LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
Introduction to rabbit farmingDomestic rabbits are originated from European wild rabbit of the genus Oryctolagus and the species cuniculus, so zoological name of domestic rabbits is Oryctolagus cuniculus(2n=44). Rabbits are mostly reared for meat, fur and wool production. Further rabbit acts as models for research, and human beings keep as companion animal. Most of the world population is fed on food produced on small farms which have continued to get smaller as the human population pressure increases . This has led to the need to search for alternative protein sources that are cheap, readily available and posing minimal competition to man. Rabbits have therefore become a viable option, because of their prolificacy, early maturity, fast growth rate, high feed conversion efficiency and economic utilization of space .Rabbits do not compete with human being like poultry for grains and rabbit meat consumption has no religious taboo like pig and cattle or buffaloes. Hence, rabbit farming is important in developing countries like India as a cheap source of protein and for upliftment of socio-economic status of rural people. Advantages of rabbit farming??Rabbits can be fed with high forage, kitchen waste and low grain diet without affectinggrowth rate and do not compete with humans for grains unlike chicken.??Rabbits have high feed conversion efficiency with feed/grain rations (2.5-3.0 on high graindiet and 3.5-4.0 on high forage, grain free diet).??Rabbits convert forage into meat more efficiently than ruminant animal such as cattle andsheep. ??They have a high growth rate attaining market weight of about 2 kg at 12 weeks of age.??Rabbits have the potential of being in a constant state of reproduction. They can be bredwithin 24 hours of kindling, during post-partum heat. Rabbit meat is a highly nutritious, tasty and excellent in quality. Meat is rich in protein, low in fat, cholesterol and sodium.??Rabbits are suited to both small scale (backyard) and large-scale commercial production.??Consumption of rabbit meat has no religious prohibition like pig, cow and buffalo meat.??Rabbit can be easily sold when a small amount of money is needed to meet immediatefamily needs.??Rabbits are less prone to diseases compared to poultry.?? Rabbit manure can be applied directly to the plant or its roots.??Unlike bigger animals such as cattle, rabbits can be tended by women, children asthey do not need restraining.??Rabbit has small carcass that can be consumed by a family in one meal, eliminating theneed for meat storage and refrigeration. The meat is stored on the live animal until neededresulting in rabbits being referred to as "biological refrigerators. COMMON TERMINOLIGIES Doe : a mature female rabbit used for breeding Buck : A mature male rabbit used for breeding. Kit : a young rabbit whose eyes not yet opened.Bunny: A young rabbit below 20 weeks of age.Roaster : Culled rabbit.Kindling: Act of parturition.Litter: Kits born in a single kindling.Weaner: A newly weaned rabbit.Fur: rabbit wool.Pelt: rabbit skin or Fur skinConstraints in rabbit farmingThe major constraint or challenges in rabbit farming include:??The major constraint is the shortage of germplasm. The available germplasm of broilertype rabbits with the CSWRI, Avikanagar and its stations at Garsa and Mannavanur fallsmuch short of demand.? Lack of technical knowledge preventing the farmers to put a step forward. ?Another major constraint is non-availability of a well-organized market for rabbit meat.??There are no organized slaughter houses of rabbit.??Most meat consumers recognize rabbit as a pet / fancy / companion animal, which prevents them slaughter and affects consumer demand.??Comprehensively, low consumer demand, insufficient promotion, unsteady supply, unreasonable price, competition with other meats, lack of product diversification and poorly developed market channels are the true constraints.??Unlike cattle, chickens and small ruminant, rabbit farming lack of government support.??As rabbit farming is in its infancy there is inadequate supply of equipment such as cages,drinkers and feeders and other equipment.??Lack of research support regarding scientific knowledge on commercial rabbit production.Opportunities??Rabbit farming can be taken up in per-urban areas , they may find good markets in big cities.??Rabbit industry is presently small and evolving, indicating that opportunities exist to startnew operations or to expand the existing ones.??Backyard rabbitry can be well managed with garden and kitchen wastes and additionally,rabbit manure can be used as a fertilizer in gardens.??Like small ruminant production rabbit farming can be helpful for upliftment of livelihoodof poor farmers.413956523882351.Difference between rabbit and hare ?On appearance, hares are larger than rabbits, with larger ears and larger hind feet. Depending on the season, the fur on a hare can change color, too. Certain species of hares will change from white fur in the winter to reddish-brown fur in the spring and summer. Their typical pregnancy lasts 42 days, which is slightly longer than that of a rabbit (30-31 days), but the biggest difference between the two is how they are born. Newborn hares are born fully developed. They are covered in fur with open eyes. Newborn rabbits, however, are born undeveloped. They have no fur, their eyes are closed, and they have no ability to regulate their temperature. In biology, this phenomenon of being born undeveloped is known as being born altricial. . Baby rabbits — called kittens or bunnies totally dependent on their mothers. Baby hares called leverets and they can move on their own within an hour of their birth.In wild environment, rabbits make their homes in burrows underground, while hares make nests above ground.?Rabbits can be domesticated??and kept as?pets; hares stay wild. This reflects their behaviour??in the wild. Rabbits tend to be social??animals that live in groups. Hares spend most of their time by themselves, only pairing up occasionally to mate.2.What are the different varieties of Angora rabbit ?Ans. Russian Angora, German Angora, British Angora , French Angora3.Population of rabbit in India & West BengalAns. India- 5,91,685 ; West Bengal – 32,584 (19th Livestock Census,2012)4.What is the dressing percentage of rabbit?.55-61%.NOTES ................
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