sperm from the male move abnormally large number of em-
through the female tract to the bryos die during gestation. In
upper part of the tubes so that fertile strains, about 15 to 20 per-
when the eggs are shed from the cent of the fetuses die in the uterus
follicles, the sperm enter and fer- during gestation. In some low-
tilize them. These fertilized eggs fertility strains, 80 percent of the
then undergo a number of changes fetuses die during the gestation
and grow to become the develop- period.
ing fetuses. The young fetuses
grow and develop in the uterus Gestation Period
and this period of development
usually takes 30 to 32 days. After The gestation period, or the pe-
the eggs are shed, the cells that riod from mating to kindling, is
line the follicles begin to grow and
31 or 32 days. Some litters may
form small yellow bodies in the be kindled as early as the 28th or
ovary, called the corpora lutea. 29th day, or as late as the 35th, but
These bodies secrete a hormone 98 percent of the normal litters
called progesterone, which is nec- will be kindled between the 30th
essary to cause the uteri to grow and 33d day. If kindling is de-
and secrete substances that feed layed 2 or 3 days, generally one
the developing young. or more of the fetuses is unusually
large.
The practical method for meas-
uring fertility in does is to deter-
mine the total number of live Age to Breed
young born from each gestation. The proper age of bucks and
The litter size varies with the does for the first mating depends
strain or breed, and the more fer- on breed and individual develop-
tile strains will produce an aver- ment. Smaller breeds develop
age of about eight young per preg- more rapidly and are sexually ma-
nancy. Many factors, such as nu- ture at a much younger age than
trition, heredity, and environment, medium-weight or giant breeds.
affect fertility. Does that are un- Does should be mated when they
derfed will not come in heat, and reach maturity; some difficulty
the quality of semen from starved may be experienced if mating is
bucks is lowered. Also, though too long delayed. On the average,
experimental proof is lacking, the smaller breeds may be bred
there is a widespread opinion that when the bucks and does are 4 to
30 AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 3 09, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
most rabbit breeders will agree. not unusual for the percentage of
Students of animal behavior at- conceptions in a herd to show a
tribute the nursing habits of the marked decrease during the late
doe to the fact that rabbits in their summer and the fall. For example,
natural habitat are extensively at the U.S. Rabbit Experiment
preyed upon and rather helpless to Station conception rates varied
defend their young. Therefore, it from a high of about 85 percent in
is advantageous for the doe to stay
March and April to a low of 50 per-
away from the young as much as cent or less in September and Octo-
possible.
ber. This is commonly referred to
as the "fall breeding" problem in
Factors That Limit Conception
rabbits. The ovaries of the does
may become inactive during the
Among the causes of failure to barren period, fail to produce nor-
conceive, or low conception rates, mal egg cells, and occasionally
are false pregnancy (pseudopreg- shrivel. Where the bucks are not
nancy), season of the year, age, settling the does, the sperm cells
poor physical condition, sore hocks, may be inactive, low in vitality,
injuries,and disease. abnormal, or absent.
Pseudopregnancy. Does may be — Individual rabbits vary mark-
mated or stimulated sexually and edly as to duration of the barren
shed the egg cells, yet fail to become period. Some does and bucks are
pregnant. This false pregnancy fertile throughout the year for
424-402 O - 71 - 5
32 AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 3 09, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
successive years. Others may go from the herd and hold them in
through periods of 4, 8, or 10 weeks quarantine until they recover.
when the does will not conceive or
the bucks are sterile. Extreme Artificial Insemination
cases in which no young are pro-
duced for 4 to 5 months may occur Artificial insemination has been
in herds where bucks and does are practiced with rabbits for experi-
out of condition because the ration mental purposes, but has not been
has been inadequate in quality or applied to commercial breeding to
quantity, or both. If the herd has any extent.
