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Exploring the Rabbit Industry. Lesson. Interest Approach. Before you begin a rabbit unit, make a display in your room of rabbit breeds. Use the board to spark interest and for reference. Student Learning Objectives. Describe common breeds of rabbits.
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Interest Approach • Before you begin a rabbit unit, make a display in your room of rabbit breeds. • Use the board to spark interest and for reference.
Student Learning Objectives • Describe common breeds of rabbits. • Discuss production and marketing of rabbits. • Identify rabbit anatomy. • Explain how to fit and show rabbits.
Angora Fur Bucks Does Fryer Litter Normal Fur Pelt Rex Fur Roasters Satin Fur Terms
Describe common breeds of rabbits. Objective #1
What are common breeds of rabbits? • All rabbits should be purchased from reputable breeder and evaluated on health, reproduction ability, longevity, and vigor. • American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) recognizes 42 breeds. http://www.arba.net/
Normal Fur Long guard hairs. Dense undercoat. Satin Fur Has luster. Composed of transparent hair. Finer than normal fur. Rex Fur Very soft feel. Very dense. Undercoat & guard hairs same length. Angora Fur Used to manufacture clothing. It is long wool-like. Four Different Fur Types
Californian • White rabbit with colored nose, ears, tail and feet. • Weighs between 8 and 11 pounds. • Used for meat and show.
Checkered Giant • White body with black ears, nose and circles around the eyes. • Also have black spots on hindquarters, cheeks, and sides of their bodies. • Weighs over 11 pounds. • Used for showing and their fur.
New Zealand • Completely white, red, or black. • Weighs between9 and 12 pounds. • Used for research, shows, and their meat.
Dutch • Can have a black, blue chocolate, tortoise, or gray body. • Have a white band over their shoulder, under their neck, and over their front legs and hind feet. • Weigh between 5 & 8 pounds. • Used for research, meat, and shows.
Discuss production and marketing of rabbits. Objective #2
What are production and marketing options when raising rabbits? Meat Rabbit Production • Fryers • Young domestic rabbit carcass that weighs over 1 ½ pounds and under 4 pounds. • Under 12 weeks old. • Roasters • Rabbits that are heavier. • Cull animals from breeding herd.
What are production and marketing options when raising rabbits? Meat Rabbit Marketing • Commercial operations sell to processors. • Processors slaughter rabbits for pelts and meat. • Colored pelts are not worth as much as pure white ones. • Growers usually only raise white rabbits.
What are production and marketing options when raising rabbits? Wool Production • Angora rabbits • Wool grows 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches long. • Harvested at a rate of 1 inch per month. • Shear 14 to 15 ounces annually. • Keep rabbit’s environment clean. • Harvest wool frequently. • Raise for both wool & meat.
What are production and marketing options when raising rabbits? Raised for Skins • Pelts - an animal’s skin that still has the hair attached. • Pelts sold by the pound. • Bought by raw-fur buyers. • Raised for Pets, 4-H or FFA projects. • Outside or inside pets. • Marketing for pets is usually done locally.
Identify Rabbit Anatomy Objective #3
What differs rabbits from other animals? • All domestic rabbits are descendents of wild rabbits. • Raised throughout the world. • Can be a nuisance because of their eating habits and rapid reproductive ability.
What differs rabbits from other animals? • Bucks • Male rabbits • Does • Female rabbits • Litter • Group of young rabbits born at one time.
Explain how to fit and show rabbits. Objective #4
How do I fit and show rabbits? • Rabbit shows are an opportunity to compete and learn more about other breeds and management options. • See how your rabbits compare to those raised by other people. • Shows are found throughout the U. S. • Range from local events to state fairs.
How do I fit and show rabbits? • Rabbits judged on: • Breed characteristics • Variety characteristics • Fur condition • Health • Ability of animal and owner to present qualities.
How do I fit and show rabbits? • Similar breeds compete against each other. • Break down further into age and sex groupings. • Show tame and clean animals. • Work with animals so they can be handled without injury.
Review • What are common breeds of rabbits? • What are production and marketing options when raising rabbits? • What differs rabbits from other mammals? • How do I fit and show rabbits?