What are the differences in habits between Rex rabbits and domestic rabbits?

The main comparisons between Rex rabbits and domestic rabbits in terms of living habits are nocturnal activity, drowsiness and cleanliness, among which nocturnal activity and cleanliness are similar to domestic rabbits, while drowsiness is more pronounced than in domestic rabbits.

Nocturnal activity

According to observations, Rex rabbits are similar to other domestic rabbits, having the habit of being quiet by day and active by night, that is, they are very quiet during the day, while at night they are frequently active, feeding and drinking. Measurements show that the nighttime feed intake of Rex rabbits accounts for about 60% of the total. This characteristic must be taken into account in feeding and management, and the feeding schedule should be arranged reasonably; at night, sufficient hay, feed and water should be provided, especially in hot summer, when nighttime feeding should be further strengthened. Large rabbit farms had best implement a night duty system; for small-scale household rabbit keeping, it is enough to add hay, feed and water at night.

Drowsiness

Compared with other domestic rabbits, Rex rabbits more easily enter a state of drowsiness or sleep under certain conditions, especially during the day they appear very quiet, and apart from a small amount of feeding and drinking, they often lie still, close their eyes to rest, or even sleep; this habit is called drowsiness. This characteristic must be taken into account in feeding and management work, and the feeding schedule should be arranged reasonably; apart from feeding and routine management work, the rabbit hutch environment should be kept as quiet as possible to facilitate rest.

Cleanliness

Rex rabbits, similar to other domestic rabbits, like a clean and dry living environment. Time has proven that clean and dry environmental conditions can ensure the health of Rex rabbits, normal growth and development, and reproduction of offspring, while a damp and filthy environment often leads to the spread of infectious and parasitic diseases, because a damp and filthy environment is a favorable condition for the pathogens of infectious and parasitic diseases. Rex rabbits have relatively poor disease resistance, and once ill they are generally difficult to treat, often bringing great losses to the keeper. Therefore, according to this habit of Rex rabbits, in daily feeding and management work, the cage and hutch environment must be kept clean and dry.