What is rabbit farming?

Cuniculture is the name given to the agricultural practice of breeding and raising domestic rabbits for meat, fur, and wool. Sometimes the rabbits are bred for different reasons such as betterment of the rabbit’s breeds and exhibition. Scientists practice cuniculture for the management and use of rabbits in research activities. Cuniculture is practiced since the 5th century AD in various parts of the world

Why rabbit farming?

The benefits of rabbit farming are as follows,

  • There no religious barriers to consuming rabbit meat.
  • The meats of the rabbits are tasty, easily digestible, and nutritious than other animals meats and can be eaten even by aged people without any problem
  • The labor required for rearing rabbits are less when compared to other animals
  • The cost of rabbit farming is very less than compared to other large animals
  • Rabbits rearing business can be done throughout the year as productivity is the same throughout the year and is a great source of income
  • Rabbits can be easily converted into food
  • Rabbits can also be reared for their wool they are 6 to 8 times warmer than the sheep wool. They can be combined with other materials such as rayon, silk, sheep wool, polyester, nylon, and other fibers to make warmer clothing.
  • Rabbits are one of the fastest-growing animals
  • Rabbit meat is nutritious and can be beneficial health-wise if you rear the rabbits at home for food purposes.
  • Rabbit farming does not take much space they can be raised at home or terrace or in the house backyard
  • One female rabbit gives birth to 2 to 8 young ones
  • It is a very profitable business so it can be a great source of revenue generation when it is done commercially.
  • Commercially the rabbits farming are best and investment required is less and also you can get back the investments made and profit in very less time
  • After poultry, rabbit rearing is the best farming for meat production

Steps involved in starting rabbit farming business

Rabbit farming is a lucrative business and rabbits are raised for meat, fur, and wool. It requires less space and the commercial rearing of rabbits is a profitable business. There are a variety of rabbit’s breeds such as dark grey, New Zealand white, New Zealand red, New Zealand black, Fox, Dutch, and Chinchilla, etc

Rabbit farming can be done in 2 methods such as deep litter farming and cage farming.

Deep Litter Method –

Here the concrete floor is suitable and if you are raising a few rabbits then it is very suitable. In this method, up to 30 rabbits can be easily reared in this system. You need to make 4 to 5 inches deep litter husk, straw, and hay and wood shavings. Then you need to keep the males separated from the females. In this system, the risk of disease is high, and not easy to manage the rabbits.

Cage Method –

This method is suitable for rearing the maximum number of rabbits and is suitable if you are doing it commercially. In this system, the rabbits are reared in a separate cage made of iron and wires. You need to keep males and females separately in the cages. Keep sufficient space and necessary facilities. Keep the females and males together during the breeding period.

Feeding –

The feeding for the rabbits depends on the rabbit breed types and their age. Generally, the food must contain 14% fiber, 2700 Kcal/kg of energy, 18% crude protein, and 7% minerals. Their food contains spinach, green leafy vegetables, vegetable wastes, green grass, muller, carrots, and seasonal vegetables. They also require a good amount of clean and fresh water as per the demand.

Breeding –

Rabbits reach the breeding age within 5 to 6 months of age. However, never use the young rabbits for breeding until they are 1 year old. They select male rabbits based on age and weight to have great young ones for commercial purposes. The gestation period of female rabbits is 28 to 31 days. Never bread the females if they are ill. Provide the breeding males and females with proper and nutritious food.

Profit margin in rabbit farming

The main purpose of rabbit farming is for its meat and wool. Let us discuss the business plan for rabbits farming. The investment depends on the size of the farm that is a small farm or large rabbit farms. Generally, 100 rabbits can be reared in 500 square feet of space. The rabbit space must not stop the activities of the rabbit.

Small farm or medium-scale farm – Here in this type the rabbits are grown in the backyard, terrace, or balcony. Remember that the quality is not less even when you choose the small farm for rabbit rearing. You need to take proper care and management of the rabbits, and the number of rabbits grown must be lesser when compared to the space they live in.

Requirements for small farms

  • Select the good rabbit kittens for the farm
  • Make investments for their food.
  • Use small bowls and containers as utensils for rabbit feed.
  • Make a shed that is cleaned properly frequently and protect the rabbits from adverse climatic conditions. Use antiseptic sprays and other medicines to keep rabbits disease free due to insects
  • Provide adequate clean water daily for drinking for the rabbits.

Requirements for commercial farms

Select up to 100 rabbit kittens initially to grow and multiply in the future. A well-planned shelter is necessary. Provide plenty of clean and fresh water for the rabbits. Feed them a lot of natural and nutritious food for the rabbits daily. Ensure food supply is good and there are no breaks in between for the food. Keep the shelter clean and ensure veterinary doctors come periodically to check and ensure the health of the rabbits. Provide proper ventilation and pest control devices and medicines. Have plenty of space at least 1 square feet of space for each rabbit to play around.

Profits in rabbit farming

Rabbit farming starts giving profit within the period of 6 to 7 months from starting the farm. Rabbit farming is profitable when you take proper care and management of rabbits. The profit margin is huge when compared to other farming because of the following reasons,

  • Low maintenance charges
  • Less cost of food
  • Fast productivity

Costs involved in medium-scale rabbit farming are as follows,

  • Cage cost for breeding rabbits – Rupees 20,000
  • Cage cost for non-breeding rabbits – Rupees 10,000
  • Cage for babies – Rupees 10,000
  • Cage for young rabbits after weaning – Rupees 30,000
  • Feeding bowls and water nipples – Rupees 10,000
  • Buying Rabbits kittens for breeding (40 females and 10 males) – Rupees 60,000
  • Cost of feeding rabbits per annum – Rupees 1,20,000
  • The total cost for breeding 50 rabbits on a medium farm is – Rupees 2, 60,000.

Conclusion

To be successful in the rabbit business you need to understand that rearing rabbits with proper care and management and ensure they are raised as your pets. Provide medical care, clean and fresh water, clean shed or cages, fresh leafy vegetables, and ensure the rabbits are free from any diseases and free from pests or insects.

Happy farming!!!