Keeping and caring for rabbits at home
Breeding rabbits is quite profitable. We learn what conditions need to be created, how to properly feed and care for pets. As well as how to independently build and equip rabbitry.
How to start raising rabbits
First of all, you need to choose a direction, that is, why you are going to raise rabbits. If your goal is to get high-quality dietary meat, then some breeds will suit you, if - skin and soft fluff, then completely different breeds. Did you know? Rabbits do not sweat, heat exchange occurs through their ears. After all, there are a huge number of different breeds: meat, meat-peel, fur, as well as decorative and dwarf rabbits. A separate source of income is the sale of young animals by another breeder, some breeds are especially appreciated. Accordingly, the conditions for keeping and caring for rabbits differ depending on the chosen direction.
Maintenance of decorative rabbits does not require a lot of costs. They, like other pets, live in apartments and houses, like family members, they get along well with people. It is enough to choose a suitable place for the cage with a pet, provide high-quality feed and regularly receive vaccinations against diseases.
Industrial breeding of rabbits requires large investments of money and labor. It will take a cottage or a farm. It is recommended that root crops for animals be stored in the basement; you can also use part of the garage to store feed.
Pets can be kept indoors or outdoors in special cages, aviaries or pits. There is no need to keep animals indoors all year round; during the warm period, cages can be moved to fresh air.
How to catch a rabbit
Catching a runaway rabbit is not so easy, he runs fast and a person can’t catch him. It is necessary to outwit the fugitive. You can use a homemade trap, for this a box or box, a rope and a stick are suitable. The box is turned upside down, one side is lifted and propped with a stick, a rope is tied to the stick.
For successful fishing, put a tasty bait under the box - a piece of carrot, banana or another treat for the fugitive. The animal will smell the goodies and climb under the box, it is necessary to pull the rope in time to cover the box.
A delicious bait can be put directly into the cage by opening the door. There is a chance that a hungry fugitive will find her and get into the cell voluntarily.
Another method to catch a pet is to use a temporary corral from improvised materials. Separate sections of the fence or lattice will do. It will be easier to catch the fugitive if someone helps you. It is necessary to gradually drive it into a corner, gradually narrowing the space around it, using sections of the corral.
Then one person should go down and grab it carefully. It is necessary to hold it with one hand by the scruff, and with the other hold the paws. The fugitive is rather shy, so you need to act delicately, calm the animal, talk to him to avoid severe stress. Learn more about effective methods and traps for catching a rabbit. You can use a large towel or plaid as a trap. If you can get close enough to an eared runner, then quickly throw a blanket over it and gently grab it.
Requirements for conditions for keeping rabbits
For the maintenance and breeding of animals, it is necessary to create acceptable conditions:
- temperature condition
- humidity,
- lighting.
Humidity and lighting
Rabbits can not stand the heat and do not like drafts. The optimum temperature for them will be + 20 ° C. Sudden changes in temperature must not be allowed. High humidity causes animal diseases; optimal humidity is about 60-70%.
The enclosed animal housing should be well lit and regularly ventilated. In the hot period, cells protect from direct sunlight so that no sunstroke occurs.
We recommend that you learn how to make Zolotukhin cells for rabbits with your own hands.
Hygiene and nutrition
Hygiene rules must be strictly observed. It is necessary to clean the room daily, thoroughly wash the feeders and drinking bowls. Periodically disinfect all equipment.
The health and development of animals depends on the quality of food.
It is necessary to provide a varied menu, which should include:
- Fresh root vegetables
- compound feed
- corn,
- hay,
- fresh grass
- vitamins and minerals.
Prevention of injuries and diseases
Prevention of injuries is the periodic inspection of cells for the presence of protruding nails, wire, or other sharp objects. To prevent diseases, it is necessary to periodically carefully examine animals, vaccinations in a timely manner, and protect against stress.
Proper care and conditions, hygiene, a rich diet including vitamins are the best prevention of animal diseases.
The content of domestic rabbits
First of all, you need to choose a place in the apartment or in the house where you plan to keep a rabbit, purchase a spacious cage and all the necessary accessories. For a small and fluffy pet, a cozy corner away from heating appliances, air conditioners, a TV, and direct sunlight is suitable. Read more about how to make and equip a cage for a decorative rabbit. The place must be protected from drafts and damp. The optimum temperature will be from 18 ° C to 20 ° C and humidity 50%. The cage should be clean, you often need to change the litter at the bottom. Wet litter can cause many diseases.
It is convenient to use dry sawdust or straw as a litter. It is necessary to monitor the cleanliness of feeders and drinking bowls, the water should always be clean. It is also necessary to clean up daily after the pet and wash the tray. The animal will not go into the dirty tray and will make the toilet elsewhere.
How to train a rabbit in a tray
From the first days of acquiring a rabbit, it must be accustomed to the tray. The tray is placed in a cage, near a feeder with hay. You can use the tray for cats, a layer of special filler is poured onto the bottom.
