This article will outline how to start a commercial rabbit farming business, and the rabbit farming business plan pdf, word and excel. Based on total animals slaughtered, rabbits were the second most frequently farmed species in the eu in 2014, after chickens 19, and so the absence of speciesspecific legislation is surprising. Types of rabbit production fanciers pets, breeding stock, and show animals laboratory furhair angora rex meat largest rabbit market. A book that fills the needs of both the experienced rabbit raiser and the beginner written in a style which will be useful to people interested in rabiits. Growing rabbits growing rabbits should be given all the commercial pellets and young, green, forages they can eat. Actually the best feeding practice is to have commercial rabbit pellets in front of the young animals at all times. A beginners guide to raising rabbits mother earth news. Ways to raise capital to start your rabbit farming business in zimbabwe. The guide to raising and breeding rabbits for meat raising rabbits is one of the simplest things you can do on your homestead.
I had a small talk with a friend if mine about rabbit farming in zimbabwe. By careful breed selection, producers choose medium to heavierweight breeds to produce quality rabbit carcasses for meat production. Free rabbitry record sheets to download and print rabbit. At the same time, a 4h rabbit project can provide an important life skill learning experience. In fact, data referring to 2016 show that europe, despite a relevant regression in total production of rabbit meat in 2016 compared to 2014, currently holds almost 93% and 67% of the worlds imports and exports of rabbit meat, respectively.
The initial costs in settingup is small, rabbits breed quickly and frequently, they have large litters and grow to a good marketable size in a very short time. Rabbit production in tropical countries page 4 quantity of food eaten during the whole fattening period was increased by 16% 8. The rabbit production business plan includes technical aspects of how to keep and to take care of the rabbits. There are over 45 different breeds of rabbits and one common misconception is that rabbits are rodents because they have incisor teeth that continually grow. Am i really comfortable with the idea of raising rabbits solely to harvest their meat.
With some knowledgeable input, the correct infrastructure and a contract that leaves the marketing to someone else, prospective meat rabbit farmers can be assured that this niche industry is growing at the same rate as the rabbit population that drives it. In europe and the united states large scale commercial rabbit farming has been practised for many years and standards of husbandry raised. I use breeders assistant for rabbits and have since very near the beginning of my rabbitry. Raising rabbits overview rabbits for food production. Commercially prepared pelleted rabbit feeds meet all of. A group of young people in uganda is cashing in on breeding rabbits. Rabbit production in europe traditional concrete cages were used in europe until years 19601970 for family but also for commercial rabbit production present type of unit used for commercial production in europe france, italy, spain, portugal, belgium, the techniques now used in europe will in europe be the object of the 3rd part of this.
Commercial rabbit cages for rabbit farming hightop. Introduction the importance of the domestic rabbit as a supplier of meat for human consumption is widely recognised throughout the world. You need to start a profitable rabbit farming business to boost your income. Protein from white meat is derived from sea foods, pork. Crop production november 2017 3 usda, national agricultural statistics service contents corn for grain area harvested, yield, and production states and united states. Rabbit farming business is a very profitable business, and many people are making money all over the world by raising rabbits for meat. Report on minimum standards for the protection of farm rabbits. Refer to the information sheet starting a rabbit enterprise for additional insight of advantages and disadvantages of producing rabbits. Methodology the study was carried out in mt darwin district, located in mashonaland central province, in the. This video is an overview of how and why we raise rabbits. An overview of the rabbit industry in the philippines. Before investing your money in rabbit production, get all available literature, talk and visit with other producers, visit a rabbit processor, and talk with your county extension agent.
This new edition of rabbit production has been fully updated throughout. Cecotrophy cecotrophy is defined as the normal behavior of rabbits to eat their own feces. Show records i used this one on a rabbitrywide basis. Many people mean well when they contact hrs after discovering an abandoned nest of. Rabbit meat production survey has been carried out for the 186 world countries enabling an estimation of the key data of every one and consequently of each region and of the whole world.
The rabbit known as microlivestock can be a great source of food production. Each doe produces 25 to 50 live rabbits a year, which will yield 125 to 250 pounds of meat. But, there are several traits that make rabbit meat highly sought after in their growing market. Comparison of milk production and milk composition for an. They cover about 70 80% of the european market grimaud freres hyplus eurolap hyla hycole c hycole in spain lines produced by the university of valencia are effectively used.
