Rabbit Rearing

By Mac Elvis Afegwi

Rabbit farming is a business which involves the rearing of rabbits for home or
commercial purposes. Many people have rabbit farms in their homes due to the small
space needed to keep rabbits. The main problem with keeping rabbits is the need for
constant feeding.

Advantages of Rabbit Farming

The main benefits of rabbit farming business are listed below:

 Rabbits are very fast growing animal, hence, they can be raised to selling age
within a very short time for fast returns and for new ones to be put in their place.

 Their food converting rate is better than other animals. This enables the farmer to
use as little feed as possible for higher output per season.

 One female rabbit can give birth about 2 to 8 kids each time. This enables the
rabbit cages to be filled within the shortest possible time.

 Rabbits can be raised within a small space. This reduces the amount spent on
logistics, hence the total amount of capital needed to start a rabbit farm.

 Production costs per animal are less, compared to other large sized animals.

 Rabbit meat is very tasty, nutritious and easily digestible. All aged people can eat
it without any problem.

 There are no religious taboos on consuming rabbit meat, hence, more people are
consumers. This enables commercial rabbit farmers to produce and sell large
quantities of rabbits.

 In case of meat production, rabbits are placed after poultry. Rabbit meat is one
main source of meat, hence, it can subsidize chicken and beef.

 Kitchen wastes, grass, plant leaves etc. are favorite foods of rabbit. So you can
raise some rabbits for your family needs, using this type of low cost and easily
available commodities.

 Rabbit farming require less labor compared to another animal farming business.
You can easily use your family labor for successful commercial rabbit farming
business.

 Commercial rabbit farming business require relatively less capital and you will
get back your investment within a very short period.
 As it is a highly profitable business, so commercial production can be a great
source of earning and employment.You can meet-up your family nutritional
demands through raising a few number of rabbits.

How to Start Rabbit Farming Business

Rabbits are small sized animal. So it’s very easy to start a commercial rabbit farming
business. Make a proper business plan before starting.

1. Choose Rabbit Breeds

There are many rabbit breeds available throughout the world. Among those breeds
Dark Gray (internal), Fox, Dutch, New Zealand White, New Zealand Black, New
Zealand Red, Belgium White and Chinchilla etc. are highly productive and popular
breeds. You can choose proper breed for your production, depending on the
availability of breeds in your area.

Rabbit Farming Method

You can start raising rabbits in both deep litter and cage farming methods. Here we
are describing more about this two types of raising methods.

a) Deep Litter Method:

This method is suitable, if you want to raise a few number of rabbits. Concrete floor is
more suitable for deep litter system. Make 4 to 5 inches depth litter husk, hay, straw
or wood shavings. In this method, you can raise a maximum of 30 rabbits in a house.
Keep the male rabbits in a separate room from the female. In deep litter system, risks
of diseases is high. And sometimes, it may seem very difficult to manage the rabbit in
this system.

b) Cage Method:

For commercial rabbit farming business, cage method is the best. In this system the
rabbits are kept in a cage, which are made with wire or iron plate. Cage system is very
useful for raising a maximum number of rabbits. Keep sufficient space and necessary
facilities, inside every cage. Keep the male and female rabbits separated from each
other. Keep them together in a separate cage during breeding period.

The minimum recommended cage size is 1.1 meters for living space, height should be
2-3 meters (depending on rabbit height) and 9.7 meters area for playing or
movement.

However, a perfect cage for Rabbit farming in commercially or hobby or use another
measurement 36 inches wide, 30 inches deep, and 16 inches tall which suitable for
rearing all types of Rabbits.

But,
Other sizes may also work well. However, the most important part is providing
enough space for movement. Other factors to consider include:

 Multiple compartments: A rabbit requires a good-sized hutch or cage preferably

with two chambers.

 Cage Materials: The cage must be made of steel and wood. If you made a cage
through wood then it will be more effective with the same measurement.

 However, there is a little offbeat for males or doe during pregnancy. The does
like to build their own nest by using a straw and their own body hair.

 Playing Space: If you are growing them commercially, then you have to
consider a minimum amount of run/exercise space (able to take three hops). This
is essential and ensures healthy animals.

2. Feeding

Feed consuming rate and nutrient requirements varies, depending on the rabbit’s age
and breed type. For proper nutrition of adult rabbits, their food should contain 17 to
18 percent crude protein, 14 percent fiber, 7 percent minerals and 2700 kilo calorie/kg
of metabolic energy. Green leafy vegetables, seasonal vegetable, spinach, carrots,
muller, cucumber, green grass and vegetable wastes are common food of rabbits. For
commercial purpose, you can serve them poultry feed. In accordance with providing
nutritious feed, supply them sufficient amount of clean and fresh water according to
their demand.

In general, we could divide the rabbit’s feeding as follows:

 80% hay or fresh grass

 15% fresh food (leafy vegetables or wild herbs)

 5% concentrate feed

3. Breeding

Usually rabbits become mature and suitable for breeding purpose within their 5 to 6
months of age. But don’t use the male rabbits for breeding purpose until they reach
their first birthday. Doing this will ensure, quality young rabbits for commercial
production. Always try to use healthy rabbits with proper body weight for breeding.
Never bred the females, if they are ill. Take special care to the breeding male and
pregnant female rabbits, and provide them nutritious feed. The gestation period of
rabbits is about 28 to 31 days. And each time a doe can give birth to 2 to 8 kids.

4. Marketing
In some areas, marketing rabbit products is not so easy. So it will be better, if you
determine your marketing plan before starting. You can try your local markets or
nearest town.

Common Diseases of Rabbits

 Internal parasites such as worm infestation, coccidial infection, etc. Deworm

animals regularly and avoid giving animals moldy feeds. Also, administer
coccidiostat at an early age or anti-coccidial drugs.

 External parasites such as mites and lice infestation. Clean the hutches regularly.

 Bacterial infections such as Salmonellosis, Escherichia coli (E. coli), etc.

 Viral infections such as Myxomatosis (Big head disease), Rabbit Calicivirus

disease (Viral hemorrhagic disease).

Though the rabbit farming business is a lucrative one, it requires a lot of attention
especially in occasions when the doe gives birth, or when a rabbit is injured or sick.
They also need constant monitoring to warn off predators that seek to handicap or
even kill the rabbits. Apart from these drawbacks, the rabbit farming business is the
best animal rearing business one can think of.