Hobby Farms: Rabbits: Small-Scale Rabbit Keeping

Description

Rabbit raisers will keep their rabbitries hopping and happy with the advice found in Rabbits, a Hobby Farm book. Rabbit breeder and exhibitor Chris McLaughlin offers years of experience and guidance on the many aspects of raising rabbits on a hobby farm, a livestock choice she considers perfect due to the limited space rabbits need to thrive. Whether the reader is raising rabbits for pets, fiber, or meat, there is much solid information and useful advice to be found in the pages of Rabbits. From the natural and cultural history of rabbits to selecting and purchasing of the right rabbits for a small farm, this book is both practical and enlightening. Individual chapters focusing on housing and feeding, behavior and handling, health care, and breeding and raising young make this an indispensable choice for all rabbit keepers. Handsomely designed with color photographs throughout, Rabbits also offers sidebars of helpful tips, fun anecdotes, and quotes from hobby farmers that prove entertaining and edifying. The final chapter of the book, "Making Money with Rabbits" discusses how to turn the rabbit-raising business profitable through producing show and pet rabbits, wool/fiber rabbits, rabbit manure, and rabbit meat. Resources include a glossary of terms and a catalog of associations, books, periodicals, and websites. Fully indexed.

Chris McLaughlin has been a professional rabbit keeper, breeder, and exhibitor for the past 16 years. She is a 4H Rabbit Project teacher, as well as a certified Master Gardener with an emphasis in composting. She writes regularly for Urban Farm magazine, The Herb Companion, and The Heirloom Gardener. She also has several recently published books on the subject of gardening, including The Complete Idiot's Guide to Composting, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Heirloom Vegetables, and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Small-Space Gardening.

"Raising domestic rabbits is an engaging and rewarding hobby regardless of their role as a pet, show animal, or commercial commodity. This book is a perfect guide for first time owners and an excellent reference for seasoned veterans." Jay E. Hreiz, VMD "This book is a must read for anyone who has a rabbit or is interested in owning a rabbit! It provides all the essential information, no matter what direction you wish to take your rabbit hobby. From owned a pet to starting a full operation, this is one resources you want to have." Keelyn Hanlon, ARBA Judge and breeder