GETTING RABBITS RIGHT WITH LEW BEVAN

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.