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The proper Lifting and Lowering of a Rabbit

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The proper Lifting and Lowering of a Rabbit

What a you should know about caring of a rabbit

Every now and then it is necessary to pick up a rabbit. If it is to take then to another enclosure, put them in a transport basket, lift them to examine them more closely or for whatever reason. Depending on the nature of the animal (anxious, shy, aggressive), preparations may be necessary (creating a basis of trust). If the ‘chemistry’ between rabbit and human is right, it is possible to lift the rabbit without harming it. The following steps will shortly explain how to pick a rabbit up safely and set it down again:

As a prey creature, the rabbit is a flight-animal by nature, among its natural main-enemies are gripping-birds. If a human wants to access the rabbit from above, it will defend itself against being picked up with the danger of breaking its backbone by kicking its hind legs. Against this background one must

  • establish a basis of trust
  • carefully accustom the animal to the lift
  • first familiarise the rabbit with the touch of your hand

A rabbit must never be pulled up by the ears, legs, neck or tail. The risk of injuries of the soft tissues, dislocation of the joints, bone fractures, spinal fracture is too high. In order to be able to receive the animal properly and safely one must

  • place one hand under the chest of the rabbit, fixate the rabbit’s front legs with your thumb
  • put your other hand under the rabbit’s buttocks, and fixate the hind legs with your fingers

To carefully get used to lifting, one should

  • lift the front legs slightly
  • resettle on the ground
  • reward the rabbit
  • repeat the exercise
  • later lift the hind legs just as easily

Now the rabbit can be lifted carefully. So that it cannot flee, one must grasp it well.

In order to put the rabbit down again without danger, you must

  • continue to hold it well
  • squat or kneel down
  • lead it carefully to the ground
  • let it go carefully

Source: Four Paws

What’s that bump by my bird’s tail?

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bird

What’s that bump by my bird’s tail?

The uropygial gland

The uropygial gland, more commonly known as the preen gland or oil gland, can be seen at the base of a bird’s tail. While this gland is lacking in many parrot species (such as Amazons), it can be easily seen in African Greys and budgies and is present in most parrot species. As the name suggests, this gland secretes a clear, oily substance that is spread throughout the feathers during preening. This oily layer aids in waterproofing feathers and maintaining their condition. Interestingly, the oil may help protect against bacterial skin infections, too.

We all know how good unfiltered sunlight is for our beloved feather kids, and this is linked to the uropygial gland. The secretions contain vitamin D precursors, and during exposure to UV light, are converted to vitamin D3, which is then ingested during preening. This ingested vitamin D is important for calcium absorption in parrots.

The gland can look different depending on species, but we have attached a couple of examples for reference. Thank you to our community for allowing us to use these photos. It is a good idea to check this gland from time to time as it can become inflamed or blocked. Always consult with your veterinarian if you have any concerns.

What does your bird’s preen gland look like?

Written by: Giselle Diemer

Source: Cheeky Beaks