The Joy of Raising Rabbits

Rabbits are more than just animals — they are gentle, intelligent, and rewarding companions that can bring joy to families, hobbyists, and homesteaders alike. Whether you are looking for your first pet rabbit or beginning your own small breeding program, owning rabbits is an experience filled with learning, connection, and satisfaction. 

A rabbit can become a beloved family companion with its unique personality, playful nature, and gentle temperament. Watching a young rabbit grow, learning its habits, and building trust through daily care creates a special bond between owner and animal. 

For those interested in breeding, rabbits offer an opportunity to learn about animal care, genetics, responsible breeding practices, and the rewards of raising healthy, quality animals. Starting with the right rabbits and providing proper housing, nutrition, and attention can make rabbit keeping an enjoyable and fulfilling hobby. 

Our goal is to help new rabbit owners begin their journey with healthy, well-cared-for rabbits and the knowledge needed to provide them with a happy life. Whether you are searching for a friendly pet, a future breeding rabbit, or simply want to experience the joy of raising these amazing animals, we are here to help you get started. 

Discover the joy of rabbit ownership — a hobby that brings companionship, responsibility, and lasting memories. 

Rabbit Breeds We Raise and Offer at Loving Touch Homestead

At Loving Touch Homestead in Carlyle, Illinois, we raise and work with a variety of quality rabbit breeds for families, hobbyists, homesteaders, 4-H projects, and responsible breeding programs.

Our rabbits are raised with care and attention to health, temperament, and quality. Whether you are looking for pet rabbits, breeding rabbits, show rabbits, or rabbits for your homestead, we strive to provide healthy, well-cared-for animals.

Rabbit breeds and availability may change throughout the year. Not all rabbit breeds are available at all times, so please contact us for current availability.

We may offer different rabbit breeds including popular pet rabbit breeds, meat rabbit breeds, and show-quality rabbits depending on our current breeding program.

Loving Touch Homestead is committed to providing healthy rabbits for sale in Illinois and helping new and experienced rabbit owners find the right breed for their needs.

Getting Started With Rabbits 

Starting a rabbitry can be a rewarding experience. Whether your goal is pets, showing, breeding, meat rabbits, or simply enjoying rabbits as a hobby, the best approach is to start small, learn proper care, and build from there.

1. Decide Your Purpose

Before buying rabbits, decide what you want to raise them for:

🏡 Pets

Focus on:

• Friendly temperament

• Smaller breeds

• Socialization

Good choices:

• Holland Lop

• Mini Rex

• Lionhead

• Netherland Dwarf

🐰 Breeding / Rabbitry

Focus on:

• Healthy bloodlines

• Good temperament

• Proper housing

• Keeping records

🥩 Meat Production

Focus on:

• Larger breeds

• Fast growth

• Good mothering ability

Common breeds:

• New Zealand

• Californian

• Rex

• Crossbred meat rabbits

2. Choose Your First Rabbits

A good beginner setup:

Option 1: Small start

• 1 buck (male)

• 2–3 does (females)

This allows you to learn without becoming overwhelmed.

Look for rabbits that are:
✅ Active
✅ Bright-eyed
✅ Clean nose and ears
✅ Good body condition
✅ Friendly and easy to handle

3. Prepare Housing Before Bringing Rabbits Home

Have everything ready first.

You will need:

Housing

• Rabbit cages or a safe colony area

• Shelter from weather

• Good ventilation

• Predator protection

Supplies

• Feeders

• Water bottles or bowls

• Hay rack

• Nest boxes

• Grooming supplies

• Cleaning tools

4. Learn Rabbit Nutrition

A healthy rabbit starts with good feed.

Basic diet:
🌾 Unlimited hay
🥣 Quality rabbit pellets
💧 Fresh water daily
🥬 Safe greens as treats

Avoid sudden diet changes.

5. Learn Daily Care

A simple routine:

Morning

✔ Check water
✔ Feed rabbits
✔ Observe behavior

Evening

✔ Check health
✔ Remove waste
✔ Spend time handling rabbits

Daily observation helps you notice problems early.

6. Learn Breeding Basics

Before breeding, understand:

• Rabbit maturity

• Proper breeding age

• Pregnancy length (about 31 days)

• Nest box timing

• Caring for newborn kits

Do not breed just because rabbits are available—breed with a goal.

