Aaron Webster, Raising Rabbits 101 – The Ultimate Guide to Raising Rabbits,

Rabbits are commonly classified by size just like body type and fur. For the purposes of this
book I am going to categorize the different breeds of rabbits into four average weight groups;

 Small – Under six pounds (2.7 kg)

 Medium – Between six pounds (2.7kg) and 9 pounds (4.1kg)
 Large – Between 9 pounds (4.1kg) and 11 pounds (5kg)
 Giant – Over 11 pounds (5kg+)

Small Breeds: In my opinion these small breeds make the best pets or show animals for small
children. These breeds generally weigh less than six pounds and are easy to handle.

Meat Rabbit Breeds

If you plan on raising rabbits for meat I strongly recommend that you choose a large
“commercial” rabbit breed which will produce fast growing offspring with a good meat to bone
ratio. I personally recommend raising Californians or New Zealands as meat rabbits. They grow
fast; have large litters and overall make excellent “meat rabbits”.

Here is a list of “for meat” rabbit breeds that many different breeders recommend
 American Chinchilla
 Beveren
 Blanc D’Hotot
 Californian (My favorite breed)
 Champagne D’Argents
 Crème D’Argents
 Flemish Giants (Giant animals but tend to have lower meat to bone dress out ratios)
 Florida White
 French Lops
 New Zealand (Highly Recommended)
 Palomino
 Satin
 Silver Fox

Rabbit Cage vs Rabbit Hutch – What is the Difference?

When buying rabbit housing supplies people always seem to ask;

What is the difference between a cage and a hutch?

Answer: Basically rabbit cages and hutches are the same thing. Most people intermix the two
terms. Generally speaking however hutches tend to be larger structures made out of wood.
Cages on the other hand usually are made out of all-wire or wire and plastic enclosures.

Rabbit Nutrition

Rabbits need to have a balanced diet. It is important to pay attention to the contents of your
rabbit feed. Some things to pay particular attention to include; protein, fiber and fat
percentages.

Protein plays a major role in helping your rabbits grow and stay in good health. Many breeders
recommend feeding your breeding does a higher protein feed than the rest of your herd to help
with milk production. I personally feed all my rabbits an 18% protein feed. I could feed all my
bucks a 15% protein feed however from my experience it is easier to simply keep all your
animals on the same feed. The store that I buy my grain from usually prices their 18 and 15%
feed at about the same price, so it isn’t like I am spending more money by feeding all by
animals the 18% feed.

Next you want to make sure that you pay attention to the fiber content in the feed. Fiber is
important in helping your rabbits digest their food and keep their gut moving. I personally feed
my rabbits an 18% fiber grain. If you wish you can supplement a lower fiber feed with some
grass hay. Hay is also a good source of fiber for rabbits.

Lastly, it is a good idea to pay attention to the amount of fat that the feed contains. The grain
that I feed my rabbits contains about 2.5% fat. If your rabbit feed contains too much fat there is
a good chance that your rabbits will get overweight. If your breeding does get too fat their
chance of producing large litters of kits is greatly reduced. Some fat is important though; fat is
one of the key ingredients which help your rabbits grow a nice fur coat.

Developing a Rabbit Feeding System

Each individual rabbit raiser is responsible for developing a rabbit feed system which works for
both them and their rabbits. Although I can give you advice which can help make your feeding
program a success, it is ultimately up to you to make the decisions. Hopefully these guidelines
will help you out…

Feeding: Time of Day

I recommend that you feed your rabbits in the evening if possible. Rabbits are naturally more
active in the nighttime and will eat most of their food up during this time of the day. Especially
if you live in a humid climate because rabbit grain that sits in feeders for too long will grow
moist; this may cause your rabbits to snub their nose at it.

Quick Tip: If you are unable to feed during the evening I suggest that you feed during the early
morning hours. (A rabbit’s second most active time of day)

Multiple Meals a Day?

In my opinion feeding rabbits multiple times a day is unnecessary. Once a day feedings; will
generally be adequate enough.

Quick Tip: Before a meat pen rabbit show, exhibitors will often feed their rabbits multiple times
a day in order to help their rabbits gain additional weight. Sometimes just the act of somebody
going out to the rabbit hutch and “stirring things up” helps encourage eating.

Free Feed or Ration?

Many rabbit fanciers have started debates about whether or not rabbits should be free fed or
rationed. My answer to the question is; it depends. I don’t recommend that you free feed your
entire herd; not only will many of your rabbits get overweight but your feed bill will also “get
heavier”. I suggest that instead you free feed only your mothers with growing kits and the
bunnies themselves.

Safe Rabbit Food List

Below I have included a list of plants, flowers, twigs, vegetables, leaves, herbs and grains that
have been labeled by rabbit experts as being “safe for rabbit consumption”. Please note
however, I have not had the chance to test out all the foods on my rabbits. If your rabbit
happens to get sick after eating one of these items neither me or Rabbit Empire shall be held
responsible.

Herbs, Grains, Vegetables

 Alfalfa
 Apple
 Banana
 Barley
 Basil
 Blackberry
 Broccoli
 Buckwheat
 Carrot
 Celery
 Clover
 Corn Marigold
 Cow Parsnip
 Cucumber
 Dandelion
 Melon
 Oats
 Parsley
 Parsnip
 Peppermint

 Pumpkin
 Raspberry
 Sage
 Tomatoes
 Watermelon
 Wheat

Leaves

 Apple
 Beech
 Birch
 Blackberry
 Cherry
 Hazel
 Mulberry
 Pear
 Raspberry
 Strawberry

Flowers

 Carnation
 Daisy
 Geranium
 Hollyhock
 Marigold
 Rose
 Sunflower

Twigs

If you are ever in doubt about one of the substances ask another rabbit raiser in your
area. I seriously doubt any of these items listed above would ever harm your rabbits,
however like I said above I have not had the chance to test out all of the substances.

Unsafe Rabbit Food List

Here is a list of foods that are labeled as being “unsafe” for rabbit consumption…

Herbs, Grains, Vegetables, Other

- Bindweed
- Bluebell
- Buttercup
- Chocolate
- Cowslip
- Evergreens
- Hemlock
- Kingcup
- Milkweed
- Scarlet Pimpernel
- Peach/Plum leaves
- Potato Sprouts

Twigs
- Apricot
- Azalea
- Beech

- Cherry
- Ivy
- Mistletoe
- Oak
- Peach
- Plus
- Rosewood
- Thorn Apple

Flowers
- Acacia
- Columbine
- Daffodil
- Dahlia
- Iris
- Larkspur
- Poppy
- Tulip
Of course there are many other plants and foods that rabbits shouldn’t consume
however this is a list of some of the most popular foods that make rabbits sick.

Commercial Feeder

https://www.lazada.com.ph/products/j-feeder-for-rabbit-cages-5-big-size-i2051340477-s9096560481.html?
spm=a2o4l.searchlist.list.32.41a315ae7wziXn&search=1