
Rabbit Management Operations
Rearing of rabbits requires Rabbit Management skills. The effective application of these skills will determine the success of any rabbit unit. Although these skills may come with practice, it can also be developed through questioning from other experienced rabbit rearers. The required skills for Rabbit Management Operations include:
- Observation and examination
- Weighing and record keeping
- Identification
- Reproduction Management
- Culling
- Identification of unhealthy stock.
Observation and Examination
A full examination and observation of the rabbits are required. This involves looking carefully at the animals individually and seeing their reaction, including their feelings. Observation of the rabbits is a frequent and continuous process. The rearer must check if everything is well or does the rabbit look frightened? Have they eaten all their food? Are their cages looking normal? Is the drinking water facility available? Is their fur soft and shining? Etc… These are some questions that could guide the rabbit keeper for effective observations.
Weighing and record keeping
Weighing of rabbit is very important as this provide data regarding their growth and general performance. It may be carried out biweekly interval.
Record keeping is also very important. Therefore, the result of the weighing should be recorded down and every other data concerning the production as some could easily be forgotten if not recorded immediately.
Identification
Identification of rabbit is the act of marking the animal to allow for easy differentiation. This is necessary when a rearer keeps more than three rabbits. Identification marks will ease the management of rabbit observation, examination, recording, and Rabbit Management Operations.
Some methods of Identification include Ear tattooing, Neck and leg tagging, Ear notching, Cage tagging. The easiest and effective one for me is numbering the cage with unique numbers.
Rabbit Management Photo Gallery
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