I had a small talk with a friend if mine about rabbit farming in zimbabwe. This video is an overview of how and why we raise rabbits. 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. In europe and the united states large scale commercial rabbit farming has been practised for many years and standards of husbandry raised. Types of rabbit production fanciers pets, breeding stock, and show animals laboratory furhair angora rex meat largest rabbit market. There is a great opportunity of rabbit farming, and commercial production can be a great source of income and employment.
This article will outline how to start a commercial rabbit farming business, and the rabbit farming business plan pdf, word and excel. Feb 02, 2015 this video is an overview of how and why we raise rabbits. I only kept one sheet for the whole rabbitry and noted several rabbits. Crop production november 2017 3 usda, national agricultural statistics service contents corn for grain area harvested, yield, and production states and united states. There are perhaps even more myths than facts about how to raise rabbits successfully. This is why this manual, first published in 1984, is now being reissued.
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. 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. A fulltime enterprise should have at least 600 females does and 60 males bucks. Introduction the importance of the domestic rabbit as a supplier of meat for human consumption is widely recognised throughout the world. Free rabbitry record sheets to download and print rabbit. 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. Raising rabbits for profit all you need to know about. 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. These notes will be devoted to our members who wish to increase their savings through rabbit production.
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. Most people think of them as pets and dont want to put them on the dinner table. How to start a profitable rabbit farming business pdf. Commercially prepared pelleted rabbit feeds meet all of. The rabbit production business plan includes technical aspects of how to keep and to take care of the rabbits. Report on minimum standards for the protection of farm rabbits. Rabbit meat production in the eu compassion in food business. In efficient production systems, rabbits can turn 20 percent of the proteins they eat into edible meat.
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. Producers also market live rabbits as pets and as laboratory animals for research. Make money with commercial rabbit farming in zimbabwe. Rabbit production in tropical countries page 4 quantity of food eaten during the whole fattening period was increased by 16% 8. At the same time, a 4h rabbit project can provide an important life skill learning experience. The welfare of farmed rabbits in commercial production systems. Rabbit production in the world, with a special reference to western europe.
Commercial rabbit cages for rabbit farming hightop. To fulfill the food demand for growing population, we have to find out different ways of food production. Starting rabbit farming business in zimbabwe and the business. 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. 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. 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. Pdf economics of rabbit oryctolagus cuniculus production in. The farmers say theyve recorded a high turnover from the sale of rabbit meat and. Domestic rabbits oryctolagus cuniculus order lagomorphia are not rats. At a ufaag meeting in december 2005, a motion was passed for the group to develop a rabbit management plan to.
The rabbit known as microlivestock can be a great source of food production. Prior to becoming a rabbit producer, its important to learn some basic guidelines about getting started in the business. Ways to raise capital to start your rabbit farming business in zimbabwe. Cecotrophy cecotrophy is defined as the normal behavior of rabbits to eat their own feces. Raising rabbits overview rabbits for food production. 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 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. The two most popular rabbits for fur production are the rex and the american chinchilla. Rabbit project reference manual chad wootton r aising rabbits is fun. Comparable figures for other species are 22 to 23 percent for broiler chickens, 16 to 18. 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. You need to start a profitable rabbit farming business to boost your income. It also includes a minidirectory with contacts which will prove to be helpful in launching and running the rabbit.
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. This is because every day past 8 weeks costs more money out of your pocket in the form of additional expensive rabbit feed and cage space that is not available for. The guide to raising and breeding rabbits for meat. Am i really comfortable with the idea of raising rabbits solely to harvest their meat. Protein from white meat is derived from sea foods, pork. Starting rabbit farming business in zimbabwe and the.
Ford associate professor, department of animal and wildlife sciences. Rabbits are mammals that belong to the lagomorph order that also includes hares and pikas lagomorph means hareshaped. Refer to the information sheet starting a rabbit enterprise for additional insight of advantages and disadvantages of producing rabbits. 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. Show records i used this one on a rabbitrywide basis. Global rabbit meat production is increasing year on year and reached 1. I use breeders assistant for rabbits and have since very near the beginning of my rabbitry. Not only do they require little attention, but they also provide a. 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. 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. To download, rightclick either pdf or word under each icon.
