Effective Rabbit Breeding Techniques for Weight Gain

How to Fatten Rabbits: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Grouping and Accelerated Feeding

Properly managing the density of rabbits in a pen is crucial for successful fattening. For adult meat rabbits, a density of 6 to 8 rabbits per square meter is ideal. This not only supports their growth but also simplifies management. It's important to segregate rabbits based on their temperament and health status, and to tailor their diets accordingly to each group.

2. Environmental Management

Fattening rabbits requires careful control of the environment, including temperature, humidity, density, ventilation, and lighting. Extreme temperatures can be detrimental to the rabbits' growth and health, so maintaining a temperature of 25°C and a humidity level between 55% and 65% is recommended. Good ventilation is essential to prevent ammonia buildup from feces, which can be harmful. During fattening, rabbits should be kept in a dimly lit or dark environment, as this encourages growth, reduces activity, and enhances feed utilization.

3. Linear Fattening Method

The linear fattening method is suggested for rabbits. Puppies should be transferred to cages for supplementary feeding around 18 months of age. To promote growth, feed them fresh, highquality greens and a balanced diet with 18% to 20% crude protein and 7% crude fiber, which is easy to digest. A wellrounded and easily digestible diet is essential to support their growth, ensuring that the nutrients are effectively absorbed.

4. Feeding and Diet Transition

The feed for fattening rabbits includes corn, sorghum, barley, soybean meal, bran, oats, peas, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. To avoid abrupt changes in the diet, transition the rabbits' food gradually over 10 to 15 days. During this period, feed them in small, frequent portions to adjust their eating habits. When preparing the fattening diet, it's crucial to balance the different types of feed.

5. Disease Prevention

Strengthen disease prevention measures during the fattening process, including rabbit fever, pasteurellosis, coccidiosis, and mange. Rabbits may be more susceptible to diseases due to reduced light exposure and exercise. Good sanitation practices, such as regular disinfection of the rabbit shed, cages, and feeding utensils, are vital to prevent illness. Disinfection methods can include sunlight exposure, boiling, or using solutions like 2% lye.

6. Timely Harvest

After the fourth week of fattening, if the rabbits show a decrease in appetite, and you can feel their spine through their welldeveloped muscles when touching their back and腰部, it indicates successful fattening. It's time to harvest the rabbits.

These are some methods and tips for fattening rabbits. We hope this guide will be helpful and informative.