|
National Federation of Flemish Giant Rabbit Breeders |
|
|
NFFGRB Site:
Other Rabbit Related Links:
|
Sweepstakes Points Current Newsletter Membership Application |
|
SOLID OR WIRE? For many years housing and floors have been controversial subjects. Maybe we will never agree on what is best. A successful Flemish Giant breeder (especially a beginner) must thoroughly understand the pros and cons of each type of floor in order to make a logical decision. Many of the old timers have been very successful for many years with a solid wood floor usually bedded with straw, peat moss, cane pulp, or other comparable material. It is claimed that the feet are more conformable, the rabbit is more contented, and it does not aggravate sore hocks. Many Flemish Giants of top quality have been raised on solid floors, and to this day the solid floor continues to be popular with Flemish Giant breeders who have had many years of experience producing them. Extra time and attention must be given to cleaning out pens. Though it may take as much time to clean one type of floor as another, the manure and urine are not as readily removed from this floor as with the so-called self cleaning wire floored hutch. This faithful regularity of cleaning the solid floor is essential to break up the reproduction cycle of coccidiosis in rabbits. Solid floors would have to be cleaned at least every three days in order to interrupt the life cycle of coccidia and thereby prevent re-infestation. Where space is at a premium it would be a bit more efficient to double or triple deck the solid floor hutch. Construction becomes more complicated with the wire floor hutch in multi-deck. We do have some gradations between the completely solid floor and the all wire floor, but in this discussion we will consider only the all solid vs. the all wire floor. Those who favor the all wire floor claim this type provides the maximum in sanitation, although this depends a little on the size of wire mesh used. Probably, a size barely large enough to allow droppings to pass through would be ideal. Hardware cloth is too fragile, but a welded or galvanized woven wire 1"X ½" or ¾" would be about right for Flemish Giants. The babies have a tendency to get their hocks caught in a mesh like 1" X 1" in size. There is still cleaning to be done, but all waste is removed from the pen immediately which promotes a clean furred rabbit besides providing excellent natural control of coccidiosis. The all wire floor eliminates the bedding (and cost thereof) and there is no bedding dust to create a reaction for those who are allergic to this kind of dust. Many Flemish Giant raisers place a thin board on the wire floor as a resting place, and the rabbits do tend to use this. It could well be that the wire floor is less comfortable then the solid floor. As for sore hocks, most if not all of the so-called "Cures" do not cure. There is some evidence that the quality of fur on hock pads, general health, and vitality, and status of malt have something to do with the appearance of sore hocks. Some rabbits develop sore hocks on wire floors and some do not, so it is far from conclusive that wire floors are the common cause of sore hocks. Certain strains or lines may show more susceptible to sore hocks than others. This suggests that there may be a hereditary tendency in some cases. If this is true, than sever culling-eliminating the breeders with sore hocks, must be done to eliminate this tendency from the herd. So, there you are. Consider all of the factors and make up your own mind as to what is best for you. Hope this is of some help to some of you.
|
|
