By OHS Torch Reporter, Sierra Priebe
On Wednesday night, five hairless and soon to be adorable baby rabbits were born to the Ag class’ pet rabbit down in the Ag shop.
All five rabbits survived their first day. This is good news because if they survive the first day, they will most likely make it into adulthood. The average rabbit litter is four to eight rabbits, hence this was a perfectly healthy litter size.
Rabbits are born hairless, so the five rabbits have light pink skin with black spots. Typically the rabbit will grow white fur where it is pink and dark fur where it is black. Rabbits quickly grow fur, taking only two or three days to start becoming furrier and cuter.
These particular rabbits are meat rabbits, meaning they are indeed bred to be eaten. Meat rabbits are fast growing, reaching their market weight of 12-14 pounds in a short time period.
Ag teacher Mr. Hoffman said the Ag department is currently undecided about what they are going to do with the baby rabbits. One of the possibilities is selling them to students for pets or projects which could include raising and showing the rabbit. Other considerations are selling them on the market and holding one or two back for breeding.
Mr. Hoffman said, “I liked this project because it was an inexpensive way to give the students hands-on experience with reproduction and nutrition.”
He also said that rabbits have a very quick gestation period. A typical rabbit is pregnant for only 31 days before giving birth. The short gestation period makes it possible for students to see the whole process, even with the classes changing second semester due to the block schedule.
Typically larger animals, such as cows are associated with Ag classes, which have expensive care. With rabbits, students are getting the same experience without spending as much money.
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