Factors Affecting Rabbit Breeding Rates in Winter

Reasons for Low Reproduction Rate in Rabbits During Winter

One: Light Issues. The relationship between light quantity and duration is closely tied to the new activities of rabbits. Insufficient or inadequate lighting can severely impact their reproduction. Normally, breeding does require 14 to 16 hours of light daily, and either too little or too much light can disrupt their ovarian activity. Here are some key considerations regarding lighting:

1. Light Duration. Many rabbit farms fail to meet the required light duration for rabbits, particularly during the period from the autumn equinox to the spring equinox. It is best to combine natural and artificial lighting with exercise. When natural light is insufficient, artificial supplementation is necessary. However, when constructing rabbit sheds, it is crucial to consider lighting factors and avoid building in shaded areas.

2. Light Intensity. Breeding does are not particularly demanding when it comes to light intensity, as maintaining a light level of 20 lux is sufficient. For artificial lighting, a 30watt bulb per pen is adequate. Nonetheless, owners should regularly clean the bulbs to prevent dust accumulation, which can dim the light.

3. Light Uniformity. It is important to ensure consistent lighting across all corners of the shed, ensuring that rabbits in different locations receive adequate light.

Two: Weather and Temperature. The weather significantly affects rabbit estrus and mating. Under conditions of clear, sunny skies and a warm shed, most rabbits will simultaneously come into estrus, with a positive mating success rate. However, during cloudy, foggy, or snowy weather, does in estrus may stop estrus within a short period. Many farms experience low estrus in does due to extreme cold temperatures. The ideal temperature range for rabbit reproduction is between 15 to 25°C, which is challenging to achieve during winter. However, it is essential to maintain the shed temperature above 5°C to ensure that does can still estrus normally and that rabbits do not suffer from frostbite.

Three: Environmental Quality. Many owners often overlook the impact of excessive harmful gas content and high humidity on rabbits. The health and mood of rabbits greatly affect their reproductive performance and production efficiency. Therefore, it is crucial for owners to create a comfortable living environment for rabbits.

With that, Dr. Oxygen Pet has reached the end of the introduction of factors affecting the low reproduction rate of rabbits during winter. We hope that owners will take these factors seriously.