RABBIT PRODUCTION

IMPORTANCE OF RABBITS (REASONS FOR KEEPING RABBITS)

 Source of money
 Skins of rabbits can be used to make hats, gloves and coats
 Source of food (meat)
 It is cheaper to keep rabbits, compared to pigs or chickens
 They decorate our homes as pets
 Rabbit manure is rich in micronutrients; good for vegetable production
 Creates employment
 Source of raw materials e.g. Pelt
 Rabbits are ideal for keeping in school since they do not cause noise pollution
 Rabbit meat is high in protein and very tasty, with the appearance and taste of chicken
 Rabbits multiply fast, producing up to five litters a years.

PROBLEMS AFFECTING RABBIT PRODUCTION INDUSTRY

BREEDS AND USES OF RABBITS

BREEDS PRODUCT/ CHARACTERISTICS

USE
New Zealand Meat and fur  White in colour
White  Has erect ears
 Very red eyes
 Mature mass 4-5kg
New Zealand Meat and Fur  Red-brown in colour
Red  Small breed with an average live weight of 3.5kg
Californian Meat and fur  White bodied
 Dark coloured ears, nose and feet
 Mature mass 3.5-4.5kg
Chinchilla Skin and Fur  Grey in colour
 Mature mass 4-4.5kg
  Also produces good meat
Flemish Giant Meat  Grey to black in colour
 Large breed
 Have average live weight of 6kg
Angora Wool  It has a lot of fur
 Only breed that is kept for wool
Himalayan Fur  It has a pure white coat with red eyes
 The feet, tail and nose and ears may be coloured blue,
black or chocolate
 It is fairly a small breed
 Mature mass 2kg
 Is a very friendly rabbit and is therefore kept as a pet

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FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE STARTING A RABBIT PRODUCTION
ENTERPRISE

1. Availability of rabbits breeding stock: It is important that top quality breeding

rabbits are available, which you can find out from agricultural extension officers.
2. Availability of a market for the rabbits: It is essential that there is suitable market
for the rabbits. A potential farmer must also know to whom and in what form (type of
produce) rabbits can be sold
3. Enough capital (money): Make sure you have enough money to pay for all start costs
4. Availability of labour: Rabbits must be cared for on daily basis. The few workers
employed in rabbit project should be reliable and literate, to keep records.
5. Housing rabbits: Rabbits need suitable and secure shelter. A decent rabbit hutch
must provide healthy surroundings, enough light, and protection from dogs and
thieves.
6. Availability of water: Rabbits need good quality, clean water to drink. Water is also
needed for cleaning the rabbit house.
7. Availability of feeds and medical supplies: Rabbits eat pellets and vegetable
material and may also fall sick and need to be treated. It is important to find out about
the nearest suppliers of feed and medical supplies.
8. Availability of land or plot for the business: Rabbit keeping does not require much
land but enough space is needed to build rabbit house. The bigger the project, the
larger a piece of land you will need.
9. Profitability of the business. Find out whether the business will make enough money
or not. Prepare a budget it will help you to know whether the business is worth to get
involved in the business or not

METHODS OF PRODUCTION FOR RABBITS /METHODS USED TO REAR

RABBITS

1. Extensive method: - Rabbits are put in a movable enclosure made of wire mesh. The
rabbits depend on the green grass at that particular spot. The rabbits with their enclosure
are moved to a new spot whenever fresh grazing is needed. They are only provided with
water and a roof against harsh climatic conditions like rain too much sun.
2. Intensive method: - Rabbits are kept in hutches throughout their lives. Food and water
are provided in the hutches. Materials used inside the rabbit hutch;
 Feeding bowls/ troughs
 Drinkers
 Shallow nest boxes

The most popular intensive system of housing rabbits today is the all-wire cage method
because:

 It is easy to clean, with few places for parasites to multiply.

