c - Agriculture Research Extension Network (ARENET)

Taking rabbit weight for record purposes
Checking rabbits which are expressing signs of ill health
Mating especially when transferring the doe from its hutch to the buck
hutch
Assisting the doe during the mating process
Pregnancy testing
Sexing of young ones
e Marketing
Handling of rabbits c is very important to avoid hurting the
animals and causing tll~lll atless. First and foremost, rabbits are very
peaceful animals and will not hurt the handler unless in pain, where
rabbits have a tendency to scratch. However, some rabbits can -be
aggressive, granting and even biting. Handling should be purposehi and
firm. A small piece of wood can be used to trap the rabbit in a corner to
avoid chasing it around the hutch or cage.
The handling methods t hat can 1 be used include the following:
5.2.1 Holding the rabbit by the ears
This method of handling will cause the rabbit 1:o keep calm in the same
place (see Figure 14)
Figure 14: Showing quieting a rabbit by holding its ears
Caution: Rabbits should never be lifted by their ears because it is very
painful to them. It may also cause stretching of the ears or their base
which may result in the ears beginning to drop.