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Article: Rabbits require proper feed to perform well.(The rabbit barn)
- Article from:
- Countryside & Small Stock Journal
- Article date:
- May 1, 2004
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 Countryside Publications Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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I read with interest Mary Kilmer's article "Gleanings from Woodland Rabbitry." I have bred and. raised rabbits for 38 years and I think I have some insight into why Mary is having trouble getting her does to successfully rear their litters.
I believe it is the feed. Mary states, "I mix rabbit pellets with dairy sweet feed that we give to the goats ..." It has been shown that lactating does (especially with the size litters Mary talks about), need a good 18% protein pellet to support adequate milk production. Most folks feed a 16% pellet, which works alright if you are not pushing your does too hard. I like to top-dress the pellets once a day with a high protein ...