Supplies for Rabbit Breeders – A Well Stocked Barn Checklist

This list can be somewhat daunting, if you are just getting started.  But many items can be collected as you progress in your hobby.  For example, I paid others to tattoo my rabbits at shows for two years before I was brave enough to do it myself.  Some items are seasonal and can wait.  Other items are more luxurious and you may never acquire them.  Still others, like anti-biotic ointment, will be purchased when you first have need of them.  I do think, though, that anyone reading this list will never need to ask why show rabbits cost so much!

Safety

• Fire extinguisher, pressurized water type

• wire mesh, electric wire, fencing or other barrier to wild animal invaders and neighborhood dogs

Rabbit Grooming Aids

• Brush (Metal Cat Slicker)

• Nail Clipper

• Blunt-tipped Scissors (for removing excess fur around bottom of messy juniors

• Peroxide (for removing food stains from fur)

• Rinseless Rabbit Shampoo with Whitener

• Styptic Powder or Flour to Stop Bleeding if You Cut the Quick While Trimming Nails

Feeding Supplies

• High Quality Pellets

• Moisture-Proof Feed Container (metal trash can, plastic bucket with snug-fitting lid)

• Measuring Cup for Determining Amount of Feed Per Rabbit

• Small Feed Container to Carry From Cage to Cage

• Feed Scoop

• Measuring Spoons for Supplements

• Dropper or Syringe for feeding Wheat Germ or Linatone Oil

• Feed Dishes (If Using J-Feeders, Be Sure To Use Deep Ones for Large-Headed Breeds)

• Hay

Watering Equipment

• Automatic Watering System or Crocks or Water Bottles

• Water Container for Carrying Water from Cage to Cage

• Spare Parts for Watering System or Water Bottles

• Spare Water Crocks to Replace Broken Ones and Substitute For Dirty Ones

Heating/Cooling

• Fans, Preferably on Thermostat

• Mist System to Cool Air, Air Conditioning, or Evaporative Cooler

• (Few Places in the US Require Heating; However, I Use a Ceramic Disc Heater to Thaw My Water Lines)

• Lawn Sprinkler Positioned on Top of the Barn

• Wall Thermometer

• Empty water bottles or ceramic tiles to freeze and place in rabbits’ cages in the summer.

Insect Control

• Fly Swatter

• Fly Ribbons (Change Frequently)

• Lime or Sweet PDZ

• I do not recommend chemical insect control, but some people may be able to use them with success (Note:  Removing Manure Frequently is the Best Insect Control Available)

Health Care

• 22 gauge needles for Pen B (others have used as large as 17, but I’ve never had trouble drawing Pen B through 22s) and syringes

• Alcohol

• Peroxide

• Tinactin Spray

• Preparation H

• Ivomectin

• Safeguard or other wormer

• Tri-Optic or other antibiotic Eye Ointment

• Fast Track or Acid Pak 4-Way or other Probiotic

• Scales with Basket for Weighing Juniors and Seniors

• Kitchen Scale (up to 1 lb.) for Weighing Kits

• Cotton Balls, Cotton Swabs, and Cotton Pads

• Chew Sticks

• Simethicone, infant gas drops, for GI stasis or intestinal blockage

Personal Comfort –

• Stool or Chair

• Personal Fan and/or Heater

• Counter-High Work Surface for Examining and grooming Rabbits

• Carpet Samples for Work Surface

• Gold Bond Wipes Or Other Antiseptic for Cuts and Scratches

• Clock

Paperwork-

• Calculator (for purchases of multiple rabbits)

• Calendar or other  method of recording breedings, due dates, and births

• ARBA registration forms and other literature for pet customers

• Pens and thin permanent markers

• Pad of Paper or Notebook

• Magnets, Post-It Notes, Labels or Other Method of Posting Information on Cages

• Plastic Bags for Transition Feed for Sale Bunnies

• Scissors

• Electrical Ties (For Securing Coops or Temporary Coffee Mug Waterers)

Tattoo Equipment-

• Battery or Electric Tattoo Outfit or Clamp Tattoo Outfit with Digits and Letters

• Ink (Fresh Tattoo Ink or India Ink)

• Baby Wipes

• Paint Brush, soft toothbrush or Q-Tips for Applying Ink

• Wrap or Specially Made Box to Safely Secure Rabbit While Tattooing (I just place mine on carpet on a table
  and grasp ear firmly)

• Petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment, if you coat your new tattoos with it

Cleaning –

• Bleach, Povidone and/or Vanodine for Disinfecting (I keep diluted Vanodine in a spray bottle for hands and surfaces, Povidone is also iodine based and much cheaper–I will try that next)

• Cage Brush with Long Handle (for brushing bottoms of cages)

• Small Brush and Dustpan (for removing waste from work surface)

• Shop Vacuum for periodic removal of cobwebs and fur

• Soap or Detergent for General Cleaning (I use Orvus Paste)

• Baby Wipes

• Trash Can

• Baby Bottle Brushes, if Using Water Bottles

• Pressure Washer for Cages, Carriers and Nest Boxes

Traveling

• Carriers

• Puppy Training Pads

• Cat Litter, Shavings, or Newspaper for the Carrier Trays

• Travel Water Bottles or Crocks

• Travel Food Dishes

• Bungee Cords for Securing Cages

• Travel Chair

• Show Grooming Table

• Duplicate Grooming Products and Tools (keep them packed for shows to reduce show preparation time)

• Feed and Supplement Containers with Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons

• Cart or Trolley

Rabbit Housing Equipment-

• Individual Cages for Senior Rabbits

• Larger Cages for Litters and Does

• Windproof, Precipitation-proof and Sun-proof Shelter

• Trays for Stacking Cages or Bins for Hanging Cages to Collect Manure

• Lights, Preferably on Timer

Breeding Supplies-

• Nest Boxes

• Newsprint or Cardboard for Lining Bottom of Nest Boxes

• Hay or Other Nesting Material

• Calendar

• Heat Lamp to Keep Kits Warm During Examination in Cold Weather

• Large Plastic Bag for Storing Excess Clean Fur for Future Use

• Sterile Eye Wash for Opening Kits’ Eyes (Late Only)

• Vanilla extract or Vicks (Used When Fostering to Mask Scent)

• KY Jelly or other lubricant, for stuck babies