RABBITS FARMING

1. Rabbit Farming business requires less space and it can be done anywhere at farm, backyard, on terrace or even at home. 2. The capital investment for this is very less. One unit of Rabbits contains 7 females and 3 males. And the cost of unit is just Rs. 19,000/- 3. As Rabbits are vegetarian you can feed almost anything vegetarian to the Rabbit including waste or surplus vegetables from the market, tree leaves, cattle grass or even kitchen scrap. Hence, it is very easy and affordable to feed a Rabbit. 4. No skilled labour is required for this project. 5. As per Indian Law we can not catch, kill or keep a Rabbit as Pet animal. But since 1960, the Government of India has taken initiative in importing Rabbits. Thus growing or keeping Imported Rabbits is authorized by Indian Law. 6. The reproduction capacity of Rabbits is very high. One female Rabbit delivers almost every 30 days and in the first year she delivers 6 to 8 babies per delivery and in the second year she will deliver 15 to 20 baby Rabbits per delivery. 7. The pregnancy and lection period is just 30 days and we keep the baby rabbits with her for 10 to 15 days. That means a female can deliver babies every 45 days, which is very fast growth of reproduction. In five years a mother Rabbit will deliver 34 times. 8. Within 3 months a baby Rabbit gains weight of 2.5 to 4 kgs. Introduction The existence of rabbit with human being remained from the time immemorial. Romans were the first to domesticate wild rabbits. Wild rabbits [oryctolagus cuniculus] gained importance in Roman empire as game animals. Such rabbits were increasingly populated in and around southern Europe, North Africa and Spain. Rabbit raising started in other parts of Europe in the early middle ages but was not accepted as popular animal till 19th century. In Australia and New Zealand, the rabbit population was by and large higher. In North America only feral rabbits were abundant. Wild rabbits were in existence in Chili. There are different views concerning the domestication of rabbits. Some say rabbits were domesticated by 1st century B.C. but others say that the first experiment in domestication of rabbits took place in monasteries of France between 6th and 10th century A.D. Napoleon was regarded as the most famous rabbit breeder of all times. Rabbit keeping in commercial

base started in the last century. The scarcity of food following first and second world war pave the way for extensive rabbit rearing. Meat became popular due to its excellent quality. During those times rabbits flesh was denoted as Underground Mutton and served as a source of food for rural families. Later on F.A.O. through different package programs encouraged the farmers for rabbit farming. Thus rabbit farming gradually spread to other countries. In India from early sixties the rabbit farming gained importance in places like Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir through introduction of German angora breed. In 1977 the government of India took much interest in rabbit raising in states and established a Central Research Station to encourage rabbit farming and to envisage research program to mitigate the problems in rabbit farming. Now rabbit farming is take up length and breadth of the country. But more attention is required to be made to popularize and commercialize the mutton of it. For the economic growth of our country, Rabbit growing is considered as one of the best aspects. In the ancient days rabbits were living in forests, hill areas, uncultivated lands etc. but at present it is famous that rabbit are grown as pet animals in township areas and villages. The growing of rabbits is not only for meat purpose but also it should be noted that importance is being offered for their skin and hairs. Like hens, rabbits are not brought up at home for many years from the ancient days. From the authentic information noticed, the rabbits are grown at home only from A.D. 16th century onwards. The growing of rabbits was initially taken up in European countries like Spain, France, Italy, Germany and England. When the ruling of England extended to countries Australia and New Zealand, the growing of rabbits at those countries had gained momentum. It is revealed through the researches made that during Second World War that when the scarcity of meat was considerably increased, growing of rabbits in other regions of the world have been taken up. Initially like hens rabbits are brought up small in numbers in backside of the house. The food waste in kitchen and cattle feed are only offered as food to them. Only from the middle of current 20th century onwards, the growing procedure of rabbits in separate cases had been implemented. Instead of various colored wild rabbits, at present the varieties like white colored New Zealand California, White Giant, Brawn Giant etc are being grown in greater way. And also rabbits brought up on buildings and cages are provided with special feed of grits. In European countries the growing of rabbits had been established as one of the bigger business. On world level, it is calculated that at an average one man consumes 200 grams of rabbit meat per year but it is revealed that in France country only one man consumes 10 kilos of rabbit meat in a year. Out of the total rabbit meat production in the world, 85% are produced in European countries.

