What issues must be noted in the artificial breeding of hares?

Hares and hybrid hares are not the same concept. Nowadays many people use rabbits such as Belgian rabbits and Saibei rabbits that look like hares to pass them off as hares, calling them hybrid hares. Everyone, be careful not to be deceived. Below is an introduction to hare breeding technology issues.

The hare is a wild animal used for both fur and meat. The hare is a grain-saving domestic animal, with strong stress resistance and adaptability, extremely strong disease resistance, and a high survival rate. It has a higher reproduction rate than domestic rabbits, tolerates rough feeding, and offers low cost and good returns. Industry insiders believe that the international market is short of hare meat and has a large market capacity. Demand for rabbit meat has increased greatly in Japan, South Korea, Russia and some European countries, where domestic supply falls short of demand and large quantities are imported from our country. In addition, Hong Kong, China, Macao, China and Taiwan, China also frequently request goods from the mainland. Because the current breeding volume is small, domestic breeding volume is less than 1 percent of market demand. Therefore, raising hares is a good way to get rich. The key points of its artificial rapid breeding and rapid raising technology are briefly introduced as follows:

Environmental requirements The places where hares rest are very extensive, and they generally do not dig burrows. But in order to avoid natural enemies, they often rest in hollows, grass clumps, gaps between stones or cracks. During artificial breeding, attention should be paid to creating a similar environment for them. The site should be spacious, hygienic and dry, which can prevent the occurrence of infectious diseases.

Activity patterns Hares are mainly active at night, especially frequently at dusk or dawn. Because they live on the ground all their lives, when encountering natural enemies, hares try their best to hide and remain completely motionless. In addition, they are timid, so during breeding they should be disturbed as little as possible and the environment should be kept quiet. Drinking water and forage should be provided during the day (preferably in the afternoon) for them to eat and drink at night.

Feeding habits Hares mainly feed on grass. In severe cold winter, especially when heavy snow covers the ground, if food is scarce, they will gnaw bark, tender branches and grass roots. In addition, hares have the habit of eating soft feces; this is normal digestive function, and it should not be considered pica. To supplement insufficient foraging, an appropriate amount of green grass can be placed in the hare pen or house every day, and in winter some straw can be put in, such as soybean straw, sweet potato vines, peanut vines, etc. A little concentrated feed such as corn and bran can also be provided, and water is even more indispensable. Usually put some salt on a wooden board for the hares to eat, which can increase their appetite.

Breeding technology After hares reach sexual maturity, they begin mating when the temperature is suitable. In the north they produce 3 to 4 litters per year, and in the south 6 to 8 litters per year. Because forage is abundant from May to October, young rabbits born from spring mating have a relatively high survival rate. When hares are in heat, they chase, wag their tails and pass urine. Female hares come into heat multiple times, and male hares fight each other for mates. After mating, the gestation period is 30 to 40 days, and the young hares reach sexual maturity in the second year. During the mating period and artificial breeding, they can be placed into the rabbit group at a ratio of 1 male to 4 females for free mating. It is best for people not to interfere, as this gives a relatively high conception rate. After domestication, artificial assisted mating can be carried out.

Disease prevention and control Because hares are timid and difficult to catch, which often easily causes injury or death, injecting vaccines is very difficult. Oxytetracycline can be added to the feed at 0.1 grams per hare per day for 3 consecutive days, then stopped for 1 week, then given again for 3 days, repeated in this way, which can reduce inflammation when there is disease and promote growth when there is none. Furazolidone can also be added to the feed once a week, which can prevent diarrhea and coccidiosis.

For more breeding technology, please visit (Sichuan Breeding Network http://www.yuhvv.cn)