Rabbit farming, also known as Cuniculture, is a rather profitable business where one can raise rabbits in a land without much investment. Rabbits can be reared for its fur and meat, which is in high demand, especially their fur. Female rabbits are also very fertile and can bear offspring regularly. They are very low maintenance, with a very high profit considering the initial low investment as they provide income from their meat, skin, fur, and manure. The common breeds of rabbits used are the New Zealand White, Dutch Belted, and The French Lop.
Housing for Rabbits: Proper housing is needed for the rearing of rabbits to protect them from harsh weather conditions like heat and rain. They also need to be protected against animals such as cats and dogs, so they should be raised in well-built sheds which can be made in a backyard. There are two types of housing that can be built for housing rabbits. The first is the ‘Deep Litter System’ or Pen system where floors are made of concrete so that it can be easily cleaned. The floors must be covered in paddy husk, saw dust, etc., and the manure on the floor should be changed regularly. About 30 young rabbits can be housed together and then moved to an individual pen as they reach adulthood. Males should especially be separated or they might fight and cause severe injury to one another. The other method is the Cage System. This method is seen as the most efficient housing system although the initial expenditure is high. Rabbits are very strong against cold weathers and can survive if they have shelter against winds, but they cannot handle the heat and can suffer from illnesses if they are exposed to hot temperature, which is why proper planning is necessary for when a shelter is set up for housing rabbits. They should also have proper ventilation if housed indoors as they can get respitory diseases if not given proper ventilation.
Benefits of rabbit farming: Rabbits are primarily raised for their meat and excellent fur and skin. Initial investment on starting a rabbit farm is also very low, but yields high profit. To raise them, one does not need a big farm as they can be reared in a backyard, so there is no gap between who can start a rabbit farm. It is not only for the ones with a good economical background. Feeds are also low cost and can range from hay to pellets. Fresh vegetables can also be given. Due to these, rabbit farming offers self-employment and provides a good income. Rabbits also generally produce 6.4 times more wool than sheep and do not require grazing land. Rabbit farming is a rewarding activity that creates opportunities for income because of its easy management, and it is a flexible business as it can range from backyard farming to big commercial industry.
Management of rabbit: Management of rabbits consist of breeding, feeding, disease control, and sanitising. Rabbits are restless by nature and handling them can be difficult, so it is important to handle them well as improper handling might lead to fracture and injury. They should also be regularly checked for diseases and worms although they are not very susceptible to diseases, immediate action must be taken should something go wrong. Good feed also ensures good health, so providing them with good nutritious feed can help in their proper growth. They can eat grains, legumes, green fodders, and various vegetable kitchen wastes. Clean water should also be provided regularly.
Breeding: Rabbits are prolific and will breed year long as they do not have an estrous period. They are ready to breed within 5-6 months of age and they can have 4 to 5 litters per year and one litter will usually have 8 to 23 offspring. The male rabbits must be 1 year of age for healthy offspring. These offspring are ready to be sold at around 8 weeks old. With proper care, rabbits can give birth repeatedly, their gestation ranges from 31-33 days. When buying rabbits strictly for its meat, it is not necessary to buy show-quality breeds, although during the initial stage of breeding rabbits for sale, it is important to start with a good, healthy stock. It should also be noted that breeding rabbits with defects can cause the offspring to not be in perfect condition and can affect the genetics down the line. A rabbit can carry 10 times its weight in terms of pregnancy.
Comparison of rabbit meat with other meat: Rabbit meat is an excellent source of vitamins, and minerals. It contains vitamins B3 and B12, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium. It is also lower in fat, calories, and sodium compared to other meat, and is high in proteins. Omega 3 in rabbit meat is richer than in chicken or pork. Because of the benefits of low sodium and fats, rabbit meat is very appealing to people with high blood pressure. Compared to rabbit meat, chicken has 4 times less iron, where rabbit meat has 4.85mg of iron and chicken meat has 1.26mg. It is also beneficial for dieters as rabbit meat is a lean meat, even more so than Chicken, and very high in protein.
How Rabbit farming help reduce unemployment and poverty: Rabbit farming has a potential in alleviating people from poverty because of its easy maintenance and low cost during initial start up. With proper management, the meat and fur can bring in quite a good amount of money and because a Doe can give birth about 4-5 times annually compared to one calf per cow or 2-3 lambs, once the profit starts, it will help bring in a good steady income for the farmer. There is zero waste in commercializing rabbits, and a well informed farmer can profit very well as every part of the rabbit can be sold and made use of which means that there are many sources through which a farmer can make money through the rabbit industry. Rabbit farming is more profitable than regular livestock farming and just two Does and one Buck can give you 50 rabbits or more in one year.
Aspects of Rabbit farming: Raising rabbits for commercial is extremely beneficial as there is zero waste. Almost all parts of a rabbit is used and sold. Meat, skin, and fur. Because of its high quality and rich in vitamins and minerals, rabbit meat is gaining momentum and farmers have commented that keeping up with demands have been difficult as there are a lot of buyers now. They can also turn 20 percent of the proteins they eat into edible meat compared to other animals such as chicken and pig, making them more economical in terms of feed energy. Even their fur is of high quality and because rabbits more fur compared to sheep, it is also a good form of income. Another great addition to the aspect of raising rabbits is the small amount of land and labour required. They can be raised in a small area and only one to two people are needed to watch over the rabbits, saving cost of and hiring extra labour, which only proves that this can be practised by people with low economical background.
Rabbit Farming is a very lucrative business and because of it is a more flexible work with low maintenance; even people who are just starting out can succeed well. With low investment and high payback, it also helps people with financial constraints have a steady income and is encouraged to practise since it can be done by almost anyone with minimum knowledge. It saves people from being unemployed and wageless in a society where cost of living is slowly on the rise. It can help a person be self sufficient and serves as a hobby or a serious job. '
Article submitted by 1St year Naga students of College of Veterinary Science and AH, Jalukie, Nagaland
