Our Husbandry Philosophy

How Bear Paw Rabbits Are Raised

At Bear Paw Rabbitry, our husbandry practices are built around consistency, thoughtful breeding, and the long-term health of our Rex rabbits. The information below reflects the daily care our rabbits receive here at home — from feed and housing to enrichment and environmental needs.

Every rabbitry operates a little differently, but this page outlines the standards our rabbits are raised with and the level of care we encourage new owners to continue when bringing a Bear Paw rabbit home.

Feed & Nutrition

We feed locally milled, non-GMO, alfalfa-based pellets sourced from “Wood’s Hay & Grain” in Sandpoint, Idaho — sometimes repacked regionally under the “Kaniksu” brand. Kaniksu pellets are sold by the great people at locally-owned “Mary’s Feed Store” in Oldtown, Idaho. Our grower ration is an 18% protein pellet designed to support steady growth, condition, and strong development. We feed this same pellet feed to all age groups.

Rabbits living in groups — including litters with or without their mother, growouts, pregnant does, nursing does, and rabbits up to about five months old — are free-fed pellets morning and evening so that feed is always available.

Adult rabbits living individually transition to a measured feeding routine after roughly five months of age. On average, bucks and does receive one cup of pellets once daily, usually in the evening. Allowing adults to finish their pellets each day helps maintain healthy body condition and prevents excess weight gain, which can impact breeding success and overall longevity. Note, however, that our adult rabbits have free feed hay nearly 24/7 so they always have something to snack on. Every rabbit is unique and has different eating and drinking habits—we watch and feed them accordingly. The one cup of pellets per day is a suggested starting point for adult single rabbits and we adjust from there.

Nursing does are given a small handful of rolled oats (whole oats — not instant) and one to two tablespoons of black oil sunflower seeds (BOSS) morning and evening immediately after kindling. These additions support milk production, help replenish calories after labor, and assist does during the demanding nursing period.

Timothy Hay: Essential Fiber & Daily Enrichment

Because our pellets are alfalfa-based, we provide timothy hay 24/7 as a foundational part of the diet. Hay supports healthy digestion, keeps the gut active, and plays a key role in preventing issues such as GI stasis or bloat. With consistent access to quality hay, we have not experienced these problems in our kits or adults.

We believe the extra mess and waste are worth it. Rex rabbits are large animals, and hay provides both nutritional fiber and low-calorie enrichment that helps prevent boredom without overfeeding pellets or treats.

Hay is offered in metal hay feeders and kept full during morning and evening checks. We prefer three-string bales from local feed stores to ensure consistent quality, and all hay should be kept clean and dry.

Watering: Bowls First, Bottles as Backup

Our rabbits are raised using water bowls, and our kits grow up drinking from crocks rather than bottles. Heavy ceramic crocks are sturdy, easy to clean, and hold up well in our North Idaho winters, when water may need to be thawed and refreshed daily.

Fresh clean well water is provided morning and evening, with additional checks during hot weather. On especially warm summer days — particularly if we will be away from the rabbitry — water bottles may be added as a backup source to ensure rabbits remain hydrated even if a bowl is tipped.

Housing, Space & Environmental Needs

Bear Paw rabbits are raised in a covered outdoor rabbitry using a combination of outdoor freestanding hutches and stacker cages housed in our “barn” shed. Hutches outside the barn are shaded and protected from the elements, but are otherwise fully outdoors year-round. The triple-stacker cages in our barn primarily house our breeding does and young kits, so the barn acts as our nursery as it is more protected from the elements of our North Idaho mountain climate.

During the warmer months, we expand space by running rabbit tractors on the lawn for growouts, timing breedings in the winter and spring to take advantage of the extra square footage when grass is available.

Rex rabbits thrive in cooler temperatures as long as they are living in sheltered, dry conditions. Shade is essential year-round — they are always wearing a warm fur coat. Protection from wind, direct sun, and moisture is key to maintaining coat quality and overall health.

Cage Size & Flooring Standards

Because Rex are a large breed, we recommend a minimum cage size of 30" × 36" for adult rabbits. Proper flooring is especially important for their comfort and long-term health.

Flooring wire should be ½" × 1" galvanized after weld (GAW) with a minimum of 14-gauge wire, and absolutely no lighter than 16-gauge GAW. Rex rabbits must always have resting mats available due to their size and the naturally short fur on their feet. Failure to provide proper resting mats will result in sore hocks in Rex rabbits.

Side walls may be constructed using 1" × 1" wire, or 1” x 1 1/2” wire, but cages housing new kits should include babysaver wire or solid urine guards along the lower 4–6 inches to prevent escape.

Enrichment, Chewing & Natural Materials

Rabbits need more than feed and water to thrive. We regularly provide safe chewing materials such as non-pitted fruit tree branches (apples, pears, etc.), willow sticks and stumps, raspberry canes (fresh and dried), and herbs from our garden. These natural materials support dental health, reduce boredom, and allow rabbits to express normal behaviors. We do not feed fruit or other treats due to their high sugar content.

Clean, safe wood to chew on is more than enrichment — it is an important part of maintaining oral health and overall wellbeing.

Handling, Grooming & Daily Interaction

At Bear Paw Rabbitry, daily interaction is an important part of how our rabbits are raised. Each rabbit is handled regularly for nail trims, coat checks, and routine health evaluations. Rex rabbits require consistent nail maintenance, and these handling sessions help keep them comfortable while reinforcing calm, confident behavior around people.

Grooming time provides more than cosmetic care — it gives us frequent opportunities to notice subtle changes in coat condition, body weight, or overall health so concerns can be addressed early. After nail trims, our rabbits often practice being posed up and evaluated, learning to relax on the table and becoming familiar with the routines they may experience in an ARBA show hall, should they make it past evaluations.

We talk to our rabbits, spend time with them, and genuinely enjoy their company. While our rabbits serve an important homestead purpose, they are also raised with love, respect, and affection — because a well-cared-for rabbit is a happy and healthy rabbit, and a happy, healthy rabbit is simply more enjoyable to raise.

A Note to New Owners

This page reflects how Bear Paw rabbits are raised every day. We share these practices not as strict rules, but as a foundation that has proven successful for our breeding program and the health of our animals. Continuing similar care at home helps ensure a smooth transition and allows each rabbit to thrive long after leaving the rabbitry.

These practices reflect the environment our rabbits are accustomed to from birth.