been properly cared for, most bucks The semen from bucks averages
and does should complete the bar- about 0.5 cc. in volume, with a
ren period in 4 to 6 weeks. range of 0.1 to 6 cc. It contains
Because does and bucks vary so about 700 million to 2 billion sperm
much with respect to breeding, you per cubic centimeter. The total
may well consider this factor care- number of sperm per ejaculate
fully. In selecting breeding stock, averages 250 million, which does not
make your choice from offspring mean a great deal, because of the
of parents that produce regularly. extreme variation. The total num-
Age. — Young does may not be ber of sperm per ejaculate may
sexually mature at the time of serv-
range from 10 million to 12 billion.
ice, and old does may have passed
Semen is collected from the
their period of usefulness and fail
bucks by means of an artificial
to conceive. Do not attempt the vagina. After the artificial vagina
first mating until the does are sexually
has been prepared, the collection
mature and properly developed;
is made by using a doe for a
the proper age is discussed on
mounting animal. The doe is taken
page 29.
to the buck's cage and when the
Does should reproduce satisfac-
buck mounts, the artificial vagina
torily as long as they maintain good
is placed between the buck and the
physical condition and properly
doe. "Wlien the buck locates the
nurse their litters. Retain them if
vagina, he will ejaculate
artificial
younger and better stock is not
into the open end with the same
available for replacements. In
commercial herds, does that are behavior as when breeding natu-
properly cared for should produce
rally. The operator must be alert
litters until they are 2K to 3 years
to prevent the buck from breeding
old. An occasional individual rab- the doe. After the buck has been
bit may reproduce satisfactorily 4 trained, a dummy made of a
to 6 years, or longer. stuffed rabbit skin may be sub-
Physical —
Condition. Rabbits stituted for the mounting doe. If
that go "off feed," go into a pro- the ejaculate contains a clear gela-
longed or heavy molt, become tinous plug, it should be removed
abnormally fat or thin, or become from the liquid portion of the
out of condition for any reason,
semen.
may have their reproductive powers A simple insemination tube has
impaired. The percentage that will
conceive will be low, since they may been described for insemination of
become temporarily sterile. the does. It consists of a glass
—
Disease. Never mate rabbits tube and rubber bulb similar to a
when they show any symptoms of medicine dropper, with the last
disease. Remove such animals half -inch bent at a 30° angle. The
COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISIN<5 33
bent end of the tube should have a tion is applicable to the rabbit in-
diameter of %-inch and the tube dustry, but not practical on a
should be 3 to 31/2 inches long. large-scale basis at the present
Droppers made from plastic tubes time. Costs and technical prob-
would be superior to glass because lems associated with the establish-
there is less danger from breakage. ment of studs, the processing and
The ends of the tubes should be storage of semen, training and
rounded to prevent damage to the maintaining technicians, and scarc-
vaginal walls. ity of concentrated areas of pro-
The number of does bred to a duction, tend to prohibit the use of
buck depends on many factors, so artificial insemination as a practi-
an extreme range is possible. For cal tool of the industry. In addi-
an average buck, collections can tion, better means of evaluating
be made at least twice weekly and bucks, and the development of
the number of does bred will de- more accurate selection indices, are
pend on the motility, density, and necessary before artificial insemi-
volume of the semen produced. nation in rabbits can be operated
In general, artificial insemina- on a practical and profitable basis.
Making Matings
Does may give evidence of being
ready for mating by restlessness,
nervousness, efforts to join other
rabbits in nearby hutches, and by
rubbing their chin on feed man-
gers and water crocks. However,
it is not necessary to depend on
external signs to determine when a
doe is to be bred. Set up a definite
schedule and follow it, whether the
doe shows signs of being ready for
service or not.
Breed a large number of does
at one time to make fryers avail-
able at a certain season for the
trade, or utilize a breeding sched-
ule to produce a constant supply.
