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Exploring the Rabbit Industry!. Next Generation Science/Common Core Standards Addressed!.
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Next Generation Science/Common Core Standards Addressed! • RST.11‐12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g.,quantitative data, video, multimedia) in order to address a question or solve a problem(HS-LS2-6),(HSL2-7),(HS-LS2-8) problem. • WHST.9‐12.9 Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. (HS‐LS1‐1)
Work! • Describe common breeds of rabbits. • Discuss production and marketing of rabbits. • Identify rabbit anatomy. • Explain how to fitand show rabbits.
Angora Fur Bucks Does Fryer Litter Normal Fur Pelt Rex Fur Roasters Satin Fur Terms
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.
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
Breeds of Rabbits • There are over one hundred different breeds of rabbits that are raised around the world. • This unit will deal with the more common breeds that area raise in the U.S. • Rabbit production has declined in the U.S. for many years as they are now viewed as a pet rather than a meat animal by most consumers.
Californian • white rabbit with dark colored nose, ears, tail and feet • weighs between 8 and 11 pounds • used for meat and show • a cross between the New Zealand and Himalayan
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, eyes • weighs between9 and 12 pounds • used for research, shows, and their meat
Dutch • can have a black, blue chocolate, tortoise, brown 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
Lop/Mini Lob • Pudgy face with large floppy ears. • Colors may vary, the color pattern will vary from solid to spotted. • Lops may weigh up to 11 lbs. while mini lops generally weigh 5-6 lbs. • Often used as house pets. • A variety of lops may have angora like hair.
Chinchilla • Bred for meat and fur. Noted for its excellent fur. • Generally grey in color. • May weigh up to 12-16 lbs.
Rex • A fur breed with extremely soft hair. • The result of a cross between wild French rabbits and a domestic breed. • Hair is very unique in the way that it grows, unlike other rabbits. • The color will vary greatly.
Angora • One of the oldest domestic breeds. • It’s wool has been sheared, combed and plucked since the mid 1700’s. The wool is actually finer than cashmere. • Color varies greatly. • If not raised properly the wool will be matted and stained.
Dwarf • There are numerous varieties of Dwarf rabbits with the Netherland being the mos common. • The average accepted weight is 2-2.5 lbs. • Generally raised as pets or for show.
Champagne d’ Argent • One of the oldest breeds of French show rabbits. • There are five accepted colors. • Ears are somewhat rounded and shorter than other breeds. • Raised as a meat animal.
English Spot • Generally white with black ears, black rings around the eyes, black spot on the jaw a black strip down the back and spots on the sides. • An arched back breed that is very active and requires daily exercise when possible. • One of the older English breeds, generally 5-8 lbs. and noted as a meat breed.
Flemish Giant • A meat breed commonly bred with other breeds to improve size and muscling. • Mature weight may reach 15 pounds on average. • Commonly brown in color. Grey is a less common color.
Himalayan • The same color as the Californian – white with black ears, nose and tail. • The only rabbit with a cylindrical body type. • They are thought to be the oldest breed of domestic rabbit.
Silver Martin • Originally Chinchilla cross that evolved into a separate breed. • Recognized a very “playful” breed that is often used as a pet.
Discuss production and marketing of rabbits. Objective #2
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 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 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 A common FFA project outside or inside pets marketing for pets is usually done locally What are production and marketing options when raising rabbits?
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. • 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.
Rabbits judged on: breed characteristics variety characteristics fur condition health ability of animal and owner to present qualities 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 How do I fit and show rabbits?
Remember – In many parts of the world rabbits are raised primarily as a commercial meat product! Domestic rabbit meat is consumed in our country but at a low and declining level.
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?
