Five Key Points for Raising Rex Rabbits in Autumn
1. Do a good job of autumn breeding. Strengthen nutrition and raise the rabbits carefully so that breeding bucks adapt to the environment and build up their constitution for autumn breeding. The age for first mating is 7 to 8 months for bucks and over 6 months for does, and the body weight at first mating should reach over 3.5 kg. In late autumn, does reach their peak in mating. The conception rate of mating reaches 70% to 80%, with an average of 5 to 7 young per litter.
2. Do a good job of feed formulation. Feed more green feed with good palatability and appropriately add some coarse feed with higher protein. Compound feed should be based on a crude fiber content that helps maintain the normal physiological functions and digestion and absorption of Rex rabbits. Make full use of locally commonly used feed resources that are nutritious and low in price, especially protein feed, such as alfalfa hay and sophora leaf meal. Note: do not feed toxic green feed such as dew-covered grass and cotton leaves; do not feed any moldy feed; and control feed with high nitrite content such as carrot leaves.
3. Do a good job of careful management. It is necessary to prevent colds, pneumonia, enteritis and pasteurellosis. When the weather turns cooler, close doors and windows properly and stop outdoor activities. Open-air rabbit houses should be fitted with plastic greenhouses for warmth. Disinfect rabbit houses with 3% caustic soda and 10% limewater once a week. At the same time, manure in the rabbit house should be cleaned up promptly to keep the house environment hygienic.
4. Do a good job of feed storage. Winter feed should be stored in time, such as carrots, sophora leaves, sweet potato vines, bean straw, peanut vines and alfalfa, etc.
5. Do a good job of disease prevention. (1) Do a good job of vaccination against rabbit plague, pasteurellosis and Clostridium welchii. (2) Inject 1 ml subcutaneously per rabbit at the age of one month, or use the triple vaccine twice a year. To prevent outbreaks of coccidiosis, add anticoccidial drugs such as chlorobenzoguanide to the compound feed.