Rabbit farming is not only profitable but enjoyable too. One can grow a rabbit as a pet and also grow in small land without much investment. Rabbits are being reared in our country for a long time.
There are many advantages of commercial rabbit farming in India. Bunnies are a cute and small sized animal. They are soft and therefore are a good source of meat. There is a very high demand for rabbit meat in the market and there are not enough suppliers to fulfill this growing demand.
It is a business with low investments and high profits. There is a high demand for fur obtained from Angora rabbits in India as well as in foreign countries due to which it can be a successful business venture. Rabbit’s meat is also consumed by a small population in India which can further add to the income obtained from fur marketing.
One can easily make a small shed at the backyard with a very small investment. Good cover or shed is necessary for keeping the rabbits free from weather conditions, rain, sun and various types of predators like dogs or cats, etc.
Advantages of Rabbit farming:
-
They are highly prolific with some females producing 25 to 50 kits (young ones of rabbit) per year.
-
The meat of the rabbit is rich in poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) which comes under the category of white meat.
-
Small groups (up to 50 numbers) can be used to rear rabbits in the backyard of the house with kitchen waste as feed.
-
The initial investment cost for rabbit farming is low along with quick returns (about six months after the establishment of the farm).
-
They are the best producers of wool on per Kilogram body weight basis and require 30 percent less digestible energy to produce 1 kg of wool as compared to sheep.
-
They also provide income from the sale of kits, meat, pelt, and manure.
-
Rabbit manure is highly suitable for vermicomposting which provides excellent manure to be used as an organic fertilizer in agricultural fields.
-
Rabbit’s wool is 6-8 times warmer than the contemporary sheep wool.
-
Rabbits feed on forages of perse origins due to which they require very less quantity of costly concentrate feed and can be reared on roughage.
Breeds of Rabbit - suitable for farming in India (according to the weather) are White Giant, Grey Giant, Flemish Giant, New Zealand White, New Zealand Red, Californian, Dutch and Soviet Chinchilla.
Methods of Rabbit Farming - Rabbits can be raised in any of the two systems, deep litter system or cage system. Proper housing is necessary to protect the rabbits from inclement weather conditions of heat, rain and cold as well as from predator animals like cats and dogs. Sheds can be made in the backyard with very less investment.
Feeding of Farm Rabbits - Nutritious food must be fed to the farm rabbits for proper growth and good health. Grains, legumes and green fodders like Lucerne, Agathi, Desmanthus and kitchen wastes like carrot and cabbage leaves can be fed. Some amount of concentrate feed should also be fed. For 1 Kg body weight of rabbit, about 40 grams of concentrate food and 40 grams of green fodder is required along with ad libitum supply of fresh and clean drinking water.
Breeding in Farm Rabbits- 5 to 6 months of age is suitable for breeding in rabbits. Male rabbits at 1 year of age should be used for breeding purpose. Healthy rabbits should be chosen for breeding with proper age and body weight. Proper care of breeding male rabbits as well as that of pregnant females must be taken.
High quality and nutritious food- Generally, rabbits can eat and consume all types of grains, legumes and green fodders like Lucerne, agathi, Desmanthus and various types of kitchen wastes including carrots, cabbage leaves, and other vegetable wastes. In case of raising rabbits by feeding concentrate food, try to provide them some green food. For 1 kg body weight of rabbit, you can feed them about 40 grams of concentrate food and 40 grams of green food. Along with good and nutritious food, try to provide them with a sufficient amount of fresh and clean water according to their demand.
Rabbits become suitable for breeding within their 5 to 6 months of age. One must use male rabbits for breeding purpose at their 1 year of age to get quality young rabbits. Always use healthy rabbits for breeding with proper age and body weight. For better production, one must take good care of animals. Generally, diseases are less in rabbits.
