'Getting
Rabbits Right' - updated DVD coming soon
(above)
Press Release in the 'Pet business World news' magazine
57 mins. approx. Release by Rabbit UK.
The message in the video is, like Lew Bevan himself, clear
and blunt - "keep it simple, get it right". There
is no doubting the passion and honesty of the man who has
40 years' experience breeding rabbits and speaks proudly
of an up-bringing around mining, allotments and brass bands
in the dales of south Yorkshire.
The video is broken down into sections, covering the topics
of housing, feeding, care, handling and health. These are
constantly interlaced with a stream of asides and background
knowledge that only a profound understanding of the needs
of the animal would generate.
Video is an excellent medium for Lew to demonstrate the
features that make a good specimen. What to look for in
rabbit housing and the different breeds available.
With an authority that verges on rabbit psychology, the
dos and don'ts of introducing a new animal to its quarters
are discussed, and, in the case of house rabbits, issues
such as safety and hygiene.
Clubs, organisations and the showing of rabbits are a particular
focus - with many show winning specimens featured - and
the differing breed regulations throughout Europe and beyond
are highlighted. Many contact addresses are given for specific
breeds and, for less happy times, the Rabbit Bereavement
Support Line.
One interesting snippet is an historical account of how
the present day mini lop is related to the Flemish giant.
Without doubt, the key to "keep it simple, get it
right" is feeding. Lew tells us to look at the rabbit
in the wild; it eats in the way nature intended –
regularly (up to 100 times a day) in small amounts and a
mixed, high-fibre diet. He is a critic of many commercial
rabbit foods that claim to be 'complete' - he urges the
rabbit keepers to read the ingredients and work out for
themselves how complete they are.
Allied to feeding is health care, and, with the perspective
of prevention being better than cure, and, major topics
are covered.
Apart from the many show-winners Lew has bred over the
years.
A few stars have come from his stables - The Teletubbies
rabbits and Blue Peter personality, Riverdance, who sadly
died during the making of this video, which is dedicated
to his memory.
Gelling Rabbits Right is a serious educational video that
is a joy to watch, but it's a frightening thought that the
majority of rabbits probably enjoy less than half of their
allotted span purely because their owners don't give due
consideration to their animals' nutrition.
