The
Photograph: © Neil Robertson
Guide to Keeping Rabbits
Welcome to the Rabbit Habit!
There is nothing like friendly twitches of the nose to remind you that
rabbits make fantastic and rewarding pets. For the real enthusiasts it
can even become a real lifetime hobby. As Britain’s third favourite pet
you won’t be alone and, if you are interested in showing your pet there
are hundreds of rabbit shows throughout the country where you can
see other rabbits, ask questions or even compete yourself.
Which breed?
There are over 60 breeds of rabbit and 500
varieties recognised by the British Rabbit
Council. To help you decide on the breed, we
suggest that you think about who the rabbit
is for and what they will expect from it. For
example, long coated breeds such as the
Angora, Cashmere Lop or Swiss Fox may look
like ‘fluffy bunnies’ but they need regular
grooming.
Where to get your rabbit
Photograph: © Fur & Feather
The British Rabbit Council has thousands of
members, many of whom are breeders with
healthy rabbits for sale. Call 01636 676042
for a contact name and number or visit our
website www.thebrc.org.
If you do not want a purebred or baby rabbit
your local rescue home has rabbits in need of
homes.
Buying a rabbit
Is a rabbit for you?
Rabbits are intelligent, friendly and make
great companions; however they do require a
regular commitment:
•
Rabbits can live up to 10 years plus
(depending on the size or breed)
•
Like all animals, a rabbit will make
demands upon your time.
•
Rabbits need daily food and fresh water,
grooming and company.
•
The hutch and pen will need regular
cleaning (in all weathers).
•
There will be costs associated with
equipment and then ongoing feed,
bedding and veterinary bills.
•
Like us, they can become grumpy or
irritable if they are uncomfortable or
unhappy.
•
You will need someone to look after the
rabbit when you go on holiday.
Where possible, ask to see the mother of the
litter as this will give you a guide to the size
your rabbit will grow to when mature. Also, if
the mother is healthy, happy and friendly, the
babies should have a good start and stand a
better chance of making a good pet.
Check that the baby rabbit’s eyes and nose
are clean and that it is breathing easily
and has a clean bottom with no signs of
diarrhoea.
Never buy a baby rabbit that should still
be with its mother and siblings. When you
collect your rabbit find out which food he
was fed on and continue this for the first few
days to avoid digestive upsets. If you wish to
change your rabbit to a different food, do
so by gradually mixing the old food with the
new over a course of a week.
Keeping more than one rabbit
Rabbits are social animals. We do not
recommend that pet rabbits are kept alone
unless they are spending lots of time each
day with you. A neutered male and female,
or littermates (neutered before puberty) is
usually successful. Never separate rabbits
once they are bonded – this will mean taking
them to vets together.
How to handle your rabbit
Feeding your rabbit
When taking a rabbit out of the hutch it
should always feel safe. Approach it from
the front placing one hand around its ears
or shoulders and the other supporting its
hindquarters – to stop it reversing – and
taking most of the weight. Gently lift it and
bring it forward against your body with the
rump resting on one hand and the other
supporting the base of the ears, so it cannot
wriggle and will feel secure.
We recommend that your rabbits are fed a
diet high in fibre with lots of hay and green
vegetables. Your rabbit should have clean
fresh water at all times, so check bottles or
bowls at least twice a day.
Housing your rabbit
Buy a hutch that is sturdy, secure (from
animals getting in as well as the rabbit trying
to escape), waterproof and big enough for
the rabbit when it is fully grown.
We suggest that a hutch should be big
enough for an adult rabbit to take several
hops in any given direction and be able to
stand up on its hind legs.
Never stand a hutch directly on the ground,
as it will become damp and rot.
A run may be attached to the hutch or can
be freestanding. Always look for a sturdy run
of a good size that would keep the rabbit safe
and has a covered area for the rabbit to seek
shade or shelter.
Vaccinations and health care
Find a rabbit-friendly vet and register
your pet. All rabbits should have annual
vaccinations against myxomatosis and
VHD. Rabbits that are overweight or have
messy bottoms are susceptible to fly-strike.
Your rabbit’s nails will have to be trimmed
and your vet will do this for you, or nail
cutters are available from pet shops or your
veterinary surgery. Rabbits can be insured
against veterinary treatment costs.
Rabbit shows
There are over 300 UK clubs and associations
running rabbit shows where you can make
friends with other rabbit fans. All clubs and
shows are listed on the BRC’s website:
www.thebrc.org
If you bring your rabbit into the home lift any
electrical cables that might get chewed.
