Konu Tarih 8 July 2021

 

Rabbit Farming in Cameroon


Rabbit Farming in Cameroon




Rabbit farming is a business that involves the rearing of rabbits for home or commercial purposes. Many people have rabbit farms in their homes due to the small space needed to keep rabbits. The main problem with keeping rabbits is the need for constant feeding.

Advantages of Rabbit Farming

The main benefits of  rabbit farming business are listed below:

l  Rabbits are very fast-growing animals; hence, they can be raised to selling age within a very short time for fast returns and for new ones to be put in their place.

l  Their food converting rate is better than other animals. This enables the farmer to use as little feed as possible for higher output per season.

l  One female rabbit can give birth to about 2 to 8 kids each time. This enables the rabbit cages to be filled within the shortest possible time.

l  Rabbits can be raised within a smallspace. This reduces the amount spent on logistics, hence the total amount of capital needed to start a rabbit farm.

l  Production costs per animal are less compared to other large-sized animals.

l  Rabbit meat is very tasty, nutritious, and easily digestible. All aged people can eat it without any problem.

l  There are no religious taboos onconsuming rabbit meat; hence, more people are consumers. This enables commercial rabbit farmers to produce and sell large quantities of rabbits.

l  In the case of meat production, rabbits are placed after poultry. Rabbit meat is one main source of meat; hence, it can subsidize chicken and beef.

l  Kitchen wastes, grass, plant leaves, etc., are the favorite foods of rabbits. So you can raise some rabbits for your family's needs, using this type of low-cost and easily available commodities.

l  Rabbit farming requires less labor compared to other animal farming businesses. You can easily use your family labor for a successful commercial rabbit farming business.

l  Commercial rabbit farming businesses require relatively less capital, and you will get back your investment within a very short period.

l  As it is a highly profitable business, so commercial production can be a great source of earning and employment. You can meet-up your family's nutritional demands by raising a few rabbits.

How to Start Rabbit Farming Business

Rabbit Farming in Cameroon


Rabbits are small-sized animals. So it's very easy to start a commercial rabbit farming business. Make a proper business plan before starting.

1.        Choose Rabbit Breeds

There are many rabbit breeds available throughout the world. Among those breeds, Dark Gray (internal), Fox, Dutch, New Zealand White, New Zealand Black, New Zealand Red, Belgium White, and Chinchilla, etc., are highly productive and popular breeds. You can choose the proper breed for your production, depending on the availability of breeds in your area.

Rabbit Farming Method

You can start raising rabbits in both deep litter and cage farming methods. Here we are describing more about these two types of raising methods.

a)        Deep Litter Method: 

This method is suitable if you want to raise a few rabbits. A concrete floor is more suitable for a deep litter system. Make 4 to 5 inches depth litter husk, hay, straw, or wood shavings. In this method, you can raise a maximum of 30 rabbits in a house. Keep the male rabbits in a separate room from the female. In a deep litter system, the risks of diseases are high. And sometimes, it may seem very difficult to manage the Rabbit in this system.

b)       Cage Method:

For the commercial rabbit farming business, the cage method is the best. In this system, the rabbits are kept in a cage, which is made with wire or iron plates. The cage system is very useful for raising a maximum number of rabbits. Keep sufficient space and necessary facilities inside every cage. Keep the male and female rabbits separated from each other. Keep them together in a separate cage during the breeding period.

The minimum recommended cage size is 1.1 meters for living space; height should be 2-3 meters (depending on rabbit height) and  9.7 meters area for playing or movement.

However, a perfect cage for Rabbit farming commercially or hobby or use another measurement 36 inches wide, 30 inches deep, and 16 inches tall which suitable for rearing all types of Rabbits.

But,

Other sizes may also work well. However, the most important part is providing enough space for movement. Other factors to consider include:

l  Multiple compartments: A rabbit requires a good-sized hutch or cage, preferably with two chambers.

l  Cage Materials: The cage must be made of steel and wood. If you made a cage through wood, then it will be more effective with the same measurement.

l  However, there is a little offbeat for males or doe during pregnancy. They do like to build their own nest by using a straw and their own body hair. 

l  Playing  Space: If you are growing them commercially, then you have to consider a minimum amount of run/exercise space (able to take three hops). This is essential and ensures healthy animals.

2.        Feeding

Feed consuming rate and nutrient requirements vary, depending on the Rabbit's age and breed type. For proper nutrition of adult rabbits, their food should contain 17 to 18 percent crude protein, 14 percent fiber, 7 percent minerals, and 2700 kilocalories/kg of metabolic energy. Green leafy vegetables, seasonal vegetables, spinach, carrots, muller, cucumber, green grass, and vegetable wastes are common food for rabbits. For commercial purposes, you can serve them poultry feed. In accordance with providing nutritious feed, supply them sufficient amount of clean and fresh water according to their demand.

In general, we could divide the Rabbit's feeding as follows:

l  80% hay or fresh grass

l  15% fresh food (leafy vegetables or wild herbs)

l  5% concentrate feed

3.        Breeding

Usually, rabbits become mature and suitable for breeding purposes within their 5 to 6 months of age. But don't use the male rabbits for breeding purposes until they reach their first birthday. Doing this will ensure quality young rabbits for commercial production. Always try to use healthy rabbits with proper body weight for breeding. Never bred the females if they are ill. Take special care to the breeding male and pregnant female rabbits, and provide them nutritious feed. The gestation period of rabbits is about 28 to 31 days. And each time, a doe can give birth to 2 to 8 kids.

4.        Marketing

In some areas, marketing rabbit products is not so easy. So it will be better if you determine your marketing plan before starting. You can try your local markets or the nearest town.

Common Diseases of Rabbits

l  Internal parasites such as worm infestation, coccidial infection, etc. Deworm animals regularly and avoid giving animals moldy feeds. Also, administer coccidiostat at an early age or anti-coccidial drugs.

l  External parasites such as mites and lice infestation. Clean the hutches regularly.

l  Bacterial infections such as Salmonellosis, Escherichia coli (E. coli), etc.

l  Viral infections such as Myxomatosis (Big head disease), Rabbit Calicivirus disease (Viral hemorrhagic disease).

Though the rabbit farming business is a lucrative one, it requires a lot of attention, especially on occasions when the doe gives birth or when a rabbit is injured or sick. They also need constant monitoring to warn off predators that seek to handicap or even kill the rabbits. Apart from these drawbacks, the rabbit farming business is the best animal rearing business one can think of.