Key Technical Points for Autumn Rabbit Rearing and Management
These past few days we have officially entered September, which means we are gradually moving into autumn. Raising rabbits is very common in China, and autumn is the key period for managing breeding rabbits. This is because it can determine the number of breeding rabbits produced, and autumn is very important for rabbit production. So in autumn we need to pay attention to doing a good job of rabbit rearing and management. So how should these adorable rabbits be raised and managed in autumn? Let's take a look below!
1. Keep the strong, cull the weak
Autumn is the key period for rabbit production. At this time, rabbits with strong growth capacity and production capacity, as well as those with a certain level of fertility and relatively fast growth speed, should be kept for breeding. Cull some rabbits that are thin and weak, frequently fall ill, and have weak production capacity, so as to maintain or further enhance the reproductive capacity of the rabbit herd.
2. Increase nutrition
Autumn is the molting stage for rabbits, and rabbits' appetite declines during the change of seasons, so they do not take in enough nutrition. Therefore, in autumn, rabbits should be supplemented with an appropriate amount of sulfur-containing amino acids. Then add nutrients to the feed, such as crude protein and so on. Increase feed with a higher protein content to improve nutrition and promote growth.
3. Strengthen lighting
The lighting time in autumn is much shorter than in summer. Insufficient light affects the secretion of reproductive hormones in female rabbits, and the ovaries cannot function and secrete normally. This lowers the estrus rate and conception rate of female rabbits, so in autumn the lighting time for rabbits should be supplemented to avoid affecting the production performance of female rabbits. The daily lighting time rabbits need must not be less than 14 hours.
4. Mating of female rabbits
Although in autumn male rabbits have a relatively high libido, good semen quality, and sufficient vitality, the estrus period of female rabbits is clearly not as frequent as that of male rabbits, so at this time artificial assistance is needed to mate the female rabbits. The double mating method can be used to increase the conception rate of female rabbits. Double mating means using two different male rabbits to mate the same female rabbit.
5. Palpate for pregnancy in time
After mating, most female rabbits will conceive successfully, but there will still be cases of false pregnancy, so about half a month after mating, palpation should be done in time. Grasp the female rabbit's ears and gently feel the belly. If the belly feels somewhat round and elastic, it proves successful conception. If not, supplementary mating should be carried out in time for the female rabbits that are not pregnant.
6. Deworm in time
Autumn is the last active period for various parasites. Deworming can not only promote the growth and development of rabbits, but also reduce the amount of feed used. So in autumn, agents such as avermectin can be used to deworm rabbits.
7. Prevent and treat diseases
Autumn is also a period of high incidence for various diseases. In autumn, diseases such as rabbit plague and Clostridium welchii mainly occur, and prevention should still be the main approach. So in autumn, rabbits should be vaccinated to prevent disease. Sick rabbits should be isolated in time, the rabbit house should be thoroughly disinfected, and sick rabbits should be carefully examined and then treated according to the symptoms.
The above seven points are the methods for managing rabbits in autumn, and they are also the areas we need to pay attention to. Rabbits have relatively weak bodies, so they must be carefully cared for; otherwise, the mortality rate is extremely high, which will also have a considerable impact on the economic interests of breeders. We also need to pay attention to this: there is no fresh forage in autumn, so before autumn arrives, the forage needed by the rabbits should be prepared in advance, and these forages should also be prevented from spoiling, which would cause the rabbits to eat them by mistake and develop diseases.