Rabbit Breeding, An Unpopular Wealth Generator

By Chiedum   3 years ago   585
Agriculture - Top Stories

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Rabbits evoke different feelings among different people. While pet lovers look at a rabbit as a pleasant, cute and innocent companion, the commercial rabbit farmers love its prolificacy and how it translates into faster cash. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to engage in profitable breeding practices, marketing and dynamics of rabbitry.

Why rabbit farming

One of the winning characteristics of rabbits is their ability to multiply fast. A single doe (female rabbit) may produce 30-40 bunnies per year.

They also require minimal space compared to pigs or cattle. A breeding buck can thrive on 0.75mx0.75m area at a height of 0.75m and hutches can be arranged in a 2-3 tier structure, maximizing the use of available space.

One cow, for example, requires at least one acre of grazing land to yield 100-150 Kg of meat after 18 months. The same size of land can raise 100 rabbits yielding over 3,000Kg of meat per annum.

Rabbits also have a higher feed-conversion rate than most livestock with which they can convert 20% of the plant proteins they consume into edible meat, which is delicious.

The meat is considered the leanest meat in the world and one of the healthiest, rich in protein (20.8 %), low in fat content (4.5%) and with minimal cholesterol, providing an option for those wishing to avoid high-fat foods.

Rabbitry is climate-smart venture that neither leads to overgrazing nor produces methane which affects the ozone layer.

Rabbitry can be integrated with other farming enterprises and waste products from the slaughter of rabbits can be boiled and fed to pigs. The manure is also excellent for improving soil fertility.

Engagement in rabbitry is unlikely to upset community relations since the animals are quiet and their droppings have no offensive odour.

Type of rabbits to breed

One may select from meat-producing breeds that have been tried in Uganda such as New Zealand White which is the most common followed by Californian, Flemish Giant and Chinchilla.

California breed is also popular in commercial rabbit farming in other developing countries with attractive production traits including high fertility, good growth rate and high feed conversion rates.

Chinchilla, though not yet common in Uganda, competes favourably with the New Zealand White and the Californian while Flemish Giant is not a good commercial breed since it has limited prolificacy and a low food conversion rate.

Shelter

Farmers are advised to use durable materials when constructing the cages. Locally, materials such as timber, bamboo poles and papyrus and grass thatch can be used.

Since Rabbits gnaw and burrow, the house should be built off the ground and made of materials that withstand gnawing. Wooden building materials unless covered by a metallic mesh will be destroyed by rabbits that gnaw on them.

An earthen floor is also preferred as it quickly absorbs urine compared to concrete floors that are more difficult to keep dry.

A well-ventilated shelter should be constructed over the hutches. Rabbits tend to sweat at the paws and therefore require maximum ventilation is vital to allow quicker heat loss. If a metallic roof is used, the shelter should be high enough to reduce the impact of the heat but generally, the use of the grass thatch or papyrus matting keeps the environment cool.

Farmers are also advised to build separate cages for each breeding rabbit. Keeping each breeding doe in a separate unit (1m2 of space per rabbit) is also important as rabbits also have poor neonatal care and adults may trample the young ones. Caging also helps prevent sexual mature males at fight each other.

Feeding

Feeding governs productivity and feeding costs have been estimated at 80% of the cost in commercial fryer production. Rabbits can survive on a variety of plant material. They have a large stomach compared to their body size to enable them to eat large amounts of plant material. A diet rich in fibre is not only essential for providing nutrients but also vital in keeping the rabbit’s gut in good health. A diet low in fibre and high in soft carbohydrates can lead to slow gut movements in the intestines and in the caecum, causing ill-health.

The best feed is a commercially pelleted ration that meets the rabbit’s nutritional requirements. Pelleting reduces wastage of the feed. With such a formulated feed, it is not necessary to provide supplementary feeds.

Protein requirements of rabbits range between 12% and 17 % depending on the physiological status; with nursing and growing rabbits requiring higher protein levels. Commercially pelleted feed is currently produced by NUVITA (Engano Millers) and Uga Chick Poultry Breeders. A kilogram of the feed costs 1,300-1,700/=. A mature breeding rabbit requires 100-120g per day and they feed better at dawn and at dusk. Currently, the feeds on the market are not differentiated by the physiological needs of the rabbits.

Water requirements

Water should be provided to rabbits all the timekeeping since two-thirds of a rabbit’s body mass is water and deficiency would cause poor growth and lactation as well as a reduction in dry matter intake.

Multiplication

Breeding is the pathway to the multiplication of the flock. Breeding onset in the medium-sized breeds (e.g. New Zealand White and California) is 5-6 months for does and one month later for bucks. Domestic rabbits have no estrus cycle. Rabbits mate more successfully in the early morning hours or late in the evening. Courtship and mating in rabbits are very brief, lasting only 30 to 40 seconds.

It should be noted that the doe is taken to the buck’s cage and not vice versa. If the doe is receptive, mating will occur soon after pairing.

Mating

Ovulation is induced when the buck mounts the doe. Two weeks after mating, a skilled farmer can palpate the abdomen and feel the fetuses. If these cannot be felt, then re-mating is recommended. The gestation period is 28-32 days. Towards kindling, the doe builds a nest, pulling large amounts of hair from her mammary region. The farmer should provide a nesting box to facilitate the building of the safe nest. The average litter size is 7-8. The young at birth are hairless and have closed eyelids. The doe normally nurses her young only once a day, usually in the morning. Eyes open at about 10-12 days, the young begin to eat solid food at about three weeks and weaning should occur at 4-6 weeks.

