The Rabbit-Raising Problem Solver

While rabbits are well-known for being cute and fuzzy creatures, they can also be very difficult to care for. Whether you're an experienced rabbit farmer or building your first hutch for a pet bunny, The Rabbit-Raising Problem Solver has answers to all of your most pressing questions. In a handy question-and-answer format Karen Patry expertly addresses every aspect of rabbit care, including housing, feeding, breeding, kindling, health, and behavior. This informative, easy-to-use guide has reliable, humane solutions that will keep your animals healthy and happy.  A practical Q&A resource for every rabbit raiser, whether they raise their animals as pets, for meat, or for fiber.
Karen Patry owns Aurora Rex Rabbit Ranch and runs the website, raising-rabbits.com. She is a member of the American Rabbit Breeder's Association and the National Rex Rabbit Club. She lives in Port Angeles, Washington.
Preface

Part 1 All About Rabbits: From Wild to Domestic

Chapter 1 The Nature of the Beast

Run, Rabbit, Run
Eat, Rabbit, Eat
Family and Social Life
Basic Bunny Biology

Chapter 2 The Rabbit as a Pet

Rabbit Care 101
What Kind of Rabbit?
Shopping for a Pet Rabbit
Bringing Your Bunny Home
Thinking Inside the (Litter) Box
The Playful Rabbit

Chapter 3 The Business of Raising Rabbits

Looking at Meat Breeds
Looking at Fiber Breeds
Let's Talk Genetics
Managing a Rabbitry

Part 2 Basic Care of Rabbits: Housing and Feeding

Chapter 4 Housing Rabbits: Inside or Out?

Hutch, Sweet Hutch
Climate Control
Bedding and Litter Options
Cleaning and Disinfecting Hutches

Chapter 5 Feeding Rabbits

Digestive Tract Discussed
It's Not All Lettuce and Carrots
Hay: Not Just for Horses
Picky, Picky
Fats, Minerals, and Other Supplements
Water, Water, All the Time
What Rabbits Shouldn't Eat

Part 3 Making More Rabbits: Breeding and Kindling

Chapter 6 The Mechanics of Mating

Is the Time Right?
Introducing the Happy Couple
Spotting a Successful Mating
Trouble in Paradise
Back-to-Back (to Back) Litters

Chapter 7 The Pregnant Rabbit

Is My Rabbit Pregnant?
Care and Feeding of the Pregnant Doe
My Doe is Growling at Me!
Preparing for the Big Day
Day 28: Time for the Nest Box

Chapter 8 Kindling and Newborn Kit Care

What's Normal?
Leave Mother Nature Alone
Pregnancy Problems and Kindling Glitches
Runts and Peanuts
Checking the Nest Box

Chapter 9 Managing the Nursery

Not Peter Rabbit's Mother
Is She Feeding Them Enough?
Nest Box Escapees and Dead Kits
Orphan Kits and Foster Does
Stages of Kit Development
Weaning the Kits

Part 4 In Sickness and in Health: Illness and Injury

Respiratory Diseases
Enteric Complexes (Intestinal Illnesses)
Parasites
Ailments and Injuries
Less Common Health Issues

Resources
Index


Raise Your Rabbit-Raising Know-How




For the first-time pet owner and the experienced livestock farmer alike, rabbit expert Karen Patry addresses questions and concerns about housing, feeding, breeding, and caring for rabbits at every stage of their lives. From choosing productive meat and fiber breeds to preparing a proper nest box and coaxing a fussy bunny to eat, you'll find proven answers and humane solutions to all your rabbit-raising quandaries.