If the animal does not want to go to the tray, then the reason for this may be:
- Incorrect tray location
- wrong filler;
- Too small or uncomfortable tray.
Did you know? A rabbit can, without turning its head, see what is happening behind, so its eyes are arranged.
Can rabbits be washed
It is not advisable to wash the rabbits, they themselves monitor their cleanliness perfectly, lick the wool and, when properly maintained and looked good, look very good. Bathing for them is a lot of stress and the likelihood of catching a cold. Detergents wash off the protective coating of the skin, after bathing the pet can shed and itch a lot.
Water is especially dangerous in the ears. Bathing can be done no more than 1-2 times a year if the pet is too polluted. You can partially wash the rabbit, for example, only the legs. If you can not do without a full bath, then you can not wet your head and ears.
Find out more if rabbits can be washed at home.
How to cut rabbit claws
In wild rabbits, the claws are erased in the process of their active life. Their family relatives need to regularly cut their nails about once a month, when they begin to bend and knock on the floor while moving.
Ordinary scissors are not suitable for this procedure, you need to purchase special or guillatine. It is necessary to cut it by carefully stepping back about 5 mm from the living pulp, which contains blood vessels.
Pulp has a reddish tinge and nervous sensitivity. Before the procedure, try to calm the pet and securely fix it. In case of damage to blood vessels, the wound is treated with hydrogen peroxide.
We advise you to read in more detail how to properly trim the rabbit's claws.
How rabbits sleep
Little pets sleep during the day, and at night they are active. During sleep, they do not completely close their eyes, squinting. A pet can find a secluded and quiet corner, and can sleep in the middle of a cage or apartment, all individually.
His sleep may be deep, or he may just take a little nap. It is important to remember that the animal is very shy and try to protect it from harsh sounds and noises.
You can also read how to build and equip a rabbit house with your own hands.
How to make a leash
A normal leash for a rabbit is not suitable, as he has poorly developed neck muscles and can damage or slip them during a walk. Special leashes or harnesses are used, which besides the neck also surround the chest. They can be made independently.
For manufacturing you will need:
- strong braid
- soft cloth
- threads
- needle,
- buckle ring
- awl, scissors.
The braid must be lined on one side with a soft cloth to prevent skin rubbing. The first two pieces of braid are bent on one side and make a loop for buckle, and on the other hand several holes are made with an awl. It is advisable to use rivets or thread the holes.
The third piece of braid is a jumper that connects the two parts on the neck and chest and runs through the center of the back of the animal. In the center of the third web-jumper, you need to make a loop for a small ring to which the leash will be attached with a carabiner. It is necessary to connect the three parts of the harness and adjust the length using the fasteners, trying on a pet.
Domestic rabbit farm
To create a home farm, you need to decide which way of keeping rabbits you will use. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages.
Important! In addition to premises for rabbits in the country, it is necessary to build a barn for storing hay and feed, a special room for slaughtering animals and a cesspool for manure.
Ways to keep rabbits
Rabbits are kept in cages, aviaries, sheds, and pits. May be indoors or outdoors.
Benefits of keeping rabbits in cages
Cell content is one of the most common and best ways.
- Benefits:
- rational feeding
- convenient care and cleaning,
- planned mating
- the ability to quickly isolate a sick animal,
- it is convenient to do preventive measures, vaccinations, etc.
Cells can be made stationary or portable, and if necessary, taken out in the warm weather.
Advantages of Aviary Rabbits
The aviary method is close to the living conditions of animals in the wild.
- Benefits:
- stronger immunity and fewer diseases due to an active way of life,
- minimal time and money in care
Read more about the features of the arrangement and keeping of rabbits in aviaries.
Floor keeping rabbits
Keeping pets on the floor without the use of cages is neither practical nor profitable.
- The main disadvantages:
- unsanitary conditions
- misuse of feed,
- uneconomical use of the premises,
- many injuries and illnesses.
On the street
On the street, furry animals can only be kept in the warm season. If there is a large territory, then it can be used for grazing. With this method, there is less cost of care and feed, but poor control over the state of health. In the event of an epidemic, you can lose the entire population.
With the onset of cold weather, you need a warm home or cell insulation. Some meat breeds can be kept in pits even in winter if there is no groundwater in the upper layers of the soil. Small pits with an area of 4 m² contain up to 200 heads. With the pit method, the minimum cost of building materials and a minimum of care.
Sheds
Sheds are more advanced stationary cells for a small farm. For convenience, cells are placed in several tiers in long rows with a wide passage.
Also learn how to make a mini-farm for rabbits with your own hands.
With this method, space is used economically and it is easier to care for animals. Car drinkers are often used in order to reduce the proportion of manual labor.
Mother rabbits
The mother-child is intended for a pregnant female, childbirth takes place there, and small offspring grows up while the rabbit mother feeds them. It should be small, cozy and warm, to protect little rabbits from hypothermia.
