Jan
12
2009
As spring approaches I thought it was important to alert parents to problems with keeping rabbits with other household pets. While most parents seriously consider adding another pet to the family, there are still people out there who buy bunnies and chicks for their children for Easter. This is all well and good if you have made preparations for the arrival of the new pet. (By the way, most baby chicks are really cute, but they grow up to be chickens nonetheless!).
Can rabbits, cats and dogs peacefully coexist? Sometimes. I say this because I know there are people out there who will tell me stories about the happy coexistence between Fido and Peter Rabbit. Unfortunately, for every happy story there is a terrible and bitter experience as well. This is especially true with baby bunnies.
Without going into graphic detail, I must alert people to not have baby bunnies around cats- for any reason. In addition, dogs find rabbits exciting to chase and your domestic rabbit is no match for most dogs- even small dogs. Pet rabbits can be injured irreparably and need to be put down after having a run in with dogs or cats. Why put yourself though this unnecessairily- especially if children are involved?
Second- be aware that keeping your pet rabbits outdoors poses problems as well. The garage is probably the best place to keep them “outdoors.” Why? Racoons, garter snakes and other wildlife just love baby bunnies- and they’ll try to pull them through a wire cage with devastating results. Rats can even attack adult rabbits and kill them (once again, I’m sparing the details).
If you have rabbits, remember that they need special care. Household pets, even those who previously weren’t aggressive before, can injure or kill bunnies. An ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure.
Jan
11
2009
Angora rabbits are certainly beautiful, but they are one of the more high-maintenance breeds to own. Even the most conscientious rabbit doesn’t always get their fur perfectly cleaned, especially if they are getting older. If you’ve ever owned any animal with long hair you’ll understand that a little extra TLC will keep your rabbit healthy and looking fabulous.
Angora rabbits require a lot of work to keep their wool in top condition. This can be especially important if you’re raising them for their wool. (No, angora rabbits are not killed for their hides!). There are four different angora rabbit breeds, and each have slightly different coats:
- English
- French
- Satin
- Giant
Daily grooming should go something like this:
- Use a groomer’s air blower to help separate the fibers of the fur - using it regularly will help to prevent matting of the fur and help to control dander
- Use a slicker brush on the face, paws and ears
- Use the slicker brush sparingly on the back of the rabbit- using it only on the tips of the wool is best
Weekly Grooming
- Clip the toenails every one to two weeks
Keeping on top of the grooming of these animals is very important. Mats generally need to be cut out of the fur once they occur. If you don’t want your angora bunny to have bald spots, take the time to groom them properly.
Dec
04
2008
If you buy an animal that isn’t already registered, is it worth it to trace its ancestry, do the paperwork and pay for the registration? Yes, and no. If you are planning on showing the animal and are building a specific type of herd, the answer is probably yes. If you won’t be doing either of these things, registering it as a purebred is probably a waste of time and money.
For those who want only purebred animals, consider just purchasing animals that are already registered. A registered purebred animal is one whose hereitage can be traced back to its beginnings, through a herd registry. It doesn’t matter if it is a cow, horse or goat- all of these types of animals have their various registries. To register an animal that isn’t already registered, usually all you need to do is to be able to prove the animal you now own came from purebred registered animals. (That is where the paperwork comes in).
The cost of registering an animal varies from registry to registry and some are pricey. Make sure it is worth your while before you spend the money on it.
To find a registry for the breed of animal you want to register, either contact the person who sold you the purebred animal for the papers or Google the breed association on the Internet. They’ll be able to provide you with specific information and the application to be included in the registry.
~~Charlotte
Nov
11
2008
If you haven’t raised rabbits for their wool or fiber, the idea of collecting their fur may conjure up all kinds of ideas in your head. First, let me say that to collect their fur for the use in knitting you don’t have to hurt the rabbit in any way.
The following is some of the ways in which to collect the fiber or wool from your Angora rabbits.
