Breeding rabbits at home

Breeding rabbits is a popular and profitable activity. Many newly-minted farmers are attracted by the opportunity to earn on breeding pussies at home. This is because at first glance these animals are bonanas for a novice businessman.

Breeding rabbits at home

Breeding rabbits at home is a good idea. With the right technique, this brings a good income: animals are quickly bred, their meat and fur are expensive, so such a business will cover all expenses exceeding a year. But such an outcome is possible only with the correct keeping and breeding of domestic animals.

In order for incomes to become a reality at home, it is necessary to learn as much as possible before buying eared ones. Without knowing how and what breed to choose, how to care for pets, how to feed them, where to keep and how to properly breed rabbits at home, you won’t make big money.Failing to follow these basic rules, there is a risk of pet diseases.

Where to buy

Buy animals from farmers who have been breeding for a long time: this gives a wide selection of quality individuals . Also, such sellers are able to give a large number of tips on caring for rabbits and their breeding. Separately, they are able to dwell on the problem of proper breeding of rabbits for their development accordingly. Responsible breeders can check with any information regarding animals.

For faster breeding, pay attention to adults rather than rabbits. By adult rabbits, it is more accurately seen which breed they belong to and whether they meet all the necessary requirements.

It is recommended to buy more females for breeding and raising rabbits: 10 males will have enough one male.

Species of breeds

Before buying, you need to decide on the purpose of breeding rabbits as a means of obtaining meat, fur or both, and on this basis choose a breed.

Meat breeds

Those aimed at selling meat need meat breeds, which include:

• Russian ermine rabbits c;
• New Zealand White;
• Gray Giant.

Breed Selection

Breeds for obtaining fur

Those who are aimed at selling fur from rabbits need to pay attention to the White Down Bunny. Angora rabbits also have good fur. Fur of Silvery and Vienna Blue breed is quickly sold.

Breeds for meat and fur

There are breeds that produce both fur and meat when breeding include:

• Flanders;
• Butterfly;
• Chinchilla.

Pet Selection

When buying, you need to pay attention to the health of the animal. The rabbit must have a movable large body, shiny hair without bald patches. Ears should stick up (not in lop-eared breeds) and be pink inside. The nose of a healthy individual is mobile, the teeth protrude forward.

The abdomen should be soft and the back should be smooth, the genitals should be pink.

Cellular content of rabbits

Breeding of decorative meat rabbits is mainly carried out in cages.

This method is the most common, since such a housing can be installed in any convenient place, while the rabbits will be protected from cold and rain.

Content of rabbits in cages

Pros keeping rabbits in cages:

• It’s easier to monitor rabbit health. This helps to prevent the death of a large number of individuals from infection.
• It is easier to feed and clean animals.
• It is easier to reproduce individuals.
• The only acceptable breeding option for obtaining furs: the wool does not deteriorate when kept in a single cage due to possible fights and dirt.

Cage rules

Cells must be protected from rain, snow and wind, otherwise the immunity is weakened in pets.

The floor is made of mesh: this will help with cleaning. The structure itself should be somewhere 73 × 62 × 45 cm for one animal. The walls of the dwelling are made of wood with a width of 1.5 cm. Bowls for food and drinkers should be installed in cages so that the animal easily gets to them, while not polluting.

Keeping the cages outdoors is only better in warm season. For the winter, it is advisable to transfer the animals to a warm barn.

Content in the pits

The pit method is the closest to the natural conditions for keeping rabbits, and therefore pets develop better in these, breed and have a more developed and strong immunity.

For breeding about 20 rabbits, a 1 m deep is needed, the width of which is 2 × 2 m. You do not need to dig pits for pets, the rabbits themselves will do it, but they need to prepare their home: strengthen the 3 walls of the pit with wooden boards, leaving only one under the holes.

It is better to keep rabbits in the pit way in the basement or cellar. Indoors, it is advisable to make light and place several feeders against the wall. It will be warm for pets there even in winter.