 The cages are constructed in such a way that they can receive fresh air and light
 The cages save space since they are put on top of each other to form stacks,
therefore being able to keep many rabbits in a small space.
 It is cheap to construct, and because of the small sizes of the cages one can carry
them easily from one place to another.
 Protects rabbits from predators
 Rabbits are closely monitored

3. Semi-intensive method: - This method is similar to the extensive method. The

differences are that the enclosure is not movable and the rabbits are provided with food
and water. The enclosure can be a house. Inside the enclosure there are hutches for rabbits
to give birth in and to protect the young ones.
4. Morant system: - This is where rabbits are reared in grazing hutches which are moved
around on outdoor pastures. Water and food are provided and the hutches are moved to
fresh pasture on daily basis. The system is not good in areas with a lot of predators.

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PREPARATIONS BEFORE THE ACQUISITION OF RABBITS FOR THE

ENTERPRISE

 Ensure hutches are cleaned, disinfected and fitted with water and food troughs
 Ensure rabbit transport boxes are ready
 Ensure purchase of adequate vaccine and drugs
 Ensure purchase of enough supply of rabbit pellets and steady source of vegetable
matter
 Ensure dependable source of good, clean water
 Ensure adequate protection from predators, human thieves and sudden noise
 Ensure import papers are in order and animal health requirements have been met in
cases where breeding stock is to be imported
 If necessary arrange for training of persons who will serve as attendants in basic skills
of keeping rabbits
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BUDGETING

 Is the process of estimating the future expenditure, income and profit of a proposed
plan of a farm business

BUDGET
 Is an estimate of the future expenditure, income and profit of a proposed plan of a
business

A budget Estimate for rabbits

Estimated costs Estimated returns

Item Amount(P) Item Amount(P)
1. Breeding stock 1. Sale of 65 rabbits P1 170.00
a. 5 does @ P15 each P75.00 @ P18
b. 1 buck @ P 20 each P20.00
2. 5 hutches @ P30 each P150.00
3. 6 bags of rabbit pellets @ P75 P450.00
each
4. Drugs P57.00
Estimated total cost P752.00 Estimated total returns P1 170.00

Estimated profit/loss =Estimated total returns – Estimated total costs

= P1 170.00 –P 752.00
= P418.00
Therefore the enterprise is estimated to make a profit of P418.00

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SIGNIFICANCE / REASONS / IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING RABBITS WITH

HOUSING OR SHELTER

 To protect them from predators e.g. cats, dogs, snakes, jackals, hawks, and any other
animal that may kill them
 To protect them from bad weather conditions, such as rain, wind, heat and frost (very
cold conditions).
 For easy management; for instance to provide them with food and water, to vaccinate
them and inspect them against diseases and parasites when they are housed.
 To separate males from females and thus control mating
 To control their movements
 To stop them from fighting each other since they will be in separate cages.
 To protect them from thieves who might steal them if left in the open
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TYPES OF FEED SUITABLE FOR RABBITS

 Milk- allows young ones to suckle their mother until they are weaned at 4-6 weeks.
 Green feeds- they include grass, leaves of spinach, cabbage, kale, cowpeas, lucerne,
soya beans, lettuce and clover. Young green maize and oats, sweet potatoes,
groundnuts, vines and many common weeds and wild grasses can be fed BUT never
ever feed your rabbits Irish potato and tomato leaves since they are poisonous to them
as well as plants that has been treated with chemicals.
 Roots- such as carrots, radish, turnips, sugar beets, parsnips and dried cassava chips.
 Hay
 Concentrates- e.g. rabbit pellets
 Supplementary feeds- e.g. mineral licks, dicalcium phosphate and bran

Note: Do not feed rabbits with potato and tomato leaves as they may poison them.

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APPROPRIATE FEEDS GIVEN TO RABBITS

Age of rabbit Food

Young rabbit It should be fed from mother’s milk every day until 6 to 8
weeks old
Weaned rabbits (about 8 weeks and over) It should be fed 100g of rabbit pellets and some hay per day
Adult rabbit It should be given an average of 140g of food every day and
plenty of clean water
A pregnant doe, from 15 days up to 31 days Give it about 280g of food per day and plenty of clean water
115g of pellets and hay per day. The hay should be reduced
be reduced from the 18th day of pregnancy and stopped by
the 25th day of pregnancy. The rabbit pellets are then fed
adlib.

