AN ISAGOGE TO RABBIT FARMING AND SOME VITAL INFO TAKEN FROM MY PERSONAL RESEARCH AND EXCURSION IN A MEDIUM FARM

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Mainly in our society today, mostly some rural farmer are those that engage into Rabbit Farming. Production of rabbit or rabbit farming is one of the livestock enterprises with the greatest potential anywhere in the world. Rabbit Farming is an agricultural business anyone can venture into. Recently, millions of tons of this meat are consumed yearly either for farm pesticides production,meat production, fur production, as a pet and even as a manure.

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Engagement into Rabbit rearing is as a result of their minimal investment requirements and ability to reproduce fast. Their feed requirement is low, especially with regard to demand for grain. Their housing and disease control management requirements are also low yet their meat is highly nutritious and healthier source of protein when compared with other sources of meat. Over the past years, Rabbit farming has experienced a steady growth generally, as the gender biases associated with its production fading away. Also, the realization that rabbits are well suited to rapid production of protein has increased the number of industrialized production units just like in poultry.Rabbit farming can also be referred to as "CUNICULTURE"

DISAVOWAL OF RABBIT FARMING

Just like I said earlier,in the rural parts of some societies, many before now sees rabbit farming as a job for the jobless or think they are raised for pet purposes but, it's not at the back of their mind that rabbit has great potential of a creating a generational wealth for a family.

ESSENTIAL MOTIVES OR DRIVES TO RABBIT FARMING

The following key facts are what would give you the zeal to venture into Rabbit Farming, they are;

Rabbits grows fast especially when fed well as it grows towards maturity date (mostly 5 months) and slaughter weight at 3 months.
They require less land or space with,thus can be kept at the backyard or set out part in your compound.
They can derive their feed requirement entirely on green grasses only.
Rabbit meat is white meat of high quality, easily digestible with low fat, low cholesterol and high protein compared to other proteinous meats.
Rabbit meat fats are lower in percentage than pork, turkey, beef and chicken.
It's one of the most clean meat you can count on per say as it is raised off the ground.

BASIC RABBITS TERMINOLOGIES

The following are some vital and notable terms used under Rabbit farming...

-A female rabbit is called a DOE

-A Male rabbit is called a BUCK

-A baby rabbit is called a KITTEN

-An offspring of doe rabbit kittens is called a Kindle

-A group of rabbits are called a colony

-A group of baby rabbits produced from a single mating is referred to as LITTER

-When a baby rabbit is taken away from its mother to become independent it's called Weaned

-Also inversely,when baby rabbits are taken away from their mother to become independent they are called Weaners

** Other important products from rabbits include:**
-The manure, skins and fur.

They are also useful for laboratory experiment and research.
-Also rabbit poo (excreta) are best used for manure or fertilizer by small and large scale crop farmers.
Rabbits urine has a potential benefit of being used as pesticides

COMMON BREEDS OF RABBITS IN AFRICA- NIGERIA, THEIR UNIQUE FEATURES AND IDENTIFICATION

1. HYLA NG(New Generation):

This is the most popular breed in Africa especially Nigeria because of its size and rapid/fast growth. Genetically,it's produced in the laboratory in Europe by a group of scientists to achieve success in rabbit meat production. It can grow up to 6kg at maturity.

2. HYLA MAX:

This is nother popular breed of rabbit which can weigh up to 5kg at maturity. It's always white in color but a little different from Hyla NG with black markings in the ear, nose, tail, fore-legs and hind legs. Some of these features fades off at times but you can always tell from their kittens.

3. New Zealand:

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This particular breed of rabbits looks similar to the HYLA breeds. Most times,its difficult to differentiate between them but there's a tip although it also comes in plain white fur but, with a broader head. It's furs slips back to its original position when brushed forward. It has shorter ears and can also come in different colors like; black, deep brown or chocolate and sometimes blue.

4. American Chinchilla:

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This is a rabbit breed that can weigh up to 8kg at maturity according to ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association). It comes in the colors of Grey or Ashes and are with Big brown or black eyes. Can also be found available here in Nigeria.

5. Harlequin:

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This breed is a colorful type of rabbit. They can weigh up to 7kg at maturity. It is a popular breed for pet for shows and meat production. Excellent results are gotten from harlequin when crossed with other breeds like HYLA and New Zealand White.

6. ENGLISH SPOTTED:

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We can easily identify this breed by its colored ears, a thin colored line from the neck to the tail and colored spots around the eyes, body and colored nose. It is also a popular, fast growing breed of rabbit. Good for pets and meat production as well.

7. CHECKERED GIANT:

This is similar in look to the English spotted rabbit breed but, as a giant breed of rabbit, It can grow up to 8kg at maturity. This comes mostly in white and black color- with bold lines towards the tail from the neck and bold black colors around the eyes, nose and body

8. DUTCH:

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This stands out and is a very popular breed of rabbit although slow in growth because it is classified as small breed but functions better as a pets with good color combinations. It can weigh up to 4kg at maturity. Dutch comes in various colors and patterns but the best way to identify a Dutch is by the white color that paths in between the head and the ears while the two ears have a matching color and pattern.

9. PALOMINO:

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This type of breed is popular with a Golden fur color. It has black eyes but not as the HYLAs etc.. It weighs 3-4kg I'm maturity and can be raised to provide meat production. It's not as marketable as other breeds serves purposes.

10. ANGORA:

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As a special breed it is, it's raised to be used as pets. Some vital features includes : furs sold and serves as source of income to the farmers. As used as pets, it requires much attention and care during it's upbringing. It's special therefore commands price so they are expensive. Weaner Angora is sold at the rate of N30,000 in Nigerian currency. In the varieties of angora, We have the English, German, French Angora etc. Thus, this stands to be the types of angora.

Please note that time has to say some vitals hence, you can endeavor to expand your breeds by research i.e by crossing one breed of rabbit with another to be able to meet demands.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT BREEDS

Choices are what makes man rational and I every business, choice comes first when it's time to know the type of business to engage in and so is it in Rabbits farming. Thus, you can breed for meat purposes and when you are breeding for
(a).meat purpose: it's advisable to go for FAST GROWING BREEDS(FGB) like : Hyla,harlequin,New Zealand White, Hyla Max, Checkered Giant,English Spot and American chinchilla. Remember these breeds guarantee fast growth in their production although all rabbits are white meats and are good for meat. Even so, some breeds grows faster than the other and the most popular among them at the moment are the New Zealand, Maxes andHylas.

Note: If you are raising rabbits as a breeder (someone who sells to existing farmers and new farmers for breeding or meat production) its best to go with New Zealand White, Hylas and Hyla Max. Please, never make the mistake of choosing the wrong foundation stocks as it could lead to a loss thus, forcing you to sell at unwanted prizes and restocking your farms with the right breeds.

Conclusion

Not going to emphasize more on the importance of rabbit rearing since most of them are mentioned above in this context. So, it's just a matter of choice if you want to venture into one now. Atl least you have something to hold of before you start.As a matter of fact, you must buy from reputable farmers to guarantee good productivity.