Always take the doe to the buck's
hutch for service. You may have
difficulty in service if you take the B S3066
buck to the doe. The doe is likely —
Figure 14. How to restrain a doe for
mating when service is not promptly
to object to having another rabbit Shows position of hands
accepted.
in her hutch and may savagely at- for holding the doe and supporting
tack and injure the buck. Also, and elevating the hindquarters.
COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISING 35
N 45951
Figure 15. — How to restrain a doe for palpating.
B 79008
Figure 16. —Uteri
from three does showing embryonic development of 10-, 14-, and
21-day pregnancies. The 10-day embryo was so small that it did not show in the
picture.
may be able to save them by warm- her, but make her as comfortable
ing, even if they appear to be life- as possible. You may tempt her
less. Arrange the bedding mate- at that time with small quantities
rial to make a comfortable nest of green feed. This will have a
(fig. 17), and place the warmed beneficial effect on her digestive
young in it. The doe usually will system.
take over from there. The doe's Most litters are kindled at night.
fur is easily removed at kindling After kindling, the doe may be
time, and you can pull enough restless. Do not disturb her until
from the doe's body to cover the she has quieted down.
litter in the nest. It is advisable
to keep extra fur on hand for such Complications at Kindling Time
cases. Remove some fur from
nests where does have pulled an Anterior, or breech presentation
excessive amount and keep it of youn^ at birth is normal. If
handy in a bag or box so it will the doe is in proper condition for
remain clean. It is not necessary kindling, complications are rare.
to sterilize or to deodorize the fur, Pregnancy, however, makes a
or take any special measures to heavy demand on the doe and
prevent the doe from smelling the lowers her vitality, making her
strange fur. more susceptible to disease. A few
A day or two before kindling, days before or several days follow-
the doe usually consumes less food ing kindling, pnuemonia may de-
than normally. Do not disturb velop. If you are to treat pneu-
38 AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 3 09, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISING 39
litter may die from exposure. (fewer than five young) can be
Even if predators cats, snakes, — weaned at an earlier age and the
doe rebred. Also, under acceler-
rats, weasels, minks, bobcats, coyo-
tes, strange dogs —
cannot gain ac- ated breeding programs where does
are bred less than 35 days follow-
cess to the rabbitry, they may be
close enough for the doe to detect ing kindling, it is advisable to
their presence, and she may be wean the young at 5, 6, or 7 weeks
frightened and kindle prematurely. of age to allow the doe to prepare
If she is disturbed after the litter for her next litter. It is best to
is born and jumps into the nest box
allow a few days between removal
she may stamp with her back feet of one litter and birth of the next.
and injure or kill the newborn For example: if a doe is bred 28
rabbits. days after kindling, it is possible
Occasionally a doe fails to pro- to leave the litter with her until
duce milk. In such cases the young they are 56 days of age, allowing
will starve within 2 or 3 days un- for kindling about 3 days later.
less the condition is noted and the It depends upon the condition of
young transferred to foster the doe and her ability to stand up
mothers. Keep a close check on under this type of program. You
newborn litters for several days may wish to remove the young at
after birth to make sure they are 7 weeks of age and give the doe 7
being fed and cared for properly. to 10 days to prepare for the next
Does sometimes eat their young. kindling.
This may result from a ration in-
adequate in either quantity or Determining the Sex of Young
quality, or from the nervousness Rabbits
of a doe disturbed after kindling.
It is also possible that the doe is Separate the sexes at weaning,
of a strain that exhibits poor ma- if you are saving junior replace-
ternal instincts. Does usually do ments, or breeding stock. It is
not kill and eat healthy young, but possible to determine accurately the
limit their cannibalism to young sex of baby rabbits less than a
born dead, or those that are in- week of age, but it is easier to do
jured and have died. Proper feed- so when they are weaned. To keep
ing and handling during preg- the rabbit ' from struggling, re-
nancy will do more than anything strain it firmly, yet gently. A
else to prevent this tendency. Give commonly used method is to hold
another chance to a valuable doe the rabbit on its back between your
that destroys her first litter; if she legs with the head up. With your
continues the practice, dispose of left hand restrain the rabbit
her. around the chest holding the front
legs forward alongside the head.
