‘Why rabbits are special animals’
What are the characteristics of rabbits?Because of their digestive system, rabbits are partially between ‘monogastric’ and ruminant. ‘Monogastric’ are animals that have simple stomach. We call rabbit sedo-ruminant because they possess the characteristics of ‘monogastric’ and ruminant animals. They are not too small animals. In this country, they weight around 2, 2.5 and 3 kilogrammes. […]
What are the characteristics of rabbits?
Because of their digestive system, rabbits are partially between ‘monogastric’ and ruminant. ‘Monogastric’ are animals that have simple stomach. We call rabbit sedo-ruminant because they possess the characteristics of ‘monogastric’ and ruminant animals. They are not too small animals. In this country, they weight around 2, 2.5 and 3 kilogrammes. But they have the potentials to get up to 9 kilogrammes in temperate areas, unlike in Nigeria. Rabbits are fast producing. They mature in about five to six months in their medium size, and by seven months they mature fully for meat. With a very intensive system of production, they can produce every month. If one is not feeding them very intensively, they can produce four times in a year. In this country, they produce between four to six ‘litters’ (kids) in the average. But they have the potential of getting up to nine to 10 litters in temperate countries.
What value does a farmer stands to gain in rearing rabbits?
There are many. One, the meat itself is a very healthy meat for the farmer, his family and the general population of Nigeria. It is low in salt and cholesterol, just like that of poultry; and it is very tasty. So, people tend to like it. Often times, people with hypertension that should take less salt, find eating rabbit very beneficial. You can eat as much rabbit meat as you want and you never have gout – the disease of uric acid that people get from eating too much red meat. You don’t have that with eating rabbit meat. As I said earlier, they produce very fast. By this, the income of the farmer should increase with good management. The skin makes good leather that the farmer can sell and make money. The skin can be used in making shoes, belts etcetera. And if farmer wants to eat it, it has less fat. The cost of setting up a rabbitry is not as high as in most other animals. So, a farmer rearing rabbits should make money out of it. A lot of students and other people come to buy. Most times, the demand is not even met by the supply. People come in to buy for rearing, breeding stock, for meat, for experiment for laboratory purposes, so, there are lots of uses of rabbit that the farmer can explore and make money. A farmer can even sell the manure or use it in his farm. It is very good manure.
What does a farmer need to start a rabbitry?
The first thing is to get where to keep them. It is very important to get a house for them. It does not necessarily mean that a house must be built. If you have a spare room in your compound, you can convert it to rearing rabbits because they don’t make too much noise. A farmer can also construct a deep-litter or cages or build houses for them. The first thing is to get good house for them that is comfortable and where to take care of them. Second, the house for rabbits must be constructed in a good environment that is not too sunny. It should be a shady area, because they don’t want too much heat. A farmer should also get good stocks from reputable farms so that they can give you healthy animals that would give good ‘litters’ at the end of the day. There should also be good source of feeding for them. If it is pasture or forage, a farmer must get them from good sources. A farmer can produce his pasture in his farm to give his animals. The next requirement is treating the animals against parasites as he brings them to his farm. He should give them anti-biotic that would clear them from whatever infection they may come in with. And they must have a good source of water.
In terms of monetary gains, what advantage does a farmer stands to gain by rearing rabbits?
Farming is actually a business. If a farmer raises his rabbits well, the average cost of winner (eight weeks old rabbit) is about N1,000. Above this is N2,000 for meat. If it is breeding animals, it shouldn’t cost less than N2,500 to N3,000, but this depends on the breed, type and the size. The profit a farmer gets is how fast he raises his rabbits. But generally, rearing of rabbits brings profits in multiples if the best practices are followed. Our advice to farmers is that they should always start with small number as beginners so that they learn the business very well. You know there is risk in farming. In order to make sure that you do not fail, you start gradually and build up your stock.
Do rabbits have any known common disease?
They have a number of diseases. Although in this country not much is known about their diseases, but their major, common disease is ‘cosegioses’, which comes about if their house is left dirty. Pneumonia is another disease and it is caused if their house is cold or too airy. We want the house to be airy, but we don’t want too much air. They also have enteritis and this kills their kids. They have what we call ‘ment’, either skin ‘ment’ or ear cancer where the hair would be falling. These are the common diseases.
What are the methods of treating these diseases?
Generally, we advise that a vet should be invited, but the most effective way of preventing and handling these diseases is the good management I talked about. But there are drugs, but vets are in the best position to say. However, in NAPRI here we have tried using oil for skin cancer, especially palm or groundnut oil, but we always advise farmers to contact experts.