Five key points to focus on when raising rex rabbits in autumn

In autumn, the temperature difference between morning and evening is large, which can easily cause diseases such as colds and pneumonia in young and baby rabbits. Therefore, autumn feeding and management are crucial.

1. Focus on autumn breeding work

To help rex rabbits recover their physical condition as quickly as possible, increase nutrition, raise them carefully, and prepare for autumn breeding. The first mating age is 7 to 8 months for male rabbits and over 6 months for female rabbits. In late autumn, during the peak mating period for female rabbits, the conception rate can reach 70% to 80%, with an average of 5 to 7 kits per litter.

2. Focus on feed combination

Autumn is the molting period for rex rabbits, and breeding rabbits have poorer appetites, so feed more green and succulent feed with good palatability. For mixed feed, make full use of local feed resources that are commonly used, nutritionally rich, and low in price, especially protein feed, such as alfalfa hay (containing 20.1% crude protein), sophora leaf powder (containing 19.3% crude protein), and Rumex hay (containing up to 31% crude protein). Note: do not feed dew-covered grass, cotton leaves, or other harmful, toxic, or moldy feed; control feed with high nitrite content such as carrot leaves

3. Focus on careful management

Autumn temperatures are unstable, and sometimes the temperature difference between morning and evening can reach 10 to 15°C, so it is necessary to prevent colds, pneumonia, enteritis, and pasteurellosis. When cold weather occurs, close doors and windows to keep warm. Rabbit houses can be disinfected with 3% caustic soda or 10% limewater once a week. Clean up manure promptly and keep the house clean and hygienic.

4. Focus on feed storage

As crops are harvested, store sufficient winter feed in a timely manner, such as carrots, sophora leaves, sweet potato vines, bean stalks, peanut vines, corn stalks, alfalfa hay, and grain husks.

5. Focus on disease prevention,

In autumn, vaccination against rabbit plague, pasteurellosis, and Clostridium welchii should be carried out. For rabbits over 2 months old, inject 1 milliliter subcutaneously per rabbit, or use a triple vaccine for preventive vaccination twice a year. To prevent outbreaks of coccidiosis, anti-coccidial drugs such as clonidine, coccidiostat powder, and coccidiostat should be added to the mixed feed.