Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
This Satin Angora has a clean face, but lots of long wool for fiber production.
(Photo courtesy of Steven Depolo)
Rabbit Husbandry
Taking care of your rabbits is fairly simple, but as with any pet, the basic needs should be met in a
timely fashion. Rabbits are clean, when given proper housing arrangements, and are usually quiet.
In an area with nosy neighbors, you might find that rabbits are the animal least likely to cause a
fuss.
Housing Rabbits on a Small Scale
Each rabbit will need a cage or hutch of its own. I know you often see rabbits housed together in
a group in one large cage, but this can lead to problems with indiscriminate breeding and even
inbreeding. You want to control the breeding that takes place in your rabbits and have a place to
remove the males to when the mother gives birth. As with chickens, rabbits can be easy prey for
predators, so make sure your cages are built out of sturdy materials, and with protection from
inclement weather to boot.
While I have seen backyard farmers who keep their rabbits completely free-range, I also hear the
horror stories about the massacres that happen when a hawk or stray dog finds the buffet. Even in
urban areas, there are animals that will prey on your rabbits if given half a chance. There's also the
threat that your rabbits will dig under a fence, get loose, and be eaten, lost, or even struck by a car.
Provide safe housing for your rabbits and you'll be in good shape.
