At what age should baby rabbits be weaned? A detailed guide to weaning time and methods
Baby rabbits are rabbits in the stage from birth to weaning. Their bodies are not yet fully developed, and their resistance to the outside world is weak, so choosing the right time to wean them is especially important. So when is the best time to wean baby rabbits? Follow along with the editor to learn more.
I. Weaning time
In general, for breeding rabbits, Angora rabbits and rex rabbits, weaning at 30-40 days of age is suitable, while commercial meat rabbits can be weaned at 28-35 days of age. If the intensive breeding method is used, for any rabbits bred through blood mating, the baby rabbits must be weaned before 28 days of age; otherwise it will affect the normal kindling of the doe and the growth and development of the next litter of baby rabbits. For small-breed rabbits reaching 500-600 grams, large-breed rabbits reaching 1000-1200 grams, and at about 40 days of age, when they can live independently, they can be weaned. For baby rabbits that are growing strong and healthy, they can be weaned at 35 days of age; otherwise, the weaning time should be appropriately extended.
II. Weaning methods
There are two weaning methods in baby rabbit production, namely one-time weaning and batch weaning, which should be determined according to the physical condition of the whole litter of baby rabbits. If the whole litter of baby rabbits grows evenly and is strong and healthy, then the one-time weaning method can be used, that is, separating the doe and the baby rabbits within one day and raising them separately. The weaned doe is fed only green and coarse feed for 2-3 days after weaning, with concentrated feed stopped, so that she dries up. If the whole litter of baby rabbits develops unevenly, then the batch weaning method can be used. The strong baby rabbits can be weaned first, while the thin and weak baby rabbits can be left behind to nurse for a few more days before being weaned.
III. Management of baby rabbits after weaning
After weaning, baby rabbits should not immediately leave the original rabbit house. Follow the principle of keeping feed, environment and management unchanged. Practice has proven that after weaning, if baby rabbits continue to be raised in the original rabbit house for a few days before being moved to the young rabbit cage, their survival rate will be higher. This is because if the environment changes suddenly after weaning, baby rabbits will show restlessness and fearfulness, leading to many stress reactions and causing loss of appetite and reduced vitality. If they transition in the original house for a few days before being moved to a new environment, their adaptability can be used to reduce mortality. After weaning, baby rabbits should be numbered, and males and females should be raised separately, generally at least 2 per litter, to avoid loneliness. On the first day after weaning, do not feed them; clean out the gastrointestinal tract to avoid feed stress. Medicine can be added to the drinking water to prevent gastrointestinal diseases; on the second day, add feed and feed once; on the third day, feed three times, half full; until the fifth day, reach the normal amount. Do not rush to vaccinate baby rabbits after weaning. Wait until they adapt to the new environment before vaccinating, so as to avoid death caused by vaccine stress.
The above is an introduction to the weaning time and methods for baby rabbits. I hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.