Rabbit production by josh schaeffer types of rabbit production fanciers pets, breeding stock, and show animals laboratory furhair angora rex meat largest rabbit market basics of raising meat rabbits breed selection general management techniques understanding rabbits housing feeding breeding health marketing breed selection meet demands white fineboned expected litter size 810. Alexandria line, milk yield, proteins, rabbit performance, vline. Western rabbit production is dominated by 3 french selection companies. Core topics are covered, including rabbit genetics, reproduction, health and diseases, behavior, welfare, fur and meat production, rabbit production in developing countries, slaughter and the marketing of rabbit products. These notes will be devoted to our members who wish to increase their savings through rabbit production. The lack of available and reliable information on rabbit production has contributed to some producers decisions to sell out because the rabbits backyard production of meat rabbits in texas. Usda once proclaimed rabbit meat to bethe most nutritious meat known to man. However, to build a successful, sustainable commercial rabbit farming business, you require sufficient knowledge of how to efficiently raise the rabbits, good management skills, and a good rabbit farming business plan. As the organization is aware of the fact that not all rabbit raisers can butcher and process their produce, the cooperative should be able to absorb the production of members for processing and marketing. Prior to becoming a rabbit producer, its important to learn some basic guidelines about getting started in the business. Mainly concerning rabbits bred for meat and fur, it also contains practical information on pet rabbits, show rabbits and rabbits used as laboratory animals. Ford associate professor, department of animal and wildlife sciences.
There is a tendency for fur markets to be unstable, so one needs to ensure that market is available before starts production. Domestic rabbits oryctolagus cuniculus order lagomorphia are not rats. The study seeks to identifythe production of rabbits in the area and marketing challenges farmers are facing. Typical parttime enterprises consist of 50 to 100 rabbits. Rabbit project reference manual chad wootton r aising rabbits is fun. Economics of rabbit production, oryctolagus cuniculus, ivo local. I was shocked not by the information he new about rabbit farming in zimbabwe, but by the fact that from the time i knew him, he had never talked about farming. A beginners guide to raising rabbits, including a rabbit barn, pens, feeders and waterers, breeding stock, care and feeding, breeding, butchering, and meat sales. Global rabbit meat production is increasing year on year and reached. Feb 02, 2015 this video is an overview of how and why we raise rabbits. Angora rabbits produce 8 to 10 inches, or 12 to 16 ounces, of wool per year. January 2017 rabbits under a 2014 indiana law, rabbits may be slaughtered and processed without inspection and sold at a farmers market, roadside stand or on a farm under the following conditions. Iii international rabbit production symposium, villareal portugal, 2 novembre 2005.
The study on development of improved infrastructure and technology for rice production in africa survey on small scale irrgation and dugouts masterplan study on the oil palm industry in ghana. This behavior is a source of nutrition, primarily vitamins and minerals from partially digested plant material cecotropes, also called night feces or soft feces, are the material resulting from the. Nov 27, 2019 in 2017, the production volume of rabbits and hares amounted to about 5. Overview report commercial rabbit farming in the european union. Aug 09, 2019 the guide to raising and breeding rabbits for meat raising rabbits is one of the simplest things you can do on your homestead. The lack of available and reliable information on rabbit production has contributed to some producers decisions to sell out because the rabbits backyard production of meat rabbits in texas steven d. Starting rabbit farming business in zimbabwe and the. To download, rightclick either pdf or word under each icon. It also includes a minidirectory with contacts which will prove to be helpful in launching and running the rabbit. Hightop is a professional rabbit cage manufacturer and supplier, our commercial rabbit cages can help meat rabbit breeders improve their centralized management and meat rabbit production. The rabbit food and agriculture organization of the united nations. Raising rabbits for meat and fur is a good way to make money but only if you do it on a large scale, and it should be done as supplementary income only. The guide to raising and breeding rabbits for meat mother. Despite the benefits ofkeeping rabbits, production of rabbits is still low in zimbabwe.
Other products from rabbit production include wool fur and skins or pelts. I only kept one sheet for the whole rabbitry and noted several rabbits. Expansion is much simpler than other livestock alternatives because a large range of existing facilities can be modified for rabbits and land requirements are negligible. The four biggest worlds producers china, italy, spain, france contribute to almost. Production, marketing and challenges faced by smallholder. Rabbit farming has grown from raising a few rabbits for family consumption to large commercial operations with hundreds of rabbits. Keep reading for more rabbit facts and information. Rabbits are members of the leporidae family, indigenous throughout most parts of the world, and raised in smallholder and largescale, commercial production systems. Not only do they require little attention, but they also provide a. Most people think of them as pets and dont want to put them on the dinner table. Like with the nursing doe, if the forage is poor quality then the growing rabbits should be given more pellets. At a ufaag meeting in december 2005, a motion was passed for the group to develop a rabbit management plan to.
