Some fun facts, general Q&A, and links to help you with your bunnies.
A female rabbits is called a Doe, and a male is called a Buck. Babies are called kits, short for kittens.
A rabbits' gestation period is around 28-31 days.
Depending on the breed, they can have anywhere from one to more than ten kits in a single litter. The most common is 4-10.
A rabbit usually lives 5 to 7 years.
They make wonderful, quiet pets and they can be litter trained.
Rabbits cannot throw up.
There are 48 recognized breeds of rabbits in the U.S.
They are not rodents, they belong to the lagomorphs order.
Rabbits have long sensitive ears, which can turn in any direction and
also help in regulating their body temperature.
They have a really good memory.
Rabbits are crepuscular, that means they are most active at dawn and
dusk.
Babies are born blind and without fur.
Rabbit's chew 120 times a minute and have over 17,000 taste buds.
Domestic rabbits can't breed with the wild ones.
Rabbit meat is all white meat, which is lower in cholesterol, fat and
calories.
When rabbits are happy, they perform a series of jumps, twists and runs.
They chitter their teeth when they are content, and this can sound similiar to a cat purring.
Twice, once in 1978 and again in 1999, there were two large litters of 24
babies. These litters are the largest ever born.
The longest ears on a rabbit are 31.125 inches long. The biggest bunny weighed
26 pounds, 7 ounces.
The oldest rabbit lived to be 19 years old.
Rabbits have 18 toenails. There are four on each of the back feet, and five on
each of the front feet.
Female rabbits have a bifurcated uterus. They can carry two litters of different
gestational ages sired by two different bucks, but this is not recommended.
Rabbits are naturally timid because they are prey animals. Holding and playing
with your rabbit daily will help to tame it.
More than half of the world’s rabbits live in North America.
A rabbit has sharp front teeth that doesn't stop growing. To stop their teeth from
growing too long for them to be able to eat, they need to chew on things to wear
them down.
When born, rabbits weigh about as much as a roll of dimes.
When rabbits are scared, they will stomp their back feet to warn other rabbits
that there may be danger.
What to look for in a happy, healthy rabbit.
Bright, clean eyes.
Clean ears that stand for standard rabbits and lop for lop eared rabbits.
Straight teeth that aren't too long or short, or miss matched.
All toenails present, and match the breeds' standard.
Feet in good heath.
Nose, eyes, mouth, and bottom free of anything.
Good weight, and body type.
Energetic, moving around.
Not shy, comes to the front of the cage for attention.
Likes the breeder, doesn't shy away in fear.
Clean ears that stand for standard rabbits and lop for lop eared rabbits.
Straight teeth that aren't too long or short, or miss matched.
All toenails present, and match the breeds' standard.
Feet in good heath.
Nose, eyes, mouth, and bottom free of anything.
Good weight, and body type.
Energetic, moving around.
Not shy, comes to the front of the cage for attention.
Likes the breeder, doesn't shy away in fear.
Questions and Answers
Q: Which breed is right for me?
A: It's going to depend on what you're looking for in a rabbit. If your looking for a house pet, perhaps a medium sized rabbit that comes from a breeder that cares for and handles them young is in your best interest. The smaller breeds including dwarfs are popular, but can have temperament issues, and aren't good for small children. If your looking for show, it's a good idea to attend a local show or fair to see what breed stands out to you. Do your research. If meat production is what you have in mind, Florida Whites, Satins, Californians, and New Zealands are the most popular choices.
Q: What do I look for in a breeder? Can't I just go to a pet store?
A: Look for a breeder that is eager to have you come out, is knowledgeable when you ask questions, and doesn't make you feel like you are bothering them. Their rabbitry should be clean, well kept, and all included rabbits healthy. Watch out for sneezing rabbits! They should ask you questions and be interested in what you need your bunnies for. Their rabbits should look and act healthy, not be skinny or sick, and the rabbitry should have good ventilation. If there is feces mounded 2 feet high, and fur blowing everywhere, you might want to reconsider. A visit to a rabbitry should be a pleasant time.
The reasons I wouldn't consider a pet store as an option is because at least around here, the rabbits are sold for at least 45.00 to 50.00 dollars minimum. I sell my beautiful, hand raised, pedigreed, top quality show rabbits for close to this price! The rabbits usually have major faults that keep the supplier from wanting to rebreed them. They are runts, have health problems, have never been hand raised, or are a mix between breeds, which is usually an accidental breeding. I could go on and on. DO NOT GO TO A PET STORE FOR A PET RABBIT. It's not a pet! It's a poor rabbit that's been dumped! These rabbits are never handled, similar to getting a dog or cat from the mall. NOT A SMART CHOICE.
Q: What's so special about Silver Martens?
