QUESTIONS BUNNISH PEOPLE OFTEN ASK
This episode is loaded with lots of interesting questions and answers that will KEEP YOUR EYES glued you till the end.
Q.
Are rabbits rodents?
A.
No! Rabbits, hares, and pikas are distinct from rodents in various respects, for example they have four incisor teeth (rather than two) and they are almost completely herbivorous (whereas many rodents also eat meat). Rabbits are gregarious burrowing animals with long ears, long hind legs, and a short white bushy tail.
Rabbits and hares are members of the family Leporidae, one of the two families (the other is the Ochotonidae or pika family) in the order Lagomorpha.
Q.
When will a rabbit be ready to give birth?
A.
At 5 months, most female rabbits are able to conceive. However, this maturity age depends on the breed of the rabbit in question. Small and medium breeds mature faster than giant breeds. The rabbit undergo a 30 days circle from conception to delivery.
When will a rabbit be ready to give birth?
A.
At 5 months, most female rabbits are able to conceive. However, this maturity age depends on the breed of the rabbit in question. Small and medium breeds mature faster than giant breeds. The rabbit undergo a 30 days circle from conception to delivery.
Q.
Do rabbits abort pregnancies?
A.
Yes Rabbits are capable of aborting pregnancy, unlike us humans do it randomly by choice. However, if they babies are quite developed and she is relatively close to giving birth then she cannot reabsorb the foetus'. When a rabbit abortion takes place she must reabsorb the foetus' into her body, this is relatively harmless. If she is too far along and decides to abort for various different reasons then the babies will die inside of her and she cannot reabsorb them and it kills her days after.
Do rabbits abort pregnancies?
A.
Yes Rabbits are capable of aborting pregnancy, unlike us humans do it randomly by choice. However, if they babies are quite developed and she is relatively close to giving birth then she cannot reabsorb the foetus'. When a rabbit abortion takes place she must reabsorb the foetus' into her body, this is relatively harmless. If she is too far along and decides to abort for various different reasons then the babies will die inside of her and she cannot reabsorb them and it kills her days after.
Q.
What makes a good pellet?
A.
Pellets should make up a small portion of your rabbit's diet. Unless your rabbit is under 6 months old, he should get a set amount of pellets daily and not have constant access to pellets. Pellets should be high in fiber [higher than 18%], and low in protein [less than 14%], calcium [0.9%] and fat [less than2%]. Avoid pellet mixes that contain seeds, grains, dried corn, or other colorful additives, as these items can be difficult for your rabbit to digest and have little nutritional value. It is advisable not to purchase more than 6 weeks of feed at a time, as nutritional value degrades over time.
What makes a good pellet?
A.
Pellets should make up a small portion of your rabbit's diet. Unless your rabbit is under 6 months old, he should get a set amount of pellets daily and not have constant access to pellets. Pellets should be high in fiber [higher than 18%], and low in protein [less than 14%], calcium [0.9%] and fat [less than2%]. Avoid pellet mixes that contain seeds, grains, dried corn, or other colorful additives, as these items can be difficult for your rabbit to digest and have little nutritional value. It is advisable not to purchase more than 6 weeks of feed at a time, as nutritional value degrades over time.
Q.
What size cage is best?
A.
Bigger is better! A cage should be at least 4 times the size of your rabbit - more if he is confined for a large amount of the day. Be sure the cage is large enough to allow space for a litter box, food and water bowls, etc., and still allow your rabbit enough room to stretch out completely. It should also be tall enough that your rabbit can stretch up without their ears hitting the top. If the cage has a wire floor, be sure to provide something solid, like a towel, newspaper, or board, for your rabbit to lie on.
What size cage is best?
A.
Bigger is better! A cage should be at least 4 times the size of your rabbit - more if he is confined for a large amount of the day. Be sure the cage is large enough to allow space for a litter box, food and water bowls, etc., and still allow your rabbit enough room to stretch out completely. It should also be tall enough that your rabbit can stretch up without their ears hitting the top. If the cage has a wire floor, be sure to provide something solid, like a towel, newspaper, or board, for your rabbit to lie on.
Q.
How can I tell if my rabbit is fit?
A.
You must be able to answer YES to all six of the following questions to be sure your bunny is fit:
Is the bunny active and alert?
Are its eyes bright and clear?
Is its nose clean, not runny?
Are its ears clean and dry inside?
Is its fur smooth and clean?
Are its feet dry and free of sores?
How can I tell if my rabbit is fit?
A.
You must be able to answer YES to all six of the following questions to be sure your bunny is fit:
Is the bunny active and alert?
Are its eyes bright and clear?
Is its nose clean, not runny?
Are its ears clean and dry inside?
Is its fur smooth and clean?
Are its feet dry and free of sores?
Q.
How often are rabbits fed?
A.
