Rabbit Farming Business

Raising rabbits for farming and fur is great way to make money. You can implement alternative ways to make money such as selling urine and rabbit droppings as manure to small scale farmers. The industry is growing as the Zambia Rabbits Association predicts that there is a 6000 deficit of Rabbits in the country (Zambia).  The middle-income class is growing people in Zambia. People are now health cautious. they are looking for lean or white meat which is considered healthy as compared to red meat. At this rate the demand for white meat is growing and isn’t going to slow in the near future. I just talked to a client in Rabbit farming business and his word were:

“I just sold three Rabbits in one day, within an hour”.

The initial start-up cost is minimal and the rabbits breed quickly and frequently.  They are easy to maintain and the feed is relative cheaper compared to other farm animals such as Chickens. Raising rabbits for meat and fur is a good way to make money on a large scale, and it can be done as a supplementary income.

There are over twelve (60) breeds or varieties to choose from and all are in different sizes.  Most of them can be divided into three (3) groups and these groups are:

1.      Small Breeds that weigh little than a 2 pounds fully grown, such as the Polish rabbit.

2.      Medium Breeds that have an average adult weight of about 10 pounds.

3.      Large Breeds that have an average adult weight of 14 pounds.

The New Zealand White is the most popular rabbit for raising rabbits for commercial scale. Though it is not from New Zealand, despite its name, but from the United States of American. It has good white fur and a good percentage of flesh to bone. Therefore, the New Zealand White is a good dual-purpose rabbit. Other good dual-purpose rabbits are the American Chinchilla and the Californian Rabbit. 

Raising rabbits is a pleasurable experience. Success to raising rabbits for profit are determined by three (3) things:

·         Good breeding programs

·         Proper equipment

·         Good care

However, with all food products there are rules and regulations that you will need to abide by set by your local council body. Make sure that you know these before you decide to go into raising rabbits for meat.

References

Michigan University

https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/rabbit_tracks_feeds_and_feeding

Countryfarm Lifestyles https://www.countryfarm-lifestyles.com/

https://www.vuatkerala.org