Handling And Housing Rabbits

Handling Rabbits 

You should never pick a rabbit up by the ears. This can hurt their ears, and they will kick, potentially injuring their backs, which may lead to paralysis or death. Instead, gently slide one hand under its chest and the other underneath its rump.

 Lift the rabbit using the hand under the chest while scooping with the hand under the rump. Pull the rabbit toward your body and slide the rabbit along the arm supporting his chest. Gently press the rabbit against your body, much like a football is held, with the arm supporting the body and the head tucked under the elbow. Try to handle your rabbits frequently, at least two to three times a week, so they get used to being held and so you can check their health. Their back feet are powerful, and if they feel frightened or insecure in your grasp, they will kick.

Housing  Rabbits 

Rabbits typically are raised in cages as opposed to pens or loose in buildings. The cages can be either single tier or double tier. Single-tier cages make cleaning and observation easier. Double-tier cages are more economical as you can keep twice as many rabbits under one roof. Cages should be constructed of 14-gauge welded wire with ½-by 1-inch mesh. Any mesh smaller than that will make cleaning difficult, as manure will not be able to fall through. If you have a double-tier cage, the upper tier of cages will need a sided-catch pan of stainless steel to catch manure. SUGGESTED CAGE SIZES Small breed: 2 ½ x 2 ½ ft. Medium breed: 2 ½ x 3 ft. Large breed: 2 ½ x 4 ft. Cages should be placed in a well-ventilated building on ground with good drainage. They can be suspended from the ceiling, but supporting legs will make the cages more stable. The roof of the cage should be insulated to reduce heat absorption in the summer and condensation in the winter. Heat is not usually needed in the winter unless rabbits kindle (give birth) during subzero weather. If you plan to have cages facing each other, have an aisle with a minimum width of 3 feet. Allow a generous space at the end of the aisle to be able to turn around a wheelbarrow or cart, which you will need to clean the rabbit manure. Lighting should be provided for 16 hours a day to help prevent breeding problems in the fall and winter — 25-watt lights are sufficient.