Record Keeping

Rabbitry requires dedicated record keeping which aids the effective management of the farm and facilitates computation of the profitability. Good records also help the farmer to avoid inbreeding and can identify poorly performing rabbits that ought to be culled.

Key records regarding name or number of rabbit, date acquired, date serviced, date of parturition, number born alive, number born dead and number weaned, date of weaning and the date for next service should be taken.

Hygiene

In a rabbitry, there should be zero tolerance to poor hygiene and the cages must be cleaned routinely i.e. at least twice a day, early in the morning and in the evening. Faecal matter and urine should not be allowed to accumulate and any dead rabbits should be disposed of immediately. At least once every month, the rabbitry should be disinfected including the cages. Bio-safe is recommended as it has minimal effect on the rabbits. Feed and water utensils should also be regularly cleaned.

Health

Feeding time provides an opportunity to observe the rabbits and identify any that may look sick. The most common non-infectious ailments of rabbits are bloat and ear mange or Canker. Bloat is a result of swallowing a lot of fur during the grooming, forming a ball which blocks the gut. This risk is precipitated by reduced fibre in the diet.

Diseases

Detection of diseases is not easy; as in most cases, the rabbits are found dead overnight though this condition is uncommon in rabbits that are entirely fed on forage. Ear mange is caused by a mite burrowing in the skin of the ear making the rabbit uncomfortable and frequently shakes the head, attempting to scratch the ears. On examination, a brown/yellowish scaly crust is at the base of the inner ears. Applying one or two drops of animal healing oil in the ear using a pipette suffocates the mite and quickens healing of the tissue.

There are two other important diseases of rabbits: Pasturellosis (snuffles) and Coccidiosis. Pasturellosis is perhaps the most economically important bacterial disease of commercial rabbitry and it has not been confirmed in Uganda, although there are reports of suspected cases. Transmission is by droplet infection and contact with infected rabbits or contaminated objects. The bacteria, Pasteurella multocida, can often be found in the nasal sinuses of healthy rabbits. Environmental changes such as increased levels of temperatures and humidity may trigger the onset of the disease. There is a purulent nasal discharge. The front paws of the rabbit have matting from scratching the nose.

Treatment of snuffles is not recommended in commercial rabbitry. It is best to dispose of the affected flock and start anew. Coccidiosis is caused by protozoa (Eimeria species). Rabbits can live with a moderate infestation of these parasites without any clinical signs. Any kind of stress can trigger coccidiosis including; change in temperature, moving animals to new location and change in feed. Signs include diarrhoea, poor appetite, weight loss and in severe cases death. Treatment is expensive and has not been found to be effective. The use of sulfaquinoxaline mixed in the feed for 2 to 3 weeks has been shown to reduce the numbers of parasites. Preventive measures such as observing proper hygiene are preferred.

Economic viability

Raising rabbits can be a paying venture for those willing to make the necessary sacrifices. Investment in land; good breeding stock; reliable sources of feed; clean and safe water; appropriate housing; affordable animal health services and meat processing facilities are crucial considerations.

The size of the farm impacts on the production costs. It is estimated that the difference in production costs between a 4-doe and a 20-doe unit is nearly 33%. A commercial rabbit farmer should aim at having at least 10 breeders (does) when starting and gradually grow this to about 50 within six months. Rabbitries which cannot deliver more than 30 rabbits per cage per year to the market might not break even. One person can care for 100-120 rabbits on a farm.

In commercial rabbit production, it is estimated that labour costs account for 5-10% of the production costs. Where rabbits are fed 100% on commercially pelleted feeds, it is estimated that the cost of feeding accounts for 55-70% of the total production costs.

A basic breeding regimen should aim at 5-6 litres per doe per year. The average litter size of 6-7 kittens/bunnies per doe is an acceptable operational level. For New Zealand white or California a carcass weight of 1.5 Kg per fryer at 4 months is optimal. On an annual basis, a single doe should contribute over 60 Kg of meat. “Local” breeds may not reach such high production indices. Overall it is safe to estimate the kill out ratio (dressing percentage) at 50-55%.

Dr. Luzobe Samuel

[NewsNaira]


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Mmakim Eyo
3 years ago

Rabbit for what naw


(Quote) (Likes: 1)
Wizzy Lenzi
3 years ago

Is good na


(Quote) (Likes: 1)
Sule Musa
3 years ago

What amazing rabbit 


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Abdullahi Lucky
3 years ago

I like farming ? 


(Quote) (Likes: 1)
Hossana Jimmy
3 years ago

Funny make rabbit enjoy.


(Quote) (Likes: 1)

Rabbit for what now


(Quote) (Likes: 1)
Wealth Chioma
3 years ago

This is not for Nigeria


(Quote) (Likes: 1)

So great animal


(Quote) (Likes: 1)

Kgds jkff nfd


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JJ DE BEST
3 years ago

Engagement in rabbitry is unlikely to upset community relations since the animals are quiet and their droppings have no offensive odour


(Quote) (Likes: 1)
M. K. Jaja
3 years ago

Who de eat rabbit. 


(Quote) (Likes: 2)

Hbcgjjgfvmkhx


(Quote) (Likes: 1)
Taremi Oweikeye
3 years ago

Founy of you


(Quote) (Likes: 1)
Victoria Johnson
3 years ago

Rabbit for what


(Quote) (Likes: 1)
Amusa Ayodare
3 years ago

Blessing is farming wotk


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God we thanks u


(Quote) (Likes)

Some hw good


(Quote) (Likes: 1)
Emeka Victor
3 years ago

agriculture is life.  


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Felix
3 years ago

???????


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woooow is that true


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