How to Start a Rabbit Farming Business
Rabbit farming has become a popular micro-livestock farming
business just like livestock farming. Though it requires hard work
and sufficiency of dedication, it has the potential to generate
good primary income as well as additional income streams.
It is also quite profitable both for the farmers and young
entrepreneurs as they can also start this venture as an
agricultural business practice to make money.
In most parts of the world, rabbits are considered a pet and may
not be deemed fits for slaughtering for its meat and because of this,
it is most times considered as poultry other than livestock in such
areas.
What is a rabbit farm?
Rabbit farming, in other words, called cuniculture involves the
agricultural practice of raising domesticated rabbits as micro-
livestock for their meat, wool and fur production.
The wood and fur production is very profitable and their meat is
considered best after poultry birds as well.
An aspiring rabbit farmer should know that you need good quality
breeds of this animal, house and good quality food. Following these
steps will lead you to a successful rabbit farming business.
1. Select a Space For Your
Rabbitry
One good thing about rabbitry is that it can be done at home if you
have enough space to accommodate it, it does not require large
acres of land even if you are going into commercial farming.
Rabbits can be raised by the free-range method but it is most
preferable to keep them in a house or cage.
The majority of the rabbit breeders prefer an outdoor living quarter
to allow them to experience fresh air as well as sunshine at all times
but the atmosphere may not be conducive for them at times to stay
outdoors.
Agricultural farmers who are experts in the field advise that it is
necessary rabbits benefit more from being indoors than outdoors.
This is true because they are safer in the cages than been outdoors
on the free-range methods where they can easily be trapped by
predators like snakes, dogs, and pests which can harm them.
2. Get a Mentor
You need a rabbit mentor that will provide you with a guide and
basic education to ensure that a successful farming process is
guaranteed.
Lack of knowledge on this farming can cause incorrect handling of
rabbit which can lead to their death or health challenge.
As one who has an interest in farming rabbits, you should know the
whys and wherefores involved in it which you can get from an
experienced farmer who has been into the business.
Before building your rabbit cages or buying breed stock, ensure that
you already have a mentor so that you understand everything
including how to feed.
A mentor is someone who has the knowledge of what you are
about to step into and so you can always turn to him or her if you
face any problem along the line.
You can easily find a mentor is by joining a rabbit club or employ a
rabbit farmer to help you. By so doing, you can also get the best
breeding stock of rabbits from breeders who belong to these clubs.
3. Know The Breeds of Rabbit
Rabbits have numerous breeds. Studies have shown that there are
over 305 breeds of domesticated in more than 70 countries
worldwide.
Some of the domestic rabbit breeds are European rabbit, grand
chinchilla, lionhead rabbit, English Angora, mini lop, English lop,
English Spot, jersey woolly, silver fox, New Zealand white,
harlequin, beveran rabbits, a continental giant rabbit and lots
more.
Study the breeds carefully and decide on what breed you are going
for. It is always advisable to start with a particular rabbit breed and
then add other ones later to avoid mismanagement.
Additionally, choosing the breed of rabbit you want to farm requires
that you consider a pet rabbit.
You can use a large breed such as an English lop of silver fox you
have enough room that accommodates a cage that is twice the
length of the rabbit. If not, go for a smaller breed like lionhead.
4. Choose the Right cage size
You have to get a suitably sized cage for your rabbit because
overcrowding can impose health risks on them and cause stress as
well.
One thing about rabbits is that they need to stretch their bodies well
after eating to get rid of gas traps formed in their intestine while
eating and during the time while they are were at rest.
The actual stocking density of this animal depends on the type of
housing available and the breed.
People normally ask this question “how many rabbits can be raised
in a cage?
Putting two or more rabbits together in one cage requires a large
conducive cage that can accommodate a proper space allocation per
rabbit.
They can be raised in a cage that is good for sustenance farming or
the deep litter method which is better for commercial farming as it
will provide them with an opportunity to roam freely and also have
access to grass which is their main source of food as well.
5. Feeding Of Rabbits
Feeding of rabbits is not that tasking and won’t cost you a lot. Since
they are herbivores animals, the grass is okay for them though you
can feed them also with rabbit pellets and supplement which can
complement their daily diet.
Rabbits on premixed feed are said to get to slaughter stage earlier
than those feeding on herbs and hay alone.
Premixed feed rabbit is due for slaughter between 10 to 14 weeks
whereas the other can take up to 30 or 30 weeks to reach slaughter
age.
Conversely, the fur of rabbits that feed on hay and vegetables will
be mature and far better that of the ones that were feed on
premixed ration.
Therefore, vegetables and scraps are preferred to be used in
feeding the rabbits than pellets. Ensure that you have adequate
quantity and quality hay available.
Avoid using certain foods such as avocados because they can be
toxic to the health of the rabbits. Make proper research to see the
list of foodstuffs that are dangerous to rabbits and the one that suits
them best.
6. Rabbits Need Fresh Water Daily
We all know that every living creature needs water to earn survival
and rabbits are not exempted. The feeding of the rabbit is not
incomplete without freshwater.
Get clean plastic or metal bowl that will be used in putting water for
these pets. You need to change the water your rabbits drink on a
daily basis to avoid bacteria development.
Always bear in mind that rabbits get dehydrated easily. Supply
them with neat water on a daily basis using the water container that
works best for them.
7. Environmental Care
Keeping the environment clean as always is very necessary because
there are common diseases and health conditions which affect
rabbits easily.
Some of the diseases that attack rabbits are coccidial infection,
infestation of mites and lice, other viral and bacterial infections. And
they are easily attacked when the environment not clean or when
they are feed with contaminated food.
Therefore, it is important to disinfect and wash their environment
very well to keep it clean and dry always. A clean environment is a
major tool for preventing diseases that attack rabbits.
8. Establish A Ready Market
Selling your rabbit is not something you have to worry about; all
you need is to create a little awareness of whether you are
supplying for the consumption of for trade.
You can supply also supply rabbits to pet stores where they can be
sold as pets or establish a pet supply store where you sell them
online or in-store and as well to individuals and others that may
need it for either their meat or fur respectively.
Getting your target market-ready is very important even at the
start not minding if the end product is fur, wool or meat.
Conclusion
Rabbit farming is very profitable and does not require much facility
like poultry, which makes it a better choice if you are not financially
stable.
Most importantly, they breed faster and mature earlier. Female
rabbits can give birth to 5-9 kits per birth and just after a month of
their gestation period, which means that they can give birth to as
much as 40- 50 kits per year.
Another benefit of rabbit farming is that they need little space when
compared to other animals providing the highest yield per area of
their meat.
Taking the steps that are carefully prepared above will help you to
achieve these benefits from a rabbit farming business.