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. In the world of meat production, little attention is given to rabbits. Usda once proclaimed rabbit meat to bethe most nutritious meat known to man. Each doe produces 25 to 50 live rabbits a year, which will yield 125 to 250 pounds of meat. Many people mean well when they contact hrs after discovering an abandoned nest of. Mainly concerning rabbits bred for meat and fur, it also contains practical information on pet rabbits, show rabbits and rabbits used as laboratory animals. 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. The house rabbit journal is sent to all house rabbit society members as part of our educational efforts. A beginners guide to raising rabbits mother earth news. This new edition of rabbit production has been fully updated throughout. An overview of the rabbit industry in the philippines. Western rabbit production is dominated by 3 french selection companies.
Other products from rabbit production include wool fur and skins or pelts. Guide to rabbit production and marketing in kenya introduction our advice for people with conditions like arthritis and gout, high blood pressure is to desist from eating red meat and instead use white meat as their protein source. Keep reading for more rabbit facts and information. 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. Comparison of milk production and milk composition for an. Rabbit pedigrees generated by breeders assistant software. But, there are several traits that make rabbit meat highly sought after in their growing market. Despite the benefits ofkeeping rabbits, production of rabbits is still low in zimbabwe. The product includes a label that contains the following information. There is a tendency for fur markets to be unstable, so one needs to ensure that market is available before starts production.
Anticipating an increased production of rabbits by 2017, aramp, inc. Milk is usually the sole source of nourishment of young mammals. 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. Production, marketing and challenges faced by smallholder. 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. Like with the nursing doe, if the forage is poor quality then the growing rabbits should be given more pellets. The guide to raising and breeding rabbits for meat raising rabbits is one of the simplest things you can do on your homestead. In that year, chickens had the highest production volume among livestock in egypt which amounted to about. A beginners guide to raising rabbits, including a rabbit barn, pens, feeders and waterers, breeding stock, care and feeding, breeding, butchering, and meat sales. 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 rabbit food and agriculture organization of the united nations. The study seeks to identifythe production of rabbits in the area and marketing challenges farmers are facing. Global rabbit meat production is increasing year on year and reached. 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.
It should be placed near a house wall fence to provide shade and protection from sunlight, rain and wind. 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. An informed producer is more likely to be a successful producer. By careful breed selection, producers choose medium to heavierweight breeds to produce quality rabbit carcasses for meat production. Typical parttime enterprises consist of 50 to 100 rabbits. The welfare of farmed rabbits in commercial production systems together slaughtered 269. 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. Pdf production performance of indigenous rabbits under. Rabbits are members of the leporidae family, indigenous throughout most parts of the world, and raised in smallholder and largescale, commercial production systems. Domestic rabbits are very cheap to raise as a domestic animal and. Actually the best feeding practice is to have commercial rabbit pellets in front of the young animals at all times.
Production of good quality affordable rabbit meat is a means by which our strategic objectives can be achieved. Clean and quiet, rabbits are an excellent choice for lots of protein for only a small amount of effort and money. They can be confined to hutches, and can be raised in urban as well as rural areas. Alexandria line, milk yield, proteins, rabbit performance, vline. Methodology the study was carried out in mt darwin district, located in mashonaland central province, in the. Production performance of indigenous rabbits under traditional and intensive production systems in northern pakistan. Overview report commercial rabbit farming in the european union. 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. We can provide 2 tier rabbit cage and 3 tier rabbit cage for commercial rabbit meat production. Smallscale sustainable rabbit production, attra, national sustainable ag information service, ncat, 2012 this publication focuses on meat rabbits and sustainable rabbit management. Rabbit farming business is a very profitable business, and many people are making money all over the world by raising rabbits for meat.
Management of rabbits for meat, fur, or wool production is quite different from maintenance of a pet or house rabbit. Code of practice for the care and handling of rabbits. 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. Angora rabbits produce 8 to 10 inches, or 12 to 16 ounces, of wool per year. Then click save link as if you are using firefox, or save target as if you are using ie. Economics of rabbit production, oryctolagus cuniculus, ivo local. The four biggest worlds producers china, italy, spain, france contribute to almost. The guide to raising and breeding rabbits for meat mother.
According to fao, in 2017, china and the democratic peoples republic of korea contributed 73. It is a fully functional rabbitry management software that keeps me organized. A group of young people in uganda is cashing in on breeding rabbits. 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. Some people find it difficult to slaughter rabbits for consumption because they. 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. Nov 27, 2019 in 2017, the production volume of rabbits and hares amounted to about 5. United states classes, standards, and grades for rabbits, ag marketing service, usda.
Pdf the aim of this study was to draw a global view about rabbit. 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. 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. Rabbit farming has grown from raising a few rabbits for family consumption to large commercial operations with hundreds of rabbits. Iii international rabbit production symposium, villareal portugal, 2 novembre 2005.
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