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Rabbit Farming : Breeding &n Farming
Rabbit meat serves a source of Low saturated fat for the population overfed countries and as a source of cheap animal protein in underfed countries, thus exhibiting the varied potential of rabbit farming. Broiler rabbits must be considered as an important contributor of protein source to assure food security because of the ability of the species to produce high quality and quantity of meat.
Key Features
Rabbits have small body size leading to efficient space utilization
Rabbits can easily thrive on the greens (Lucerne , Maize, Guinea grass, Napier) grown for other livestock and market surplus vegetables (leafy vegetables, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber) and with efficient Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR).
The nursing period for the pups is 20-25 days. But the Doe can be mated to a Buck after 15-20 of delivery. It means a female can deliver babies every 45 days highlighting fast reproduction. 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.
Within 3 months a baby Rabbit gain market weight of 2 kgs to 2.5 kgs.
Broiler Rabbit farming in India
Organized promotion of rabbit production in India took place during the late seventies by the import of rabbits from the UK and the former USSR , by the Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. In India , rabbit rearing has attracted farmers since the last ten to 12 years. The ever growing demand for non vegetarian proteins in developing countries like India helps the rabbit industry to grow further and further. Though it has not made an impact in the meat industry in India , there is tremendous scope for popularizing rabbit meat. In India , the production of rabbit meat had not reached any marked stage. Tamil Nadu is the premier state in rabbit farming in India . The breeds mainly reared in India are crosses of New Zealand White, Soviet chinchilla and Dutch crosses.
Feeding
Feed costs are the major expense in producing a fryer, as much as 80 percent of the cost of production. It is extremely important to use a sound feeding program. Earlier, In India there was no commercially available broiler rabbit feed. Although many people use feeding systems that include green feeds, hay, or home-mixed grains. Under natural conditions rabbits have the habit of ‘Caprophagy’. Cecotropes, also called 'night faeces' or 'soft faeces,' are the material resulting from the fermentation of food in a part of the digestive system called the 'cecum.' Cecotropes are nutrient-rich and are passed out of the body, like faeces, but are reingested by the animal so the nutrients can be absorbed. Cecotropes have twice the protein, and half of the fiber of the typical hard faecal pellet. They also contain high levels of vitamin K and the B vitamins.The feed has also been effective in periods of low fertility i.e. in summers, almost the breeding proceeding similarly in all seasons. The greens mainly Lucerne , Maize and market surplus leafy vegetables or hay are if available are fed as bonus.
REgards
Ashwini
