Rabbits

Rabbits are bred in Italy mainly in factory farms in which all the steps are monitored and coordinated in a closed-loop process. The farm has both breeders and rabbits intended for fattening.
The facilities are well-ventilated and correctly dimensioned to respect the well-being and growth of the animals. Production consists of three steps: breeding, growing and fattening.
Breeding
Growing
Fattening

Breeding

Breeding is one of the most important steps in rabbit farming and,if successfully managed, it will ensure the profitable running of the entire farm. 
Breeders are kept in a specific area of the farm where the kits are born. Here the does, appropriately synchronised, kindle according to predetermined production cycles.
Kindling takes place in appropriately prepared nest boxes and is followed by lactation. This is a crucial time for the breeder because it is very demanding in terms of energy, protein and mineral balance. Keeping does efficient thus depends on adopting a correct feeding strategy supported by feedstuff specifically formulated to ensure a correct contribution in terms of energy and nutrients.
The kits stay with their mother for up to 35 days. At this age, they are weaned and sent to the growing and fattening stages.

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Growing

The growing stage starts at weaning and lasts for approximately 60 days. It comes before the fattening stage and is one of the most demanding for the young rabbit. Rabbits reach maximum daily growth rates during this time and require specifically formulated feed for supplying the right contribution of nutrients and digestible fibre. The object of the growing step is to harmonically develop the body structure and prepare the rabbit for the fattening step that follows.

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Fattening

The fattening step goes from 60 days of age and ends at appropriately 80 days when the rabbits are dressed for market.  During this time, the feeds are characterised by high energy contributions and are included in feeding programmes aimed at reaching the typical features required of rabbit meat. Rabbit meat is indeed known and appreciated for being very nutritious, with a good protein content and a low content in sodium and cholesterol.

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