Four Methods to Increase Wool Production When Raising Angora Rabbits

1. Provide a reasonable basic daily ration 

The basic daily ration is the ration combination necessary to maintain the growth and physiological activities of Angora rabbits. Wool-producing rabbits generally require 10.37 megajoules/kg of energy, 16% crude protein, 0.4% calcium, 0.21% phosphorus, 11.27% crude fiber, 0.62% lysine, and 0.58% methionine. The feed formula is as follows: peanut vine powder 39.8%, soybean cake 16.0%, cornmeal 26.5%, wheat bran 12%, imported fish meal 3%, bone meal 2.0%, methionine 0.2%, salt 0.5%. 

2. Scientific feeding management 

Feeding management is also very important for increasing wool production. Keep the rabbit hutch clean and hygienic, and clean the rabbit cage once a day. Pay attention to keeping warm in winter and preventing heat in summer. The best temperature is 15-20°C. 

3. Skillfully add amino acids and certain trace elements 

Rabbit wool contains 15% sulfur-containing amino acids, while ordinary mixed daily rations cannot meet the needs of high wool production. Therefore, adding 0.7% methionine to the daily ration can increase wool production by 20%. Certain trace elements in complete compound feed still cannot meet the needs of rabbits for high wool production, so adding appropriate amounts of copper, iron, and zinc to the daily ration can promote the formation of keratinized protein and increase wool production. According to research, adding 30 mg copper, 20 mg iron, and 10 mg zinc per kg of daily ration can increase wool production by 27%. In addition, adding 0.2% sodium sulfate stimulates the gastrointestinal mucosa, can play a certain role in strengthening the stomach, and can supplement the sulfur element content in the feed. 

4. Shear wool at the right time 

Although shearing at 90 days gives a high wool price, after 70 days the growth of rabbit wool becomes extremely slow. In summer, to prevent heat, shearing can be moved earlier to 50 days; in winter, shear at 70 days. This fully utilizes the advantage of fast growth after shearing, and can increase shearing once per year. According to research, shearing at 70 days can increase wool production by about 70% compared with shearing at 90 days.