A doe which has just kindled Give between 350 to 500g of feed with plenty of water for 3
to 5 days to enable it to produce enough milk
A working buck Should be fed 110g of pellets per day. It should never be
overfed because it may become fat and lazy.
A dry (non-lactating) adult doe sometimes Can be fed 100g of rabbit pellets per day
called an empty doe

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REASONS FOR PROVIDING RABBITS WITH FOOD AND WATER REGULARLY

 Food gives rabbits energy to move around and to produce young ones
 Water is needed regularly because it dissolves nutrients in the food; transports the
dissolved nutrients to other parts of the body; forms cells and tissues; makes blood
and other fluids in the body; and controls the temperature.
  Water is the most important thing in the diet of rabbits because if they are not given it,
they will not eat and therefore they will die much sooner.
 Rabbits should be given food and water regularly to keep them in good health
condition.
 Since rabbits are kept indoors they cannot go to find food and water for themselves.
Someone must provide.
 During cold weather conditions, we feed rabbits regularly so as to help them maintain
their normal body temperature.

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PROPER HANDLING OF RABBITS

Rabbits need to be handled with great care because;

 Their skeleton is not heavy and strong.
 Their backbone is easily damaged when dropped down
 They easily get frightened therefore avoid sudden movements and noise
 When not handled properly rabbits start to struggle, and they get hurt, causing
irreparable damage to their muscles. This ultimately lowers carcass quality. A
struggling rabbit can even scratch and hurt the person who is holding it. It is therefore
advisable to wear cotton gloves when handling them.

Reasons for handling rabbits

 Moving them from one cage to another
 Sexing them; this means checking whether they are male or female
 Trimming their claws
 Conducting mating
 Inspecting them for diseases
 Inspecting their teeth

HANDLING OF RABBITS

Rabbits are very nervous animals and their skeleton is not very strong thus can easily be stressed and
break if not handled properly. So there is need to handle rabbits correctly and gently.

i. Lifting heavy rabbits (By the scuff of the neck)

Rabbit should be lifted by the loose skin on shoulder with one hand and the other used to
support the underneath. As shown in figure 1.
ii. Lifting young rabbits (By the pelvis)
The young rabbit is lifted by holding them between the hips and ribs. The head of the
rabbit should face down. As shown in figure 2.

WAYS OF HANDLING RABBITS WHEN TRANSPORTING THEM

a) For short distances

Lift the rabbit by gasping the skin behind its head with one hand and put your hand under its
hindquarters to support its weight. Hold the rabbit gently but firmly in a sitting position.

Figure 3
b) For medium distances

Pick up the rabbit as for short distances then place the rabbit on your arm with head tucked into
the bend of your elbow.

c) For long distances

Carry the rabbit in a box and make holes in the box so that the animal has plenty of air, and put straw
or sawdust inside. The rabbit can be given food and water for the journey.

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SEXING OF RABBITS

It is the process of determining whether a rabbit is a buck or doe (whether male or female). It is done
at 8 weeks of age or Sexing is a process of determining or identifying the sex (gender) of an animal.
How it is done:
 A rabbit is lifted by the scruff of the neck
 Turn the rabbit upside –down on a flat surface
 Bring the genital area into view by pressing down the fur around it into full view
 Gently press down and squeeze.
 If it is a male (buck) the penis will come out from a round shaped opening but if it is
a female, they will be a V shaped slit (opening).

MALE FEMALE

PUBERTY
 Rabbits reach sexual maturity at about 3 to 4 months of age
 The best time for mating is when they are around 6 or 7 months of age

HEAT PERIOD
Heat or oestrous is when a doe is sexually excited and accepts a buck to mate with.

Signs of Heat/ Oestrus

 Wagging of the tail when her back is touched
 Restlessness and nervousness
 Vulva turns purplish and is enlarged
 Mounts other does
 Does not run away when mounted
 Release of mucus discharge from the vulva
OESTROUS CYCLE
 This is the interval between one heat period and the next heat period
 Heat period or oestrus comes every 17 to 21 days
 Since rabbits are known as INDUCED OVULATORS, the presence of a buck can
bring about ovulation.

