Rabbits

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Rabbits

As the demand for meat is falling, rabbits are becoming increasingly rare on Swiss farms. At present, farming families still have around 60,000 animals. Many rabbits live as pets or with hobby breeders. In Switzerland, 44 rabbit breeds are recognised in more than 100 colours. These also include original Swiss breeds such as the Swiss Feh, Tri-Coloured Checkered, Swiss Fox and Swiss Checkered rabbits. They all descend from the wild rabbit.

Ears and tail provide insight into a rabbit’s mood

While rabbits have shorter ears than hares, they are still remarkably large. They don’t only use them for listening, but rather also to signal their state of mind. For example, attentive rabbits holds their ears up straight, while a nervous rabbit will put its ears backwards. A further aspect in a rabbit’s body language is its tail. If the rabbit’s tail is drawn in, this signals that it is feeling fear or uncertainty. When facing upwards, however, the tail shows that the rabbit is in an aggressive mood.

How rabbits and hares differ

While rabbits and hares are similar and come from the same mammal family, they do differ significantly. Hares are much bigger and stronger than rabbits. They have bigger ears and feet. The difference is clear with newborn animals: while hares are born fully developed, rabbits are practically naked at birth and have closed eyes. The lives of the two animals are also different. Rabbits are sociable animals that live in groups. On the other hand, hares are solitary creatures. And while rabbits live in burrows, hares spend their entire life above ground. Hares rest in “forms”, which are shallow depressions in the ground.

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Image: Suisseporcs

Animal welfare

Many farmers do more than the strict Animal Welfare Act requires. They take part in animal welfare programmes and produce for labels. Checks are conducted to ensure that the rules are observed.

Animal welfare

Image: Christine Tholet

On the farm

Have you ever taken a look inside a cowshed? Or asked yourself where your food comes from? Or visited a farm shop? Swiss farming families provide you with a warm welcome and are happy to show you everything there is to discover on their farm and which products they produce. See for yourself at the farm whether what you had imagined corresponds with real life. Will we see you soon?

On the farm