It is advisable that they are fed twice a day.
How often are rabbits fed?
A.
It is advisable that they are fed twice a day.
Q.
When do the rabbit young ones stop breastfeeding?
A.
The young ones to a rabbit are called litters. They are born hairless and with closed eyes. Fur grows from day 5 to 6 and eyes open from day 10 to 12. After 3 weeks they are weaned off milk by the does (female rabbit) and will start eating hay and pellet. At the age of 8 to 10 weeks, young rabbits are separated from their mothers and put into their individual cages. This is to prevent fighting.
When do the rabbit young ones stop breastfeeding?
A.
The young ones to a rabbit are called litters. They are born hairless and with closed eyes. Fur grows from day 5 to 6 and eyes open from day 10 to 12. After 3 weeks they are weaned off milk by the does (female rabbit) and will start eating hay and pellet. At the age of 8 to 10 weeks, young rabbits are separated from their mothers and put into their individual cages. This is to prevent fighting.
Q.
What rabbit breed is best for meat production?
A.
There are many breeds that are good for meat production, among them are Chinchilla, Flemish Giant, Angora, Palomino etc. However, the most suitable meat producers are New Zealand White and Californian. These two breeds grow very fast, weigh heavy and reproduce more rapidly.
What rabbit breed is best for meat production?
A.
There are many breeds that are good for meat production, among them are Chinchilla, Flemish Giant, Angora, Palomino etc. However, the most suitable meat producers are New Zealand White and Californian. These two breeds grow very fast, weigh heavy and reproduce more rapidly.
Q.
What breeds of rabbits are best for fur/pelt production?
A.
Angora and Rex are among the best fur/pelt producers. The Angora has long and fluffy hair which is harvested by cutting low and sold at a high price for its quality. Rex on the other hand is suitable for pelt.
You could raise both fur and meat rabbits together to get the most out of the rabbit enterprise. However, you should note that fur rabbits like Angora require special and regular care like brushing and cleanliness.
What breeds of rabbits are best for fur/pelt production?
A.
Angora and Rex are among the best fur/pelt producers. The Angora has long and fluffy hair which is harvested by cutting low and sold at a high price for its quality. Rex on the other hand is suitable for pelt.
You could raise both fur and meat rabbits together to get the most out of the rabbit enterprise. However, you should note that fur rabbits like Angora require special and regular care like brushing and cleanliness.
Q.
What are the common and marketable rabbit breeds in Nigeria?
What are the common and marketable rabbit breeds in Nigeria?
A.
There are three (3) breeds of rabbits kept in Nigeria; New Zealand white, California White and Chinchilla. White New Zealand which is a white breed is preferred for meat because of its carcass characteristics.
There are three (3) breeds of rabbits kept in Nigeria; New Zealand white, California White and Chinchilla. White New Zealand which is a white breed is preferred for meat because of its carcass characteristics.
Q.
what's the cost of rearing one rabbit and what is its possible market price?
A.
The cost of production will depend on the system of production selected as the major cost will be that of feed an example is given based on commercial pellets which can be purchased from animal feed manufacturers. The rabbits will consume about 25 g of pellets per day which will translate to 2.25 Kg in 90 days. At 90 days the dressed weight will be between 1-1.8kg. Therefore the feed/pellets will cost N500 and you will be able to sell the meat at between 1000 and 1500 per kilogram dressed weight. Obviously you should add other costs i.e. labour, depreciation of the houses and other infrastructure, transport to market etc.
Q.
Apart from the meat, what else is useful on the rabbit body?
Apart from the meat, what else is useful on the rabbit body?
A.
Everything on the rabbit body is useful!
Everything on the rabbit body is useful!
The skin
- Used for making winter clothing such as gloves, scarfs, boots & jackets
- Best for making fishing rods
- Used for making ornaments in Asian countries
The urine
- When mixed with water in the ratio 1:30 (urine to water), rabbit urine can be used a direct insecticide and liquid fertilizer on the farm.
The droppings
- It is the best composite manure because it contains the highest contents of ammonia and nitrogen essential for plant growth. It also contains phosphorous and potassium.
- Unlike other manures, it does not produce a strong smell.
- Rabbit manure is cold manure i.e. it does not burn crops when applied directly like other manures.
- When mixed with water, rabbit droppings make manure tea that can be used as liquid fertilizer on the farm.
Rabbit droppings are useful to people who practice vermiculture (worm farming) as the worms feed on the droppings. - Fresh rabbit droppings are food to fish.
Q.
Where are rabbits likely to do well?
A.
Rabbits can be kept in any part of the country so long as they are housed properly and protected from predators.
Where are rabbits likely to do well?
A.
Rabbits can be kept in any part of the country so long as they are housed properly and protected from predators.
We will like you to ask your questions and make contributions to this topic in the comment box bellow. Thanks
