Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 2: Rabbits
RABBIT GLOSSARY
Buck:
An adult male rabbit
Coprophagia:
An act in which an animal eats its own fecal matter. Rabbits need to
do this to acquire needed nutrients.
Doe:
An adult female rabbit
Fryer:
A young rabbit about 8 to 12 weeks old and 4 ½ pounds that is ready to be
butchered
Kindle (kindling):
Term used to for rabbits giving birth
Kit:
A newborn or very young rabbit
Nest box:
A box used to give a doe privacy and security when she gives birth
Pelt:
The skin of an animal with the hair or fur still attached
Raising rabbits can be a fun way to introduce mammals to a small-scale farm. As most people
know, rabbits can multiply quickly, but as with any animal, improper management can lead to
loss due to sick animals, predation, and poor reproductive performance. Starting out with a
small colony can expose you to the day-to-day management of rabbits to see if you really do
have the stick-to-it attitude needed for rabbit production.
History of Rabbits and People
The domestic rabbits we have today are all descendants of the wild European rabbit. The wild
European rabbit (Oryctolagus) began developing some 6.5 million years ago and developed in
Europe's Iberian Peninsula. By 12,000 years ago, humans were hunting rabbits as a source of
food. The Phoenicians referred to rabbits in the Iberian Peninsula about 1000 BC. Rabbit do-
mestication is said to have begun at this time.
