Читать книгу Rabbit Production - James I McNitt - Страница 66

Rabbits must be protected from rain and sun. Good circulation of air throughout the rabbitry is a must, but strong drafts and winds should be avoided. It is essential that the animals have a supply of water available at all times. Temperature, humidity, and air currents all have a direct bearing, and each rabbitry is an individual problem. Adequate shade should be provided.

Rabbits suffer more from heat than cold; it is necessary to give the herd special attention during periods of high temperatures. They are more uncomfortable in high temperatures the first few hot days in the season. Does that are well advanced in pregnancy and newborn litters are the most susceptible to injury. The does give evidence of suffering by excessive moisture around the mouth and nose and occasionally bleeding from the nostrils, rapid respiration, and restlessness; newborn litters by extreme restlessness. Rabbits that show symptoms of suffering should be removed to a quiet, well-ventilated place. Considerable relief can be given by placing a wet cloth in an animal’s cage for it to lie on. In the case of the doe that has advanced to the stage where bleeding is occurring and quick action is necessary, placing cracked ice between the folds of a wet cloth and placing it in the cage so she can lie on it is quite effective and may save a doe about to kindle. Immersing the entire animal in cold water for three seconds is another emergency measure to save a heat-stressed rabbit. Many rabbit breeders freeze two-liter soda bottles filled with water and place them in the cages when it gets very hot.

Sprinkling the roof and floor of the rabbitry may give relief, except in areas of high humidity. If a roof sprinkler is thermostatically controlled, it will take care of quick weather changes and is especially useful if the caretaker is not available for regulating the sprinkler. If it is extremely hot, sprinkling the rabbits is another possibility, especially the does that will kindle in the next day or two. Be careful not to wet any feed in the feeders. Heavily pregnant does do not seem to be able to dissipate the heat as well as other rabbits, and giving them a cool dip or sprinkling may be the only way to save their lives.