Rabbits and cavies

Overview

Rabbits can be raised for meat, wool and fur. New Zealand White (NZW) and the Californian are two common meat breeds. Angora is a common wool breed, that is also bred for meat. American Chinchilla and Rex are two common breeds that are raised for fur. Cavies are usually just raised for meat.

In rabbits, females are called does, males are called bucks, and babies are called kits. Rabbits can weigh up to 10 - 15 lbs when fully grown but are typically harvested once they are between 4 - 5 lbs. 

In cavies, females are called sows, males are called boars, and babies are called pups. A group of cavies is called a herd. Cavies can weigh between 1.5 - 3 lbs when fully grown. They are typically harvested once they are between 1.3 - 2 lbs.

Rabbits and cavies are both hind-gut fermenters, like horses. They need a high fiber, low energy diet of forages and hay.

Rabbits and cavies can live 5 - 10 years, though they are typically consumed when they are 3 - 5 months old. About 60% and 50% of the total weight will be consumable product, for rabbits and cavies respectively.

Small landowners in California may be interested in raising rabbits or cavies because they have quick reproductive cycles, do not require large amounts of space, and meat quantities harvested are smaller than a larger livestock animal.

rabbit breeds

Figure 1: Different breeds of rabbits. Photo/courtesy (left to right): Brooke Latack, Shutterstock, iStock.

Health and Care

Rabbits and cavies will need their nails trimmed routinely. Make sure to avoid trimming nails past the quick, which is the part of the nail with blood vessels that are visible in clear nails.

If you acquire new rabbits/cavies, keep them apart (quarantined) from the others for a month. Monitor them and make sure they don't show any signs of illness before introducing them to the rest of your rabbits/cavies. This helps reduce the risk of disease transmission.

To further prevent disease concerns, clean and disinfect cages regularly and change water daily. Fresh, cool water is always important for rabbits and cavies, especially in warm months.

Rabbits are susceptible to a respiratory disease caused by Pasturella multocida which can cause decreased productivity or death in does. 

Cavies do not produce their own Vitamin C, so they will need Vitamin C supplemented in their diet through pelleted food or additional supplements. Cavies can get inflamed and sore feet if they are kept on cages with wire bottoms or if their cages aren't cleaned frequently. See this website for more information on cavy health concerns and how to prevent or respond to them.

Housing and Bedding

Minimum cage space requirements for different breeds and category of animal are detailed here. Some rules of thumb that are beyond the minimums are: rabbits need a minimum 0.75 square feet per pound of rabbit and cavies need a minimum of 7.5 square feet per guinea pig. Rabbits can be kept alone, whereas cavies should not be kept alone. For an example breakdown of rabbit vs guinea pig cage building, see here.

Rabbits can be kept in cages with wire surface that separates them from their waste. Cavies can not be kept in cage with wire bottom because as their feet are more sensitive. Cavies and rabbits should not be housed together.

Wood pellets, wood shavings and paper bedding can all be used as bedding. Avoid cedar or other strong smelling bedding as the animals are sensitive to strong smells. Cages should be cleaned at least once per week. Make sure to spray the cages clean with a disinfectant spray of 1 part bleach and 20 parts water, and then rinse clean. A simple, spacious and cheap housing option for cavies is a small, hard, non-inflatable children's pool with bedding. Cavies also need hideaways, like small igloos, where they can sleep and run into in order to feel safe.

Rabbits can survive in cages that are outdoors, but need protection from extreme temperatures and drafts. In cool weather, heaters, insulation and nesting boxes are needed. In warmer weather, frozen bottle fans and air conditioning can be used. Rabbits can acclimate to more extreme temperatures, whereas cavies are more sensitive to temperature and need a more controlled environment.

rabbit cages

Figure 2: Here, Satin Angora rabbits are raised in wire bottom cages in a garage with climate control. Each rabbit has their own water bottle, pellets and access to hay. Photo/courtesy Brook Latack.

Nutrition

It is recommended that both rabbits and cavies eat commercially pelleted food as the main source of nutrition. Growing rabbits (up to 5 - 6 months old) can be free fed pellets. Mature rabbits/cavies cannot be free fed or they may become obese. Pellets should be given once a day and the portion should be consumed before the next day.

It is recommended that cavies and rabbits have access to hay. Hay helps keep their teeth and gastrointestinal tracts healthy which is especially important for breeding animals. Timothy hay is the recommended grass hay for both animals. Meadow grass blends can also be used. Grass hay can usually be found at feed stores in larger quantities and a cheaper price than hay that is marketed for pets at pet stores. Alfalfa hay should not be fed, except in very small quantities as a supplement because it is high in calcium and can cause kidney/bladder problems.

Fresh greens are mostly water by weight, so it is not possible to raise rabbits/cavies solely on these materials because they are not nutrient-dense. Fresh greens should only be given as supplements - over-feeding of fresh greens may cause indigestion.

Both rabbits and cavies can be trained to drink from water bottles which is more sanitary than drinking out of bowls.

Reproductive Cycle

Medium and large weight breed rabbits are sexually mature at about 6 - 8 months old. Rabbits do not go into "heat" or have regular estrous cycles; instead they are induced ovulators, meaning they ovulate after mating. Gestation is between 28 - 35 days. To ensure proper bonding, don't handle or remove kits from doe for a few days. Weaning will occur when the kits are about 1 - 2 months old. If you want to breed rabbits year round, you will have to maintain at least 12 hours of light for them daily.

Cavies have a gestation of 59 - 72 days, about double that of rabbits.  However, cavies are born more alert than rabbits. Some sows can reach sexual maturity (beginning their estrous cycles) at 4 - 5 weeks. Sexually mature sows should be bred for the first time when they are at least 6 weeks old and ideally 10 - 12 weeks old. Boars reach sexual maturity at 8 - 10 weeks. Breeding sows need to be bred for the first time before they are 6 months old. If they are bred for the first time when they are older than 6 months, a bone in their pelvic canal will have fused, making delivering fetuses difficult or impossible.

3 pigs teeny
rex teeny

Figure 3: Cavies and rabbits in their appropriate cages. Photo/courtesy Sequoia Williams (L) and Brooke Latack (R)

Contact UCCE

Find your local advisors at your local UCCE office by searching here.

You can also browse previously answered questions or ask a new question via Ask Extension here. Questions are answered by Cooperative Extension, University staff and volunteers from across the United States and might not be as location specific as connecting with your local advisor.

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