How to Raise Rabbits? 4 Methods to Tell Males from Females

Rabbits are mammals. Their meat can be eaten, their fur can be spun into yarn and made into writing brushes, their skin can be made into clothing, their droppings can be used as fertilizer, and they can also serve as pets to entertain our spiritual lives. Among these, rabbit meat is a high-protein, low-fat, low-cholesterol meat, known as “the vegetable among meats”, and is very popular with diners. Therefore, raising rabbits is promising. So, how do you raise rabbits?

I. Introduction to Rabbits

1. What do rabbits look like?

Rabbits have a relatively long head and very long ears, a typical split upper lip, an oval nose, and eyes that come in various colors such as red, blue, black, and gray. Their front legs are short and their hind legs are long, and their tail is short and fluffy. Their fur is mostly white, gray, yellowish-gray, and so on.

2. Are rabbits herbivores or omnivores?

Rabbits are herbivores and like to eat grass, such as alfalfa and timothy hay. Besides that, they also like to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples, bananas, dates, carrots, sweet potatoes, cabbage, spinach, and so on, but not all rabbits like them; they also have their own preferences.

3. Why don't rabbits eat the grass by their burrow?

Although rabbits are herbivores, they do not eat the grass by their burrow. For rabbits, the grass by the burrow is used for hiding, and if they eat it, they are easily discovered by enemies and hunters. Because rabbits have very weak attacking ability, doing a good job of defense is very important, so the grass by the burrow must never be eaten under any circumstances. In addition, the grass by the burrow generally grows tall and dense, which can help prevent the rabbit's burrow from collapsing, and can also serve as stored food to avoid food shortages in winter.

II. How to Raise Rabbits?

1. Building the rabbit hutch

The commonly used equipment in a rabbit hutch mainly includes 6 items: rabbit cages, feeding equipment, drinking equipment, kindling boxes, feed carts, and transport cages. Meat rabbits raised in rural areas are mostly medium to large breeds, so the specifications of the rabbit cages should be suitable. Rural rabbit raisers are used to putting forage in the cage and letting the rabbits eat freely, which does not meet hygiene requirements at all, so feeding equipment should be prepared separately. Rabbits also need to drink water, so drinking equipment should also be prepared. Kindling boxes, feed carts, and transport cages are also indispensable.

2. Rabbit hutch environment

The rabbit hutch should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected one week before the rabbits are brought in. Normally, the rabbit cages should be cleaned frequently to maintain a clean and dry environment, and disinfection should also be done regularly. The best temperature for the rabbit hutch is kept between 15-20 degrees. In summer, the temperature must not be higher than 30 degrees, and in winter it must not be lower than 7 degrees, otherwise it will affect the normal growth of the rabbits. Ventilation and air exchange in the rabbit hutch are very important, otherwise the rabbits are prone to infection. Rabbits are timid and easily startled, so noise, intrusion by other animals, and approach by strangers must be avoided at all times.

3. Feed preparation

Rabbits are herbivores and can be fed green forage such as alfalfa, clover, ryegrass, bitter lettuce, sweet potato, comfrey, cup plant, wild grass, and tree leaves. They can also be fed roughage such as hay and rice straw, soybean stalks, and corn stalks, as well as concentrated feed such as corn, barley, rice grain, and wheat bran. Green forage should be the main part of the diet. Vegetables can also be fed, but not too much, as this easily causes diarrhea.

4. Regular inspections

Every day, observe the rabbits' appetite, spirit, droppings, estrus, and other conditions, and also check the rabbits' physical condition to see whether they are sick. Also check whether there is any rat intrusion, because rats not only carry dozens of diseases, but also steal and eat young rabbits and contaminate feed, so they must be eliminated.

5. Points to note

Rabbits like to gnaw their teeth, so prepare chew sticks for them. Do not bathe young rabbits, as they easily catch cold. Young rabbits do not feel full, so control the amount of food to avoid overfeeding them to death. Do not use vegetables and fruits as the staple food for rabbits, as this easily causes diarrhea. Do not fail to give rabbits grass, otherwise they are prone to hairball disease. Do not feed rabbits oily foods, as this causes severe gastrointestinal disease. Do not grab rabbits by the ears when picking them up, as this can make the ears unable to stand up straight.

III. How to Tell Male from Female Rabbits?

Method 1: Among rabbits of the same breed, those with a large frame, tall stature, and large head are males; the opposite are females.

Method 2: A rabbit's rear has two openings, one above the other. The lower opening is used for passing droppings, and the upper opening is the reproductive organ. Gently stroke the upper opening with your finger: if the opening is flat and slightly larger, and closer to the anus, it is a female rabbit; if the opening is round and slightly smaller, and farther from the anus, it is a male rabbit.

Method 3: When a rabbit is two months old, touch the genital area near the anus with your hand. If you feel a piece of flesh slightly larger than a broad bean, it is a male rabbit; otherwise it is a female rabbit. However, the piece of flesh can be large or small, and sometimes it is hard to tell.

Method 4: When rabbits are in estrus, the male rabbit often strikes the ground forcefully with its hind legs to make a sound and chases after the female rabbit. At this time, it is very easy to tell them apart: the one running in front is the female rabbit, and the one chasing behind is the male rabbit.

Rabbits generally reach adulthood when raised to 6 months, when all their organs are fully developed, and they can be considered for market or kept as breeding rabbits for mating.