Rabbit Breeds, Features and Common Terminologies for JSS 1

Rabbit Breeds

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. identify breed of rabbits;
2. identify rabbit breeds by colour pattern and ear shape;
3. explain and use rabbits’ terminologies appropriately.

Introduction to Rabbit Farming

Rabbits are small, furry animals that are raised by farmers for various purposes. They are a good source of meat, and their fur can also be used. Raising rabbits is often called cuniculture. Rabbits are known for reproducing quickly, which makes them suitable for livestock farming.

Understanding Rabbit Breeds

Just like other animals such as chickens or goats, rabbits come in different breeds. A rabbit breed is a group of rabbits that share similar characteristics, such as size, body shape, fur colour, and ear shape. These characteristics are passed down from parent rabbits to their young.

Identifying different breeds helps farmers choose the best rabbits for their specific needs, whether it is for meat, fur, or breeding.

New Zealand White Rabbit

The New Zealand White is one of the most popular rabbit breeds, especially for meat production. These rabbits are easily recognised by their pure white fur and distinct red eyes. Their ears are typically erect and of medium length.

California White Rabbit

The California White rabbit is another breed commonly raised for meat and fur. This breed has a white body, similar to the New Zealand White, but it has distinct dark markings on its nose, ears, feet, and tail. These dark markings are called “points.” Its eyes are usually pink or red, and its ears are erect and medium-sized.

Angora Rabbit

Angora rabbits are famous for their very long, soft, woolly fur, which is often harvested to make yarn. Unlike other breeds, their main purpose is usually fur production. Angora rabbits come in various colours, including white, black, and fawn. Their ears are typically medium to long and may have tufts of fur on them, giving them a fluffy appearance.

Chinchilla Rabbit

The Chinchilla rabbit breed is named after the wild chinchilla animal because of its unique fur colour. These rabbits have a distinctive greyish fur pattern, often with darker markings around the eyes, ears, and along the back. Their fur is dense and soft, making them suitable for both meat and fur production. Chinchilla rabbits have erect, medium-length ears.

Identifying Rabbit Breeds by Colour Pattern and Ear Shape

Observing the colour of a rabbit’s fur and the shape of its ears are two important ways to identify its breed. Each breed has specific features that help distinguish it from others.

Hair and Skin Colour

The colour of a rabbit’s fur is a primary identifier. Rabbit fur can come in many colours and patterns. Some common colours include:

1. White: Like the New Zealand White, which is entirely white.
2. Pointed White: Like the California White, which has a white body but dark brown or black markings on its nose, ears, feet, and tail.
3. Grey/Agouti: Like the Chinchilla, which has a greyish fur pattern that resembles the wild agouti pattern.
4. Various Solid Colours: Angora rabbits can come in many solid colours such as black, blue, chocolate, or fawn, in addition to white.

Sometimes, the skin colour under the fur can also be observed, especially if the fur is thin or parted.

Shape and Size of Ears

The ears of a rabbit also provide clues about its breed. Most of the common breeds have ears that stand upright, which are called erect ears. The length and thickness of these erect ears can vary slightly between breeds.

For example, the New Zealand White, California White, and Chinchilla breeds all have erect, medium-length ears. Angora rabbits also have erect ears, but they often have noticeable tufts of fur on them, making them appear very fluffy.

Common Terminologies in Rabbit Farming

When discussing rabbits and rabbit farming, specific terms are used. Understanding these terms is important for anyone involved in raising rabbits.

Doe:

An adult female rabbit is called a doe.

Buck:

An adult male rabbit is called a buck.

Kits:

Young rabbits, from birth until they are weaned (stop drinking their mother’s milk), are called kits.

Bunny:

This is another common and informal name for a young rabbit.

Fryer:

A fryer is a young rabbit that is raised specifically for meat and is usually harvested when it is about 8 to 10 weeks old.

Kindling:

The act of a female rabbit (doe) giving birth to her kits is called kindling.

Hutches:

Hutches are the cages or enclosures where rabbits are kept. They provide shelter and a safe space for the rabbits.

Coprophagy/Caecotrophy:

This is the natural behaviour of rabbits eating their own soft faeces, also known as night droppings or caecotrophs. Rabbits do this to re-digest certain nutrients that were not fully absorbed during the first pass through their digestive system.

Litter:

A litter refers to all the kits born at the same time from one mother (doe).

Weaner:

A weaner is a young rabbit that has been separated from its mother’s milk and is now eating solid food independently.

Fur:

Fur is the soft, dense hair that covers a rabbit’s body. It can be used for clothing, accessories, or decoration.

Felt:

Felt is a type of fabric made by pressing and matting animal fibres, such as rabbit fur, together. It is often used for hats or crafts.

Nest:

A nest is a bed or shelter that a pregnant doe builds for her upcoming kits. She usually makes it from hay, straw, and her own fur, which she pulls from her body.