Rabbit Husbandry

Hygiene and Housing

Rabbits can be housed in or outdoors but in Malaysia due to our climate and humidity, it is better indoors with good ventilation and temperature between 18-28 degrees celsius or else heat stroke can occur. Essentials of good housing that is easily cleaned and disinfected, allows easy handling and viewing with adequate ventilation. Bedding should have a layer of wood shavings or untreated sawdust approximately 5cm deep, covered with straw or shredded paper or else sore hocks can occur. (sore hocks are found on their hind limbs ie back legs of hair loss or swelling, ulceration, infected hocks due to long periods on hard surface).

Hygiene is of paramount importance to both unpleasant odors and risk of disease. Rabbits tend to urinate in the same spot and this should be cleaned daily. Sleeping quarters and run should be cleared out twice a week to prevent ammonia and bacteria reaching harmful levels. You can use 1 part white vinegar to 1 part warm water. Put it in a clean spray bottle, spray accordingly and wipe down. For monthly cleaning, using a weak bleach solution (10-20ml of bleach per litre of water), the playpen or cage should be cleaned thoroughly. Rinse well and thoroughly dry. Water bottles and tubes should be washed daily and once a week soak in diluted bleach solution for 15 minutes, rinse well.

Nutritional Requirements

Rabbits are herbivores meaning animals that feed on plants, that require a high fibre content in their diet – from grazing grass or hay. In the absence of this, fur chewing of companions may be observed. Rabbits can be fed on commercial dry pelleted foods whilst being supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables e.g. carrots, turnips, cauliflower. NO GRASS CLIPPINGS or SUDDEN DIETARY CHANGES. Lettuce can cause scours (diarrhoea). Dry food should be stored no longer than 3 months and all uneaten fresh food must be removed daily. To encourage all the daily ration be eaten, feed small portions. Adult rabbits consume between 30-60g of dry food/per kg of bodyweight/per day.

Fresh clean water (about 250ml – a cup) should always be available. Open water bowls are not recommended. Use water bottles or automatic drinking systems.