As a mother liquor, an insulated wooden box with a small opening for entry and an opening top for easy cleaning can be used.
Read how to make a mother liquor for rabbits with your own hands.
Keeping rabbits in winter
Keeping rabbits in the winter requires warming of the cages and heating of the premises. If it is cold, the rabbit will burn fat and be depleted.
We advise you to read how to feed rabbits in the winter.
How to build a do-it-yourself rabbitry
Rabbitry can be built with your own hands, so it will be much cheaper than buying a finished one. For construction, you will need a simple tool, wooden bars and boards, metal mesh, door hinges, gate valves.
Basic principles of cell construction
First make a drawing in accordance with the number of goals. I expect an average of 0.5 to 1 m² per adult rabbit, depending on the breed. The construction process takes place in stages.
First, they build a frame, most often from wood, and divide it into sections. The section for the mother liquor is made larger so that there is space for a separate nest. Partitions and doors make it convenient to care for animals, feed them and clean their cages. The side and back walls are made of boards, and the front of the grid.
It is better to make the bottom of the cage from wooden slats or use a plastic mesh; on a metal mesh floor, pets often injure their paws and freeze in cold weather. Under the floor, it is recommended to make it possible to install a sliding tray for cleaning feces and urine. We recommend that you learn more about which mesh is needed for rabbit cells. It is also necessary to carefully close up all protruding edges, do not leave sharp fasteners so that the animals do not get hurt. Cages must be securely closed, for this use special valves or latches.
Building aviaries for rabbits
For enclosures, you will need a spacious yard and a reliable fence, which must be buried in the ground to a depth of about 60 cm. For 25 rabbits, an enclosure of 25 m² is needed. To build the walls of the enclosure, you can use slate, metal mesh, wooden boards.
One of the walls is recommended to be made of mesh for good access to air and sunlight. The height of the enclosure should be about 1.5 m. The floor can be left earthen. A part of the enclosure is sure to create a canopy that protects pets from rain and the scorching sun. Inside place feeders and drinking bowls.
Read in more detail how to make a do-it-yourself aviary for rabbits.
Arrangement of rabbitry
The rational use of feed and the amount of time and effort spent on grooming depend on the proper arrangement of rabbitry. It is necessary to correctly install the feeders and drinking bowls, to secure them securely.
Rabbit feeders
There is a huge selection of ready-made feeders for rabbits, different designs and materials. The feeder should be convenient, easy to remove for cleaning and disinfection, quickly installed in place. It should be roomy and safe for animals, there should be no sharp corners and edges, no burrs.
The feeder should provide free and convenient access to food for the pet, but do not let it scatter and trample its contents. The material should be safe, but durable, as rabbits easily gnaw thin plywood.
Learn more about rabbit bunker feeders.
Drinking bowls
There are a lot of drinking bowls, car drinkers are popular, which simplify the care of animals and provide good hygiene. Часто используют ниппельные поилки.
Самостоятельно можно сделать несколько видов поилок для кроликов.
Feeding rabbits
Сбалансированное питание, обеспечивающее питомцев всеми полезными веществами, влияет на то, как быстро они растут, на состояние здоровья и плодовитость. Осенью и зимой необходимо увеличить количество корнеплодов и силоса. Кролики очень любят морковь и капусту, для них также полезен отварной картофель.
Полезными для животных являются кормовая свекла, кабачок, тыква. Большую часть рациона, около 30% занимают грубые корма содержащие клетчатку, преимущественно это луговое сено. Но основу рациона (около 70%) составляют зерно и комбикорм.
Rabbit breeding
Кролики очень хорошо размножаются, одна крольчиха за год может приносить до 40 крольчат за 5 окролов. Для случки отбирают самок в возрасте 5 месяцев и семимесячных самцов.
Самку подсаживают в клетку к самцу на 5-10 минут, потом забирают. Беременность длится месяц, роды проходят без посторонней помощи. Малыши находятся возле кормящей мамы до возраста 1, 5 месяца.
How to determine the gender of a rabbit
Для определения пола необходимо внимательно осмотреть питомца. Взрослые самки крупнее самцов и у них можно нащупать соски. У самцов более широкая и короткая голова и узкий круп.
Как кастрировать кролика
Кастрировать кролика лучше в возрасте 4 месяца, а крольчиху в 6 месяцев. Эту несложную хирургическую операцию некоторые делают самостоятельно, но лучше пригласить ветеринара. Во время подготовки к операции животным несколько дней дают для нормализации пищеварения ацидофилин. We recommend that you familiarize yourself
Итак, можно сделать вывод, что построить крольчатник и начать свой бизнес с нуля вполне реально. Необходимо вложить финансы и труд, но при правильной организации и уходе, питомцы быстро растут и размножаются. Выращивание кроликов может стать рентабельным бизнесом. Также можно содержать декоративных кроликов в качестве домашних любимцев.