As per the statistics, it is revealed that yearly meat production in America is 20 lakhs ton, Soviet is 2 lakhs 20 thousand ton, France is 2 lakhs 1 ton, Italy is 1 lakh 80 thousand ton, Spain is 1 lakh 40 thousand ton and China is 15 thousand ton. England imports rabbit meat for china. In India, the production of rabbit meat had not reached any marked stage. Due to increase in the habit of eating rabbit meat, the farms growing rabbits are not the increase. In many parts of Tamil Nadu. Since last 10 year or so, the fanns are established and at present are being run in bigger way on commercial basis. The importance of rabbit growing The animals are being brought up for consuming the unusable botanical products and family covert themselves as a suitable for human being in the shape of meat. Next to hens, rabbits are capable of converting the botanical protein energy in to meat. The hens brought up for meat, converts protein energy out of the food consumed by them to the extent of 23%. Likewise the meat conversion in the case of rabbit worked out to be 20%, pigs 16%, catties 12%. The hens does not consume the plants consist of fibers but grow by consuming the pulses varieties being utilized by men. In view of this, expenditure towards the feed for hens increases. This may also pose scarcity of food to human. Only rabbit meat can be produced by using the feeds consist of excessive quantity of Fibers with lesser production cost. Rabbits, in one time, are capable of producing 6 to 10 young rabbits. Their pregnancy period is only 30 days. As such, one female rabbit, in a span of one year, can have the capacity of yielding 30 to 35 young ones (excluding deaths) towards production of meat. Due to this, in a period of one year, we can produce more meat out of rabbits than from goats. One rabbit, in a year, produces meat 15 to 35 times of its body weight. Whereas the yield of meat in the goat calculated out to be only 0.8 times and for cows it is only 0.6 times. Like in poultry farms where the owners running behind for the chickens from the places where the hatching of eggs are done, rabbits never pose such problems to the owners in the rabbit farms. The requisite young rabbits for the farm can be obtained throughout the month rabbits available with them Rabbits are not being affected by climate conditions or insects developing diseases like in the case of chickens. As such, other maintenance cost for growing rabbit is considerably less. The rabbits growing procedure is quite easier when compared to that of chicken. They never create nuisance to neighbors by way of abnormal sound and bad odor. With a limited space capacity, rabbits can be grown in cages. As such, it is quite suitable to grow rabbits in the high population prevailing township areas and in the backyard of the houses. The cholesterol content in rabbit meat is considerably less when compared with the meat of chicken and mutton. As such rabbit meat is quite suitable for the aged and the persons affected by blood pressure

and heart problems. In the hospitals in foreign countries the rabbit meat is provided to those recouping from the disease, those affected by ulcer, allergy and dyspepsia. In the rabbit meat the proportion of meat is high. Bone content will be less [5:1]. The meat yield out of rabbits with same weight will be more when compared to that of chickens. Apart from meat, the skin of rabbits will also fetch good price. The rabbit skin is used for making dress, ornaments, purse, hand gloves etc. as such, there are feasibilities of obtaining good profits by organizing rabbit farm. The rabbits bowel waste can be used as good manure. Per year, 40 to 50 kgs. of manure are available through a rabbit. When compared to the stool of other animals, the rabbits stool increases the ventilation in the soil and has efficiency to increase the water holding capacity. Special features of rabbit Rabbits are midway between ruminants and monogastric animals. They are called pseudo ruminant. They can convert cellulose into meat and can easily survive on kitchen scrap. They are coprophagous in nature they reinvest their faeces in the early hours of morning directly from their anus through lips. Thus replenish vitamins and cellulose content of feases. They breed eight times in a year. Female may produce five to eight youngs which attain sexual maturity in four to six months. Life span of rabbit is about seven to eight years. Slaughter weight of rabbit is about 2 kg. which can be achieved in 12 to 15 weeks. Rabbits have got fast reproductive process and are able to remate within 24 hours of giving birth [kindling]. Their gestation period ranges to 31 days. They are prolific breeder. The advantages of rabbit farming:i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii)
viii)

