Factors Affecting Kit Rabbit Survival Rates: A Comprehe

I. Proper Setting of the Litter Box

It is crucial to set up the litter box correctly to ensure the wellbeing of the offspring. The temperature within the box must be suitable, and appropriate measures should be taken to prevent overheating or chilling, depending on the actual weather conditions. During summer, it's essential to avoid excessive heat in the litter box. Check that the bedding is not too thick and that ventilation is adequate to prevent heatstroke or death in the young rabbits. In winter, pay attention to the thickness of the bedding and ensure that there are sufficient insulation measures to protect the young rabbits from cold winds. The temperature in the litter box should not drop below 28 degrees Celsius. If necessary, auxiliary heating devices can be used to provide additional warmth.

II. Rational Feeding Practices for Lactating Rabbits

1. Ensure that the mother rabbit receives adequate nutrition to prevent her offspring from starving due to insufficient milk. The keeper should prepare a balanced diet according to the mother rabbit's nutritional needs, ensuring she has a wellrounded and sufficient intake. Adjust the amount of green and fresh feed based on the milk's concentration as needed.

2. It is best to ensure that the kits drink colostrum within two hours of birth, and the latest time for the kits to consume colostrum should not exceed 10 hours. If the mother rabbit is not very maternal, the keeper should forcefeed the kits twice a day. Generally, the mother rabbit will start to nurse the kits on her own within 3 to 5 days after giving birth.

3. Typically, a mother rabbit can give birth to 6 to 7 kits in one litter. Therefore, the keeper needs to manage the kits according to the mother rabbit's nursing capacity. If the mother's milk supply is weak, some kits may need to be fostered.

III. Preventing the Mother Rabbit from Eating Her Offspring

A mother rabbit may eat her offspring if she is startled or stressed. Additionally, if the kits are fostered to another lactating mother, the nonbiological mother may reject the foster kits and eat them. Therefore, before fostering, the keeper must take certain precautions, such as marking the foster kits with the foster mother's milk or a familiar liquid to reduce the likelihood of rejection. Alternatively, you can disrupt the mother's sense of smell by applying a strongsmelling liquid to her nostrils, making it difficult for her to identify the foster kits. For cases where the mother rabbit eats her kits due to stress, the keeper should keep the nesting box as quiet as possible and provide the mother with plenty of water to minimize the occurrence of this behavior.

IV. Carefully Managing the Weaning Process

To prevent the kits from dying due to malnutrition after weaning, the keeper must gradually adjust the kits' diet before weaning. Starting at around 16 days of age, you can begin to offer the kits a small amount of tender grass, feeding them in small, frequent meals, typically 5 to 6 times a day. Ensure that the food is easy to digest. After the kits are 20 days old, you can start introducing a small amount of concentrated feed and add some gastrointestinal herbs, such as Gastric Powder, to prevent digestive diseases and facilitate a smooth weaning process.

OxyPet Doctor's Tip: Whether rabbits wean successfully is crucial for their healthy growth and development. Keepers must pay close attention to the weaning process and ensure the kits safely navigate this critical period.