German Angora rabbits - these need to be sheared, just like sheep. It is a good idea to watch someone do this first before you attempt to do this. It is all in the technique!
English Angora rabbits - they can be plucked. Their fur mats easily though- if you don’t keep them brushed, they may not be the right rabbit for you.
French Angora rabbits - one of the largest breeds and one that produces a lot of fiber for harvesting.
A good pair of clippers are needed if you have rabbits that you shear. Many people prefer to use the Oster electric shears for their rabbits, as well as their other animals.
For more information on this subject, please visit the following links:
Shearing Angora Rabbits
What is Angora Wool?
Angora Rabbit Online Manual
Nov
10
2008
Raising Angora rabbits can be a great experience for the entire family. If raising rabbits for meat isn’t an option, consider raising them for their fur. Angora rabbits produce soft, fluffy fur that is desirable for knitted items. Erase any thoughts of shaving these fuzzy little rabbits - it is gently harvested during the rabbits molting period.
Raising Angora rabbits for their fur/wool is a labor of love. They require little and are much easier to raise than sheep. They don’t require much in terms of food and you won’t spend much for vet bills either. The only thing you’ll spend a little bit of time doing (for most Angora rabbit breeds) is brushing them about once a month.
Buying Angora rabbits can be a little pricey, but they aren’t your garden variety rabbits! Expect to pay between $50 to $150, depending on whether you want to show the rabbits or not.
Learn more about Angora Rabbits on the following sites and blogs:
Woolie Creations
Care and Feeding of Bunnies
About Angora Fiber
~~Charlotte
SmallFarms4You.com
Nov
07
2008
The start up costs for raising meat rabbits is relatively low. This is one of the reasons raising this type of meat is a popular one, for both the urban small farmer and the country farmer. As with any type of small farm project or business, it is important to know what the projected costs are before beginning. Having the proper equipment is one of the first steps towards success.
The following are some of the basic equipment you need for raising rabbits for meat . The costs are approximate (in USD).
Additional costs include feed, antibiotics, supplements and additional cages to separate does from bucks. Basically, the more high-tech you get with your cages, the more expensive your operation will be.
If you are interested in this type of business, or simply want the meat for home use, the following websites may be helpful:
Rudolph’s Rabbit Ranch
Raising Rabbits - the basics
Washington State University/Cooperative Extension - Guide to Raising Rabbits
In addition, you may also contact your local Cooperative Extension for more information.
~~Charlotte
SmallFarms4You.com
Oct
16
2008
Some of our regular visitors to our SmallFarms4You site have been requesting information on prices for certain products, in order to ascertain the cost effectiveness of certain of agricultural enterprises. Obviously, if you are beginning a particular type of business to make money, you should know what to expect on the sale end.
The average price for particular cuts of rabbit meat are as follows:
Cuts of rabbit meat (various) - $4.95 - $5.95 per pound
Whole rabbits - $4.60 to $5.75 per pound
If you are raising the right rabbits for meat (Californian, New Zealand), this could turn out to make you around $15 for a 3 pounds of processed meat. This is not a bad return on your investment. Most people who turn a good profit on raising rabbits for meat also process their own meat. The most popular way to package the meat, especially if you plan on shipping the meat, is to vacuum pack the meat.
If you’d like to get more information on rabbit meat prices, visit the following sites:
Ardeng Rabbit Meat Store
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
~~Charlotte
Oct
15
2008
Raising rabbits for meat is common in Europe and Asia. Some people also raise them for meat in the United States, though much less common. People compare the taste of domestic rabbits to that of chicken. The meat is low in fat and high in protein. Rabbits are easy to care for, grow quickly and are inexpensive, making them a good small farm or hobby farm business.
Not all rabbits are good for meat purposes. The best breeds for this purpose are the Californian and New Zealand. These breeds weigh in between 8 and 13 pounds. The Californian is also used for its fur.
Learn more about raising rabbits for meat in our new article, Breeding Rabbits for Meat .
~~Charlotte
SmallFarms4You.com