MANAGING PREGNANT DOES

 Provide the doe with good quality concentrates containing 16 to 18% protein as well
as fibre
 Provide the doe with clean water at all times
 Place a clean nesting box in the cage or hutch especially at least 2 days before
Kindling

CARING FOR KINDLES

 Allow kindles to suckle from their mother (for 3 to 4 months after kindling)
 Provide clean fresh water at all times
 Provide rabbit pellets with 15% protein and 20% fibre every day. Fresh grass and
legume leaves can be given in addition to pellets
 Soiled or wet bedding and droppings should be removed regularly
 Sexing should be done
 Separate the kindles before they are sold. Do not raise them together as a colony.
 The kindling’s (bunnies) should not be touched for the first three days because the
mother may kill them if she notices a foreign smell.

Mating of rabbits

After sexing the rabbits you can select and then allow the selected ones to breed or mate to
produce young ones. This process is called breeding.

To breed rabbits you should select those that:

 Can grow well in the local environment
 Grow fast
 Are highly fertile
 Are of a large litter size
 Produce good meat quality

Rabbits are ready for mating at 6-7 months of age, although females ones reach sexual
maturity at about 3-4 months old. It is however advisable still to wait until the doe is
physically mature to bear and raise a litter. At the same time, rabbits older than 12 months
should not be used for breeding as they experience kindling difficulties.

The doe needs to be taken to the buck for mating, and not the other way round. One buck can
mate 8-10 does. The smell of the buck will attract the doe, and the rate of conception is
higher if mating takes place in early morning or late evening hours when it is cooler
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PARASITES AFFECTING RABBITS

 Skin mites
 Fleas
 Ear mites / mange mites
 Coccidian (internal parasite)
 Tapeworm
 Roundworm
 Ticks

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1. Life cycle of ear mites

Eggs are laid on the skin of an ear and later hatch into larvae which will start sucking blood
from the rabbit and grow into a nymph. The nymphs will continue sucking blood to develop
into adult mites. Adult mites also suck blood and mate to continue the cycle.

Effects of mites on the rabbit

 Sucks blood and causes great discomfort, pain and irritation.
 Causes diseased patches in the ear
 Loss of conditioning and low production
 Heavy infestation leads to lowered resistance
 Transmit diseases to the rabbits
 Suck blood from rabbits causing anaemia
 Serious attack may lead to death

Control and prevention measures

 Isolate affected rabbits to prevent the mites from spreading
 Quarantine newly acquired rabbits for 3 weeks to see if the problem develops
 Treat the affected ears with ear canker drops and creams or flowers of sulphur
 Clean and disinfect the hutches used by affected rabbits
 Practice rotational grazing: it breaks the life cycle of the parasite
 Bury the bedding used by affected rabbits

2. Life cycle of the roundworm (rabbit stomach worms)

i. Male and female adult worms live in the stomach of the rabbit
ii. The eggs are laid by the female worm and are passed out in the rabbit’s
droppings
iii. The eggs then hatch into an infective larva about 30 hours after being passed out
of the rabbit
iv. The larvae are then taken up when other rabbits eat contaminated feed
v. The larvae then develop into adults in the stomach of the rabbit.

Effects of roundworms on rabbits

 Poor growth
 Loss of weight
 Bloody diarrhoea
  Loss of appetite
 Serious attack can lead to death

Control and prevention measures

 Keeping drinkers and feeders clean
 Cleaning and disinfecting rabbit cages and houses
 Using Fenbendazole
 Keeping the surroundings clean and free of waste matter
 Provision of fresh feed

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DISEASES OF RABBITS
 Coccidiosis
 Mastitis
 Ear canker
 Bloat
 Snuffles
 Ringworm
 Myxomatosis
 Sore hocks
 Epizootic
 Haemorrhage
 Coenurosis
 Conjunctivitis
 Pasteurellosis

