Feeding: Rabbits should receive pelleted food and the food should be of high quality because they tend to fall sick quickly after eating stale food. An average of 120 gms of food per day is required. However, for breeding purposes, an average of 90 gms of food per day is enough. The food should contain lots of green stuff such as ramie, comfrey, banana leaves and vegetables given in controlled amounts. Try to avoid feeding lettuce. To avoid wastage, it's recommended that you increase the total number of meals, but not the amount of food per meal. The water should be clean and abundant.
Health Care: The best way to protect the flock against disease is to keep the flock in perfectly hygienic conditions: periodic cleaning of the cages with brushes and bactericides is very essential. Sheds and cages should be cleaned monthly with antibacterials and flame-throwers to keep them as clean as possible. The removal of the manure should be done after a maximum period of twenty days in summer and forty days in winter. It's best to clean every fortnight. After removal of manure, cover the area with a layer of sawdust (about an inch thick) or other dry material. Nests and dirty bowls should be washed with disinfectant and sun-dried at least every week. The water tank should be flushed and drained every month.
Gestation Period: 31 days. Three days before giving birth, the female should be placed in the nest in the female's cage. The nest box should have a small front opening (around 15 square cms) and the box should be 30 x 40 x 30 cm, preferably lined with "shavings" (not sawdust or tape). You can also use straw or a grass mat for the lining. During pregnancy, the female just needs a quiet place. No other special care is needed. Soon after birth, the nest should be examined and the stillborns need to be removed. Make sure that the live ones stay together inside the nest and not loiter around. Nests should be examined daily. 15 days after birth, the female can be left to stay with other rabbits again.
Rabbits are curious and emotional animals: Rabbits have a tendency to explore everything that they see around them; they might hurt themselves while trying to bite through exposed electrical wires, sharp objects or disinfectant containers. So, have someone to keep an eye on the animals so they don't harm themselves. Sometimes, rabbits also tend to isolate themselves (and even commit suicide) after picking a fight with a neighbor. A big space can prevent such incidents from occurring.
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