What are the benefits of rabbit production?

Rabbit production is one of the means by which the nutrition and the incomes of most urban and rural dwellers with limited access to agricultural land can be improved. Rabbits are easy to handle, feed and manage. When properly fed they can provide high-protein low-fat meat for healthy eating.

Rabbit production is a possible solution to the perennial meat-deficit problem in the country. Both young and old, as well as the physically challenged, can undertake rabbit keeping as a part or full time venture.

Reproduction

• Sexual maturity: doe: 5-6 months; buck 6-7 months
• Preferred age for fist mating of doe; 7-8 months buck 8-9 months
• Mating ration is 1 buck to 7-10 does
• Gestation period 31-33days

Beginning Rabbit Production

• Obtain the breeding stock from a reputable rabbitry
• Construct a 3 or 2 tier hutch
• Construct feed racks and nest boxes
• Purchase feed/water troughs

Water troughs for rabbits

Materials needed for hutch, feed rack and nest box construction

• Low grade sawn timber (hardwood)
• Bamboo, raffia palm
• Plastic felt, wire mesh, nails 

Floor space for cage construction

Note: visitors, domestic pets (e.g. dogs) should be kept away from housing area

Feeds and Feeding

Rabbits are non-ruminants herbivores which can be fed on wide range of feeds including:

• Grasses: guinea grass, elephant grass
• Succulent herbs: tridax, euphoba spp.
• Legumes: centrosema, stylo
• Tree/shrub fodder: leuceanea, pigeon pea.
• Crop residue: maize husk, cowpea/groundnut vines.
• Kitchen leftovers: vegetables trimmings, root and tuber peel
• Cooked food leftovers: rice, yam, cassava
• Concentrates
• Rabbits should receive 100-150g of supplementary feed/day
• Rabbits should be fed twice daily morning and late afternoon (evening)
• Provide fresh clean water all the time

Management and Sanitation

• Always lift rabbit with loose skin over shoulder whilst supporting lower part of the body.
• Young rabbits are held with hand over loin area with head pointing downwards.
• Accurate records are important in rabbit management.
• Develop table for routine management activities such as mating, kindling and weaning to monitor individual performance.
• Develop individual identification system e.g. Ear tattoo.
• Undertake daily stock inspection to identify sick stock for treatment.
• Undertake daily cleaning of cages and washing water trough.

Site selection

• Distance to neighboring residence
• Direction of prevailing winds in relation to neighbors
• An adequate source of water
• Topography (avoid step hill)
• Soil type (well-drained soil)
• Proximity to surface water bodies, sinkholes and flood plains

Source: Ghana Ministry of Agriculture