Educators' Guide for Pedagogy and Assessment

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Unit: 3. Rabbit Care and Genetics

Agribusiness

Learning Outcome: 1. I can understand the morphologies and genetic principles of rabbit production.

1 I can state the most important features required in common rabbit breeds and hybrids in relation to their breeding purpose.
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
History: the wild rabbit, domestication of the rabbit, economic importance.Rabbit anatomy: overview of skeletal, muscular, respiratory, circulatory, digestive and nervous systems of the rabbit, skin, external appearance.
Common Rabbit Breeds:

• Meat Market: New Zealand White; Californian; Hyla


• Pet: Netherland dwarf; Lionhead; Flemish giant;


• Fur Industry: Rex; Angora

 
Important features:

• Meat Market: rapid growth and maturation; high muscle to bone ratio.


• Pet: long life span; friendly personality;


• Fur Industry: dense coat and homogenous coat; colour; 

2 I can define the terms allele, gamete, gene/DNA, and chromosome.
WRITING
3 I can outline Mendel's first law and second law.
WRITING
Mendel's first, second and third laws and their implications.
4 I can distinguish between the basic concepts of mitosis and meiosis.
WRITING
Basic overview of Mitosis: for cell replication;
Basic overview of Meiosis: for gamete formation.
1 I can select the rabbits with the required features for future breeding
COGNITIVE LEARNING
Selection of rabbits:

• 
  General Features: alert and lively; has clear eyes; shiny coat; free from disease; free from disorder; parents have the required physical traits; blood lines;- For meat production: weight gain; final weight;
  - For show rabbits: according to standards for four breeds;
  - For fur industry;
  


• Males: at least six months old; in possession of robust and good muscular structure; are not indifferent to females; testes should be well visible;


• Females: correct weight according to breed; have at least eight visible mammary glands, produce a good number of kits per litter.

2 I can predict the distribution of traits in F1 and F2 generations using Mendel’s laws.
COGNITIVE LEARNING
Terms: Homozygous dominant; Homozygous recessive; Heterozygous.
Distribution of traits in F1 and F2 using genetic diagrams through Mendel's law: Genetic cross diagram or Punnet square diagram.

Learning Outcome: 2. I can undertake adequate feed, water and housing conditions for rabbits at different growth stages. 

5 I can describe favourable microclimatic conditions for growing rabbits.
READING AND UNDERSTANDING
Microclimatic conditions: Quality of air/ventilation; temperature; lighting; humidity.    
3 I can explain the feed, water and housing/cage requirements of meat/show rabbits in different stages of their lives.
CREATIVE LEARNING
Life stages: e.g. Kit, juvenile, adult, parent stock.
Digestive System
Feed:

• General nutritional requirements: proteins; carbohydrates; fats; fibre; minerals; vitamins;


• Special dietary requirements according to the type of rabbit and life stage:

       - Meat Rabbit: protein; fat; calcium
       - Show Rabbits: protein; fibre; calcium
Water: Available and uncontaminated;
Housing/Cage requirements: 

• General requirements: LN 244 of 2013 Protection of Animals offered in Pet Shops (Minimum Standards) Regulations; inner nest box for breeding females (does).


• Meat rabbit: fattening cage:


• Show rabbit: large cage.

1 I can demonstrate correct practice for feeding, watering and cleaning tasks in rabbit production using appropriate PPEs. 
CREATIVE
Correct Practices:

• Feeding: amount and type of feed according to life stage; according to growing objective; good feeding practice;


• Watering: free flowing;


• Cleaning: cleaning of the cage and nest box; cleaning of  equipment for feeding and watering; removing of excrement;


• PPE: gloves; overall; appropriate attire.

Learning Outcome: 3. I can apply adequate preventive and curative measures against diseases, parasites and disorders common in rabbits.

6 I can identify the most common rabbit diseases and disorders.
WRITING
Rabbit diseases:

• Gastrointestinal: coccidiosis;


• Respiratory disease: snuffles; pasteurellosis;


• Viral disease: myxomatosis; viral haemorrhagic disease;


• Ear and skin: ear canker;

Rabbit Disorders: malocclusion/buck teeth; sore hocks;
7 I can identify the causes of rabbit diseases and disorders and the correct prevention measures for rabbits.
READING AND UNDERSTANDING
Probable Causes - Diseases:

• Gastrointestinal: e.g. transport stress, not enough crude fibre, too much protein, watering from contaminated sources; 


• Respiratory: e.g. dust/ammonia; abroupt change in temperature; airflow;


• Viral diseases: lack of proper vaccination;


• Ear and skin: mites;  

Probable Causes - Disorders:

• Malocclusion/buckteeth: inbreeding;


• Sore hocks: inadequate flooring for breed.

Prevention measures: good hygiene; vaccinations; regular inspection; proper microclimatic and housing conditions; farm bio-security; good recordkeeping; adequate feeding; clean and disinfect water system; good feed storage; farm disinfection. 
4 I can justify the proper treatments for different diseases, disorders and pests.
LEARNING TO LEARN
Bacterial:

• Diseases: e.g. Coccidiosis, Snuffles, Pasteurellosis


• Treatment: drugs and/or antibiotics

Viral:

• Diseases: Myxomatosis, Viral haemorrhagic disease


• Treatment: culling;

Parasitic Disease:

• Disease: Ear canker


• Treatment: ear drops/vaccination;

Disorders:

• Types of disorders:Malocclusion/buckteeth, sore hocks


• Treatment of Malocclusion/buckteeth: cutting the teeth with sharp pliers to the gums


• Treatment of sore hocks: applying disinfectants,

Pests

• Types of Pests: Mites, Fleas


• Treatment: insecticide/vaccination

2 I can monitor a rabbit's health condition to assess current status through documentation and by using the appropriate PPEs. 
PRACTICAL

• 
  Rabbit's health condition:
  
  
  • 
    free from disease, disorders and pests
    • check-up: eyes, ears, mouth, genitals, rear, coat, feet.
    
    
  
  
  • normal appetite
  
  
  • vaccinations
  
  
  
  


• PPE'S: gloves and overall to protect against zoonoses and allergies.

Learning Outcome: 4. I can explain the reproductive system and the reproduction phases of rabbits. 

8 I can describe the structure and function of a rabbit's reproductive system.
WRITING
Males: e.g. penis, testes, prostate, Cowper's gland, seminal vesicle, urethra;
Females: e.g. ovaries, vulva, uterus, cervix, vagina, uterotubal junction.                                        
9  I can describe a rabbit's behaviour and anatomical features as related to its reproductive stage
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Anatomical features:

• Males: well developed genitals;


• Females: vulva becomes red and is larger

Behaviour:

• Males: become more agressive; mounting; spraying of urine; scent marking;


• 
  Females: raise tail; assume lordosis
  

3 I can conduct a basic reproductive scheme for commercial rabbits.
PRACTICAL
Reproductive phases: copulation; ovulation; fertilisation; gestation; birth; lactation;
Phases as affected by surrounding environment: lighting; temperature;
Planning breeding activities: seasonal breeding; breeding schedule.

Learning Outcome: 5. I can understand the importance of humanely slaughtering rabbits for meat production.

10  I can outline the different methods of rabbit slaughtering.
LEARNING TO LEARN
Different methods: Stunning; dislocation; halal; striking.
5 I can explain the importance of slaughtering rabbits using a humane technique in accordance to legislation.
LEARNING TO LEARN

• Importance of humane slaughtering - LN 260 of 2003: Animal Slaughter or Killing (Protection) Regulations

• Act 25 of 2001: Animal Welfare Act

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