Pros and cons of pit content

Among the advantages of pit content it is noted that rabbits feel more comfortable and reproduce faster than in cages . Cleaning should be done much less frequently here.

The following factors are considered disadvantages:

• Unsuitability if the goal is to obtain fur: in such an environment, the hair deteriorates, becomes dirty and rough.
• Animals mate without human supervision, which is why there is a high risk of communication between close relatives, which leads to a decrease in breed.
• The difficult process of cleaning and feeding.
• The rapid spread of infection .

The pit method is not suitable for places where groundwater flows: moisture accumulates in pits, in ultate that rabbits get sick.

Breeding

For successful breeding rabbits need to carefully prepare for mating. First, it is advisable to determine its appearance: group or steam.

Selection of a pair is made taking into account the age of the eared.The best fit is a male from 5 months to 3 years and a female from 9 to 10 months. Both partners must be ideal representatives of their breed, meet the standards.

Basic rules for mating

To understand that the rabbit is ready for mating is easy by her behavior: she becomes overly active, doesn’t eat. The female genitals become very visible and pink. It is advisable to let the female only an active, moderately well-fed male, who before that had no more than one mating. Before mating, it is important to thoroughly rinse the entire cage, it is advisable to remove all unnecessary from it. After that, the male and the rabbit are put there.

At the end of the mating, the male falls on his side and makes a squeak or rumbling.

The process is repeated after 5 days, but with another male. If during the second mating the female shows aggression towards the male, she most likely already carries rabbits, and therefore there is no point in insisting on mating.

Meals during mating

Before mating, rabbits should be fed 3 times a day, but do not overfeed. Also, a little salt, fish oil and about 2 grams of chalk should be added to the feeder. The diet should include barley grains, carrots, potatoes, silage, oats, bran, hay. In the summer, it is important to add fresh grass to the menu.

Pregnancy

Pregnant females are characterized by increased appetite and do not allow males to approach them. Already these signs give a signal to the farmer about the upcoming addition to the farm.

Another way to determine the rabbit’s pregnancy is as follows: you need to take the female in her arms and touch the bottom of her belly. If bulges are felt somewhere around 3 cm, the female is pregnant. A similar test is carried out on the 15th day after mating.

Before giving birth, the rabbit nests and lays out its litter there.

Nutrition during pregnancy and during feeding should also be varied. Lactating or pregnant females should be fed 3 to 5 times a day.

How to feed pets in such a crucial period? Nutrition should be more fortified than other individuals. The diet should include root crops, grain feed and vitamin supplements. It will also be useful for rabbits to feed dandelion, sorrel, cereals and chalk. It is not worth giving freshly picked grass: rabbits begin to have diarrhea. 5-7 days before the birth of the offspring, silage and hay should be excluded from the diet of the female.

Eared drinkers should always have fresh water

Keeping rules

If the pet has no appetite, its coat has lost its luster and the temperature is above 39 ° C, he has an infectious disease. The first safety measure is to put the infected animal from everyone else in a separate cage in order to protect the rest of the pets. The next step is to invite a veterinarian to examine the animal.

Often common diseases are rodents, so when keeping eared animals in the basement, do not leave food open. It is necessary to tightly close all the holes through which the mice penetrate.

It is recommended to disinfect the room at least 1 time per week using special means. From mold on the walls, many farmers treat the room with lime, but before that you need to consult a veterinarian, is it safe for pets or not.

From birth, you need to conduct preventive examinations and show your pets to the specialist at least 1 time in 6 months. Many diseases are easier to cure at the initial stage.

Errors of inexperienced farmers

Many beginner rabbit breeders make the simplest mistakes in breeding rabbits: they forget to change the water in the drinking bowls, they don’t clean the cages and they don’t change the litter, they don’t turn to for vaccination against diseases by veterinarians, they don’t know how to handle a pregnant or lactating female, they feed improperly eared, place cells in places where it is constantly hot or constantly draft.

Если вы не будете следовать основным правилам содержания кроликов, то скот скоро заболеет и вымрет. Рентабельность всего предприятия будет очень и очень сомнительной.