Essential Tips for Raising Healthy Rabbits

Careful Considerations for Rabbit Farming

Key Points to Remember

1. Separation of Chicken and Rabbit Enclosures: It is crucial to keep rabbit pens separate from chicken coops, and especially to avoid housing chickens with rabbits. The primary reason for this is that in largescale chicken farming, the concentration of chicken feces can be high and, coupled with poor ventilation and high temperatures, can significantly hinder the growth and production of chickens, increasing their susceptibility to illness and mortality. Similarly, housing rabbits with chickens can lead to slow growth in rabbits, reduced meat or fur quality, and a higher likelihood of infectious diseases and parasitic infestations, including coinfections like coccidiosis and pasteurellosis. Additionally, due to the differing biological clocks and behaviors—rabbits being calm and chickens active—it is best to keep them in separate environments.

2. Avoid Using Asbestos Cement Sheets for Rabbit Shelters: Asbestos cement, often used for its thinness, is poor at insulation and heat resistance. Moreover, it contains a high concentration of glass fibers, which can easily dislodge after prolonged exposure to wind, sun, and rain. This can lead to respiratory issues like coughing and asthma in rabbits, and potentially other diseases. Therefore, it is not advisable to use asbestos cement for constructing rabbit shelters.

3. Gentle Handling of Rabbits: When picking up rabbits, avoid pulling on their ears too hard. Rabbits have a high concentration of nerves in their ears, and excessive pulling can cause injury. To safely handle rabbits, gently pull on the ears with one hand while supporting the rabbit's rump with the other. This method not only protects the rabbit but also prevents the rabbit from becoming scared and potentially harming you.

4. Avoid Feeding Only Silage to Rabbits: While rabbits are herbivores, they rely on the microbial fermentation in their cecum to digest roughage. Overfeeding them with silage, which is highly acidic, can lead to excessive acidity in their digestive tracts, reducing the enzyme production necessary for fiber digestion, potentially causing digestive disorders and even acidosis. Furthermore, silage can spoil in the air, and consuming spoiled silage can be fatal. It is best to mix silage with other feeds when feeding rabbits.

5. Be Cautious with Antibiotic Use: Overuse of antibiotics such as oxytetracycline and diquat can kill beneficial gut microorganisms in rabbits, leading to higher disease rates and more challenging treatments. Rabbit farmers should exercise extreme caution when administering antibiotics and should ideally do so under veterinary guidance.

6. Ensure Proper Lighting for Rabbits: Some rabbit farmers overlook the importance of adequate lighting in rabbit shelters. Without sufficient sunlight, does may fail to come into heat or become barren, while bucks may experience a decline in sperm quality. Sufficient lighting is essential for rabbit breeding. If natural light is insufficient, artificial lighting can be used to supplement the rabbits' environment.

By keeping these points in mind, rabbit farmers can create a healthier and more productive environment for their rabbits.