The full grown doe will be about 912 lbs while the buck will be 810 lbs. Lukefahr, 2007 that the rabbit industry in the developing world is dominated by small scale units. Rabbit meat is avidly consumed throughout europe, with the largest consumption and production in france, italy and spain. This is one of the most common rabbit breed used for meat and tops the best rabbit meat in the usa, you may find a variety of signature dishes from this breeds,eat. At the same time, a 4h rabbit project can provide an important life skill learning experience. Pictured are representative breeds of meat rabbits. When purchasing your breeding stock, contact local breeders and rabbit clubs and check advertisements in rabbit magazines and the american rabbit breeders association directory. The guide to raising and breeding rabbits for meat mother. Prior to becoming a rabbit producer, its important to learn some basic guidelines about getting started in the business. The smallest production unit to consider is a herd of around 20 does serviced by 2 bucks.
Rabbit meat is of high quality, being high in protein and low in fat content. According to the 2017 census of agriculture nass, more than. A complete handbook on backyard and commercial rabbit production. When raising rabbits for meat, you must consider the availability of. For meat rabbits, each cage should be about 3 feet square and 2 feet high to give the animals plenty of room to move around. The farming of domesticated meat rabbits is not a traditional agricultural activity in texas, compared to beef cattle, goat, poultry, and swine production. Now is a good time to assess what you need, and what you might simply want, to keep everything. The study was conducted in kumasi, the capital of the ashanti region of ghana between february and may, 20.
It can be used in most of the ways in which chicken is used. Core topics are covered, including rabbit genetics, reproduction, health and diseases, behavior, welfare, fur and meat production, rabbit production in developing. How to start a profitable rabbit farming business pdf guide. The four biggest worlds producers china, italy, spain, france contribute to almost. The major constraints identified in meat rabbit production were low price of rabbit meat, shortage of fodder, pest and diseases, high cost of capital, high cost of operating materials and veterinary care. This means you will need a larger breed so it will be a decent size by the 8week mark. Rabbit carcasses shall be properly dressed, washed, butchered, trimmed, weighed, properly packaged and labelled and shall be free from bruises or blemishes of any kind. By careful breed selection, producers choose medium to heavierweight breeds to produce quality rabbit carcasses for meat production. According to rabbit production cheeke, patton, lukefahr and mcnitt, 1987, pg 190, a weanling rabbit gains a.
Carla is the owner of rabbits4u, a commercial rabbit operation and breeder network that supplies raw frozen rabbits for pet dogs and cats. Rabbit farmers using this information do so at their own risk. It is important to know that when raising rabbits for meat that the older the rabbit gets, the tougher the meat becomes. The following topics are discussed in this publication. Producers also market live rabbits as pets and as laboratory animals for research. The study aimed at assessing the feasibility of commercial meat rabbit production in the kumasi metropolis of ghana. This is because every day past 8 weeks costs more money out of your pocket in the form of additional expensive rabbit feed and cage space that is not available for. Pdf rabbits are members of the leporidae family, indigenous throughout most parts of the world, and raised in smallholder and largescale, commercial. Raising rabbits for meat is a lucrative business, providing income for millions of people, but there are some essential things you need to do before you venture into the rabbit farming business. New zealand rabbits are a quintessential meat type rabbit. When planning your rabbit enterprise, identifying your goals and anticipated benefits is very important. Rabbit production can be integrated into small farming systems, with the rabbits being. Rabbit farming business is a very profitable business, and many people are making money all over the world by raising rabbits for meat.
Structured and unstructured questionnaires were utilized in obtaining information from two hundred meat consumers and 15 meat. The new zealand could easily be called the most popular of all meat rabbit breeds. The pelts of white rabbits, however, generally command slightly higher market prices. A complete handbook on backy ard and commercial rabbit. However, to build a successful, sustainable commercial rabbit farming business, you require sufficient knowledge of how to efficiently raise the rabbits, good management skills, and a good rabbit farming business plan. Production of bonein meat cuts or c production of boneless meat cuts. Backyard production of meat rabbits in texas oaktrust. Theme transfer utility alabama cooperative extension system.