Disease Cause /Mode of Symptoms Control and prevention

Transmission
Coccidiosis Protozoa(Eimerias  Watery, smelly  Clean and disinfect the hutches.
pp) called coccidia droppings  Isolate the sick rabbits.
(spread through  Loss of appetite  Treat the rabbits with coccidiostat
droppings when  Swelling of the e.g. sulfactimerazine or form of a
feed, water and stomach sulfathiazole.
bedding are  Loss of weight  Avoid crowding many rabbits in
contaminated)  Sudden death the same space.
 Extreme thirst  Kill and burn affected rabbits
 Starring coat  Use coccidiostats in food and
drinking water. e.g.
sulphamethizane
Conjunctivitis Bacteria (through  Irritations on the skin
or Weepy eye smoke, dust sprays  Swelling of eye lids  Treated by protecting the rabbits’
and fumes) eyes from irritations
 Use a commercial eye washing
product to clean exposed eyes, and
use antibiotic ointment
 Isolate those with eye problems

Treatment
Ear canker or Mites  Inflamed ears  Dust the rabbit with mange
Mange  Reddish brown crust powder at night
of the ears  Apply ear mite
 Shaking, flapping and Prevention
scratching ears  Keep the floor clean
 Isolate sick rabbits

Pasteurellosis Bacteria (when  Inflammation of the  Hutches should have plenty of air
(Snuffles / rabbits are mucus membranes and be well ventilated
colds) stressed)  Mucus discharges  Isolating infected rabbits to
from the noses prevent disease spread
 The fur on the face  Handle the rabbits as little as
dried with mucus possible, to reduce stress
 Sneezing and  use penicillin antibiotic such as
coughing tetracycline
 Sick rabbits should be separated
from healthy ones.
Bloat Eating a lot of  Swollen stomach  Do not give rabbits a lot of green
fresh green leaves, containing gas inside leaves
especially clover  Give rabbits hay
 Give rabbits a soapy water
injection into the anus
 Let the rabbits exercise to expel
gas
Mastitis Bacteria  Swollen teats  Treat using antibiotics e.g.
(pasteurella  Rabbits rejects Terramycin
multocida)- the suckling  Practice good hygiene e.g. keep
bacteria pass the floor clean
through the teats  Isolate the sick rabbits
of a rabbit
Ring worm Fungus- spread  Brown patches appear  Isolate the sick rabbits
through direct on the ears  Apply terramycin on the ears
contact  Scratching the body  Clean infected parts of the rabbits’
 Scaly skin develops body with linseed oil

PROCESSING AND MARKETING OF RABBITS

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Rabbit products

Rabbit product Use

Rabbit meat- is tasty and wholesome has a  White meat rich in proteins, minerals and
low fat and cholesterol content and is very vitamins
high in protein  Good meat for people suffering from gout
Skin (fur)  Processed to make expensive clothes,
such as hats, gloves and fur coats.
By products obtained from rabbits

Rabbit by-product Use

Rabbit droppings  A good fertilizer that can be used fresh
from the cages to improve soil fertility
Rabbit bones and rabbit giblets (heart and  Used to make dog and cat feeds
liver)

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PROCESSING RABBITS

How to dress rabbits

 Stunning the rabbit e.g. hitting it on the back of the head behind the ears, or break the
neck by twisting.
 Cut off the head
 Allow it to bleed by hanging it with one of its hind leg
 Cut off the paws and remove / pull off the skin
 Cut open the carcass to remove the entrails
 Washing to remove excess blood
 Chilling
 Packaging

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MARKETING OF RABBITS PRODUCTS AND BY-PRODUCTS IN BOTSWANA

 Rabbits can be sold live or as dressed carcass to the consumers

 Rabbit meat can be sold either fresh or frozen to consumers
 The fur can be sold to industries which manufacture pelt garments
 By-products, such as bones and rabbit giblets can be sold to pet owners and manure
can be sold to vegetable growers.

Note: Rabbit meat is sold in two ways

1. As Fryer meat- meat from young rabbits of less than 12 weeks old. The flesh of such
meat is tender, fine-grained and bright pearly pink in colour.

2. As Roaster meat- meat from mature or older rabbits that are more than 8 month old.
The flesh is from roasters is fresh but coarse-grained, and the muscle fibre is slightly
darker in colour and less tender. The fat may be cream in colour than in fryer meat