Rex Rabbit Diet Formulation Methods and Breeding Precautions

The Rex Rabbit, scientifically named Rex Rabbit, originated in France. It is a typical fur-type rabbit, and because its fur closely resembles that of the precious fur-bearing animal the otter, it is called the rex rabbit. The rex rabbit has a well-proportioned body, a dewlap under the cheeks, long upright ears, fine and curly whiskers, and fur that is fine, dense, thick, short and smooth, with a glossy and eye-catching appearance and a cool feeling when the coat is touched by hand.

Diet Formulation for Rex Rabbits

Under normal conditions, adult rabbits are supplied daily with 800-1000 g of green feed and 100-250 g of compound feed. The compound feed formula is as follows. Adult rabbits: corn 25%, soybean cake 2%, barley 20%, bone meal 1.5%, wheat bran 40%, salt 0.5%, rice bran 10%, additives and growth hormones 1%, digestible energy 2911 kcal/kg, digestible crude protein 126 g/kg. Young rabbits: corn 17%, soybean cake 20%, barley 17%, fish meal 3%, wheat bran 40%, salt 0.5%, bone meal 1%, growth hormones and additives 1.5%, digestible energy 2939 kcal/kg, digestible crude protein 148 g/kg. In terms of feeding, green feed is dominant in summer and autumn, while green hay and succulent feed are dominant in winter and early spring. When changing feed, do not make the change too sudden; the newly replaced feed should be increased gradually, as changing too quickly can easily cause reduced feed intake or refusal to eat. Green feed should be diversified in variety and not fed as a single variety for a long time, so as to increase palatability. In winter, when green feed supply is difficult, high-quality hay can be increased. For lactating female rabbits, green feed must not be interrupted, and they should be given special care. When feeding coarse powder feed, it should be mixed and stirred evenly, and before feeding it should be moistened with warm water at 1:1; generally, the standard is that when wet feed is grasped in the hand, water seeps between the fingers but does not drip down. Mix it for immediate use, and do not mix too much at one time, so as to ensure the freshness and palatability of the feed.

As an important specialty breeding animal, the rex rabbit has been accepted in many regions, and a large number of rex rabbit farms have emerged one after another, which also creates a drawback: the breeding levels of raisers vary, which may cause large numbers of rex rabbits to die. So, in order to ensure profits, what issues should we pay attention to when raising rex rabbits?

1. Key Points for Selection

Be sure to select a high-quality male rabbit with a strong body, large and spirited eyes, a plump rump, strong limbs, well-proportioned body parts, and strong libido as the sire, and select offspring rabbits with good maternal qualities as the dam. Good maternal qualities include abundant milk production, a gentle temperament, pulling fur to make a nest before kindling, and no bad habit of eating newborn rabbits.

2. Key Points for Production Management

1. Prepare well before kindling: about 3-4 days before kindling, the female rabbit begins to carry straw to make a nest. The raiser should prepare a kindling box for her in advance, and when the time comes, spread bedding straw, which should be soft, cut short, sun-dried and disinfected. At the same time, prepare some green, succulent, palatable forage for the female rabbit and put it into the rabbit cage together with the bedding straw, and place some drinking water with added brown sugar to help the female rabbit lactate.

2. Let the newborn rabbits receive colostrum in time: rex rabbits generally nurse once a day, and nursing should be done at fixed times.

3. Effectively pay attention to preventing and treating mastitis in female rabbits and yellow urine disease in newborn rabbits: check carefully and frequently, and once illness is found in the female or newborns, treat it immediately. If treatment is too late, it can lead to the death of the entire litter of newborn rabbits; even if it is discovered late or treatment is not timely, it will increase the mortality rate, and even if the newborn rabbits do not die, they will grow slowly.

4. Frequently check whether the newborn rabbits can eat their fill or whether the female rabbit's milk is sufficient: if individual newborn rabbits are found not to eat their fill, they can be supplemented separately once; if most newborn rabbits cannot eat their fill because the female rabbit's milk is insufficient, measures can be taken to avoid the newborn rabbits starving to death. In addition, prevent cold damage in winter, prevent heat in summer, and prevent rodent damage year-round.

3. Key Points for Raising Young Rabbits

At about 18 days, some tender grass with good palatability can be given to begin training supplementary feeding. By 22 days of age, easily digestible and nutrient-rich concentrate feed can be supplemented, added in small amounts frequently, fed 4-5 times a day. When starting supplementary feeding, some digestive tablets, olaquindox, garlic, onions, etc. can be added. After 22 days of age, move the newborn rabbits into young rabbit cages, and each day bring the female rabbit into the young rabbit cage for nursing.

4. Key Points for Vaccination

At 7 days after birth, newborn rabbits should be given chloramphenicol nasal drops, 2 drops each time, for 3 consecutive days, then stop for 10 days and give 1 more time; at 18 days, inject 1 ml of Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccine, and after 7 days inject 2 ml; at 18 days of age when starting feeding, add digestive tablets and olaquindox to prevent gastroenteritis; at 20-22 days of age, inject 2 ml of Pasteurella vaccine; at weaning, inject 1 ml of rabbit plague vaccine, then stop for 10 days and inject 2 ml of triple vaccine. After weaning, add chlorobenzoguanide to the feed and feed continuously for 45 days to prevent coccidiosis.