If you own a rabbit farm, or are just looking for information before starting one, you’ll want to know how you can increase your rabbit production rates. Producing more kits per female per year will allow you to get more out of her business and help you be successful.

The first thing you’ll want to do to boost your crops into production is to have them checked for the first time around 18 weeks. Although they are not technically fully mature yet, studies have shown that this will result in them being able to produce more litters per year on average than the female being serviced when she is older. As he ages, his production rates naturally decline and the overall health of the litters declines, so be sure to keep an eye on your females and cull them when they aren’t producing as well as they should. Beyond this great way to get your rabbits off to a great start, there are three methods used to ensure that rabbits are more productive.

The method that allows the maximum amount of rest for the female and the nursing of her young is called the extensive reproductive rate. This method allows the female to nurse and wean her litter from her until around 5 weeks, and then she is returned to care. Each doe will have 4 or 5 litters per year. This is the most common method used in the US and UK, and is great because it allows the female to rest between litters, which will help her stay healthy and can help prolong her reproductive life.

The method that still allows a little rest after calving is called the semi-intensive rate and requires that the females are very well fed and healthy. With this method, the female is cared for 10-11 days after birth, which means that the kits are weaned around the same time she gives birth to her new litter. Females at this time will have an average of 8 litters each year. This method has been used in Europe for years, but care must be taken that the animals do not become overly exhausted or malnourished.

The last method that is not preferred because it is harder on the rabbits and can increase cost is the intensive rate. With this method, the rabbits are serviced immediately after turning on. However, this means that kits are weaned at 4 weeks and will require much more hay and pellets, which is more expensive than mother’s milk. While it does increase rabbit production rates, it does increase the total cost per rabbit.