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raising rabbits - the importance of petting

Donna, our New Zealand / Californian doe
Storm, the new buck, adjusting quite nicely to his new home on the farm
We raise rabbits for the purpose of meat; they are not pets. We don't baby them, they live outdoors year round, sometimes in cages, sometimes on grass. Since tending to the new buck Storm after he escaped and lived in the woods for five days, I have been thinking about the importance of petting when raising rabbits. We don't get out each rabbit every day and coddle it, however each morning when I'm giving them food, water and hay I do rub the rabbits down the back a few times. This is important to help monitor the health of the rabbits, you can tell a lot by running your hand over their spines, if they are too skinny or too fat, or if they have any sensitive areas. This isn't really petting, in most people's sense of the word, a few quick strokes down the back, but it makes a difference. In addition to monitoring the health of the rabbit, it also helps keep them social, friendly, and handle-able, so when the time comes to hold them for whatever reason (breeding, cleaning, vet procedures, etc) they don't kick and scratch because they've never been held before. Rabbits have surprisingly sharp claws, and they are not afraid to use them.

Storm has been gaining wait, his coat growing and shiny, and adjusting to our daily time together.
I think soon he will get to meet one of the girls, and become a real part of our colony.
Storm and Donna, our new leading couple I think.

Until next time,

Angela Kelly
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