Rabbits are highly prolific in nature Consume a large amount of forages from diverse origins and so can be reared on small amounts of costly concentrates. They can be reared in the kitchen garden/backyard of farmers house Initial investment cost is low Quick returns i.e. six months after the establishment of farm Income generation at quarterly interval makes the repayment easy. Apart from providing wool rabbits also provides income from manure etc. Residual feed, together with rabbit manure is highly suitable for vermicompost which in turn provides excellent manure for fertilizing the fields. Scope for rabbit farming and its national importance: Rabbit farming is another livestock activity with great scope as it is relatively easy, rewarding and takes little space compared to other livestock activities. Rabbit farming can also provide a very valuable additional source of income in the rural areas. Another important consideration is food production

cycle, which shows that rabbit need not be in competition with man for its food. For producing high quality woollens, blending with other fine quality fibres is essential. The other livestock species which is source of wool is sheep. The wool produced by Indian sheep breeds are of not fine quality. Therefore, currently we are importing the fine wool. The wool from Angora Rabbits is of very high quality and its blending with carpet wool of sheep and silk improves the quality of woollens to a great extent. Good strains of rabbits suitable to our climatic conditions were developed with the constant efforts of North Temperate Regional Station (NTRS) of the Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI), Garsa, Kullu and management practices were standardised . Further, it has created adequate infrastructure for training of the interested farmers for taking up the rabbit farming on scientific lines. However, Angora rabbit can be reared only in hill areas. Therefore, Angora rabbit rearing is a boon to the farmers of hill areas, where the scope for other livestock activities is very limited. Location and Housing:

Areas having temperature ranging between 10o C and 20o C and relative humidity ranging between 55 and 65% throughout the year are ideal for rearing Angora rabbits. Ensure adequate facility for clean water, electricity, approach road, supply of breeding stock, feed, fodders, veterinary aid and nearness to market for sale of wool and meat of culled animals. * For small size rabbit farms hutch system may be adopted which is a self contained cage-cum-nest box with its own roof.

In case of larger farms cages may be arranged inside the sheds in single or two tier under hanging or step wise rack system. Provide adequate floor space per rabbit. Rabbitry roofing should be preferably of asbestos, wood, thatch or other locally available cheaper materials. Construct sheds in such a way that predators and birds do not enter the shed. In case of open hutches proper fencing should be provided to protect the rabbits from their predators. Construct rat proof civil structures for feed and wool storage. Keep the shed/pens clean by regular cleaning and disinfection to make it free from flies/mosquitoes and a foot dip should be maintained at the entrance of the sheds. Rabbit cages should be cleaned regularly, especially disinfected before kindling. During kindling period cage/hutch nest box should be kept clean so that kits do not pick up diseases like coccidia. * Feeders and waterers should be cleaned regularly and mash feed