7. Keep Records

A good rabbitry keeps notes:

Rabbit name:

• Breed:

• Color:

• Birth date:

• Parents:

• Breeding history:

• Litters:

• Health notes:

Records help you improve your rabbits over time.

8. Build Your Rabbitry Reputation

If you plan to sell rabbits:

People appreciate:
✅ Clean rabbits
✅ Honest descriptions
✅ Healthy babies
✅ Good communication
✅ Care instructions for new owners

A small family rabbitry can grow through word of mouth.

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Buying too many rabbits too soon
❌ Breeding without a plan
❌ Poor ventilation
❌ Overfeeding treats
❌ Not quarantining new rabbits
❌ Not learning breed standards

For a Southern Illinois family rabbitry, a nice beginner path would be:

1. Start with one or two breeds

2. Learn their care and colors

3. Raise friendly, healthy rabbits

4. Add breeds only after you are comfortable

Rabbit Care Guide

Whether you are raising rabbits as pets, for breeding, or as part of a rabbitry, good care comes down to proper housing, nutrition, cleanliness, health checks, and daily attention.

🐇 Housing

A rabbit needs a safe, clean, dry living area.

Good housing includes:

✅ Protection from rain, wind, and extreme temperatures
✅ Good ventilation (but no strong drafts)
✅ A clean resting area
✅ Enough room to stand, stretch, and move around
✅ A secure area away from predators

For outdoor rabbits:

• Provide shade during hot weather

• Keep cages off the ground when possible

• Protect from raccoons, dogs, coyotes, and other predators

• Check water often in summer and winter

🌾 Feeding

Hay (most important)

• Provide unlimited grass hay (such as timothy, orchard grass, or meadow hay)

• Hay keeps their digestive system healthy and helps wear down teeth

Pellets

Use a quality rabbit pellet appropriate for:

• Age

• Breed size

• Breeding status

Fresh Foods

Many rabbits enjoy small amounts of:

• Romaine lettuce

• Cilantro

• Parsley

• Kale

• Carrot tops

• Dandelion greens (from chemical-free areas)

Introduce new foods slowly.

Water

• Fresh clean water should always be available

• Check bottles daily

🧹 Cleaning

Clean housing helps prevent disease.

Regular routine:

• Remove wet bedding and manure

• Keep feeders clean

• Wash water containers

• Deep clean cages regularly

Watch for:

• Strong ammonia smell

• Wet fur

• Dirty bottoms

✂️ Grooming

Rabbits groom themselves, but they need help sometimes.

Check:

• Nails (trim when needed)

• Teeth

• Ears

• Coat condition

Long-haired breeds like Lionheads need more brushing.

❤️ Health Checks

Check your rabbits daily.

Look for:

• Bright eyes

• Healthy appetite

• Normal droppings

• Clean nose

• Active behavior

Signs something may be wrong:

• Not eating

• Sitting hunched up

• Diarrhea

• Trouble breathing

• Head tilt

• Runny eyes or nose

• Sudden weight loss

A rabbit that stops eating can become seriously ill quickly.

🐰 Breeding Rabbit Care

For a breeding rabbitry:

Does (females)

Provide:

• Good nutrition before breeding

• Nest box at the correct time

• Quiet area for kindling (giving birth)

Bucks (males)

Provide:

• Good body condition

• Clean housing

• Regular handling

Keep records of:

• Birth dates

• Breeding dates

• Litters

• Colors

• Health history

🐇 Handling Rabbits

Teach rabbits to trust you:

• Approach calmly

• Support the hind feet when lifting

• Handle babies gently

• Spend time with them daily

Never pick a rabbit up by the ears.

Rabbitry Tip

For a small family rabbitry, customers appreciate rabbits that are:
✅ Healthy
✅ Friendly
✅ Well socialized
✅ Clean
✅ Raised with good care

A clean, happy rabbit often tells people more about your rabbitry than anything else.

Contact Us

If you are interested in learning more about our Rabbits, purchasing rabbits or starting your own Rabbit project, we would love to hear from you.

Loving Touch Homestead
"Small Farm, Big Heart.".