Wean Ins Using the right hand, place the
Under most management pro- thumb behind the right hind leg
grams the young are weaned at 8 and use the index and forefinger to
weeks of a^e. At that age young depress the tail backward and
meat rabbits should average 4 downward. The thumb is then used
424-402 O '1 - 4
40 AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 3 09, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Figure 18. —Vertical section of a box for restraining a rabbit for tattooing. The
spring-type holders tacked to the lower side of a movable floor compress the
rabbit toward the top of the box. A movable cross partition holds the rabbit
toward the front. Blocks of wood on each side hold the rabbit's head in the
center of the hole at the top.
COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISING 41
-'^*HSjl
^ SHHIIH
MHWiiiimiiiiiH i'-,
Sliliiiiihl
ir '
1 .'
]|iii|nii|fni!ii ]
8306S-B
Figure 19. —A cooling basket hung in the hutch to provide comfort for the young
during hot weather.
COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISING 43
Table 4.-
COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISING 45
Table 4. Common ailments oj domestic rabbits — Continued
Diseases and symptoms Treatment and control
Skin Mange: Reddened, Mites (Cheyletiella para- Dip entire animal in a 1.75
scaly skin, intense itch- sitivorax (rabbit fur percent lime-sulfur bath
ing and scratching, some mite) and Sarcoptes (prepared by mixing
loss of fur. scabiei (scabies or itch commercial 30 percent
mite) ,) lime-sulfur concentrate,
8 oz., laundry detergent,
1 tablespoonful, per gal-
lon tepid water) Repeat
.
in 2 weeks necessary.
if
Rubber gloves advisable.
Sore Hocks: Bruised, in- Bruised or chafed areas Small lesions may be helped
fected, or abscessed become infected. by placing animal on lath
areas on hocks. May Caused by wet floors, platform or on ground.
be found on front feet irritation from wire or Advanced cases are best
in severe cases. Animal nervous "stompers." culled. Medication is
shifts weight to front temporarily effective.
feet to help hocks.
Urine- Hutch Burn: In Bacterial mfection of the Keep hutch floors clean and
flammation of external membranes. dry. Pay particular
sex organs and anus. attention to corners where
Area may form crusts animals urinate. Daily
and bleed and, if severe- applications of lanolin
ly infected, pus will be mav be of benefit.
produced.
Caked Breasts: Breasts Milk not drawn from Do not wean young abrupt-
become firm and con- glands as fast as formed, ly; if litter is lost, re-
gested, later hard knots because ot too few breed doe and protect
form at sides of nipples. young, or young not doe from disturbance so
Knots may break open, nursing sufficiently; youn^ can nurse properly.
showing dried milk. usually a management Correct faulty nest boxes
problem with high that injure breasts.
milk-producing does.
Mastitis or Blue Breasts: Bacterial infection of the Inject 100,000 units of
Breasts become feverish breasts (Staphylo- penicillin intramuscu-
and pink, nipples red coccus or Strepto- larly twice each day for
and dark. Temperature coccus). 3 to 5 days. Disinfect
above normal, appetite hutch and reduce feed
poor, breasts turn black concentrates. If severe
and purplish. case, destroy. NEVER
transfer young from
infected doe to another
doe.
Enteritis, Bloat, or Scours: Unknown; never has Add 50 gr. furazoladine per
Loss of appetite, little been shown to be in- ton of feed to give final
activity, eyes dull and fectious or transmitted concentration of 0.0055
squinted, fur rough, to other animals. percent. Feed inter-
and animals may appear mittently or continu-
bloated. Diarrhea or ously. Water soluble
mucus droppings; chlortetracycline or
animals may grind oxytetracycline at a
teeth. Stomach con- level of 1 pound to 100-
tents fluid, gaseous, or 150 gal. of water may be
filled with mucus. used for treating individ-
ual cases; too costly for
herd control.
