Basic Care Clinic

1. Basic Care Clinic Rabbits

2. Dates of Importance • Saturday June 21st 9am-12pm Fair Registration RTC Building • Wednesday July 16th Showing & Fitting Clinic 7pm RTC Building

3. Welcome!!! • Committee Introductions • 1st Year 4-Her’s??? • Do you have your rabbits for fair??? • You can register 3 rabbits for the fair, even if you only bring 1. • Dover, Ohio show today • Butler, PA 4/27/14 • Ohio Mini Convention 5/2/14-5/4/14

4. Choosing a Breed • Crossbred Rabbit: the mating of rabbits of two different breeds • Purebred Rabbit: the same breed used for many generations, usually contains a pedigree • There are 48 recognized breed of rabbits, visit the ARBA site for more information on individual breed • https://www.arba.net/breeds.htm

5. Purebred vs. Crossbred • The housing and feed costs are the same • If your plans are to breed and sell your rabbits at some point, PUREBRED rabbits are in higher demand and bring a better price • Just because it has a pedigree, does not mean it is “perfect” or should be used • If you plan on showing outside of 4-H, PUREBREDS are a must in an ARBA show

6. Choosing a Breed • Availability • Cost of the rabbit • Cost of care • Amount of Space • Size of the handler • Research ARBA and your local, state, and national clubs

7. Buying the Rabbit • Know the breed, know the standard • Find a reputable breeder to help and answer your questions • Check the rabbit over, visually and physically • Look at the pedigree (if available) • There is no “set” price of a rabbit • Ask if the breeder about 4-H/Youth pricing • DO NOT pay more than you can afford • Any doubts…..DO NOT BUY!!!

8. Cages • ARBA recommended sheet enclosed • Dwarf breeds 18x30, 24x24 (inches) • Medium breeds 30x30 (inches) • Large breeds 30x36 or bigger (inches) • Giant breeds 3 x 6 (feet) • Wire floors are easier to keep clean than solid floors

9. Cages • Breeds weighing less than 4.5 lbs 1.5 sq ft • Breeds weighing 4.5 to 9 lbs 3 sq ft • Breeds weighing 9 to 12 lbs 4 sq ft • Breeds weighing over 12 lbs 5 sq ft • Doe with litter (under 4.5 lbs) 4 sq ft • Doe with litter (4.5 to 9 lbs) 5 sq ft • Doe with litter (9 to 12 lbs) 6 sq ft • Doe with litter (over 12 lbs) 7.5 sq ft

10. Cages

11. Weather • Rabbits must be kept out of the elements: snow, rain, wind, sun, etc. • In a building, good ventilation is the key • Cooler temperatures are better for rabbits • In the heat, you can use frozen bottles and/or tiles, misting systems, or fans and good air flow

12. Feed • A quality feed is going to cost money • There are many brands of food, what works for some will not work for others • Feed a pellet that is fresh and smells good • Feed crocks, dishes, hopper type • About 1 ounce per pound of body weight • Weigh your feed, weigh your rabbits

13. Feed • Cold weather and kindling may increase food intake • 15% protein to 18% protein • Complete feed • Pellets, not fruity pieces • Do not be afraid to question your feed • Gradual feed changes: ¾ old ¼ new, ½ old ½ new, ¼ old ¾ new, all new

14. Feed • Millstone http://www.millstonefg.com/ • Smith Farm Supply 14880 E Liverpool Rd, East Liverpool, OH 43920 (330) 386-6458 • Roger’s Mill 7431 Depot St, Rogers, OH 44455 (330) 227-3214 • Tractor Supply

15. Feed • Showrite/Hubbard http://www.hubbardfeeds.com/default.aspx • Pen Pals http://www.admani.com/ • Rowe http://www.rowenutrition.com/ • Blue Seal/Kent http://www.kentnutritiongroup.com/ • Manna Pro http://www.mannapro.com/products/rabbit/ • Purina http://www.rabbit.purinamills.com/Default.aspx • Nutrenahttp://www.nutrenaworld.com/products/more-species/rabbits/premium-rabbit-pellets/index.jsp

