Optimal Care for Empty Doe Rabbits: Tips for Healthy Re

Section 1: Factors Influencing the Empty Litter Period in Female Rabbits

The duration of a female rabbit's empty litter period is determined by the breeding density. If a female rabbit is expected to give birth to only 4 litters per year, her resting period between litters would typically be around 10 to 15 days. However, if she is bred to produce 7 litters or more daily, she may not experience an empty litter period at all. Generally, after weaning the kits, the female rabbit, having depleted her nutritional reserves during lactation, requires time to regain her strength. This necessitates an extended empty litter period during which she should be provided with highquality, fresh, and nutritious green feed, along with a moderate amount of concentrated feed, to swiftly restore her vitality and facilitate normal estrus and breeding.

It is crucial to help the female rabbit regain her health, but one must also be cautious to prevent her from becoming overly obese. Excessive weight in female rabbits can be detrimental to their reproductive health. Excess fat can accumulate in the ovarian connective tissue, severely impeding the development of oocytes. Additionally, excess fat can compress the fallopian tubes, narrowing them and affecting the normal function of the eggs. Even if conception occurs, the litter size may be small, and the kits may have a high mortality rate.

Section 2: Measures for Properly Caring for Empty Litter Female Rabbits

The key to caring for empty litter female rabbits is "monitoring weight and adjusting feed," which means promptly adjusting their nutritional intake based on their body condition. If a rabbit is underweight, her feed should be increased. Conversely, if she is overweight, her feed should be reduced, and she may even be fed only roughage without concentrated feed.

In managing empty litter female rabbits, it is important to create an appropriate living environment, ensuring that the temperature and humidity are suitable, and that there is ample light. Exercise should also be encouraged. If rabbits are kept in cages, they should be released at appropriate times to enjoy sunlight and exercise.

For female rabbits that do not cycle regularly, placing them with a male rabbit can stimulate estrus through chasing behavior.

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In addition to enhancing breeding management to improve the fertility rate of female rabbits, for those that do not cycle regularly, the use of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin can be considered to induce estrus. This involves an intramuscular injection of 100 international units (1 milliliter) per dose. Alternatively, intramuscular injection of benzoyl estradiol can be used to stimulate estrus, with a dose of 1 milliliter, which typically results in estrus within 2 to 3 days. However, if these measures are taken and the rabbit still does not become pregnant, it may be necessary to cull the rabbit.