should be removed from the feeders which can be used for feeding other livestock species. Equipment: Use scientifically designed cages and equipment. The ideal guage for floor of the cage is 1416 with a mesh size of 1919 mm or 2513 mm. The walls and roof can be constructed with lighter guage i.e. 16-20 with a mesh size of 25x25mm. * The feeders should be designed and placed in such a manner that the feed can be poured from outside and should be 5-7.5 cm. above the cage floor to avoid contamination by urine, faeces or water.The rim of the feeders should be round and turned inward so that the rabbits do not spill the feed/water. The watering equipment of 400-500 ml. capacity made up of aluminum, earthen or any other locally available cheaper material may be used. Feeding: Production performance depends upon the quality of feed offered. For high production levels balanced pellet feed in combination with hay should be given. Fresh green plants like bean, Alfalfa, berseem, grass, tender banana, cane and bamboo leaves, cutup pieces of the stalks of plants such as maize or banana, roots such as cassava, yams, carrots, beefs and turnips inedible portions of cabbage and cauliflower etc. can replace partially or wholly pellet feeds in case of low input and low output production system. If whole pellet is fed, feed is given at a time for many days. If concentrate and hay are given, then concentrate should be offered preferably in the morning and hay in the afternoon. * A practical combination of different types of feeds and regular timetable for feeding is advisable so that rabbits do not feel any stress due to changes in their daily routine. * Water should be available round the clock particularly to a lactating doe. Always give fresh and clean drinking water. Always keep water pots clean and remove sediments daily. Water pots should be cleaned thoroughly every week. Use of properly designed Automatic watering equipment can also be made. Breeding Management: The average age at first mating is about 5-7 months and it varies with the physical maturity of individual rabbit and also breed. Mating should be done either early in the morning or in the evening. The doe is to be taken to the buck cage and never vice-versa The breeding should be planned in such a way that about 3 to 4 litters per doe are obtained per year during multiplicative stage.

The nest box is kept in the cage around 25th day of pregnancy with loosened jute wool or wood shavings. Male rabbits can be used for mating until they are about three years. In order to prevent inbreeding depression rabbits from the same family should not be bred. Therefore, replace male rabbit about once every year.

After three years, the full grown female rabbits should be replaced either by new purchases or females of own farm. Care of young ones: The nest box should be removed after 5 weeks of kindling. Kits should be examined and dead ones should be removed daily. If the bedding becomes wet it should be replaced by a fresh and clean one. * Weaning should be done at 5th or 6th week after kindling. No sudden change in feed is advisable. Clean sanitary conditions of rabbit cages, sheds and equipment, balanced feed and fresh clean water are essential to prevent chances of infection. The rabbits should be prevented from coming in contact with the feaces. Over crowding should be avoided. Proper ventilation should be provided. Flies which may act as carriers of the infection should be kept under control in the rabbitry. Rabbit cages should be disinfected with blow lamp after every shearing and kindling cages before the doe is shifted and after weaning. Burn dead sick rabbits at once to keep the diseases from spreading. The bedding of the nest box should be burnt after use. Disease prevention/control:

The Best 6 Rabbit Food

1. Milk: Feeding them will enrich the rabbits with proteins and fats which is necessary for

them. They should be given with a whole meal bread which should be toasted and baked in oven to make it crisp as rabbits prefer dry food.
2. Pellets: Pellets should be fed from the time of their birth. This is very important as it helps in

the growth of rabbit. This is said to be the rabbit's favorite and they never get bored of it. These Rabbit food are available at the grain stores.
3.

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, Cabbages, Carrots, Cauliflower, Turnip, Pod spinach, Peas given half boiled and the whole mixture and makes the meal filled with richness vitamins and carbohydrates. Mashing of boiled potatoes with the peel has a lot of carbohydrates and should be fed very less. Too much of carbohydrates as part of the rabbit food diet is not good.

4. Fruits: Apple is the most favorite fruit of rabbits, they don't prefer to eat any other fruits and

apple is rich in vitamins. And it is a soft fruit so gets easily digested.

5. Grasses: Rabbits love to go around the garden and grab the green grasses like Agrimony,

Coltsfoot, Comfrey, cow parsnip, goose grasses and wont stop munching which Is a very good exercise for its teeth. Its hard to control when it starts grazing around so keep them under control.
6. Cereals and hay: Maize, Oats, Corns,. Bran mashed up together with Luke warm milk will

be a big nutritious treat for the rabbits. But the rabbit food should be served like once in two days. People try feeding rabbits with lettuce, radish, yew, creeping butter cup which rabbits don't eat. They are also poisonous to them feeding them twice a day (day and night) is sufficient. They drink a lot of water and one needs to keep changing the water in the bowl as it wont drink again the water that was left.