Bucking the trend Most country dwellers spend considerable time and money trying to rid their land of rabbits. But ANGELA KEMP was delighted to discover a veritable herd of bunnies alive and kicking on a rural block in north Waikato. Rebecca Chitham with mini Rex kits.
18 — Rural Living — July-August 2016
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witching from breeding showwinning Jersey cows to pedigree rabbits was a decision Rebecca Chitham took after finally bowing to a debilitating pain condition following two back operations. The former veterinary nurse runs Whitecloud Rabbitry based in Pukekawa where she keeps 15 breeding bucks and does split between two breeds, miniature Rex and Netherland dwarf. At the time of my visit the herd had grown to 20 owing to the arrival of five mini Rexes, known as kits (short for kittens), chocolate-box perfect at just three weeks. Rebecca has been breeding her prizewinning bunnies for the past two years and her five-month-old Rex rabbit, Anzac, is the current NZ best of breed. “I grew up on dairy farms and have always had a love of animals. I used to breed and show pedigree Jerseys but after two spinal surgeries in 2015, I have been left with an incurable pain condition called central sensitisation. I am constantly in pain. “I had 15-20 Jersey cattle, but had to sell all but four as there was no way I could continue breeding and showing them. “So, I decided to go back to bunnies. www.ruralliving.co.nz