I would like to add benefit of rabbit meat and rabbit farming---
• Rabbit meat has been recommended for special diets such as for heart disease patients, diets for the elderly whose metabolism has slowed and digestion is compromised due to illness or life stage, low sodium diets, and weight reduction diets. Because it is easily digested, it has been recommended by doctors for patients who have trouble eating other meats.
• As the world’s human population grows there will be less land to raise food. The rabbit will play a more increasing role in this supply. It is a sustainable, wholesome food that does not tax the land they are raised on.
• Rabbits are raised up off the ground and are one of the cleanest animals produced as meat. Due to being raised off the ground, rabbits do not even need to be wormed, thus an addition medication scratched from the “necessary” list!
• Rabbits do not need medications to stay healthy! Many large rabbitries administer a prophylactic dose of antibiotics, as noted in several how to books on rabbit raising. I have raised the current herd I have for 4 years without any antibiotics at all! If one of the rabbits falls ill, necessitating antibiotics, they are culled before the illness becomes a problem. It is a harsh method, but a sane one from an exposure to illness and medication standpoint.
• Rabbits are among the most productive of domestic livestock. Making them efficient sources of food for an ever increasing population with diminishing resources.
*Rabbits will produce 6 pounds of meat on the same feed and water as a cow will produce 1 pound of meat on the same feed and water.
regards
Swati Rana
Dear Friends ,Hi For your information
Backyard Rabbit Farming project of the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) Veterinary College, Bangalore, has caught on some districts in Karnataka. The developed world recommends rabbit meat for its low fat content and easy to cook features.
In the wake of its diet benefits, the Union government through the department of Biotechnology has launched the two-year rural backyard rabbit farming project in UAS Veterinary College, Bangalore, for the first-time in the country with a funding of Rs 17 lakh.
The scheme is particularly targeted at those below the poverty line and the beneficiaries are mainly women who are identified through the Sree Shaktis. Under the Backyard Rabbit Farming project, UAS provides four rabbits and train the people in their management including its health related problems. The training which is imparted at the doorstep of the beneficiaries covers rabbit dressing for broiler rabbits and use of its skin for commercial purposes, Dr Y B Rajeshwari, principal investigator, small animals, UAS Veterinary College told Food & Beverage News.
According to UAS, rearing larger animals like cattle, sheep and pigs is tough primarily because graze lands are shrinking. The smallest recommended rabbit farm housing 10 females and two males requires an investment of Rs 72, 000.
Rabbits are micro livestock. Being small in size it is both economical and easy to rear in limited space.
A crucial affordable factor is its feed which consists of grass, plant roots and kitchen waste.
The rabbit meat is in demand because of its high nutritious content, low fat and being non-fibrous, making it easy to cook. The Karnataka government also has a rabbit farm at Hessarghatta maintaining its parent stock. In the last one decade, broiler rabbits have almost doubled. The annual growth of the broiler rabbit in Karnataka is around 40%. UAS officials opine that a lot more needs to be done to popularise rabbit rearing because many are not aware of the advantages of this business.
Regards,
Vijay
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