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Breeding English spotted rabbits

Spotted English Rabbits is one of the types of rabbits that is famous for its brownish-black color, and it can be considered one of the most well-born rabbits, as a female Spotted English Rabbits can carry about twelve rabbits in one abdomen, and lives mainly in the United Kingdom, but until now its original home is not known.

English spotted rabbits

It is famous for the spotted or dotted English, and its original home is England, and it is world famous. This species was discovered in 1849, but its prosperity began between the period 1855 to 1860, but it disappeared once or similar to the relative extinction after that, but it reappeared again in 1880 and began to reproduce in abundance until

On his dynasty, then we pass his move to the United States of America in 1910, and he was officially adopted in 1924, and from that time he began his wide fame in the world, and his dynasty moved all over the world until our time.

It is one of the rabbits that produces meat and fur at the same time, but its sales are mostly meat. It can reach a weight of 5 kilos within 6 months, and its production is similar to a rex. Its production number ranges from 5 to 12 in the abdomen, and it is characterized by black dots.

Its back is random, with a black line extending from the spine from its head to its tail. It has colors such as chocolate, tortoiseshell, gray, and other colors, but the common and widespread are black dots.

Feeding Spotted English Rabbits

The productive performance of the rabbit herd is highly affected by the nutritional level of the herd, where rabbits give their maximum production when they are fed on a good nutritional level, and nutrition represents about 55% of the total costs of rabbit production. In natural conditions, rabbits feed on fresh and dry green materials and roots, and this is possible with Small numbers of rabbits among young breeders, but this method of feeding is not commensurate with the rates of intensive production or commercial production of meat. Therefore, a good balanced food is necessary for rabbits that are under the concentrated commercial production system and that are economically exploited for the production of meat.

Some specific factors for feeding rabbits

The rise in air temperature reduces the consumer of food, and the consumption also decreases with the increase in the energy level in the diet, and vice versa. Rabbits prefer granulated fodder compared to fodder in a soft form.

Necessary nutrients for rabbits

water

Water represents about 70% of the live weight, and the amount of water that the rabbit eats varies depending on the weight, age, and the nature of the food that the rabbit eats (dry or green) in addition to temperature and humidity. Small rabbits need drinking water to a greater extent than large rabbits, and mothers consume large amounts of Drinking water after childbirth to compensate for the loss of body fluids after childbirth. With the rise in air temperature, consumption of drinking water increases and consumption of food decreases. The rabbit's water needs are twice that of dry matter consumption, or about 120 cm3/kg live weight. Water needs of rabbits: adult rabbits 200-350 cm3. Pregnant mothers 350 - 500 cc. Breastfeeding mothers 1000 - 2500 cc

Protein:

It is the main component of the organs and tissues in the body and is required for growth, replacement of lost and damaged tissues during life, and provision of the necessary needs for pregnancy and lactation. The rabbits' need for protein in their diets ranges from 15-18%, depending on the state of production, so it is 16% in growth diets, 17% in pregnant mothers diets, and 18% in breastfeeding mothers diets .

energy:

Essential for carrying out the vital functions of muscle activity and metabolic processes and for maintaining body temperature. Any increase in the amount of energy beyond the needs of rabbits is stored in the form of fat, which is re-broken and utilized when energy is low in food. The digested energy in rabbit diets ranges between 2500-2700 kcal / kg diet.

fiber:

It occupies a large space in the digestive system, enabling it to function, and the percentage of crude fiber in rabbit diets should not be less than 12-14%. It should be noted that the percentage of fiber in the diet less than 6% may lead to severe damage to the digestive system and thus death.

Mineral salts:

The main mineral salts such as calcium and phosphorous are necessary for building bones and teeth and give the skeletal system strength and durability. They are also considered part of soft tissues such as muscles and blood cells. Their presence in diets is necessary for the proper growth of the young. As for nursing mothers, in the high milk production stage they need a larger portion of Mineral salts range from 0.8 – 1%. Calcium and phosphorous range from 0.5 – 0.7% in rabbit diets. The appropriate level of table salt ranges from 0.3 to 0.5. The deficiency and increase in mineral salts in rabbit diets have negative effects on the health and vitality of rabbits, as well as microelements. Like manganese - zinc - iron - copper - selenium - iodine is very important and necessary for the body to carry out its vital functions naturally to build the body.

vitamins:

They are complex organic substances that rabbits need in very small quantities for normal growth and play multiple roles in body metabolism. They are essential for maintaining the lining membranes of body tissues, bone formation, reproduction, blood clotting, and nervous and enzymatic systems. And for the good growth of rabbits, their diets must contain appropriate amounts of vitamin A, vitamin D, and a group of B complex vitamins.

Other additions:

Some other substances are added to rabbit diets, including antibiotics, growth stimulants, antioxidants, antifungals, and anticoccidia, in order to stimulate growth or avoid the occurrence of certain diseases. It is added to avoid the dangers of this disease. Molasses is also added to improve palatability, and sometimes fat is added.

Important Notes for Feeding and Management of Spotted English Rabbits Flocks

Providing the appropriate fodder for each age and each production stage. When changing the feed (using new fodder), the change must be done gradually, as the sudden change is usually accompanied by a loss in the rabbits’ appetite, lack of palatability, and a decrease in the amount of fodder consumed, which affects the productivity of the herd. The breeder mixes part of the used fodder with part of the new fodder, and this is gradual and not Suddenly. Storing the feed in a dry, airy place, free of insects and low temperature, and out of the reach of cats, dogs and mice. The feed can be stored under these good conditions for a period of three months. The feed must be available to cover the needs of energy, protein, fiber and ash, in addition to palatability and free from harmful and toxic substances. And the lack of continuous change in the quality of the diet used in terms of sources and components.