Farming Rabbits for consumption purposes.

Animal production may differ depending on ones budget and purposes. Raising rabbits for meat is considered one of the simplest things one can do even in your back-yard.  Not only do they require little attention but if farmed properly, they can provide a great amount of meat.    

Rabbits come with great benefits as the meat is said to be highly nutritious and now consumed in many countries around the world, the fur can be used for the manufacturing of hats and the skin can be used to make strong carpenters glue.    

“In addition to farming Rabbits, their manure is rich in nitrogen and makes an excellent fertilizer for the vegetable garden. The approximate dry matter basis it contains is 2.7% Nitrogen, 1.5% Phosphoric acid and 1% potash” said Mr. Rene Lourens, the Commercial Manager at Livestock Services.

When it comes to farming Rabbits and maintaining them, there are three ways in which one must build their housing.

1, HUTCHES

These units are constructed rather like chicken crates but are mounted on legs. The floor area of the hutch is most important, one square foot (30.5 sq. cm) off the floor area and should be allowed per pound (454g) adult live weight. Thus, an eight pound (3.6 kg) hutch could measure 2x4 (61cm x 122cm) feet whilst an allowance of one and half feet (15.24 cm) would be adequate for the height of the hutch.

Combined green food and hay are useful fittings as these allow the rabbits to feed without soiling the food materials with their droppings. For breeding purposes, a nest-box must be provided.

In Zambia, the open types of hutch constructed are half ware netting and nailed to wooden frames are by far the healthiest. Rabbits do not like drought as these can be excluded with hessian sucking. Hutch units are usually placed inside a shade, barn or outhouse as this gives protection from the weather.

Rabbits do not like getting wet and if the hutch units stand outside, it is important to see the roof of the hutch gives adequate protection from the rain and shade from the sun.  With outside hutch units, ants may become a problem climbing up the legs of hutch and attacking the rabbits; gamatox sprinkled around the bottom of the hutch legs will deal with this trouble.

2. MORANT ARK UNITS

These triangular fold units are used for rearing growing stock that is required for breeding. The ark should be constructed from a framework of treated gum-poles (protection against white ants). The units can be moved daily over a grass lawn allowing the rabbits to graze.  

3. COLONY SYSTEM

For this type of system, an empty shade or vacant pig sty can be used. The floor should be covered with the rough hay and allow at least 2sq feet off the floor area per rabbit. This type of management can be effectively used for growers from 6-12 weeks of age; with older rabbits, fighting is liable to occur. It is important that growers are about the same age and the group should not number more than 25 rabbits in one unit.

Nonetheless, in all the types of housing hutch systems for them, it is important to note that the hutch must be cleaned at least twice a week, matted droppings, stalegreen food and damp hay removed. Their toe nails are keen to grow long and may curl hence they must be kept short by clipping them regularly.

When it comes to feeding, the farmer must make sure to give them food that is rich in starch (millet grain, sorghum grain, and wheat grain), proteins (groundnuts, sunflower seed, and cow peas), Fibers, fats, oils, vitamins and minerals. In a day, their meals must contain at least 3 of the required food stuffs.

However, be aware that Tomatoes and Irish Potatoes are deadly and poisonous and must never be fed to the rabbits hence great care must be advised when feeding the rabbits.  

When it comes to handling them, it must be done in a gentle and firm manner. They must never be held by the legs as they have extremely soft legs and they tend to easily break. The must also not be carried from by the ears alone but rather hold the rabbits body as well to not only put pressure on its ears.

Some diseases that may seem to hinder with the health of rabbits are Ear Canker, Snuffles and Nucold Enteritis.

Ear Canker is caused by a microscopic mite and the infection is more frequently found in order rabbits. The mites burrow into the internal part of the ear and this then becomes painful and entrusted with reddish brown scabs.

Asa preventive measure, the rabbit ears should be regularly inspected, if the trouble is noticed, isolate the affected rabbit. This disease can be treated with MB OTORLY ear drops or if unobtainable, sic drops of cooking oil per day.

Snuffle(chronic cold) is cause by bacteria and affected rabbits will have difficulties in breathing and may frequently shake their heads. A thick white discharge runs from the nose of the rabbit.

With this infection, not only should the rabbit be isolated from the others, the feeding of ground food or dusty hay should be avoided as this may contribute to the nasal irritation and antibiotics can be used to control the infection.

And lastly, the Nucold Enteritis is mainly in young rabbits at about 6-8 weeks of age. The most common symptoms are great thirst and the rabbit often sits with its front paws in the drinking bowl.

Preventing this infection should be through giving the rabbit a balanced diet and using antibiotic calf scour tables are of help in the treatment of this condition.

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