An informed producer is more likely to be a successful producer. There is a growing wealth of information and experience being built up amongst rabbit farmers so the various rabbit associations are a particularly useful source of information. But only give lettuces and cabbages to adult rabbits alone. This observation should serve as a major policy issue in the design of intervention measures for backyard rabbit production units. Rabbit farming has grown from raising a few rabbits for family consumption to large. Many thanks to carla carter for the following three guest posts. Talk like a rabbit producer doe female rabbit buck male rabbit kit kitten baby rabbit kindling giving birth fryer market rabbit that is 8 to 10 weeks old and weighs 45 lbs. Rabbits alternative farming systems information center. This eventually led to their use in meat production on an industrial scale with the aid of slaughterhouses meat is mainly composed of water, protein, and fat. When choosing a showroom 6 previously referred to as utilitymeat rabbit, look for. The advent of civilization allowed the domestication of animals such as chickens, sheep, rabbits, pigs and cattle. Rabbit from farm to table food safety and inspection service.
Assessing the feasibility of commercial meat rabbit. Rabbit farm size in china shandong province in 2002 number of rabbit number of meat rabbit farms percentage number of angola rabbit farms percentage 50 99 9960 80. Rabbit production by josh schaeffer types of rabbit production fanciers pets, breeding stock, and show animals laboratory furhair angora rex meat largest rabbit market basics of raising meat rabbits breed selection general management techniques understanding rabbits housing feeding breeding health marketing breed selection meet demands white fineboned expected litter size 810 kits personal. Meat rabbits have been bred over years with meat production in mind. The skins are disposed and there has been a challenge to dispose them 12. All of the medium and large rabbit breeds are good meat producers. The guide to raising and breeding rabbits for meat. Profitability and low intensity especially in respect of labour and the fact that there is a market, are some of the factors drawing potential farmers. Rabbit meat production and consumption around the world faostat, 2012. How to start a profitable rabbit farming business pdf. Rabbits are raised for meat, angora wool, breeding stock, and sometimes, for laboratory use. Commercial rabbit production rabbits have been produced for 3,000 years. This article will outline how to start a commercial rabbit farming business, and the rabbit farming business plan pdf, word and excel. Rabbits in kenya are mainly for meat production 10 and their skin by products from the slaughterhouse 11.
Commercial rabbit production mississippi state poultry science. Their bodies are described as being commercial in type, that is, muscular or wellmuscled full of meat. Youth programs raise and use rabbits in projects and curricula. It is one of the best white meats available on the market today. In fact, data referring to 2016 show that europe, despite a relevant regression in total production of rabbit meat in 2016 compared to 2014, currently holds almost 93% and 67% of the worlds imports and exports of rabbit meat, respectively. China experienced a steep increase in rabbit production over the last decade up 26% since 2001. They can be confined to hutches, and can be raised in urban as well as rural areas. Jan 17, 2020 this report provides an indepth analysis of the global rabbit meat market. If you are thinking about raising them, then here are 10 best meat rabbit breeds list. The cultural acceptance of eating cottontail rabbit meat has set a favorable. Rabbit from farm to table fresh or frozen, rabbit meat is sold all year round.
Table 11 lists common rabbit breeds and their predominant color, weight, and uses. Meat from rabbit is an all white meat product that is high in protein and low in fat, sodium and cholesterol as compared to other common meats, such as beef, lamb, pork and poultry. Humans have hunted and killed animals for meat since prehistoric times. However, in spite of these efforts, the extent to which smallscale or backyard rabbit projects can. Rabbit project reference manual chad wootton r aising rabbits is fun. Today they are raised for meat, research, pets, show, and pelts. World rabbit meat production according to fao in 2007.
Rabbit meat is considered the healthiest meat option containing the highest percentage of protein 21% and the lowest fat 4,5%. Like other lean meat, poultry, and fish, rabbit meat is a good source of high quality protein. Health benefits of rabbit meat rise and shine rabbitry. China is the largest producer figure 1 accounting for more than 462 million rabbits or 40% of global production. The new zealand rabbit, at left, is a popular meat breed that usually weighs from 9 to 12 pounds. This report provides an indepth analysis of the global rabbit meat market. Rabbit meat production in the eu production more than 1. Core topics are covered, including rabbit genetics, reproduction, health and diseases, behavior, welfare, fur and meat production, rabbit production in developing countries, slaughter and the marketing of rabbit products.
