By Pat Lawrence
Rustina Taylor has raised rabbits for fun and for show since she
was in second grade. Now 25, she raises them for profit as well.
Active in 4H all through high school, she spends a lot of her time
mentoring young bunny breeders in their 4H projects. She says,
“Rabbits are intelligent, social animals that can be wonderful
companion animals, indoors or out. But, before you buy a rabbit,
be sure you’ll have the time to look after it.
Rustina keeps between 20-30 rabbits all the time. Although rabbits
come in all sizes and characteristics, her favorites are the Mini-Rex,
a small version of the Standard Rex rabbit first bred in France in
1919. The mini’s are a relatively new rabbit, first bred
in Texas in 1984.
Rexes are the original velveteen rabbits. Their fur is short,
less than an inch and a half, and stands straight up. Rustina says,
“Even if you pat it down, it stands right up again.” They
also have extra underfur. Many of the Rex rabbits have names
that reflect a fur fascination - Chinchilla Rex, Lynx Rex, Fox Rex.
The standard Rex weighs 8-9 pounds. Rustina’s Mini-Rexes
weigh half that. The mini‘s have shorter lives, too, only
about 5-7 years versus the standard life span of 10-12. Rustina
says the Mini-Rexes have great personalities and do well with children.
“They’re easy to handle, and shelter –and feed-
because of their small size.”
Rex rabbits come in fifteen different colors, from basic black, brown
and white to elegant opal and lilac with variations that are tricolored
or with a ‘ broken’ pattern of color scattered over white.
Rustina says rabbits can have up to four litters a year, but not
if they’re owned by a responsible breeder. “The litters
generally have 4-7 bunnies.” She says the reproductive reputation
of rabbits is over stated. “Bunnies only over-reproduce
when they aren’t supposed to!” She advises her 4H members
to start with two does and a buck, “Because sometimes only one
will have a litter in time to show.”
She also encourages new rabbiteers to choose rabbits with at least
four generations of pedigree. “If they want to show their
rabbit, it should have at least 30% of grand champions in the lineage.” Since
breeding is a constantly evolving process, Rustina says, “A
bunny that won first place this year, might not even place next year. And
every judge sees each rabbit differently. They judge by breed
standards, but in the end, it is their opinion of your rabbit.”
Breeders must learn to cull those rabbits not up to standard. Rustina
says it’s just a fact of life. Some bunnies become bunnies
and noodles.
Many more become pets. Rustina says some pet rabbits even enjoy
free run of the house since they’re easily trained to a litter
box. Homes must be bunny proofed, because it’s natural for rabbits
to chew on furniture, drapes, and, electrical cords. Young rabbits
may require more bunny proofing than mature rabbits. Spaying or neutering
will improve their litter box habits and decrease chewing behavior.
For outside rabbits, Rustina says, the hutch should have an enclosed
sleeping area and wire mesh over the front so the rabbit can see out.
The hutch roof should slope so rain will run off the back and it should
be on legs to keep rabbits dry and protect them from fleas and insects.
Rustina says rabbits suffer from cold weather and get heatstroke,
so the hutch should be in a sheltered place with plenty of straw in
the sleeping area. At least once a week, it should be cleaned out
and wiped with disinfectant.
She sells most of her bunnies for between $5-15, but some of the
more exotic colored ones cost more. When they get older or gain
too much weight for show, sometimes, she’s just glad to find
homes for them.
Contact Rustina Taylor at
304-375-3927, Boaz, WV.
