Strategies to Boost Weaning Kit Survival Rates in Rabbi

Enhancing the Survival Rate of Baby Rabbits

1. Ensure Sufficient Colostrum Intake: The key to a healthy start for baby rabbits is ensuring they receive ample colostrum, the first milk that provides essential nutrients. By the time they are two weeks old, these young rabbits can weigh three times their birth weight. Their growth entirely depends on their mother's milk. Insufficient milk intake can severely hinder their growth and health, leading to poor weaning. Therefore, it's crucial for owners to frequently check if the kits are getting enough milk. If the mother rabbit refuses to nurse, the owner should either force her to feed or find a lactating mother from the same litter to foster the kits. If the mother lacks milk, her diet should be enriched with highquality feed and fresh greens to boost her milk production and meet the kits' nutritional needs.

2. Timely Supplemental Feeding: As baby rabbits open their eyes, their milk no longer suffices for their growing needs. It's essential to introduce supplementary feeding at around 16 days old to prevent weakness. Offer them easily digestible and nutrientrich foods like soy milk or tender grass. By 18 days, introduce a small amount of mixed feed to strengthen their digestive system. At 21 days, add probiotics to their diet to build their health and prepare them for weaning.

3. Preventing Stress: Consistency is key in managing baby rabbits. Owners should maintain stable feeding, environmental, and management practices. Keep the same diet for the kits before and after weaning, and gradually transition to new foods. Sudden changes can lead to decreased appetite or digestive issues. Remove the mother rabbit from the kits at 19 days old and separate their feeding times to prevent loneliness during weaning. Keep the kits in their original cage for two weeks postweaning before introducing separate housing to minimize stress.

4. Limiting Food Intake: Postweaning, kits grow rapidly and have a high appetite, but their digestive systems are still developing. Unrestricted eating can harm their stomachs. Scheduled, portioned meals can prevent overeating, stomach bloating, and diarrhea, thus increasing their survival rate.

5. Strengthening Environmental Management: Baby rabbits are sensitive to their surroundings. Avoid loud noises, fireworks, and sudden changes in lighting. Provide a dark, confined environment that suits their needs. Separate them based on size, strength, and gender to ensure consistent growth. Also, protect them from other animals that could harm them.

Dr. Oxygen Pet Tips: Raising rabbits requires knowledge and dedication. Prepare yourself mentally before starting, and be patient and attentive to your rabbits. Consider your own circumstances before deciding to keep rabbits as pets.