Fur Block: Animals re- Lack of sufficient fiber, Increase fiber or roughage
duce feed intake or stop bulk, or roughage in in the ration. Feed dry
eating completely, fur the diet. Junior does alfalfa or timothy hay.
becomes rough, and or developing does
weight is lost. Stom- most susceptible.
ach filled with
undigested fur, block-
ing passage to intestinal
tract. Pneumonia may
become secondary.
Tapeworm Larvae: White Larval stage of the dog No treatment; keep dogs
streaks in li%er or small tapeworms {Taenia and cats away from feed,
white cj'sts attached to pisiformis) or of the water, and nest box ma-
membrane on stomach cat tapeworm {T. terial Eggs of tapeworm
or intestines. Usually taeniaeformis) occur in droppings of
cannot detect in live dogs and cats.
animals.
Wry Neck: Head twisted Infection of the organs None, eliminate ear canker
to one side, animals of balance in the inner from herd. Some cases
roll over, cannot main- ear. May be parasitic result from nest-box
tain equilibrium. or bacterial. injuries.
low some wool or fur which is not shrubbery, and trees. There is no
digested. The only noticeable re- danger in using it for fertilizing
sult may be droppings fastened soil on which crops are to be raised
together by fur fibers. However, for feeding rabbits.
if the rabbit swallows any appreci- The value of rabbit manure de-
able amount, it may collect in the pends on how it is cared for and
stomach and form a "fur block" used. There will be less loss of
that interferes with digestion. If fertilizing elements if the material
it becomes large enough, it blocks is immediately incorporated into
the alimentary tract and the animal the soil. "When manure is stored
starves. The most satisfactory in piles and exposed to the weather,
method of preventing this is to chemicals are lost through leaching
shear Angoras regularly, and try and heat. Much of this loss can
to prevent fur eating among your be prevented by keeping the ma-
rabbits by providing adequate nure in a compost heap or in a bin
roughage and protein in their diet. or pit.
A block of wood or other material
upon which the rabbit can chew
may be used to reduce fur chewing. Earthworms in the Rabbitry
breeding stock. The essential fea- ord cards. They may be obtained
tures of a simple record system are from firms deahng in supplies for
illustrated in the hutch card and the rabbitry or you may prepare
the buck breeding record card your own. Some feed mills also
shown in figures 21 and 22. furnish their customers with hutch
The USDA does not furnish rec- cards and record forms.
N 45949
Figure 20. —Worm bins installed beneath rabbit hutches.
(X)MMERCIAL RABBIT RAISINCi 51
HUTCH CARD
tei..] No. W
52 AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 3 09, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Buck No
Breed Sire
N 45953
Figure 25. — Young meat rabbits waiting shipment to market.
BN 26085
Figure 2(5. — Litter of fryer rabbits at marlcet age and weight.
increase in live weight than previ-
Roaster Production
ously, and the death of one rabbit
in a litter during: tlie extra holding According to the reg-ulations
period may eliminate any addi- governing the gradino; and inspec-
tional profit. tion of domestic rabbits, issued by
COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISING 55
the Department of Agriculture cost of feed required to produce
(1^, Title 7, Part 54, section 54.- these gains must be assessed against
262), "A roaster or mature rabbit the value of the heavier rabbits.
is a mature or old domestic rabbit Unless a premium is paid for ma-
carcass of any weight, but usually ture rabbits for their meat or bet-
over 4 pounds processed from a ter fur quality, it is doubtful if
rabbit usually 8 months of age or such production would be more
older." profitable than that of rabbits of
You can fatten culls from the fryer weight.
