winter and grow out time

[Rainey]

Just butchered 7 from the litter born October 2 (we were going to wait for an above freezing day but this one was in the upper 20's and temps just going down again after tomorrow). These were 16 weeks and the weights were below the last batch done at 14 weeks. We're not feeding pellets or alfalfa and haven't expected the grow rate many of you get. The kits that grew faster were growing when we were feeding a mix of green forages, hay, and a small amount of grain. The kits just butchered were fed wheat fodder, hay, oats, carrots & parsnips, and dried willow (small branches with leaves) and field peas dried when pods just forming.

So how does winter affect grow out rate for those feeding more the same things year round? I'm trying to figure out how much to attribute to different feed and how much to the cold, lack of light, etc.

ps Also kept the best doe from this litter. Really appreciate all the help RT has been with how to choose which to keep and breed and how to tell when they're ready. The two junior does we selected earlier are now almost 6 months old and one is very bright pink but they haven't gotten temperamental yet. Hope to breed them at the beginning of March and the one kept back today as soon as she looks ready.

 

[Dood]

I'm finding my kits growth rate slows in the winter even though I offer artificial light and keep the barn above freezing the first 6 weeks, then they are moved to a grow out colony but have an insulated house they can crowd into and it is at least 5 degrees warmer than the outside temperature.

The weights still slowed when I was feeding pellets but have really slowed on their new grains and hay ration.

I havent been keeping growth rate records like I did when I first started :roll: so I don't have any concrete numbers and some of it can be attributed to the increase of Mini Lop blood in my meat mutts but I'd say they are at least 10 ounces behind my summer kits who get fresh forage as well as hay and grains

 

[Zass]

My meat kits growth have seemed to have slowed down, but...last winter I had some crosses with very good growth even though the temps were abnormally low.


There must be more factors in place.

 

[Rainey]

My meat kits growth have seemed to have slowed down, but...last winter I had some crosses with very good growth even though the temps were abnormally low.


There must be more factors in place.

Thanks Zass. That's what I'm working on now that we've gotten a start--figuring out what other factors we ought to be working on. With the natural feeding and our total cluelessness about what to buy for breeding at the start sometimes it seems like everything is a variable. Reassuring though to realize how much we've learned with help from all you guys. Zach pleased because he was able to finish 7 rabbits in an hour and ten minutes, his best time yet in spite of the fact that the water he was using to clean between buns was freezing on his apron and the wall and all.

 

[Truckinguy]

I don't have any numbers to throw around but it seems to me that the buns grow a little slower in the winter, possibly because it takes more energy to keep warm. They also seem to eat a little less in the winter and I wonder if it's because the water is frozen part of the time and they can't eat without water to wash it down.

The nursing kits seem to grow as fast all year round but they are snug in the nest all winter and on top of the nest in the summer so they self regulate for the temperature. Once they get on pellets it seems that they take a couple extra weeks on the winter to reach the same size.

Just my extremely non-scientific observations...

 

[Miss M]

I confess, I haven't paid enough attention to mine to notice whether winter makes a difference in growth in our rabbitry.

some of it can be attributed to the increase of Mini Lop blood in my meat mutts

You've got a Mini Lop in your meat rabbits, too? I thought I was the only one! :lol:

We still have two does descended from our Mini Lop. One is his daughter (Squeak), the other is his granddaughter or great-granddaughter (Wave). We grew out Wave to replace Squeak as a breeder, while sharing the cage with her.