Effective Short-Term Meat Rabbit Weight Gain Strategies

Section 1: Raising Meat Rabbits for Feeding

1. Young Rabbit Feeding: This involves fattening up rabbits immediately after they are weaned. Young rabbits can be raised in groups to encourage competition for food, which in turn drives them to move more, promoting healthy bone and muscle growth. Typically, rabbits can be intensively fed as early as 10 to 20 days after birth, for a period of 30 to 40 days. Once they reach a certain weight, they can be slaughtered or sold for meat.

2. Adult Rabbit Feeding: This refers to the process of fattening up bred rabbits that have been retired in a short span of time to increase their weight and improve their meat quality. It's important to select rabbits that are neither too thin nor too fat for fattening, and this process usually takes about 30 to 40 days. Rabbits that are wellfed can gain an additional 1 to 1.5 kilograms in weight compared to before fattening.

Section 2: Techniques for Meat Rabbit Feeding

1. Fattening Feed: To accelerate growth, rabbits need a good diet. Meat rabbit fattening feed should primarily consist of concentrated feed with a complement of green feed. If you're preparing mixed feed for your rabbits, ensure it contains 15% roughage, 17% protein, and 2.5% fat. Common suitable feeds include barley, corn, and soybean meal. Additionally, you can supplement their diet with bone meal and inorganic salts.

2. Castration for Fattening: Rabbits tend to gain weight easily after being neutered. Therefore, undergoing a surgical procedure can be an effective way to increase their weight during the fattening process.

3. Limiting Physical Activity: During the fattening period, it's important to restrict the rabbits' movement, especially in the latter stages. This encourages them to consume more feed and accumulate fat. It's best not to allow rabbits to be freerange during fattening and instead house them in a warm, quiet, and dark environment at high density. However, it's also crucial not to keep them inactive for too long, as this can negatively impact the quality of the meat and the rabbits' overall health. Moderate exercise is necessary.

4. Feeding Meat Rabbits in Small, Frequent Meals: Since the rabbits' activity levels decrease and they primarily consume concentrated feed during the fattening period, their appetite might be low. To boost their appetite and increase their food intake, feed them in small, frequent portions. Ensure they have access to plenty of fresh water as well.

Caution from Oxygen Pet Doctor: It's not advisable to keep meat rabbits confined to their pens for extended periods, as this can weaken their immune system due to lack of exercise and sunlight exposure, making them more susceptible to diseases. Therefore, while fattening rabbits, it's essential to maintain their overall health to maximize the benefits of rabbit farming. We hope this guide proves helpful to you.