breeding herd for roasters, if they Castrated bucks require less
are in good condition. In some time and about 5 percent less feed
areas you may find it profitable to than normal bucks to attain a
develop young rabbits to heavier given live weight. As indicated
weights primarily for the meat previously, one advantage of cas-
market. Such rabbits should yield tration is that a number of animals
a carcass that is 55 to 65 percent can be kept together with a saving
of the live weio:ht, with 87 to 90 of equipment, time, and labor. If
percent of it edible. However, the a buck is castrated when 2 months
quantity of feed required to pro- old, his skin at maturity will grade
duce a pound of gain, live weight, as a doe skin and sell for a higher
increases with each pound of gain, price. These factors, however,
and may amount to 12 to 14 pounds usually do not justify the extra
to increase the live weight from work and danger involved in
9 to 10 pounds. Therefore, the castration.
11514-D
FicrRE 27. —Angora rabbit.
table equipped with straps or cords from one side. Turn the rabbit
for restraining the rabbit is ad- around and repeat the shearing
vantageous. operation on the other side, starting
A hairbrush %nth single steel at the neck and shearing toward the
bristles set in rubber, for brushing rump. For shearing the head,
and removing foreign material from front legs, belly, and hind legs,
wool. restrain the rabbit as for grooming.
A pair of barber's scissors or Separate small areas of wool and
electric clippers. shear the way you did the sides.
A ruler for measuring the length Do not injure the doe's teats. Do
of wool. not shear wool from the belly of a
Containers for storing wool. pregnant doe. After shearing,
Grooming. — Commercial woollers lightly brush the rabbit to
require if sltij, grooming be-
little, straighten out the wool fibers and
tween shearings provided the}' are prevent the formation of mats.
properly cared for and sheared During cold weather, newly
every 10 to 12 weeks. If you allow sheared rabbits need protection.
the coat to grow for a longer period, A nest box in the hutch affords ade-
the fibers may become webbed, quate protection during cool spells.
tangled, or matted. ^Yhen the temperature is as low as
For grooming, place the rabbit 30° to 40° F., keep the animals in
on the table. Part the wool down a building where you can maintain
the middle of the back. Brush one comfortable temperatures. In mu-
side,stroking downward. As you ter, leave a half inch of wool on the
reach the end of the wool, brush body for protection.
upward and outward to remove all
foreign material. Make another GradinS/ Preparing, and
part in the wool about half an inch
farther down the side. Repeat the Marketing Wool
operation until the job is com-
pleted. Groom the other side the Label a container for each grade
same way. of wool and place it near the shear-
For grooming the head, front ing table. Grade the wool as
sheared. Following are the usual
legs, and belly place the rabbit on
its back in your lap. Hold its commercial grades:
hindquarters gently but firmly be- Plucked wool
tween the knees. Separate small Super Scinches or longer
areas of wool and groom the way No. 1 3 inches or longer
you did the sides. No. 2 2 inches or longer
For grooming the hind legs, Sheared wool
No. 1 214 to 3 inches
place the rabbit on its back in your No. 2 1% to 2 inches
lap. Hold the head and front feet No. 3 1 to 1% inches
under the left arm. Use the left Shorts % to % inches
hand to hold the rabbit's hind (may be slightly
legs.
webbed
No. 4 Matted
—
Shearing. Before shearing, cut No. 5 Stained and unclean
off all stained ends of wool. Place
the back of the scissors against the While the above have been
rabbit's body to prevent cutting the usual accepted commercial
the skin. Begin at the rump and grades for Angora rabbit wool,
shear a strip about an inch wide to some grading systems have been
the neck. Repeat this operation simplified to the extent that only
until you have removed all the wool three grades ai-e considered: No.
58 AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 309, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
MARKETING
Slaughtering and Skinning feet. Then cut the skin just below
the hock of the suspended right
Slaughter in clean, sanitary leg and open it on the inside of the
quarters. Obtain information on leg to the root of the tail, con-
regulations and restrictions from tinuing the incision to the hock of
local health authorities.