Rabbits should have their bedding changed
completely at least once a week. Rabbits like
to use one or more corners as their toilet
area so you will need to clean out these
areas more frequently, perhaps every third
day. Clean and wash the food bowls and
water bottles regularly. The hutch should be
scrubbed thoroughly with an appropriate
disinfectant (rabbit friendly ones available
from pet shops) once a month whilst the
rabbit is either in a spare hutch or the run.
When the hutch is dry, replace the bedding.
Make sure that you have rinsed everything
thoroughly before you replace a rabbit in its
hutch.
Photograph: © Neil Robertson
Cleaning the hutch
Are you interested in
breeding & showing rabbits?
Then join the British Rabbit Council!
Find a new hobby, make lifelong friends and
have your rabbit keeping questions answered
Benefits of membership:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
A ringing scheme to enable you to show your rabbits
Care and showing information
A BRC Advisor in your area
Championship Awards
Fur & Feather voucher
Breed Standards Book
Year Book with contact details for all clubs
Articles of Constitution and Rules
Protecting, furthering and co-ordinating
the interests of British rabbit breeders.
Photos by Neil Robertson
Purefoy House, 7 Kirkgate, Newark, Notts, NG24 1AD
Telephone 01636 676042 Email: [email protected]
INCORPORATING
If you love rabbits,
you’ll love our magazine!
RABBITS
INCORPORATING
RABBITS
INCORPORATING
CLUB’S
THE BRITISH MINI REX
TRAINEES TAKE PART IN SEMINARS IN SOUTH DEVON
NEW SERIES OF JUDGING
E E SHOW UP
DATE
A BIG DAY FOR SMALL
ANIMALS AT SOUTHERN
CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW
by Sophie Gannon
Show, sponsored
The Southern Championship take the stage at
to
by Burgess Pet Care, is ready
Centre in Wickham,
the Wickham Community
And the 2015 event is
Hants, on Sunday 3 May.
yet.
set to be the most exciting
The Southern
The one day event, run by
and feature: page 40
will see over 500
Mini Rex Club. More photos
Championship Show Society, coveted prize:
Photo supplied by the British
most
rabbits competing for the
AGRIA PET INSURANCE
‘Best in Show’.
Birchwood High School,
attracted a fantastic
AND MEDIVET VETERINARY
The show has previously
Bishops Stortford
events, and this
line-up of small animal-related
PARTNERSHIP TO SPONSOR
to disappoint.
year is definitely not going
an increase of Specialist
This year’s show has had
rabbit in their shows.
Clubs competing for best
show; the entry fee is
There will also be a fun pet
on
stalls
of
be a variety
£1 per pet. There will also
for a fun-filled
Show
offer for visitors to look around
3* Essex Championship
day.
April 26
Manager at Burgess
Richard Rockett, Marketing
company of pet lovers
Pet Care, said: “We are a
Latest news:
we are very proud to be
and owners ourselves, so
by a professional
of this spectacular
• Penning will be supplied
part of the continued success
penning company
show.
be produced
Championship Show to
• A show catalogue will
“We want The Southern
are passionate about
• Sale pens will be available
be a festival for people who
exactly what we will
star championship
rabbits, and we believe that’s
• In addition to the three EE Promotional
looking forward to even
show there will also be an
deliver this year. We are
the
at
European
exhibitors
by
and
Rosette Show to be judged
more visitors, competitors
to get the show started.”
judges.
2015 event and can’t wait
joining forces
see pages 38, 45 Further information: page 32.
Two leading businesses are help promote
to
Editor – For further information the Facebook
with National Pet Month and encourage
36.
also visit
and entry form enclosed;
Show Advertisement: page
responsible pet ownership UK charities.
Rabbit Show.
for
page: Southern Championship
people to raise vital funds
NATIONAL
PET MONTH
APRIL 1 – MAY 4 2015
TRADE NEWS
NEWS TRADE NEWS
TRADE NEWS TRADE
GETS A
FARM
SUPREME’S RUSSEL RABBIT
TO JOIN TINY FRIENDS
MOUTH-WATERING MAKEOVER
rebranded
that Russel Rabbit has been
Supreme Petfoods has announceda balanced mix for rabbits. A Supreme
provide
a fresh image
“Tiny Friends Farm” to
revamped formulation accompanies
without the need for
spokesperson told us: “A
the mix are equally appetisingscope for selective
to ensure all elements of
every morsel, reducing the
added sugar. So pets relish
feeding.
as well as the inclusion
instead of alfalfa pellets,
“Higher quality extrusions
also make fibre more mouth-watering.
of top-class Timothy hay,
benefits: ‘All of
Hopkins, has noticed the
“Expert rabbit breeder, Paul new Tiny Friends Farm Russel Rabbit so
loved
dishes - one litter
their
my rabbits immediately
to
get
to
wait
they can’t
transitioning was easy. Now
them earlier than I
I have been able to wean
is even eating so well that
usually do’.”
s.com
More information: www.supremepetfood
to announce our
“We are absolutely thrilled Pet Insurance and
new sponsor partners Agria
organisations in
Medivet, both highly respected
National Pet Month
the pet sector,” announced
Chairman Michael Bellingham.
to working
“We are really looking forward
the next 12 months
with both sponsors over ownership and
to promote responsible pet the UK to attend
encourage pet owners around to raise money
events
and organise some great
charities. It’s a
for their favourite UK pet we’re sure thousands
fantastic combination and on April 1.”
