How to raise wool-breed stud rabbits well? Key points of feeding and management techniques

The quality of feeding and management of wool-breed stud rabbits is closely related to breeding results and semen quality, and also directly affects the conception, kindling and vitality of does. Stud rabbits have a greater influence on offspring than do stud does, so doing a good job in the feeding and management of stud rabbits plays an important role in improving the economic benefits of rabbit farming.

(1) The rabbit hutch for stud rabbits should be large. This is because stud rabbits are larger in body size than does, and their activity level is also stronger than that of does, so the hutch is required to be relatively larger. For German Angora rabbits generally, the hutch is generally required to be 75-80 cm wide, 65-70 cm long and 40-42 cm high. 

(2) Feed nutrition requirements are high. According to data on raising German Angora rabbits, an example of their pelleted feed formula can be made from the following 15 raw materials: soybean 10.2%, wheat bran 4.7%, green grass meal 28.85%, wheat 10%, molasses 1.52%, corn 6%, brewer's grain yeast 1%, malt 19%, pomegranate peel alkaloid 2.5%, tuber residue 7%, salt 0.5%, methionine 0.4%, meat meal 7.1%, soybean oil 0.53%, trace elements 0.7%. From the above formula it can be seen that German Angora rabbits have relatively high nutritional requirements, so for raising purebred German Angora stud rabbits, feed conditions should meet their needs. This is an important measure to ensure the growth and reproduction of wool-breed stud rabbits and improve their production performance. 

(3) Water intake is higher than that of local rabbits. German Angora rabbits drink a large amount of water, generally 250 ml per day, and 300 ml in summer, which is up to 70% higher than the water intake of local rabbits. If water intake is insufficient, it will affect their feed intake and will also lead to a decline in the production performance of wool rabbits. 

(4) Attention should be paid to feeding and management during the non-breeding period. During the non-breeding period of stud rabbits, the compound daily ration should provide a medium nutritional level for stud rabbits, and stud rabbits should be kept in strong, healthy condition, neither too fat nor too thin. During this period, attention should be paid to the content of protein and vitamin A and E in the feed. Concentrate feed should be no less than 100 g per day, and green feed about 1 kg. In winter, stud rabbits should be appropriately fed some sprouted feed such as barley sprouts, because sprouted barley contains vitamin E, which can help improve and enhance the semen quality of stud rabbits. 

(5) Careful feeding during the breeding period. During the breeding period of stud rabbits, the protein in the feed is required to be 15%-17%. If protein is insufficient, when there is too much carbohydrate in the feed, it will lead to the serious consequences of low ejaculate volume, low sperm density and poor vitality in stud rabbits. For this reason, soybeans, soybean cake and the like can be appropriately added to the feed, and animal-based feed must also be increased, such as supplementing fish meal, silkworm pupa meal, eggs and so on. This can significantly enhance sperm vitality and increase the fertilization rate. At the same time, attention should also be paid to appropriately adding a certain amount of minerals. If minerals are deficient, it will cause pathological changes in the gonads of stud rabbits, resulting in incomplete sperm development and poor vitality. 

(6) Scientifically grasp the breeding time and breeding frequency of stud rabbits. Stud rabbits are generally bred for the first time at 7-8 months of age, when body weight reaches more than 3.75 kg. Young rabbits are bred once a day, and mature rabbits are bred 1-2 times a day (once in the morning and once in the evening), and stud rabbits are allowed to rest for 1 day after every 2 days of breeding. Too few matings will also cause a decrease in the sexual reflex function of stud rabbits and affect their breeding ability. Generally, each male rabbit can be fixed to mate with 8-10 does. After a stud rabbit has entered the breeding period for a period of time, there will be a phenomenon of reduced libido and decreased semen quality, indicating that the male rabbit needs rest, nutrition should be strengthened, and attention should be paid to the subsequent breeding schedule. 

(7) Carry out feeding and management well according to the requirements of different breeding seasons. Generally, breeding in spring is best. In spring, stud rabbits have strong libido, good semen quality and a high conception rate after mating. In summer, when the temperature is high, attention should be paid to raising male rabbits in a cool place; otherwise, the conception rate will be affected. This is especially true for purebred German Angora stud rabbits, which originally grew in cold regions, have dense fur, underdeveloped sweat glands and poor heat dissipation from the body surface. If the temperature reaches above 35 degrees C, it will cause stud rabbits to breathe faster, refuse to eat, and some may even die from being unable to adapt, so special attention should be paid to the summer feeding and management of stud rabbits. Entering autumn, male rabbits generally molt in autumn, so the daily ration should be improved to promote molting; otherwise, the male rabbits will have weak libido and poor semen quality. Entering winter, because green feed is lacking in winter, attention should be paid during this period to supplementing feed containing vitamins, such as carrots and malt. At the same time, various factors related to breeding should be grasped so that stud rabbits can complete breeding tasks in time in different seasons. 

(8) Breeding records should be kept promptly. After stud rabbits are bred, the breeding registration form should be filled in immediately, and semen quality checks should be done well, so as to promptly discover stud rabbits with excellent production performance, further strengthen feeding and management, give full play to the production performance of male rabbits, and obtain a large number of excellent offspring individuals.