Raising rabbits is now one of the most enjoyable hobbies, especially for children, but before you own a rabbit, you must know the types to help you choose the right rabbit for you, and easily. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about rabbits.
Information about rabbits:
Rabbits: They are small mammals with a short tail (like a cotton ball) and long ears.
List of the best types of pet rabbits:
There are various breeds of domestic rabbits; however, there are types that are more common, and they differ in size, shape, and color, and are chosen according to the purpose of breeding.
1 clown rabbit
- Rabbit of French origin, and from the old breeds.
- It has a beautiful and distinctive fur color, which is why it is called the harlequin rabbit.
- Very social and friendly.
- One of the best pet rabbits for kids.
- It is considered a large breed.
2 Rex rabbits
- Also of French origin.
- There are many subspecies.
- It has short fur with a very soft texture.
- Medium sized breed.
- Friendly and loving person.
- He is intelligent, so he can be taught some activities.
- One of the best rabbit breeds for children.
- Rabbits are more prone to obesity, so care must be taken when feeding them.
3 Himalayan rabbits
- From the feet of rabbit breeds.
- It is distinguished by its beautiful appearance, as it has a white body, while its nose and ears are dark in color.
- Friendly, interested in everything you do, and loves to play.
- It needs attention and play.
- Suitable for children as a good partner for playing.
4 California Rabbits
- It is similar in appearance to the Himalayan rabbit, but is taller and larger than the Himalayan rabbit.
- Shy at first, but later becomes a friendly and close friend.
- It can adapt indoors and outdoors.
- It is easy to care for, making it suitable for the modern rabbit breeder.
- Sometimes he is aggressive and needs his own space.
5 Jersey Wally
- Of recent breeds.
- A type of dwarf rabbit.
- Rabbits do not like to move much, so they can be raised in small houses.
- They can be raised with young children as they require little care.
- But also their play with children should be under supervision, as they can cause scratches to children.
6 Dutch Rabbit
- Small breed rabbits.
- Friendly, very loving to people.
- They follow the breeder everywhere and respond to their names.
- They love to run, so they can play in the garden with children.
7 Chinchilla Rabbit
- American rabbit.
- It has soft, gray fur.
- Very friendly and likeable.
- It is considered a quiet rabbit that does not prefer to move much.
Can wild rabbits be raised?
Raising wild rabbits has many disadvantages, the most prominent of which are:
- Wild rabbits are more susceptible to infectious diseases than domestic rabbits.
- They are difficult to handle, because domestic rabbits have genes that make them more docile than wild rabbits.
Rabbit feeding:
Rabbits are herbivores, so their diet does not depend on meat.
What is the best food for rabbits:
Feeding rabbits is a very important thing in raising them. You must provide a balanced and at the same time appropriate diet. Therefore, there are tips that you must follow to maintain the health of rabbits:
1. Water:
Water is an essential element for all creatures, but it is more important for rabbits than others, because the ratio of rabbits' water consumption is 2:3 times the amount of food. So if you do not provide your rabbit with water for one day, this may lead to the end of his life.
2. Alfalfa and hay:
It is one of the most important foods for domestic rabbits because it maintains the health of the rabbit’s teeth, so you should:
- Provide fresh hay daily.
- Offer fresh, whole, uncut alfalfa.
- One of the best ways to feed rabbits is natural pasture.
3. Green leafy vegetables:
- Such as (mint - parsley - broccoli - cabbage).
- Provide daily an amount the size of an adult's fist.
4. Grains:
- Grains can be given to your rabbit, but first you need to know the appropriate amount, which varies depending on weight.
- Rabbit food can be used as it contains the necessary nutrients. There are types available for young rabbits, and there are also types for sensitive rabbits.
How often should a rabbit eat a day?
- Rabbits can eat twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.
- While hay can be provided throughout the day.
- The water should be changed twice daily to ensure it is clean 24 hours a day.
How to deal with rabbits?
Rabbits are sensitive creatures, so you should provide:
- When choosing a cage, it is preferable to be large in size, and to put bedding inside it (it can be straw or sawdust). The rabbit usually uses the cage when sleeping, or when feeling upset or afraid.
- Food bowls: It is preferable that they be fixed on the floor, and have suitable edges so that he can reach the food.
3. The drinking trough is separated from the bowls so that the rabbits cannot spill it, and it also keeps the water source always clean.
- Games: There are types of rabbits, as we mentioned, that love to play, so you must provide them with toys.
- Cleanliness: One of the most important steps to maintain your pet’s health is to take care of the cleanliness of the place and the rabbit itself. Using a brush for your rabbit’s hair will protect it from many skin diseases.
The most important skin diseases of rabbits:
Rabbits are often affected by skin diseases, but what are the most common skin diseases in rabbits? And how can they be treated?
Rabbit scabies:
Rabbit mange is one of the most common diseases in both farm and domestic rabbits, due to lack of attention to rabbit hygiene. There are two types of rabbit mange:
- Ear gum.
- Try the edges.
What are the symptoms (look) of rabbit mange?
Try the ear:
- It is characterized by the presence of thick scales on the ear.
- It causes itching, causing the affected rabbit to scratch its ear on things.
Try the tips:
- The presence of scales on the skin, especially the extremities.
- Hair loss is caused by the presence of scabies mites that feed on hair follicles.
- The presence of itching, which causes the rabbit to scratch its body on things and walls.
Reproduction in rabbits:
When is the mating season for rabbits?
- For mating and pregnancy to occur, rabbits must reach puberty, which ranges from 3.5-4 months, except for giant breeds, where puberty ranges from 6-9 months.
- Ovulation occurs in female rabbits when mating occurs, and there is a desire to mate for a period ranging from 14 days to every 16 days.
- The vaginal area of a female rabbit is red and moist, and when pregnancy occurs it is pink.
Tips to help rabbits mate and get pregnant:
- You must take the female rabbit to the male, and they must both be in good health.
- Leave them for an hour, then allow them to mate again 2-3 times.
- If any aggressive behavior occurs, they should be removed and tried again later.
- If the female's tail or back area is wet, this means that mating was unsuccessful and you should try again.
How many do rabbits give birth to?
- The gestation period for rabbits lasts 28-33 days.
- A female rabbit can give birth to 12 little rabbits, and at the beginning of their lives they cannot hear or see, and they are without fur, and cannot warm themselves.
- Most of the time the mother refuses to care for them at first, perhaps because she feels panicked, and the mothering instinct of rabbits is different from that of cats, and both
Rabbits are cute and very loving creatures to humans, and your children can have fun with them, but there are some difficulties in raising them at first. If you understand their nature, and use the necessary tools to facilitate Raising them will make the task of raising rabbits very easy.