Roll
us.
join
will
of pet fans
Further information:
and
www.nationalpetmonth.org.uk
www.facebook.com/nationalpetmonth, and
www.facebook.com/joinscratchingpost
www.facebook.com/joinparkbench.com
Fur and Feather inc RABBITS
MAY 2015
RABBITS
FUR &
FEATHER
APRIL 2015
or visit www.thebrc.org
Derek Medlock
reports:
We have had
a
breeders and very good numbers of
our
families signing
days in France.
up for the four
So a trip is viable.
Planning and
gather pace arrangements are starting
now for the
to
28th Europa
13,14,15 November
Show on
2015.
METZ 2015
Metz Cathedral
Timetable of
events
More of the
final arrangemen
edition of our
Fur & Feather ts in the June
organising meeting
after
out there in the last
May.
Derek
Metz tram
Judging Wednesday
and Thursday
Open to the
public at 11am
10pm. Saturday:
on
opens 8am to Friday until
8pm to 1pm.
6pm. Sunday:
The French are
hoping for a
up to the countries
large entry but
Entries: all adult
that’s
affiliated.
from the 24
rabbits
Exhibitors are
eligible it should If we get entries
be quite a show.
BUT please encouraged to enter teams
The French are
remember, it
is NOT essential.of 4,
team consists
effort by them hosting the show, tremendous
of 4 of the same
A
BUT it needs
and must include
breed and colour
to make a contribution
all the countries
both sexes i.e.
or 1 doe & 3
in the way of
1 buck &
make it a great
bucks
entries to
event.
just one, or more. or 2 of each. You can 3 does
enter
SO . . . we need
The qualifications
you. Word to to play our part, leave
for
that one to many
the wise as the
that country a judge depends on how
saying goes.
enters.
I should be returning
If your country
with the entry
May which will
forms in
for one judge, enters 100 rabbits they
etc., when and tell us the closing date,
qualify
200 entries two
costings
where
(More
our
judges and so
on the judges
to be penned.
rabbits or birds
on.
in my next report.)
have
I’ve been asked
I do not want
what Metz
to put a size
remember, youto repeat myself but please
to it, maybe is like. It’s hard
can
Bath,
Cambridge.
put
some or all your
up for sale but
Its centre piece Harrogate or
huge old
is its Cathedral,
entry as they that decision will be at rabbits
a
the time of part of building set in the middle
go in the catalogue.
EDNA TAKES
Metz, an historic
of the old
area – lots of
Bars and cafeterias
HER EASTER
French
BONNET TO
to eat and drink. in that part, also lots
of places
GLOUCESTER’
EASTER SHOW
A more modern
S
as they call
area, then an
Mike Cox’s
area with parksit is a Commercial
and gardens.
stunning under
I feel that by
the
months Silver five
be a Christmas time we get there, there
Fox
could
Market but not
was best in show
sort of time
sure yet, it’s
though.
at Gloucester’s
that
A lot of the old
two star show
most people part of Metz is pedestrianis
Sunday April on
park up and
5.
Place Saint-Louis,
ed,
use
around.
Photos:
the
Neil
tram
Metz
Tram,
Robertson
to
get out to the I also found, is the easiest get
Right: Edna
out of town. EXPO building which is way to
Powell,
4 miles
Chairman of
Gloucester RC
A WARM
WELCOME
FROM THE
MANAGEMEN
T
COMMITTEE
AT
THE 2015 AGM
April 2015 1
Members attending
general meeting the BRC’s annual
April 18 were at Gloucester on
2015 members welcomed by the
of the governing
body – left
to right Ian
McClure,
Arnie Hill, Hazel
Elliott, President
Elect Pam Honour,
Garry Richardson Michael Fox,
, David White.
(Neill Gardner,
Jane Bramley
Gordon Coe
and
were
through illness.) unable to attend
Photo by Neil
Robertson,
meeting reports
see next issue
Fur and Feather
inc RABBITS
May2015 1
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May 2015