Anticipating an increased production of rabbits by 2017, aramp, inc. How to start a profitable rabbit farming business pdf. Some people find it difficult to slaughter rabbits for consumption because they. United states classes, standards, and grades for rabbits, ag marketing service, usda. A fulltime enterprise should have at least 600 females does and 60 males bucks. Rabbit production in the world, with a special reference to western europe. We can provide 2 tier rabbit cage and 3 tier rabbit cage for commercial rabbit meat production. Global rabbit meat production is increasing year on year and reached 1. The farmers say theyve recorded a high turnover from the sale of rabbit meat and. Milk is usually the sole source of nourishment of young mammals. They can be confined to hutches, and can be raised in urban as well as rural areas. Domestic rabbits are very cheap to raise as a domestic animal and. The house rabbit journal is sent to all house rabbit society members as part of our educational efforts. It is a fully functional rabbitry management software that keeps me organized.
It should be placed near a house wall fence to provide shade and protection from sunlight, rain and wind. Starting rabbit farming business in zimbabwe and the business. Then click save link as if you are using firefox, or save target as if you are using ie. Beyond the planning requirements, financial costs, and daytoday supervision that even the most modest backyard rabbit farm entails, rabbitry forces farmers to ask themselves some uncomfortable questions.
Smallscale sustainable rabbit production, attra, national sustainable ag information service, ncat, 2012 this publication focuses on meat rabbits and sustainable rabbit management. The product includes a label that contains the following information. Review of scientific research on priority issues january 2017 iii excerpt from scientific committee terms of reference background it is widely accepted that animal welfare codes, guidelines, standards or legislation should take advantage of the best available knowledge. In that year, chickens had the highest production volume among livestock in egypt which amounted to about. Make money with commercial rabbit farming in zimbabwe. Raising rabbits for profit all you need to know about. An informed producer is more likely to be a successful producer. Rabbit pedigrees generated by breeders assistant software.
Production of good quality affordable rabbit meat is a means by which our strategic objectives can be achieved. The guide to raising and breeding rabbits for meat. Raising rabbits for meat is a lucrative business, providing income for millions of people, but there are some essential things you need to do before you venture into the rabbit farming business. In efficient production systems, rabbits can turn 20 percent of the proteins they eat into edible meat.
Comparable figures for other species are 22 to 23 percent for broiler chickens, 16 to 18. This is why this manual, first published in 1984, is now being reissued. Pdf production performance of indigenous rabbits under. Rabbits, both european wild rabbits and free range domestic rabbits are a major issue in many of the local government areas in the sydney north region. Economics of raising rabbits there are commercial rabbit operations they tend to be confined to southern missouri and arkansas being able to raise a consistent supply of rabbits year round is always a challenge for the commercial producer. Pdf economics of rabbit oryctolagus cuniculus production in. Production performance of indigenous rabbits under traditional and intensive production systems in northern pakistan. The welfare of farmed rabbits in commercial production systems executive summary rabbits are the second most frequently farmed species in the eu but are not protected by speciesspecific legislation. Note that while too much sunlight may be stressful, too little is also undesirable because the hutch may become damp, there will also be reduced disinfection by the suns ultraviolet rays, and vitamin d synthesis by the rabbit. Producers also market live rabbits as pets and as laboratory animals for research. In commercial rabbit production, the difference between profitable and unprofitable is the ability of your fryer rabbits to reach 5 pounds in weight within 8 weeks from birth. Management of rabbits for meat, fur, or wool production is quite different from maintenance of a pet or house rabbit.
According to fao, in 2017, china and the democratic peoples republic of korea contributed 73. The welfare of farmed rabbits in commercial production systems. Clean and quiet, rabbits are an excellent choice for lots of protein for only a small amount of effort and money. Code of practice for the care and handling of rabbits. Rabbit production by josh schaeffer types of rabbit production fanciers pets, breeding stock, and show animals laboratory furhair angora rex meat largest rabbit market basics of raising meat rabbits breed selection general management techniques understanding rabbits housing feeding breeding health marketing breed selection meet demands white fineboned expected litter size 810 kits personal. The two most popular rabbits for fur production are the rex and the american chinchilla. It also includes a minidirectory with contacts which will prove to be helpful in launching and running the rabbit farming business. Rabbit meat production in the eu compassion in food business. Rabbits are mammals that belong to the lagomorph order that also includes hares and pikas lagomorph means hareshaped. To fulfill the food demand for growing population, we have to find out different ways of food production. The welfare of farmed rabbits in commercial production systems together slaughtered 269. Pdf the aim of this study was to draw a global view about rabbit.
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