Optimal Rabbit Care: Focus on Diet & Environment

Section 1: Sanitation Standards:

1. Ensure the rabbit pen is cleaned daily, removing droppings and maintaining cleanliness. When sweeping, first wet the floor with water to prevent rabbit fur from becoming airborne.

2. During the spring, summer, and autumn seasons, clean the rabbits' utensils and remove droppings every week. Disinfect the area using a suitable disinfectant. In winter, this can be done biweekly. It's best to clean the pen during the warmer midday hours to avoid chilling the rabbits.

3. Regularly inspect the bottom boards of the rabbit cages and promptly replace any soiled or damaged ones.

4. Maintain good ventilation in the pen throughout the spring, summer, and autumn. In late autumn, winter, and early spring, take preemptive measures to insulate against wind and cold to prevent the rabbits from catching a chill.

5. Keep the drinking water system in the pen free from blockages and leaks to ensure a dry environment.

6. Provide fresh, uncontaminated drinking water to the rabbits at all times, ensuring it is available 24/7.

7. Ensure that rabbits receive adequate lighting throughout the year. Insufficient light can severely impact the breeding conditions of breeding rabbits, especially for the health of the females. However, rabbits should be protected from direct exposure to intense sunlight.

Section 2: Feeding Standards:

1. Breeding males should be fed 2.8 to 3.0 ounces of rabbit feed and half a pound of fresh greens twice a day, with feedings at 6 AM and 6 PM. Fresh greens can be provided at 2 PM and 8 PM, adjusting the amount based on the rabbit's condition.

2. Unpregnant breeding females should receive the same amount of feed as the males, with the same feeding schedule.

3. For females pregnant for 12 days, allow them to eat rabbit feed ad libitum and provide half a pound of fresh greens twice a day at 2 PM and 8 PM.

4. When the females are 28 days pregnant, reduce their feeding to 2.5 ounces per day, increasing to the normal schedule of two feedings at 6 AM and 6 PM postlabor, along with half a pound of fresh greens, after the third day. If the mother rabbit's milk supply is insufficient, consider increasing the feed amount.

5. Starting from the fourth day postpartum, gradually increase the feeding to 0.5 ounces more of rabbit feed daily, allowing free access to feed from the seventh day onwards. Continue to provide half a pound of fresh greens, adjusting the amount based on the milk production. Aim to restore the mother rabbit's size to prepregnancy standards two days before weaning.

6. From 16 days of age, baby rabbits can start consuming a small amount of fresh greens and rabbit feed, gradually increasing the amount as they grow and develop.

These are the key points for raising healthy rabbits as outlined by Oxygen Pet Doctor. If any of the information provided is incorrect, we welcome your feedback!