Management Measures for Pregnant Rabbits to Safely Get Through Summer
In the hot summer, measures should be taken to ensure pregnant rabbits get through the summer safely.
1. Pay attention to heatstroke prevention and cooling. The suitable temperature for pregnant rabbits is 14-16°C. In summer, heatstroke prevention and cooling work should be done carefully to prevent heat stress, which can cause premature birth, miscarriage, or stillbirth in pregnant rabbits. Keep the rabbit hutch cool with air circulation, and build a shade awning over the rabbit hutch.
2. Adjust feed promptly. Hot weather often causes pregnant rabbits to reduce their feed intake. Adjust the feed promptly, increase the proportion of protein and energy feed in the feed, feed more green and succulent feed, and ensure that the nutritional needs of pregnant rabbits are met when feed intake is reduced.
3. Adjust feeding times. Summer noon is hot, and pregnant rabbits often have poor appetite. Concentrate most of the feed for morning and evening feeding to reduce daytime feed intake and activity. Feed early for the morning meal, feed late for the evening meal, add hay at midnight, provide sufficient clean drinking water at noon, and feed more fresh green pasture.
4. Ensure feed quality. Do not use moldy or spoiled feed, finish each meal's feed within that meal, and do not feed overnight feed.
5. Do a good job of sanitation and disease prevention. Keep the rabbit hutch and cages dry and hygienic, sweep rabbit droppings frequently, do not let rabbit droppings, urine, and sewage accumulate, and wash and disinfect water troughs, feed troughs, and utensils once daily.
6. Repel mosquitoes and flies. In summer, mosquitoes and flies breed, and bacteria multiply easily, so mosquito and fly repellent work in the rabbit hutch should be done well. At night, light mosquito coils in the rabbit hutch or hang crystalline trichlorfon wrapped in gauze. If conditions permit, make screen doors and windows, which can ensure smooth ventilation in the rabbit hutch and prevent mosquitoes and flies from flying in and biting the rabbits.