DB—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 12,1983 Prevent rabbit disease through management To prevent disease and health disorders in rabbits watch their behavior and restrict them on what they want but give them what they need and have to have. Examples are as follows: Rabbits want fresh juicy vegetables, too many pellets, too much fruit, which may give them diarrhea. Rabbits need a balanced pelleted ration In restricted quantities along with a little (10 percent of diet) high quality legume hay. They need an adequate en vironment to live in. Rabbits have to have adequate fresh unpolluted air • without air a rabbit will die in minutes. Rabbits have to have water. Without water for a few days they die; they may get sick in just a few hours off water. These simple necessities are overlooked by some producers. Here are a few ideas to pursue with your rabbits to help them resist disease and stay healthy. Genetically select rabbits for resistance to disease. This is controversial; whereas some say it can be done, others say it cannot. Some professional geneticists say it cannot be done. Many breeders with experience say selective breeding can build resistance to disease over several generations. Study this question; I believe the answer is somewhere in the middle - rabbits which build antibodies to SMUCKER’S SALES SERVICE, INC. RD #2, BOX 21 NEW HOLLAND. PA 17557 FOR PROMPT SERVICE CALL 717-354-4158 OR IF NO ANSWER CALL 717-354-4374 CfricHco Coop Update on the poultry industry By fierh Jordai> Penn State Extension Poultry Specialist overcome disease can transmit this ability to off-spring at least to a degree for some diseases. Examine your own breeding records. Environment can cause health disorders if improperly managed: • Ammonia gas from bacterial action in wet manure left under cages more than 4 days increases susceptibility to respiratory disease and leads to poor reproductivity and death. • High temperatures above 80 F are damaging to the rabbit and will cause poor health and death if relative humidity is above GO percent at the same time. Tem peratures above 90 F and 90 per cent RH rapidly cause death. • Intense light kept on 24 hours a day seems to cause abnormal behavior and poor health in rab bits. k- Nutrients that are inadequate or toxic can cause poor health or death. Rabbits are sensitive to toxic residues in feed such as mycotoxins from mold or fungus. Hay can cause sickness and death if sprayed with pesticide or her bicide before it is fed to rabbits. Feed rabbits only fresh, pure feed ingredients which contain adequate nutrients. If in doubt ask a nutritionist, have a lab test the feed or change feeds temporarily to see if rabbits respond positively or negatively. Positive responses are better health, faster growth, higher quality coat, more energy. more constructive behavior or more successful reproduction and lactation. f' Health in rabbits can be ob served by a clear eye, no drainage from nose, mouth or vent area, and quality coat, normal behavior and healthy ears. i' Abnormal behavior of rabbits can result in damage to the herd or litter. Handle rabbits frequently enough to keep them behaving properly around people. Protect them from fright, loud noise, predators, mites, and anything that will infect, infest, damage or harm rabbits. When rabbits appear to be sick or behave abnormally, check the following: Feet, ear, skin, vent, nose, mouth, nipple, eye. Feed quality, quantity, and proper ratio of nutrients. Water - keep it fresh, clear and unpolluted. Air - keep it fresh, clean and unpolluted. Salt block - adequate. Hutch floor or litter for filth, manure or urine bums. Nest box cleanliness, in sulation, litter, etc. Density of muscle is the rabbit light in weight for its size? Energy of rabbit - is it nor mal? Time of day, age of rabbit or season of year may help solve the problem. HENRY K. FISHER INC. SANDBLASTING AND SPRAY PAINTING Aerial Ladder Equipment 667 Hartman Station Rd. Lancaster, PA 393-6530 FARM COMPUTER SEMINAR Topics to be discussed: • What can a computer do for me on my farm? • How do I decide which computer to buy? • How much will it cost? • How do I learn how to operate it? Plus demonstrations and operation of farm programs Seminar will be a “hands-on” seminar, with the partici pants operating the computers. Wives are encouraged to attend. Apple computers will be used in seminar. Cost Per Person...s2o.oo; or $25.00...F0r Husband & Wife, Lunch included. Call now for reservations. Maximum number of persons per session is 20. LANCASTER, PA THE OFFICE WORKS Computer Learning Center 29 E. King Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 FEBRUARY 15,1983 (Full) MARCHS, 1983 (Open) st Weather - such as heat, wind, chill factor or changes in tem perature. Humans who sabotage rabbits by intent or by negligence. Pet dogs, cats or other predators. Pesticides if in' use nearby may cause problems. Rat tracking powder if used nearby may contaminate feet. Drag toxicity to rabbits - read HARRISBURG - New executive committee members were elected by the Pennsylvania Farmers Union Board of Directors at their meeting last Monday, held in conjunction with the organization’s 11th annua] state convention. . According to President James Brown, the newly added members are Forney Longenecker, Lan caster Co.; Irk McConnell, Washington Co.; Sam Reed, Clinton Co.; Jade Rynd, Crawford Co.; and William Sturges, Tioga- Potter Co. The Board also selected a delegate for the National Farmers Union convention which will be held in San Diego, Feb. 27 through March 2. Barbara Woods, PFU CALL FOR RESERVATIONS -- fc -717-397-7721 Auinorred Deduct Complete Apple Seles, Setvfee end Support Specializing in Agricultural Computers PFU selects ex. committee e Hydro Heater. Baker Stoves Or Fireplace Inserts 1 “Before You Buy- Give Us A Try" J&A STOVE SALES 3753 East Newport Road, Gordonvilte, Pa. 17529 ROUTE 772 -■/; MILE EAST OF INTERCOURSE THE OFFICE WORKS Computer Learning Center 241 Chocolate Ave. Hershey, PA 17033 FEBRUARY 22,1983 (Open) the label on all medicines. Drug level in feed or watei may be mixed incorrectly. Behavior of all rabbits as a clue to problem or solution. Environment for abnormal physical factors. Genetic weakness of family or parent stock. Space given rabbit - is it adequate? vice president, was chosen. The entire state delegation also elected Allen Deiter, Northumberland Co. and Albert Bentz, York Co., to represent PFU, along with President Brown.' Alternates chosen were Walter Jordan, Jefferson Co. and Charles Kalinowski, Wyoming-Sullivan Cos. Woods, who with her busbaiuL Bob, is a Franklin County dairjl farmer, said she hopes to help delegates from other parts of the United Stales to better understand Pennsylvania farmers’ problems. President Brown said they also hope to join with all delegates in adopting strategies which will improve the outlook for all of the nation’s farmers. 717-768-8913 HERSHEY, PA *
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers