Rabbit Breeds &  Prices You will need at least 4 rabbits

Suggested Feeding Instructions for Rabbits for Bowie FFA

Pricing & Breeds

      Rabbits can range from $35-40 per head (each).

      You show rabbits in a pen of three.

      It is nice to buy 4 to 5 rabbits so that you have more to pick from for the show.

      Breeds are:

            New Zealand’s: white with red eyes

            Californians: white with black points: ears, nose, all four feet, tail

            Satins: Black, white, gray, or brown

Items needed

<                     4-5 - plastic waters depends on how many rabbits you decide to raise

<                     Lights

<                     4-5 metal rabbit feeders because the rabbits will chew on plastic ones.

<                     Cleaning Supplies, SOS Pads, etc.

<                     Rabbit Show Feed

<                     Barley (can be shared with others that are showing)

<                     Corn (can be shared with others that are showing)

<                     Oats (oatmeal type; can also be shared)

<                     A cut board 4” high

<                     1 cage for each rabbit to live separately

<                     Towel

<                     Scale to weigh rabbits on

<                     Note pad or book to write weights & feed amounts down in – log book

<                     Earmite drops for kittens/puppies

<                     Heat lamps

<                     Blankets

<                     Coastal Hay

<                     Sharpie Marker

<                     Measuring cup

Raising the Rabbits

Before Rabbits Arrive

1. Gather feeders and waters and other equipment that you have.  All feed and water and cage equipment should be clean and rinsed with a (1-10) chlorine bleach/water mixture.  Set up the cage.  See Exercise for the board instructions.

2. Purchase feed and any other equipment that is needed.

Note: When you first obtain the rabbits, mark an ear #1-4 or 5 with a sharpie, so that you can keep track of their weights and feedings.

 Feeding

3. Rabbits must have access to clean fresh water at all times.  Containers should be rinsed daily, it is a good idea to change the water every time you attend to your rabbits.

4. You will need to measure out how much feed you are giving your rabbit in the am and pm.  This is to be kept in your log book. Feed will be adjusted to the animals’ weight.  Remember, rabbits have to be within two ounces of each other or they are disqualified.

To Fast Fat can be tried to gain weight.

Barley creates a smooth finish.

Hay helps to loose weight or hold their weight.

Black whole sunflower seeds helps to gain weight and with the hair.

Corn helps to gain.

Corn oil helps to gain weight too.

Karo can be used to get them to eat the feed.

Oats helps to hold weight.

Weighing

5. It is a good practice to weight the rabbits once every two days in the beginning.

After about a week, you will need to weight the rabbits everyday.  In fact, it is not bad practice to weigh each rabbit everyday form the beginning anyway.  Within a few days of the show, you will need to weigh your rabbits every am and pm to keep the rabbits as close as possible. 

It is good to weigh in order to adjust the feed.  If it is necessary, the rabbits can go off feed in the pm or be help back the day before and given just hay. Weighing a watching that is a constant mandatory thing to do.  The weights are to be kept in your log book.

Exercise

6. This is where the board comes in.  The board should be fastened in the middle of the cage. Place the water on one side and the feeder on the other side.  This makes the rabbit jump over the board and gain muscle. 

7. The more you get your rabbits out the better but they can not be completely tame or they will not tense up with the judge and make their muscles feel tight.

8. From day 1 you will need to work on getting the fur to do the flyback.  Simply, run your hand opposite the direction that the hair lays down so that it is standing up.  The quicker the hair falls down, the better the pelt it.

Rabbit Care

9. Adequate ventilation must be allowed.  If the rabbit poop is too close to the rabbits, the ammonia smell will make them not eat. 

10. Use two heat lamps to keep rabbits warm.  Place lamps so that they are at each end of the pens. Secure the lamp cords or chain so they will not fall into the pens or are in the way of a person. Rabbit comfort can be regulated by raising or lowering the lamps. Another option is to cover the cages with blankets on really cold nights. This is for when it is really cold.  Rabbits can tolerate up to 35 degrees.  In fact, the cooler, the better.