The Rabbit Farmers SA Association-RFSAA

Our Registered members will be participating in the first workshop of 2026
🙏🏻🐰 Let build the future On education.

The Rabbit Farmers South Africa Association is proud to be one of the vendors at this year's Gauteng Exotics Expo. Our mission is to promote and grow the rabbit industry across South Africa, while creating greater visibility for rabbit farmers nationwide.

Join us at the expo to learn more about sustainable rabbit farming, connect with fellow farmers, and discover how RFSAA is working to build a stronger future for the industry.

Together, we can make rabbit farming more recognized, supported, and successful!

The Gauteng Exotics Expo 2026 🎉

Discover the ultimate event for nature and animal lovers. Enjoy an interactive learning experience filled with exciting exhibits, engaging activities, and a variety of vendors showcasing unique finds. With great food, safe parking, and a family-friendly atmosphere, it’s the perfect day out for hobbyists and curious learners alike.

We can’t wait to see you there! 🐍

Welcome to RFSAA basic care guide.

Come see us at the Exotic EXPO on March 27th and 28th
All details BELOW.

See you SOON!

The RFSAA will be part of the Exotic Expo in Fairland, Johannesburg this year. Our aim is to promote and create awareness around the rabbit industry as a whole — including meat production, fancy breeds, welfare, and hobby farming. We hope to spark interest, encourage education, and spread awareness through direct engagement and word of mouth.

We look forward to seeing you there!

𝕎𝕙𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕓𝕓𝕚𝕥 𝕋𝕖𝕖𝕥𝕙 ℕ𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕊𝕥𝕠𝕡 𝔾𝕣𝕠𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕘

Rabbits have a unique dental system. Unlike humans, their teeth never stop growing. This is completely normal and essential for their survival.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗥𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸
• Rabbits have 28 teeth in total
• Both the front teeth and back teeth grow continuously
• Teeth grow about 2–3 mm per week
• Small peg teeth behind the top incisors help with alignment

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴

• Wild rabbits eat tough, fibrous grasses and plants
• Constant chewing causes heavy tooth wear
• Continuous growth replaces the worn tooth surface

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵
• Side-to-side chewing grinds teeth evenly
• Long-stem hay and grass create proper wear
• Hay should make up about 80% of the diet (unlimited)

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗿
• Teeth can overgrow or become misaligned
• Sharp points may form on molars called spurs.
• Pain, ulcers, drooling, and eating difficulty can occur.

𝗣𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵
• Pellets are soft and small and require little chewing
• Pellet-heavy diets do not wear teeth correctly
• Dental problems often develop slowly and unnoticed

𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺𝘀
• Reduced appetite or picky eating
• Dropping food or messy chewing
• Wet chin or front paws
• Weight loss or behavior changes
• visible signs of malocclusion (overgrown teeth)

🎄✨ Merry Christmas to the RFSAA Family ✨🎄

As we come to the end of another year, I want to personally thank each and every one of you for being part of RFSAA. This association is more than just an organisation — it is a community built on shared passion, hard work, and dedication to ethical rabbit farming in South Africa.

Your commitment, support, and willingness to stand together through challenges have not gone unnoticed. I am truly grateful for the unity, respect, and integrity you bring to RFSAA. Because of you, we continue to grow stronger and move forward with purpose.

May this Christmas bring you peace, rest, and meaningful time with your loved ones. I wish you strength, success, and blessings for the year ahead. Thank you for believing in what we are building together.

Regards the RFSAA team

Thanks again Winning Rosettes, Sashes, Ribbons, Garlands for the stunning rosettes done for our October show.
And once again congratulations to all the exhibitor.

We had our second-last workshop for 2025 on the 22nd of November. RFSAA will be hosting more workshops soon for our registered members, and we’ll also open some sessions to non-members in 2026. All workshops are online for everyone’s convenience, and a few of them may require a small fee.

Fly Strike in Rabbits:

Prevention and Treatment Strategies Fly strike, also known as myiasis, is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition in rabbits. It occurs when flies, typically green or blue bottle flies, lay eggs on a rabbit's skin, often around the rear end or wounds. The hatched maggots feed on the rabbit's flesh, causing severe pain, shock, and infection.

Causes and Risk Factors:

*Unkempt or wet fur, especially around the tail or vent area
* Diarrhea or urine scalding that attracts flies
*Warm, humid weather which increases fly activity
* Open wounds or skin infections Signs to Watch For
* Restlessness, hiding, or signs of pain
* Loss of appetite and lethargy
* Foul smell or visible maggots on the skin
* Wet or matted fur around the tail or hindquarters Treatment Strategies
* Carefully remove maggots, clean and disinfect the area. In severe cases, supportive care such as fluids may be necessary, and veterinary intervention may be required.

Prevention Tips:

* Conduct daily checks on your rabbit, especially in warm weather
* Maintain a clean and dry hutch with regular bedding changes, especially on solid floors
*Provide a healthy diet to prevent diarrhea
* Trim soiled fur or knots in wool breeds and keep the rear area clean
* Utilize animal-safe fly repellents.

Ensure your rabbit is free of wounds or skin irritations. Fly strike can develop rapidly and become life-threatening quickly.