1. What are the factors that cause pica in rabbits
1. Animals Behavioural influence
In the case of caged rabbits, the habits of rabbits such as burrowing and gnawing cannot be well achieved, which can also be an important influencing factor for the occurrence of trichomes and toe-eating habits in rabbits ; Rabbits are naturally timid, they are easily frightened and stressed when they encounter sudden noises, and when the female rabbit is frightened during childbirth, it is easy to form a feeding addiction; Rabbits like cleanliness and often use their tongues Licking its own hair, during the molting period of rabbits, rabbits are prone to become addicted to eating hair by mistake, which induces trichomes.
2. Influenced by environmental factors
Affected by ambient temperature and humidity: rabbits can easily induce rabbits in high temperature and high humidity environments Disorders such as hair loss and dermatitis, while the humidity is too low will cause the rabbit’s fur to be too dry and itchy, causing the rabbit to bite the uncomfortable part and eat the hair by mistake, causing trichophilia; affected by seasonal changes: in spring and autumn, rabbits Seasonal molting occurs, and rabbits eat the fallen hair easily to cause trichome; Affected by stocking density: Excessive stocking density is one of the important reasons for inducing pica in rabbits; Affected by light intensity: too much light It is also easy to induce pica in rabbits. Usually, rabbits need lower light intensity than other poultry.
3. Caused by poor management
If the owner does not pay attention to cleaning the rabbit cage in time, especially when The hair dropped by the rabbit is mixed in its feed. If the rabbit is addicted to eating hair, it will easily induce trichophagia; if the owner does not provide drinking water to the pregnant female rabbit in time, it will easily induce the rabbit’s cannibalism; If individual rabbits with trichophagia are not isolated in time, other rabbits can easily be tempted to eat each other’s fur.
4. Caused by lack of certain trace elements
Long-term lack of vitamins, mineral trace elements, or insufficient dietary fiber in rabbits will also It is considered to be one of the causes of pica in rabbits, but this conclusion has not been fully confirmed so far.
5. Pica caused by disease
The presence of ectoparasitic diseases in rabbits may also lead to trichomes in rabbits , an important factor in toe eating addiction.
Second, prevention and treatment of pica in rabbits
If a rabbit is found When pica occurs, the cause of pica should be detected as soon as possible, and then corresponding measures should be taken to deal with it. In general, the main measures to prevent rabbits from eating cubs are: keeping the environment of the rabbit house quiet, ensuring that the farrowing box is clean and free of peculiar smell; providing sufficient drinking water for the laboring female rabbits in advance.
In order to improve the rabbit’s trichotosis, the owner should pay attention to observe the rabbit every day, and clean up the lost hair in time, especially when the rabbit is moulting. During the period, be sure to brush it more and clean up its fallen hair in time; try to avoid parasitic diseases and fungal diseases in rabbits. In addition, pay attention to provide the rabbit with adequate hay, and supplement the appropriate amount of trace elements and minerals, such as sulfur and magnesium.
The above is our analysis of the causes of pica in rabbits, I hope it can help you!
