What to pay attention to when raising rabbits in high summer temperatures

In the hot summer, if measures to prevent heatstroke and cool down are not taken when raising rabbits, the growth and development of domestic rabbits will be affected, especially with a greater impact on angora rabbits. Therefore, to help domestic rabbits get through the summer safely, the following heatstroke-prevention management measures should be taken.

1. Build a shade awning. In summer, if domestic rabbits are exposed to direct sunlight for 4—6 hours, they will die of heatstroke. Therefore, a shade awning must be built over outdoor rabbit hutches, and for enclosed rabbit houses, doors and windows should be opened for ventilation and cooling.

2. Wet bricks to dissipate heat. In midsummer, place bricks soaked in cool water inside the rabbit hutch; when rabbits lie on them, their body temperature can be lowered.

3. Reduce density. Domestic rabbits raised in groups should be divided into small groups to prevent crowding and overheating. When raised in cages, the number of rabbits per cage should be reduced.

4. Ensure drinking water. Provide plenty of clean, fresh drinking water, and add an appropriate amount of salt, vinegar, mint, etc. to the water.

5. Feed carefully. In summer, domestic rabbits eat very little during the day, so feeding should be chosen during the cool times in the morning and evening each day. Feed more green fodder, and mix a small amount of mashed garlic, chopped onion, chive sections, etc. into the feed to help sterilize and prevent disease. If wet feed is used to feed rabbits, the feed basin should be washed clean and dried in the sun every day to prevent leftover feed from accumulating and becoming moldy. In addition, tofu residue should be fed fresh, and only as much as they will eat should be given, to prevent leftover feed from becoming moldy and spoiled.

6. Cut rabbit fur. After summer begins, trim the fur on the neck, back, and waist of domestic rabbits alternately, and also cut some of the fur on other parts appropriately. For angora rabbits, cut the fur completely once before summer arrives.

7. Spray water to cool down. When the temperature in the hutches and housing exceeds 30 degrees C, an appropriate amount of clean water can be sprinkled on the ground and around the walls to help lower the temperature.

8. Do a good job of sanitation. Summer has high temperatures and high humidity, which is the most unfavorable season for raising rabbits; in this season, the morbidity and mortality rates of domestic rabbits are the highest in the year. Therefore, doing a good job of sanitation in the rabbit housing is extremely important. Drainage ditches should be dug around the rabbit housing, and there must be no stagnant ponds. The rabbit housing should be disinfected regularly to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.

9. Care for young rabbits. Unweaned young rabbits should be kept in spacious rabbit cages and raised in separate cages from the mother rabbit, and weaned on schedule. After weaned young rabbits adapt for 1—2 weeks, they can be raised in separate cages.

10. Control breeding. In summer, because the temperature is relatively high, the feed intake of domestic rabbits decreases and their constitution is weaker, making the semen quality of male rabbits poor, and female rabbits are prone to miscarriage after becoming pregnant. Even if female rabbits give birth, the young rabbits will be weak and the survival rate will be reduced because the heat reduces feeding and milk secretion is low. Therefore, under normal circumstances, breeding should be suspended.