A: Well to me every rabbit is special. I raised Silver Martens growing up, and they still hold close to my heart. They just aren't around here like they were, and the breed needs support and attention to save the integrity of the breed. They are so sweet and good for children. Their attitudes and personalities are some of the best I've ever delt with, and I've raised quite a few breeds in my day. They are a wonderful beginners' rabbit. They are perfect for 4H, easy to handle, and draw alot of attention due to their stunning markings and rarity in our area.
Q: I want to show rabbits, what do I do?
A: Go to a show and find what breed stands out to you. Do your research!!!!!! I cannot stress that enough! Rabbits are a commitment and they need a lot of love and supplies. Once you find what breed you want to show, find a reputible breeder that has your best interests as heart. Refer back to what to look for in a breeder. Your next step is to join the ARBA by going to their website. They offer many options for memberships that will fit your needs. Get a good breeding trio in the breed and variety you want. Breeds come in different colors (sometimes). They should come with a pedigree and will need to be tattooed if they aren't already. They have to be tattooed to show. ARBA's website will give you dates for shows. You need to plan your breedings around the shows you would like to attend. There are open and youth shows all around the nation, with a national convention every year. For more questions message us.
Q: What are the basics of getting started?
A: You need a cage, food, crocks, water, toenail trimmers, a brush, and a safe place for your rabbit to live. If you are starting up a rabbitry your rabbits may be outside, in a barn, or shed. Make sure they are out of drafts but have good ventilation. Keep them protected from the elements. They can handle cold alot better than they can hot weather. Very warm weather, even here in Ohio, can kill your rabbit. If your bunny is to be an inside pet, make sure that you bunny proof your home, this is so important! Pick up all cords and things on the floor, a rabbit will chew anything put in front of it. Keep their home away from other pets in a quiet place that they will feel comfortable. And with any environment you house your rabbit in, keep it very clean. Rabbits can get respitory problems and get sick easily.
Q: Where do I get the supplies to take care of my rabbit?
A: You can find most of your supplies at your local farm and tractor stores. They most always carry the cages, crocks, feed, and other supplies you may need. Do not go to walmart and expect to find everything your rabbits need, and never feed them the rodent or colorful rabbit feed you find there. Remember rabbits aren't rodents, and that feed is nothing but rabbit candy, it's not good enough for a healthy diet. No matter what the packaging tells you.
Q: What do rabbits eat, and how much?
A: They should be on a sustained diet of rabbit pellets with a 16% to 18% protien ration. High fiber is a must. I highly recommend Manna Pro. They have three lines of their feed, PRO, SHO,and GRO. PRO is an all around good feed for raising rabbits. I use this most of the time. SHO is more expensive but is good when you are focusing on raising rabbits for the show table. I use it during prime show time. GRO is for nursing does and growing litters. I use this especially during the winter months when I have full nesting boxes. While I'm sure there may be other products available to you, I have had the best success with this brand. It may not be available in your area so do your research on what's best to feed your rabbits. It will vary on the breed of rabbit when it comes to how much they should eat. It's not alot. Research your breed. Treats are ok occasionally, carrots, banana peels, and greens for example, just DON'T EVER GIVE BABY RABBITS GREENS. It can kill them!!!
It gives them Enteritis.
Q: Why choose a rabbit for a pet?
A: Rabbits make wonderful indoor and outdoor pets. They are very low maintenance, yet offer a high amount of entertainment and love. They can be litter trained, so they don't have to be let out all of the time like dogs. Unlike cats and dogs, their feces have no odor, unless you stick a bunny berry up to your nose and investigate that closely. Then you might find something. They aren't loud, in fact they rarely make any noise at all! They don't eat alot, a $10.00 bag of feed can last a 10lb rabbit almost 2 months. They don't need much and can be a great furry friend. They perform funny antics that can be alot of fun to watch and take videos of. Each rabbit has it's own unique personality.
Q: What do I do if my rabbit gets sick?
A: Well, if you have a rabbitry with bunnies outside in a colony or hutch setting, it would depend on what's wrong. Something as simple as sore hocks takes putting a board in the cage for the rabbit to lay on and some triple bac ointment. If your rabbit gets snuffles, there are antibiotics you can put in their water. If it's something serious like enteritis, or wry neck, cull the animal. Make sure to quarentine any sick animals from your herd! Some things can be airborn. Now if you have a pet rabbit in your home, and you love your pet very much, I would suggest taking it to the vet. Keeping an eye on your rabbits' physical health every day is the best preventative medicine you can give.
I have tried to answer a few questions to the best of my knowledge. Again these answers are just my opinion, and if you have any doubt I urge you to do your research. I have and these are the best answers I could come up with for you. I hope I've helped.