Rabbits
Rabbits are pair of the lagomorph family and they can live between 10-12 years.
Male rabbits are called a buck and a female is called a does. Baby rabbits are called kits.
Rabbits also require annual vaccinations to protect them from a variety of diseases. These are Myxomatosis and Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic disease 1 & 2.
The rabbits we have have at the farm consist of Mini Lops, Argenté and Netherland Dwarf crosses.
Guniea Pigs
Guinea Pigs are part of the rodent family. A male is called a boar and a female is called a sow. Baby Guinea Pigs are called pups. They can live between 6-8 years.
We have a variety of guinea pig breeds we have are Peruvian, Abyssinian and American crested and short coat.
What do we eat?
Rabbits and Guinea Pigs are herbivores. Their diet consists of 85% hay, 5% pellets/nuggets and 10% vegetables, fruit or forage. There are many different plants and weeds that your rabbits love that you can find in your garden or local park. For more information on what you can forage for rabbits click here.
Guinea Pigs can't produce Vitamin C and therefore need it adding their diet.
Did you know you should aim to feed them roughly the same amount of hay as their body size each day.
The importance of hay!
Hay is vital for rabbits and guinea pigs for a number of reasons. It provides them roughage to be able to wear down teeth to prevent malocclusion (over grown teeth). These animal teeth continually grown throughout their lives and if they are not provided with anything to chew on they can become overgrown and will cause them severe pain.
It also helps with their digestive systems. Rabbits and guinea pigs are hind gut fermenters which means they have an enlarged caecum (pouch in the large intestines) that is home to loads of beneficial bacteria. This bacteria helps breakdown the grass and hay they eat.