Detailed Explanation of Methods for Determining the Fattening Period of Meat Rabbits

Generally, fattening begins 1 [period] before slaughter. Fattening of young rabbits refers to starting to fatten them right after weaning, slaughtering them at 3 to 3.5 months of age, when they can reach a body weight of 2 to 2.5 kg. Fattening of adult rabbits refers to culled breeding rabbits; those that are neither fat nor thin are suitable for fattening, while rabbits that are too fat or too thin, or sick, should preferably be slaughtered early. At present, young rabbits generally begin fattening at 4 months of age, with a fattening period of 40 to 56 days. During the fattening period, care should be taken not to change the feed too quickly; there should be a 10- to 15-day transition period, gradually increasing the amount of concentrate feed until only concentrate feed is used. During the fattening period, if the feed intake of the fattening rabbits is suddenly found to decrease, they should be sold immediately.