How it all began.......
It all started when I was 5 years old and I had my first rabbit. It was a REW British Giant, her name was Sam. I loved her to bits, my parents and I decided to breed her and I have continued from there!
I started with dutch back in 2000 when I left home to live with my partner Andy, then added lionheads and British Giants a year later, and now we breed Lionheads, Dutch and British Giants!!
We are members of the BRC (British Rabbit Council), UK Rex, UK Mini Rex, UK British Giants, SW Dutch RC, UK Dutch and the National Lionhead Club.
Andy and myself started off with two studs, Andys was known as "Lapin Stud" and he bred and exhibited British Giants, Standard and Mini Rex, whilst I had "Abi's Rabbitry", and bred and exhibited, Lionheads, Dutch and Dwarf Lops.
We have now merged into one big stud and we now go by the name of
"LITTLEACRE STUD!!!"
Things you may need for your new rabbit
* Hutch/Cage * Water bottle * Food dish * Newspaper * Hay * Straw * Sawdust * Rabbit food * Rabbit run
Housing for your new rabbit
The suggested hutch/cage should be no lesser than 38cm x 61cm x 46cm in height.
You should keep all food/hay/straw/sawdust in storage containers, as rodents can cause you problems.
A rabbit needs to be cleaned out about twice a week, but a good deal more in hot weather.
When placing the hutch take into consideration:
Shade - Position the hutch near a tree if possible as trees provide both shade and they boost the moisture level which will cool the air around the hutch.
Inside the hutch a good idea is to lay down newspaper with sawdust and straw on the top.
A hutch is just a home. Rabbits will also need a run. A rabbit that is kept in a hutch can become unreceptive. A run on some grass will unwind your rabbit and encourage them to have grass in their diet.
If you decide to keep your rabbit in the house it is similar to keeping them outside, except you will need to keep them off the floor, keep them out of drafts and watch them when you let them out of their cage/hutch as they have a nasty tradition of chewing wires!
Make sure their water is topped up as central heating can cause the water to evaporate rapidly.
Handling your new rabbit
A rabbit will be nervous around their new owner. It is recommended you hold him firmly against your chest. Talk to them quietly whilst stroking them. This way they get used to your smell, your voice and it makes them feel reassured.
Never
pick a rabbit up by it’s ears! This can seriously harm them.Diet
A handful of hay is suggested daily. A rabbit can be stressed if food is changed so it is a good idea to choose on a food and keep to it. When you first have a rabbit you should slowly wean them from the food they are on to the food you are going to supply which should be changed slowly over a few days.