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Consider
this: compare the weight of a rabbit and the square footage of living
space it has to the average weight of a person and comparable living space
for a person. Take a ten-pound rabbit (above average weight) in a 2x3 foot
or 6 square foot cage. Then, take an average human weighing 150 pounds
(yes, I’m being kind and we won’t discuss how much I exceed that
average). Using my basic algebra skill, I calculate the comparable living
space for a human would be 90 square feet. That breaks down into a 9 x 10
foot room. I won’t even go into the equivalent in cubic feet. Whether
person or rabbit, the only activities available in those confined quarters
are to eat, sleep, walk or hop around, and use the bathroom. Now how long
will it be before animal or human gets bored?
The number
one thing you can do for your rabbit is to place a resting pad (hard,
vented plastic mat) in the rabbit’s cage so they have a place to get off
the wire flooring of their cage. This will prevent them from getting sore
hocks. Those of you who already have raised rabbits have probably noticed
prior to kindling when you place a nesting box in the doe’s cage that
the doe climbs in and out of the box as well as on top of the box. The
nesting box provides an object that arouses the rabbit’s curiosity and
gives it some exercise as she climbs in and out of the box as well as on
top of the box. Why not utilize a variation on the nesting box for other
times so the rabbit has something to keep itself entertained and
exercised? A simple three-sided box with a top would work just fine,
especially if there is no flooring which would necessitate frequent
cleaning.
As a rabbit
owner you have probably noticed rabbits like to chew on just about
anything they can get hold of. I’ve seen my rabbits chew up a water line
soon after they get hold of it. I’ve heard some rabbit producers
recommend providing a piece of wood for a rabbit to chew on. So, I tried
that and was amazed at how quickly they could chew up a piece of wood, and
how much they seemed to enjoy the activity. Granted, it is not a good idea
to give them treated wood or processed lumber, but give them a branch from
a tree in your yard and you will be surprised their ability to gnaw away.
But, be careful, make sure the branch is not a piece of wood that has the
potential to be toxic such as Walnut or Black Cherry, just to name a few.
Not only
does a piece of wood provide entertainment for a rabbit, it can be
therapeutic in relieving stress or boredom that rabbits may experience.
Another benefit chewing on wood provides for rabbits is dental treatment.
Not only does it keep their teeth healthy, it also can reduce problems
with overbites that some rabbits experience.
I witnessed
this personally with one of our rabbits. This past spring my wife bought
an expensive rabbit that after a month of living on our farm developed an
overbite that would cause most orthodontists to get excited. Even beavers
have mild overbites compared to this rabbit. After watching my wife clip
this rabbit’s teeth on several different occasions (she swears that is
how to treat the problem), I decided there had to be a better solution.
After all, it made my teeth hurt just to watch that poor rabbit. So I gave
that rabbit a stick and sure enough, within a week or so the problem seems
to be under control and has not been a problem since (four months later).
Rather
than go into a dissertation on toys for rabbits, I would rather suggest
each one of you
go
out and talk with other rabbit producers or do some research and see what
toys other producers provide for their rabbits. I’m sure there are some
other ideas I have not heard of, nor even considered. After all, raising
rabbits can be enjoyable as long as you are not underneath a cage, trying
to mend that cage, while a rabbit is in the cage above you.
Robert
Spencer is Agribition Center Facilities Manager at Alabama A&M
University. |