16. Feed Supplements • Hay • Straw • Oats • Conditioner mixes

17. Feed Supplements • Calf-Manna • Oxygen & Cir Q late • Showbloom • Nutripreme • Showboost

18. Do Not Feed To Rabbits • Vegetables, especially lettuce (small piece of pineapple, banana for wool block) • Fruit/veggie seeds • Treats/yogurt drops • Mineral/salt blocks • Alfalfa (can be mixed in hay) • Cereal

19. Water • Clean, fresh at all times • Crocks vs. plastic bottles • Can add supplements IF necessary

20. Daily Tasks • Water AM/PM, Feed PM stick to your schedule • Observe feed and drinking habits, hay habits • Nails, teeth, ears, behavior, bottoms • Use a wire brush to clean cage bottom • Handle rabbit • Hay???

21. Weekly Tasks • Clean cages: wire brush, trays, feeders, waterers • Check over rabbits you may not check everyday • Repairs • Breeding/weaning information

22. Monthly Tasks • Toenails • Teeth • Check fans, air vents, etc. • Worming • Coccidiosis treatments • Pressure wash/burn wire cages each year at least once, preferably twice.

23. Hot Weather • AIR, AIR, AIR!!! • Outdoor hutches in shady areas • Indoor cages need ventilation • Cool, clean water • Frozen bottles/tiles • Misting

24. Cold Weather • Protect from wind, rain, snow, etc. • Winterize hutches and indoor rabbitries • Possible increase in feed • Water at all times • Rabbits still need good ventilation even in cold

25. Common Health Problems • Ear Canker • Caused by mites that burrow into the ear • Brown, crusty material builds up in the ear • Oil on a Q-Tip to clean out the ear two or more times a day (mineral oil, sweet oil, or vegetable oil) • Treatment is usually for 3 days

26. Common Health Problems • Sore Hocks • Caused by thin fur on hind foot, dirty cages, sharp wire floors, etc. • Bare spots, bleeding, sores • Preperation H, Bag Balm, Vetrycin • Place a board or resting mat in the cage

27. Common Health Problems • Skin Mites • Mites burrow into the skin • Dandruff-like flakes usually on neck, behind ears • Untreated causes hair loss and lesions • Cat flea powder, Ivomec/Wazine Mixture in water spray

28. Common Health Problems • Cocciciosis • Caused by protozoa parasites • Symptoms: soft droppings, rough fur, poor weight gain, pot belly • Treatment: clean and disinfect cage, treat with sulfaquinoxaline (in water) treat 5 days off 10 treat 5 more • Treatment 3 or 4 times a year

29. Trimming Nails • Once a month, when breeding, as needed • Nail clippers, dog clippers, etc • Keep trimmed just above the quick

30. Rabbits Teeth • Teeth grow ½ a month • Constantly wearing them off: wood, hay, etc. • Most have no problems • 28 total teeth • Congenital, trauma, infection

31. Rabbits Teeth

32. Malocclusion • A misalignment of teeth • Signs: wetness, drooling, swelling, pain, food/eating changes, weight loss, grinding • Wolf teeth • Use clippers to trim teeth to normal length every 2 or 3 weeks • Rabbit is never cured

33. Malocclusion

34. Common Health Problems • Mucoid Enteritis: often affects young rabbits, droppings covered in a clear gel like mucus, bloat, teeth grinding, • Cause: Harmful bacteria have grown in the intestinal tract of the bunny, and it needs to be removed while leaving the good bacteria in the digestive system • Treatment: Simethicone infant drops, Neomycin Sulfate, Dri-Tail, BeneBac, baby food, yogurt, Pedialyte, hay, Nutri-drops,NutriCal • You may have to syringe fluids

35. Useful Sites • https://www.arba.net/ • http://osrba.net/ • http://www.osrba.net/miniconvention/ • http://www.rabbittalkinohio.net/ • https://www.arba.net/showsSearch.php • http://sugarcampfarms.weebly.com • Penn-Ohio Rabbit Club