4-H Animal Science Resource Blog

STEM Connections, know-how & Inspiration

Rutgers NJAES logo
  • Alpaca/Llama
  • Dairy Cattle
  • Dog
  • Goat
  • Herpetology
  • Horse and Pony
  • Poultry
  • Rabbit/Cavy/Small Animal
  • Sheep
  • Swine

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease

May 10, 2021

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) is a highly contagious and fatal disease that affects both wild and domestic rabbits. Until 2020, it had not been known to affect any North American native rabbits, however, cases of the disease have been reported in cottontail rabbits and hares as well as in domestic rabbits in states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Animal Health, Current Issue, Rabbit/Cavy/Small Animal Tagged With: animal health, Rabbit Disease, Rabbits

Rabbit Ear Mites and Canker

April 30, 2019

Rabbit ear mites are a common parasitic problem responsible for the condition known as ear canker. Considered one of the most common mites of rabbits, it also causes infection in cavies, horses, goats, sheep, and cattle. Left untreated, canker can lead to secondary bacterial infections of the skin or invade the middle and inner ear leading to neurological disorders and fatal … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Animal Health, Current Issue, Rabbit/Cavy/Small Animal Tagged With: animal health, ear canker, ear mites, mites, Rabbits

Management Tips – Winter Care of Laying Hens

February 18, 2019

In order to keep laying hens productive through the winter months, it is vital to keep them well fed and watered, warm, healthy, and comfortable. Below are some management tips to help you properly care for your laying hens in the winter: Warmth:  Laying hens begin to slow egg production when temperatures drop below 55 degrees F. Provide adequate warmth for the birds and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Animal Health, Ask the Expert, Current Issue, Poultry Tagged With: Chickens, laying hens, poultry, winter care

Winter Care for Rabbits

February 15, 2019

rabbit

Winter is a difficult time for many animals, including rabbits. Rabbits are more able to cope with cold weather conditions than hot conditions, but given the wrong conditions, rabbits can suffer from exposure, frostbite, and decreased body temperature.  Smaller breeds of rabbits may be more susceptible to cold temperatures than larger breeds of rabbits because their small body … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Animal Health, Ask the Expert, Current Issue, Rabbit/Cavy/Small Animal Tagged With: Rabbits, winter care

State 4-H Small Animal Educational Symposium Set for February 23

January 30, 2019

The State 4-H Small Animal Educational Symposium will be held on Saturday, February 23, 9:15 am-3:45 pm at the Office of Government Services building located at 1200 North Delsea Drive in Clayton (Gloucester County). The Symposium will provide an opportunity for 4-H members, leaders, and parents to participate in a variety of educational events. Workshops and activities … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Club Programming Idea, Featured Resource, Field Trip, Herpetology, Poultry, Rabbit/Cavy/Small Animal Tagged With: educational symposium, Herpetology, New Jersey 4-H, Rabbits, Small Animals, workshops

Rabies – Protecting Your Rabbits and Small Animals

December 11, 2018

What is Rabies? Rabies is a deadly disease of animals and humans. It is endemic in New Jersey and there are over 300 cases in the state every year. Rabies is a virus that attacks the central nervous system in mammals (warm-blooded animals). The virus is present primarily in the saliva, brain tissue, and spinal fluid of a rabid animal and is transmitted by a bite, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Animal Health, Ask the Expert, Current Issue, Rabbit/Cavy/Small Animal Tagged With: Ferrets, Rabbits, Rabies, Small Animals

Hop to It – Rabbit Hopping and Agility

May 15, 2018

What is Rabbit Hopping? Rabbit hopping originated in Sweden in the early 1970’s. It was patterned after miniature horse jumping. The first national rabbit hopping championship was held in 1987 in Sweden. The popularity of hopping has spread throughout Europe, and now there are rabbit hopping clubs in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Germany, and the UK. Rabbit hopping … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Club Programming Idea, Rabbit/Cavy/Small Animal Tagged With: Rabbit Agility, Rabbit Hopping

Pullorum-Typhoid Disease

May 15, 2018

Are your chickens and other birds Pullorum-Typhoid Disease free? As you are making plans to show or exhibit your poultry and fowl at County 4-H Fairs and other public venues this summer, be sure to make arrangements to have your chickens and other birds tested by a certified tester to document that they are Pullorum-Typhoid clean. What is Pullorum Disease and Fowl … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ask the Expert, Current Issue, Poultry Tagged With: Pollurum; Pollurum-Typhoid Disease

Chicken History

April 12, 2018

Domestication of the chicken dates back to at least 2000 B.C. and their ancestry can be traced back to four species of wild jungle fowl from Southeast Asia. However, the Red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus or Gallus bankiva) is the most commonly found wild species in the world today and is considered the main ancestor of the domestic chicken. The chicken belongs to the genus … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Poultry Tagged With: Chickens, Fowl

Cavy Lice

April 12, 2018

louse from guinea pig

Cavy lice, sometimes referred to as running lice, are host specific and need a guinea pig to survive. These lice are considered chewing lice, not sucking lice, and actually abrade the skin to obtain fluid. The most common type of louse is Gliricola porcelli. This is a slender, flattened, light colored (white to pale) insect about 1 to 1.5 mm in size with no wings. The lice … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Current Issue, Featured Resource, Rabbit/Cavy/Small Animal Tagged With: Cavy Lice

Next Page »

Content Type

  • STEM Learning
  • Career Profile
  • Field Trip
  • Ask the Expert
  • Club Programming Idea
  • Current Issue
  • Featured Resource
  • Focus on STEM

Statewide NJAES Events

Visit the NJAES Calendar »

sign up for monthly updates

Subscribe by Email or RSS

A Project of New Jersey 4-H Youth Development

New Jersey 4-H provides educational outreach programming for youth in grades K-13 (one year out of high school) through 4-H clubs, special interest programs, school enrichment, afterschool programs, and overnight camping.

Regardless of the subject matter – whether it be science, healthy living or citizenship, 4-H uses a learn-by-doing approach to help youth learn responsibility, community awareness and character development.

New Jersey 4-H Youth Development is a department of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

Copyright © 2023 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is an equal access/equal opportunity institution.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any accessibility issues with Rutgers web sites to: accessibility@rutgers.edu or complete the Report Accessibility Barrier or Provide Feedback Form. | Webmaster | Log in