Does and don’ts of rabbit farming

Press, 7 May 1980, Page 19

Does and don’ts of rabbit farming

Bv

ROBYN BRISTOW

Enthusiasm, patience, and a little daring seem to be some of the ingredients needed for anyone venturing into the rabbitfarming industry. Equipment, cages, water nozzles, knowledge of the industry, and lack of suitable breeding stock here are also some .of the problems that can be encountered along the way. However, they have not deterred a North Canterbury couple, Kathleen and Wyndham Hamilton, who have put in hours of research, thousands of dollars, and considerable

patience into their Okuku farm. The rewards are now coming. Their search for cages ended in Auckland. A firm was discovered that was making rabbit cages for ex- . port to Tahiti where rabbit farming is firmly estab- . lished. The water nozzles were imported by a firm from England; they were previously used by research institutes. The Hamikoiis admit that it was an expensive way to set up the water system but add that the first expense was also the last. The water is filtered and the nozzles have never failed. Trying to adapt poultry nozzles had been unsuccessful. The Hamiltons are determined that New Zealand’s "newest and most exciting industry" should begin on a sound basis. To acmete this they have ir "P their stock from Britain and will concentrate their farming venture on ing breeding stock for the ’ n Therabbits were bought from Hylyne Commercial Xts?nCheshreand hmelude New Zealan j blue Giant Ghmchifia, and (LaboraSits ThiTorganisadon are clinically as. sterile Hamilton is conceded the 'industry based on 1 Thirty-four; i tons’ rabbits r^. ent **Z e j out of- a- 30-day-qua d period. They have setueo

into their new homes and are looking relaxed, fat, and healthy. Weight gains have been, good and a few sneezes are the only signs of a change in hemisphere. The Hamiltons are enthusiastic about the new project and are learning more as they go along. The rabbits have been housed in an adapted implement shed using existing materials as much as possible. The dos and don’ts of rabbit farming are still in the experimental stage, but hygiene is a must. Gumboots, white coats, a rinse of feet in a trough of

antiseptic at the door, and a wash with germicide soap are necessary precautions. Introducing any disease from outside into the shed would he fatal. The cages are accommodated in two rooms within the shed that gains plenty of light but not direct sunlight. This could affect the rabbits’ eyes. The sun is screened through opaque sheets along the top of the walls and in places on the roof. The cages are in rows on a stand. It has been suggested that the cages could he suspended from the roof. However, the Hamiltons found that rabbits do not like movement. Also, the weight in the cages when the does begin to kindle would be too heavv. The amount of light is also debated. On the Okuku property the animals are given 14 hours of daylight, which is controlled by a timer on the switchboard. Mrs Hamilton says that some people believed daylight helps with the breeding cycle; others say it makes no difference. The Hamiltons are trying their own technique. ■ The animals are fed pellets especially formulated for them and “love plenty of meadow hay.” Mr Hamilton is adapting the feed trays to avoid waste of pellets. If too many fill the feed tray they become stale and the rabbits will not eat them. Some scratch them out on to the ground. The water system is fed by gravity from two tanks. It is distributed throughout the shed by a small plastic hose with a lateral leading down to each cage. The special nozzles give a con-

stant filtered water supply. The Hamiltons have put barley straw along the top of the cages to provide insulation and security. The rabbits pull bits down to chew on. “We are not sure what’s in it, perhaps cellulose, but they love it,” Mr Hamilton says. The cages are set up above a dirt floor. “It is a definite advantage; much more natural and there is no smell,” Mrs Hamilton says. Sheds with concrete floors tend to have a smell problem. Straw lined underneath the cages are cleaned out through vents at the base of the shed about every three weeks. The vents ensure a speedy process and also provide air during hot weather. The vents are covered with bird netting to prevent vermin from getting in. Quiet, quick, efficient handling of the animals is important. Mr and Mrs Hamilton avoid un-

necessary handling which tends to unsettle the animal. Noise also upsets them. They enter the shed twice a day for very short periods. During the morning the rabbits are quiet and resting, but in the evening they are quite active. The rabbits are weighed once a week. The blue chinchillas are known to put on 113 g a week. However, the Hamiltons’ have been gaining up to 255 g a week. The New Zealand whites have gained from 198 g to 340 g and the Californians from 198 g to 226 g. “Tire Californian is everybody’s favourite,” Mrs Hamilton says. “It is more placid, constant, and has a strong constitution. Its black ears, nose, feet and tail on a white coat give it a distinctive appearance.” The blue chinchilla are very friendly and a delightful colour, while the Hamiltons are pleased with

the weight gains made, by the New Zealand whites. While all can be used for fur, the chinchilla is the main fur rabbit; the Californian and New Zealand white are bred for meat. The Hamiltons will soon begin mating the does. They have already received many enquiries for the breeding stock. “We will be keeping the best to provide the best,” they say. To gain greater, versatility and . flexibility with their breeding programme a further four chinchilla bucks and four Californian bucks have been imported. Gaining suitable air travel arrangements, communicating with people on the other side of the world about flight numbers for the animals, and trying to ensure that the quickest possible route is taken are other problems the Hamiltons have had to overcome. Severe stress can be fatal to rabbits.

The animals have to fly to Auckland before being transferred to a domestic flight to Christchurch. The Hamiltons say they understood that this route was taken because Sydney airport does not allow rabbits through on the direct flight to Christchurch. The Hamiltons are now prepared for almost any problem that can arise. Space could be their first, but another shed will be added if needed. The Hamiltons feel that supplying selected stock for breeding is ideal. Setting up proper fattening sheds required a huge amount of capital. , In its secluded spot in the yard the rabbit shed is easily mistaken for just another farm building. Inside though, it is snug and quiet. The rabbits are getting on with the job of eating, sleeping, and fattening. Soon they will be expected to raise kids . . . then their days of leisure will be disturbed.