Rabbit Farming Basic Guide for Beginners

To fulfil the food demand for a growing population, we have to find out different ways of food production. The rabbit known as “micro-livestock” can be a great source of food production. This is a great opportunity for rabbit farming, and commercial production can be a great source of income and employment.

Rabbits need small place for living and less food for surviving. Rabbit meat contains high ratio of protein, energy, calcium and vitamin than any other types of animal meat. The amount of cholesterol, fat and sodium is also less than other meat.

Their meat is very testy, nutritious and easily digestible for all aged people. And there are no religious taboos for consuming rabbit meat. Rabbits grow very fast and the female rabbit produce 2 to 8 kids every time. They can consume very low quality food and turn this foods to high quality meat, skin or fibre.

Raising rabbits can be a great income source to the unemployed, educated people and landless farmers. So commercial rabbit farming business can be a great source to meetup the food or protein demand and a great source of employment. Here we are describing the advantages of commercial rabbit farming business and steps for starting.

Advantages of Rabbit Farming

There are many advantages of commercial rabbit farming businesses. The main benefits of rabbit farming businesses are listed below:

1. Rabbits are very fast growing animals.
2. Their food converting rate is better than other animals.
3. One female rabbit can give birth about 2 to 8 kids each time.
4. Rabbits can be raised within a short space.
5. Production costs are less, compared to other large sized animals.
6. Rabbit meat is very tasty, nutritious and easily digestible. All aged people can eat without any problem.
7. There are no religious taboos consuming rabbit meat.
8. In case of meat production, rabbits are placed after poultry.
9. Kitchen wastes, grass, plant leaves etc. are favourite foods of rabbit. So you can raise some rabbits for your family needs, using this type of low cost and easily available commodities.
10. Rabbit farming require less labour compared to another animal farming business. You can easily use your family labour for successful commercial rabbit farming business.
11. Commercial rabbit farming business require relatively less capital and you will get back your investment within a very short period.
12. As it is a highly profitable business, so commercial production can be a great source of earning and employment.
13. You can meetup your family nutritional demands through raising a few number of rabbits.

People usually raise rabbits as pets. But raising them commercially, can be a great source of income and a smart way of employment. The annual demand of meat is increasing rapidly throughout the world. Right now poultry, beef and pork meat are controlling this huge demand. Commercial rabbit production can play a very important role to meetup this demand. So rabbit farming business has a great opportunity.

How to Start Rabbit Farming Business

Rabbits are small sized animals. So it’s very easy to start a commercial rabbit farming business. Make a proper business plan before starting. Here we are describing the most important steps of starting commercial rabbit farming business.

Choose Rabbit Breeds

There are many rabbit breeds available throughout the world. Among those breeds Dark Grey (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.

1. 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.

2. Cage Method:

For commercial rabbit farming businesses, 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.

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% crude protein, 14% fibre, 7% 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.

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 of 2 to 8 kids.

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.

Through proper care and management, you can make maximum profit from your rabbit farming business. Always try to take good care of your animals. Feed them quality nutritious food, keep their house clean and purchase healthy breeds for starting.