Care & Management

Rabbit Care & Herd Management

Please see our sections on Rabbit Feeding and Health, and Rabbit Equipment for much more information on caring for bunnies.

Rabbit Care Essentials

  • The Essentials of Rabbit Care – Are you new to pet rabbit ownership?  There are many different ways to care for pet rabbits, but all rabbits need a few essentials. Here it is in a nutshell.
  • Grooming Basics – Did you know that not all rabbits need to be brushed? For some breeds, brushing is essential.  For others, it can even harm the coat. All rabbits however do need their toenails trimmed, any bunny knows how to get himself stained and dirty! Here are the grooming basics.
  • Rabbit Fur Information – Detailed information on care of rabbit fur during molting and learning about what makes rabbit fur what it is.
  • Dwarf Rabbit Breeds FAQ – 30 frequently asked questions about feeding, breeding, housing, and care of Holland Lops and other small rabbit breeds. A useful reference for your pet buyers.
  • Clipping Rabbit Teeth – Most rabbits never need their teeth trimmed. Clipping rabbit teeth should be done only in the case of malocclusion, when the bottom teeth overlap the top ones and prevent the rabbit from eating. Malocclusion can be in inherited condition, or happen as a result of an accident or injury.
  • Grooming or Faking? – There’s grooming rabbits to make them look their best. And then there’s grooming rabbits to make them look better than their best. The latter is called “faking.” that is, when your grooming preparations go so far as to alter the natural appearance of the rabbit. Examples include dying toenails and plucking white hairs. Faking can get your whole entry disqualified from a show. Here’s more information on the line between faking and grooming.
  • Summer Rabbit Care – Rabbits do pretty well in temperatures under 85 as long as they have access to plenty of water and there’s good ventilation in the rabbitry. But here are some tips on keeping your rabbits safe and healthy during the warm season.
  • Winter Rabbit Care – Cold weather is not such a problem for rabbits as it is for poultry or rodents such as guinea pigs or hamsters. Adult rabbits have thick fur and don’t have any problems living outside when the temperature dips below freezing, as long as they have fresh water twice a day.  Baby rabbits, however, are another matter.
  • Spring in the Rabbitry – When springtime comes around at last it’s time for barn cleaning and anticipating summer. Don’t forget to take these steps to prepare for the hot weather!

Herd Management Essentials

  • The Sweet Smell of Success – Yeah or not-so-sweet smell. Here’s how to reduce odors and ammonia in the rabbitry. That yucca is good stuff; I’m serious!
  • Cleaning and Disinfecting – A level of sanitation in the rabbitry is necessary to curtail bacteria that can cause snuffles and other health disorders.
  • Record Keeping – My Magnet System – When you have a 60-hole, producing rabbit barn, Laurie’s magnet system can help you keep track of everybody. It’s easy to see who is bred, for example, just by walking down the aisles of the rabbitry. Includes printable templates for making your own magnets.
  • Record Keeping – A list of Rabbits – Sometimes it’s the simplest things that work the best. Our pedigree software programs are great, as well as those detailed record keeping forms, but sometimes the most helpful way to keep track of something is very simple, like “A list of Rabbits.”
  • Ear Number System – All show rabbits must have a permanent tattoo in their left ear, and this “ear number” is invaluable for record keeping purposes. You can choose whatever ear number you want.  Some breeders have a really detailed system that tells them information about the rabbit. Others prefer tattoos like KISS – Keep It Simple, Sillyhead.
  • Herd Mentality – Rabbits are really special animals. They make fantastic pets, some of the best in the world, but they are also sometimes classified as livestock. This article is about having the “herd” approach to your rabbits, but still taking excellent care of them.
  • Evacuation plan – It’s 3 o’clock AM. The National Guard is at your door. “There’s a wild fire in the area. You have exactly one hour to evacuate.” Can you take the rabbits? Only if you are prepared.