The preferred method of slaugh-
tering a rabbit is by dislocating
the neck. Hold the animal by its
hind legs with the left hand. Place
the thumb of the right hand on the
neck just back of the ears, with
the four fingers extended under the
chin (fig. 28). Push down on the
neck with the right hand, stretch-
ing the animal. Press down with
the thumb. Then raise the animal's
head by a quick movement and dis-
locate the neck. The animal be-
comes unconscious and ceases strug-
gling. This method is instantane-
ous and painless when done cor-
rectly.
Another method is to hold the
animal with one hand at the small
of the back, with its head down,
and stun it by a heavy blow at the
base of the skull.
Suspend the carcass on a hook
inserted between the tendon and
the bone of the right hind leg just
above the hock (fig. 29). Remove
the head immediately to permit
thorough bleeding so the meat will
have a good color. Remove the 83078 B
tail and the free rear leg at the Figure 28. —How to hold a rabbit for
hock joint, and cut off the front disclocating neck in slaughtering.
COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISING 59
83079-B
—
Figure 29. Steps in skinning rabbits and removing internal organs. Small jets of
water from pipe beneath rack wash blood from back panel and trough.
the left leg. Carefully separate the tary. Rinsing the carcass in cold
edges of the skin from the carcass, water facilitates removal of hair
taking special pains to leave all fat and blood and also cleans the car-
on the carcass as the skin is pulled cass. Brush the rabbit's neck
down over the animal. This makes thoroughly in water to remove any
a more attractive meat product, fa- blood. Do not leave the carcass
cilities drying the skin, and pre- in water more than 30 minutes;
vents "fat burns" on the pelt in prolonged soaking causes it to ab-
drying. sorb water, and water in the meat
Even small cuts lessen the value is adulteration.
of a skin. As soon as you remove Chill the carcass in a refriger-
the skin, place it on a stretcher, ated cooler. Arrange the carcass
secure it and hang it up for drying. on a cooling rack so that moderate
(See section on "Rabbitskins.") air movements and a suitable tem-
After skinning the carcass, make perature within the cooler will re-
a slit along the median line of the duce the internal temperature of
belly and remove the entrails and the carcass to no less than 36° F.
gall bladder. Leave the liver and and to no more than 40° within
kidneys in place. Remove the 24 hours.
right hind foot by severing at the Hanging by the hind legs for
hock. Take particular care not to chilling may cause a carcass to be
get hairs on the carcass; they are drawn out of shape, so that the
difficult to remove, detract from pieces will not fit satisfactorily
the appearance, and are unsani- into a carton. Some processors
60 AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 309, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
BN 26086
FiGTTBE 30. — Some common cuts obtained from a rabbit carcass.
62 AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 3 09, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
83080 B
FiGUEE 31. — Some common cuts obtained from a rabbit carcass, and samples of
preparation for sale.
COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISIN<3 63
BN 26083
FiGUBE 32. —Homemade shipping crates for transporting rabbits
RABBITSKINS
Curing jury to the fur of the back, which
is the most valuable. On the day
While still warm, place skins to after skinning, examine the pelts
be cured flesh side out on wire or to see that the edges are drying
board formers or shapers (with the flat, that the skin of the front legs
fore part over the narrow end). is straightened out, and that any
Take care to remove all wrinkles. patches of fat are removed.
You can make a satisfactory skin All skins must be thoroughly
shaper from 5 feet of No. 9 gal- dried before you pack them, but do
vanized wire. This equipment has not dry them in the sun or by arti-
been called a "stretcher," but th& ficial heat. Han^ them up so the
term may give a wrong impression. air can circulate ireely about them.
