Exploring the Rabbit Industry

Lesson 7

Interest Approach

• What are 2 different types of rabbit breeds?

• What is the purpose of rabbits in today’s world?

Student Learning Objectives

• Describe common breeds of rabbits.

• Discuss production and marketing of rabbits.

• Identify rabbit anatomy.• Explain how to fit and show

rabbits.

Terms

• Angora Fur

• Bucks

• Does

• Fryer

• Litter

• Normal Fur

• Pelt

• Rex Fur

• Roasters

• Satin Fur

Describe common breeds of rabbits.

Objective #1

What are common breeds of rabbits?

• All rabbits should be purchased from reputable breeder and evaluated on health, reproduction ability, longevity, and vigor.

• American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) recognizes 42 breeds.

http://www.arba.net/

Four different fur types

• Normal Fur– long guard hairs– dense undercoat

• Satin Fur– has luster– composed of

transparent hair– finer than normal fur

• Rex Fur– very soft feel– very dense– undercoat & guard

hairs same length

• Angora Fur– used to manufacture

clothing– it is long wool-like

Californian

• white rabbit with colored nose, ears, tail and feet

• weighs between 8 and 11 pounds

• used for meat and show

Checkered Giant

• white body with black ears, nose and circles around the eyes

• also have black spots on hindquarters, cheeks, and sides of their bodies

• weighs over 11 pounds• used for showing and

their fur

New Zealand

• completely white, red, or black

• weighs between9 and 12 pounds

• used for research, shows, and their meat

Dutch

• can have a black, blue chocolate, tortoise, or gray body

• have a white band over their shoulder, under their neck, and over their front legs and hind feet

• weigh between 5 & 8 pounds

• used for research, meat, and shows

Discuss production and marketing of rabbits.

Objective #2

What are production and marketing options when raising rabbits?

Meat Rabbit Production• fryers

– young domestic rabbit carcass that weighs over 1 ½ pounds and under 4 pounds

– under 12 weeks old

• Roasters– rabbits that are heavier– cull animals from breeding

herd

Meat Rabbit Marketing• commercial operations

sell to processors• processors slaughter

rabbits for pelts and meat• colored pelts are not

worth as much as pure white ones

• growers usually only raise white rabbits

What are production and marketing options when raising rabbits?Wool Production

• Angora rabbits • wool grows 2 ½ to 3 ½

inches long• harvested at a rate of 1

inch per month• shear 14 to 15 ounces

annually• keep rabbit’s environment

clean• harvest wool frequently• raise for both wool &

meat

Raised for Skins• Pelts

– an animal’s skin that still has the hair attached

• pelts sold by the pound• bought by raw-fur buyers

Raised for Pets• 4-H or FFA projects• outside or inside pets• marketing for pets is

usually done locally

Identify Rabbit Anatomy

Objective #3

What differs rabbits from other animals?

• All domestic rabbits are descendents of wild rabbits

• raised throughout the world• can be a nuisance because of their eating habits

and rapid reproductive ability• Bucks

– male rabbits• Does

– female rabbits• Litter

– group of young rabbits born at one time

Rabbit Parts

Explain how to fit and show rabbits.

Objective #4

How do I fit and show rabbits?

• Rabbit shows are an opportunity to compete and learn more about other breeds and management options.

• See how your rabbits compare to those raised by other people

• Shows are found throughout the U. S.

• Range from local events to state fairs

How do I fit and show rabbits?

• Rabbits judged on:– breed characteristics– variety characteristics– fur condition– health– ability of animal and

owner to present qualities

• Similar breeds compete against each other– break down further

into age and sex groupings

• Show tame and clean animals

• work with animals so they can be handled without injury

Review

• What are common breeds of rabbits?

• What are production and marketing options when raising rabbits?

• What differs rabbits from other mammals?

• How do I fit and show rabbits?