What are the methods to increase the growth rate of domestic rabbits?
In the process of raising domestic rabbits, to increase their growth rate, we can start from 5 aspects: feed formulation, environmental hygiene, regular feeding, gradual feed switching and drinking habits.
Feed formulation
Since rabbits have a well-developed cecum containing a large number of microbial flora, they can digest large amounts of roughage. According to different physiological stages, the ratio of concentrate to roughage must be scientifically matched. Generally, young rabbits have higher nutritional requirements and need easily digestible feed, so when mixing feed the proportion of concentrate should be larger; growing rabbits have lower nutritional requirements and should be fed mainly roughage with less concentrate; pregnant does and lactating does should be given appropriately more concentrate to supplement their body nutrition and ensure normal fetal development and milk secretion; breeding rabbits are generally fed mainly roughage, with attention to supplementing some protein. At the same time, a variety of feeds should be combined to enhance the rabbits' appetite and promote their growth and development.
Environmental hygiene
When mixing feed each time, be careful never to feed moldy feed; in summer, fresh grass covered with dew or soaked by rain should be dried before feeding, and grass with mud should be washed clean with water and dried before feeding; never feed it with mud still on it.
Regular feeding
Feeding must be done at fixed times and in fixed amounts. Young rabbits should be fed 5 times a day, pregnant and lactating does 4 times a day, and growing rabbits 3 times a day. In winter, when the nights are long and the days are short, the morning feed should be given early and the evening feed late; in summer, feed less at noon when temperatures are high, and more in the morning and evening when it is cool.
Gradual feed switching
As the seasons change, feed should be changed gradually. Mix green feed together with dry green feed for a period of time; you cannot feed green feed today and dry green feed tomorrow. Be careful not to feed concentrate alone, so as to avoid indigestion and gastrointestinal diseases.
Drinking habits
Right after feeding, give the rabbits water to drink and help them form the habit. In winter give warm water, in summer give cool water, and add a little salt to the water.
Of course, besides the aspects above, there are many other aspects that affect the growth and development of domestic rabbits; these require farmers to discover them in the actual breeding process and make adjustments according to local conditions.