It is not desirable to stretch the If you will not ship the dried skins
skin unduly. Mount a skin on the for some time, hang them in loose
shaper, making sure both front bundles of 50 in a cool, dry place
feet casings are on the same side, away from rats and mice. In the
and fasten it with clothespins (fig. summer or in a warm climate,
33). This arrangement lessens in- sprinkle the stored skins with
64 AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 3 09, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
naphtha flakes. Never use salt in White skins bring higher prices
curing rahhltskins. than colored skins because of the
adaptability to use in the lighter
Marketins shades of garments and hats.
If good and poor skins of differ-
Domestic rabbitskins vary ent sizes and colors are mixed in a
<rreatly density and quality,
in
shipment, the entire shipment is
depending on the degree of care usually accepted at the price of
that breeders take in breeding.
poor skins. Sort the skins (unless
Good fur can be produced on effi- you have too few) and offer them
cient meat-producing animals by
in separate shipments.
selective mating. Better skins
command higher prices. Grades
Because of the relative cheapness
of rabbitskins, volume is necessary All rabbitskins have some value
for the dealer to market them satis- in the fur trade. About 85 percent
factorily and since
; dressing of domestic rabbitskins are from
charges are so much per skin, the rabbits 8 to 10 weeks old. These
larger skins, other things being skins are known in the trade as
equal, will bring the better price "fryer skins." They are usually
even when they are sold by the sold by the pound as butcher run,
pound, "^^^lether it will pay to that is, ungraded. Five or six
grow or condition heavier rabbits fryer skins usually wei^^h a pound.
for the market depends on the rela- In full-fed rabbits weighing 4 to
tive cost of feed and the market 12 pounds, the poorest skins come
value of the finished product. In from animals up to 134 days old.
areas where similar skins are pro- Older animals produce a higher
duced in quantity, it might be percentage of better grade skins.
profitable for several rabbit raisers The better grade skins from older
to market their skins cooperatively. domestic rabbits are usually sold
COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISING 65
insects that might cause damage. ping them. Ship smaller quanti-
When a bale has been made up, ties in gunny or feed sacks. Do
cover with burlap, sew with strong not use wooden boxes for shipping
cord or binder twine, and mark. rabbitskins; the weight adds ma-
Always protect skins when ship- terially to shipping charges.
per doe. Production costs for the Mature stock sold 2.7
Inventory change 1.7
2 years average $23.04 per doe, or
$3.60 per hour, based on 6.4 hours Although it is to be remembered
labor per doe. Subtracting this that conditions vary from year to
from a gross income return of year and from area to area, as well
$4.62 per hour leaves $1.02 per as from rabbitry to rabbitry, these
hour as net income. The average summary figures were substanti-
cost per pound of meat sold in 1962 ated by those of a 1964 survey con-
amounted to 21.6 cents, and in 1963, ducted in the Santa Clara-Ala-
20.0 cents. meda County area of northern
The following tabulation pre- California.
LITERATURE CITED
(1) American Rabbit Breeders Asso- CHOICE, AND COMMERCIAL
ciation, Inc. GRADES. U.S. Dept. Agr.,
1960. standard of perfection. Agr. Res. Serv. CA-'44-37.
Ill pp., illus. Pittsburgh, 6 pp.
Pa. (10) Morrison, F. B.
(2) Cassady, R. B. 1956. FEEDS and FEEDING. 22d
1962. malocclusion, or "buck ed. 1165 pp., illus. Ithaca,
TEETH," IN rabbits. U.S. N.Y.
Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (11) Sandford, J. C.
CA-44-48. 3 pp., illus. 1957. THE DOMESTIC RABBIT. 258
(3) pp., illus. London.
1962. VALUE AND USE OF RABBIT (12) Smith, S. E., Donefer, E., and
MANURE. U.S. Dept. Agr., Casady, R. B.
Agr. Res. Serv. CA-44-47. 1966. nutrient requirements
5 pp. OF RABBITS. Natl. Acad.
(4)
Natl.
Sci. —
Res. Council
1963. RABBIT MEAT IS COMPETI- Pub. 1194, 17 pp., illus.
TIVE. U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. (13) Templeton, G. S.