Stone rabbits are one of the easiest types of farm animal to raise for meat production. Hunters are at higher risk for tularemia because of the potential for inhaling the bacteria during the skinning process. Selling the product in the meat rabbit market, you can make a profit at various steps in the processing chain. Current areas of interest such as animal welfare and coat color genetics are expanded in the new edition. Rabbit farming in the philippines, an introduction to rabbit farming by aven natures. Rabbit is higher in protein than other meats, lower in fat, and has less calories. Rabbit meat has been recommended for years by some physicians to their patients with coronary heart conditions. Two does and one buck should produce 180 pounds of meat per year. In commercial rabbit production, the difference between profitable and unprofitable is the ability of your fryer rabbits to reach 5 pounds in weight within 8 weeks from birth. In commercial rabbit production, the difference between profitable and unprofitable is the ability of your fryer rabbits to reach 5 pounds in weight within 8 weeks from birth this is because every day past 8 weeks costs more money out of your pocket in the form of additional expensive rabbit feed and cage space that is not available for youngsters or for. In the early 20th century, the rabbit was an incredibly important and valuable domestic animal, providing fur, food, and for the fancier intense competition in the showroom. The best material for cages is doublegalvanized 14gauge welded wire. Commercially prepared pelleted rabbit feeds meet all of.
A complete handbook on backyard and commercial rabbit production 11 overview whether you raise rabbits for meat and fur, wool, or laboratory uses, select the breeds best adapted to the purpose. This new edition of rabbit production has been fully updated throughout. The success of your breeding programme depends very much on the breeding practices used. New zealand white rabbits adapted by gary anderson, extension. According to the 2017 census of agriculture nass, more than 4,000 farms sold almost 500,000 rabbits nationally. Rabbit production manual government of nova scotia.
Rabbit production by josh schaeffer types of rabbit production fanciers pets, breeding stock, and show animals laboratory furhair angora rex meat largest rabbit market basics of raising meat rabbits breed selection general management techniques understanding rabbits housing feeding breeding health marketing breed selection meet demands white fineboned expected litter size 810. The breed has been around since the early 1900s and has been primarily raised as a meat and fur rabbit from the beginning. Rabbit meat is comparatively unpopular elsewhere in the asiapacific. Mainly concerning rabbits bred for meat and fur, it also contains practical information on pet rabbits, show rabbits and rabbits used as laboratory animals. The commercial farming of domes ticated rabbits, however, has occurred only recently. Rabbit meat has been recommended for years by some physicians to their. Other products from rabbit production include wool fur and skins or pelts. Rabbit meat specification kenya bureau of standards kebs. A rabbit breeder can be as involved as an all inclusive operation that breeds, processes and sells its own product. Breeding stock for commercial meat production, new zealand white appears to be the principal. Smallscale sustainable rabbit production attra ncat. Carla is the owner of rabbits4u, a commercial rabbit operation and breeder network that supplies raw frozen rabbits for pet dogs and cats raising rabbits for meat. The perfect butchering age is around 8 weeks of age.
Expert advice on which tools and equipment for raising rabbits is absolutely vital to your success, plus some rabbit handling advice. In the next section of this report, some background information on rabbit biology, rabbit diseases and the world rabbit market is briefly presented because an understanding of these is important in explaining the nature of the australian rabbit industry. Production backyard rabbit raising offers many potential benefits. Raising rabbits for food can be a good and money making activity. Based on the analysis it was concluded that meat rabbit production is feasible in the kumasi metropolis of ghana. Rabbit is marketed as whole or half carcasses, although interest in cuts and ground. The belgian hare boom of 1898 to 1901 brought thousands of rabbits to the united states, commanding outstanding prices. This eventually led to their use in meat production on an industrial scale with the aid of slaughterhouses.
Jan 30, 20 talk like a rabbit producer doe female rabbit buck male rabbit kit kitten baby rabbit kindling giving birth fryer market rabbit that is 8 to 10 weeks old and weighs 45 lbs. Types of rabbit production fanciers pets, breeding stock, and show animals laboratory furhair angora rex meat largest rabbit market. For example, your primary goal might be to produce enough rabbits so that your family might consume meat from two fryers each week all year long. The rabbit food and agriculture organization of the united nations. Protein is needed in the diet for healthy cellular processes and.
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