How To Select The Right Rabbits For Breeding
Breeding rabbits sounds pretty simple doesn’t it? I mean if ever there was a poster animal for enthusiastic breeding it would have to be the rabbit. But keep in mind the most famous rabbit of all was a dedicated bachelor. Old Bugs Bunny never did settle down. To make sure that you do not end up with a bachelor like Bugs, follow these guidelines for successfully purchasing rabbit breeding stock.
First and for most when selecting a breeding stock no matter what type, meat, pet or show, you must find healthy stock! Begin with finding local rabbit breeders close to your geographic location. Rabbits do not adjust well to climate changes. So finding rabbits in Montana and moving them to Georgia would be a bad idea. Stay local.
Another benefit of buying from local rabbit breeders is that you are close enough to take a tour of the rabbit farm. Most rabbit farms will allow you take a tour if they know you are seriously interested in purchasing breeding stock. Any rabbit farm that refuses to let you see the rabbits in the farm before purchase might be hiding something. Simply skip them and move onto the next breeder. These are things to look for when touring or inspecting the rabbit farm for breeding stock:
A. Look out for flies! If there are a large number of flies there is a problem. Keeping flies out completely is pretty much hopeless, but keeping them under control with fly strips and other such devices is possible. It is necessary for rabbit health.
B. Look at the rabbit cages. You are looking for cleanliness. Is there a foul odor coming from the rabbit cages? Is the straw covered in feces and urine? If so move onto the next breeder, this kind of filth is definitely going to cause sickness and disease in the rabbits living in these squalid conditions.
C. Is there plenty of clean water and feed? Rabbits need clean fresh water to remain healthy. Especially does that are pregnant or will be soon. Under-nourished rabbits are more prone to developing health problems than those that are well fed and cared for.
D. Look at the rabbits themselves:
- Look for balding, scaly patches on the skin. While it is quite normal for a doe to pluck her own fur out to line her nest box before kidding, this is generally the only time healthy rabbits do so. Rabbits that are overly bored an depressed can also develop this habit. But their exposed skin should look healthy, not scaly or raw.
- Eyes tell a lot about a rabbits overall health. Watery eyes, red swollen eyes, or dilated eyes are signs of a sick rabbit.
- Runny noses can also tell you about the rabbits overall health.
Basically look for all things you would to see if your child was sick. Avoid buying sick rabbits as they can bring harmful, possibly deadly diseases back to your other rabbits.
Keeping these things in mind when selecting your breeding stock will help reduce the number of times you call the vet to say “what’s up doc?”
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