Key Technical Points for Short-Term Fattening in Meat Rabbit Farming

Before slaughtering commercial meat rabbits, they should be fattened in order to rapidly increase meat yield and improve meat quality in a short period. 

I. Fattening Models 

1. Fattening of young rabbits. This refers to starting fattening immediately after weaning. At the beginning of fattening, group housing can be used to give the meat rabbits ample opportunity to exercise, so as to promote full growth of bones and muscles. After 10-20 days, intensive housing can be adopted for 30-40 days, and the rabbits can be slaughtered once they reach 2.5-3.0 kg. 

2. Fattening of adult rabbits. This refers to giving culled breeding rabbits a relatively short fattening period before slaughter to increase body weight and improve meat quality. For fattening culled breeding rabbits, rabbits of moderate fatness should be selected; the fattening period generally does not exceed 30-40 days, and well-fattened rabbits can gain 1.0-1.5 kg during the fattening period. 

II. Fattening Techniques 

1. Fattening feed. The fattening feed for meat rabbits is mainly concentrate, supplemented by green feed. If a mixed feed is prepared on site, it should contain 15% crude fiber, 17% protein, and 2.5% fat. The most suitable fattening feeds include barley, corn, wheat bran, soybean cake, sweet potato, potato, and so on, and appropriate amounts of bone meal, salt, charcoal powder, and mineral supplement feed need to be added. 

2. Castration for fattening. Rabbits being fattened are best castrated; young rabbits are generally castrated at 8-10 weeks of age after birth. 

3. Restrict movement. During the fattening period, meat rabbits, especially in the later stage of fattening, should have their movement restricted to reduce feed consumption and accumulate fat. During the fattening period, meat rabbits generally should not be raised in a free-range way; they are best placed in a warm, quiet, and dimly lit environment for high-density housing. 

4. Feed small amounts more often. During the fattening period, because rabbits move less and the feed is mainly concentrate, their appetite is relatively poor. To improve appetite, the principle of feeding small amounts more often should be followed to increase their feed intake, and at the same time sufficient drinking water must be supplied. 

5. Careful management. During the fattening period, meat rabbits have weaker resistance because of the lack of exercise and light, and are prone to disease, so careful management is required. Rabbit cages should be checked frequently and cleaned promptly, and disinfected regularly. It must be ensured that rabbits during the fattening period can eat their fill, eat well, and rest well, so that they have good health condition.