Rabbit Production and Characteristics

Study Notes

Characteristics of Rabbits

Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, along with the hare and the pika.
They are pseudo-ruminant, eating a lot of plant material and roughage but not regurgitating like ruminants.

Uses of Rabbits

They are often used in laboratories for research purposes, such as testing new medical products and nutritional studies.
Rabbit pelts are made into bedroom slippers and purses.
The offal is ground up and combined with mash for pigs.

Production and Maturation

Rabbits mature early, becoming ready for production by the age of 6-7 months when well fed.
Rabbit manure is rich in nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, making it a suitable fertilizer for flowering plants and trees.

Breeds of Rabbits

New Zealand breed: Black, Broken, Red, and White colours.
Californian breed: White with black points, Chocolate, Blue, and Lilac colours.
Chinchilla breed: Originates from the United States, used for meat, fur, and pets.
Angora breed: Originates from France, used for meat, fur, and pets.
Satin breed: Originates from France, used for meat, fur, and pets.
Giant English breed: Originates from Ankara, Turkey, used as pets and for wool.
Dutch breed: Originates from Holland, used as show animals and pets.
Flemish Giant breed: Originates from Belgium, used for meat and fur.
Champagne d'Argent breed: Originates from France, used for meat, show, and pets.
English Spot breed: Originates from England, used for meat, show, and pets.
Rex breed: Originates from France, used for meat and fur.
Netherland Dwarf breed: Originates from Holland, used as pets.

Advantages of Raising Rabbits

Rabbits have a prolific breeding rate.
They are quiet animals.
They produce great compost from their manure.
They have a rapid growth rate.
They are cheap to farm.
They eat a wide variety of plants.
They require less labor and cost.
There are no religious taboos about consuming rabbit meat.
They are highly reproductive, with large litters and a short gestation period.
They produce highly nutritious meat with low fat and cholesterol, making it highly digestible for all age groups.

Description

Learn about the importance of rabbit production, their characteristics, and uses in research and other industries. Discover their unique features, such as being pseudo-ruminants, and their applications in medicine and fashion. Test your knowledge of rabbits and their importance in various fields.