Raising and breeding rabbits in a pit
Rabbit breeding is not very common in Russia. It wasn't until the 2000s that farmers again began to breed rabbits on an industrial scale. When caged rabbits get sick more because they move less. It is advisable to build a separate cage for each colic. To prevent rabbits from gnawing on wooden cages or fences, they need to be regularly fed with raspberry or acacia branches. In addition, it is difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature in the cells.
The pit is cool in summer, and when the rabbits dig deep holes, the temperature will be comfortable for them in winter too. Rabbits begin to dig holes in 14-16 days after their settling in the pit.
Arrangement of the pit
Rabbits have very weak immunity, so it is very important to cover the pit with slate sheets to keep the rain out. Also, the pit along the perimeter is closed with a mosquito net so that mosquitoes, flies and other insects do not fly into it. To protect the rabbit pit from cats, dogs and other animals, it can be dug in a poultry enclosure, which is fenced with a netting net.
The depth of the hole should be between 75 cm and 3.5 m. The deeper you dig the hole, the warmer it will be. When rabbits are too hot, they drink more and consume less food, which means they grow more slowly.
For rabbits, a hay bed is required. The pit should also have a feeder and drinker. Rabbits eat 8 times a day, so the capacity of a feeder for five rabbits should be at least 6 kg. As rabbits age, they eat more, so it is necessary to increase the amount of food as they grow. For a day of five, 3 liters of water is enough for rabbits. It is better to install an auto feeder and set it up for 8 portions of feed per day.
Rabbits burrow well in sandy or sandy loam soil. You can dig a hole in an area with light loam or swampy soil, but then the rabbits will dig the soil more slowly. In order for them to feel comfortable and get used to their new place of residence faster, you need to dig a small 40 cm long burrow with a shovel.You cannot dig a horizontal depression, as the rabbits will start digging upward and can escape from the hole. To avoid this and force the rabbits to dig their holes down, dig the first hole at an angle of 30ABOUT-45ABOUT.
The first principle of rabbit breeding when keeping rabbits in a pit or a common cage is vaccination of the offspring against HBV (viral hemorrhagic disease) and myxomatosis. When kept in a pit, it is impossible to avoid related mating, therefore, a rabbit pit is made small, for 4 females and one male, and rabbits are slaughtered when they reach 4 months of age before puberty.