Asst Prof. -CUM- Jr. Scientist

Vety. Anatomy

Bihar Veterinary College

Patna, Bihar, India   

Assistant Research officer

Division of Virology

Institute of Animal Health & Production

Patna, Bihar, India

Assistant Professor

Department of Veterinary Anatomy

Bihar Veterinary College

Patna, Bihar, India

Abstract

Rabbits are being reared in our country for a long time. The first record in the history of human’s relationship with the rabbit was documented in early Roman times. ‘’Cuniculture’’ is the agricultural practice of breeding and raising domestic rabbits as livestock for their meat, fur or wool, cuniculture has been practiced since at least from 5^th century. China has emerged as the lead country and has emerged as a major producer of rabbit meat, fur and angora wool in the world. The world’s softest garment fiber (Angora wool) comes from animal called the Angora rabbit. Rabbit is regarded as one of the most useful among ‘micro livestock’ as considered by FAO and other organization. Rabbit rearing is popular for meat, fur, skin and wool production. Rabbit meat is wholesome; tasty, which is rich in protein, certain minerals and vitamins but low in fat and cholesterol. Hence it is good source of protein for children, pregnant women, sick, aged, athletes and health conscious people. In India North Eastern Hill region is one of the highest meat consuming zones, considering high demand of meat and meat products, farming of rabbit in this region has more scope as an alternative source of meat.

Keywords: Rabbit, breed, meat, wool, production.

Introduction : Domestic/modern rabbit belongs to genus Oryctolagus (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Leporidae family. Rabbit raised for meat are called ‘fryers’. The average life span of domestic rabbit is 6-7 years. Rabbit meat has great potential in meeting worlds need in general and developing countries in particular. The increasingly important role of rabbit, breeding/farming and its potential to improve food security and nutrition in developing countries has been increased by the FAO, because it is a low cost proposition, the meat is nutritious and there is less social, cultural, and religious restriction against it. Broiler rabbits are reared for meat and fur and Angora rabbits for wool production. About 50% of total furskins production in world over is from rabbits. In India fur industry established in J&K about 25-30 lakhs of furskins are still imported from European country that is why there is a need to do rabbit farming on a large scale in our country. World’s excellent animal fiber comes from Angora rabbit which is extremely warm, soft, silky to touch, very light weight and softest garment fiber. In India, Angora rabbits are reared in Himachal Pradesh and Hilly areas of Uttar Pradesh. In India rabbit meat production is still in initial stage. In order to establishment and growth of rabbit industry on sound not only import the rabbits for meat and wool production from other country, but need to be established rabbit farming on large scale in our country.

Breeds of Rabbit

There are 38 breeds and 87 varieties of domestic rabbits recognized throughout the world, but only 8-10 breeds are available in India. The farmers can choose one are more specific breeds for a particular productive trait For Indian weather White Giant, Grey Giant, Flemish Giant (largest domestic breed), New Zealand White (Best meat breed), New Zealand Red, California, Soviet and Dutch Chinchilla breeds are suitable. Rabbits are classified according to their weight/hair and uses.

For wool production: Angora rabbit is reared for finest quality of Angora wool production worldwide. Four varieties of this breed such as - German Angora, British Angora, Russian and crossbred Angora are available and most of the breed reared by Indian farmers of hilly area (Kullu, Himachal region).

For meat/fur skin production: New Zealand White, White Californian, Soviet Chinchilla, Grey Giant are the most common breed for this purpose. Rex and Satin breeds of rabbits are used for quality meat/fur skin production. In India at North Temperate Regional Station (CSWRI), Research Station, Garsa (Kullu) were used New Zealand white, soviet chinchilla, white giant, grey giant and black brown meat breeds were experimented for meat and fur skin production.

For fancy purpose/hobby purpose: Polish, Palmino, Havana, Beveran, New Zealand Red, Dutch are the most common breed of rabbit used for this purpose. They are light in weight and having fancy look.

Biological Research and Laboratory purposes: New Zealand White, California and Dutch breeds are primarily being used for this purpose.

House of Rabbit

Selection of site for construction of shed should be preferred as elevated area having easy drainage system and well protected from predators (dog, fox and cat) of rabbit. For rearing of rabbit generally deep litter and battery/cage systems are applied. To get maximum production, housing cost must be low, well ventilated, ideal temperature (10⁰-25⁰c) with the relative humidity 65-70% throughout the year and knowledge on floor allowance is very important. Floor space requirement is depends according to different body weight of rabbits-up to 2 kg-0.04 m², 2-4 kg-0.28 m², 4-5 kg-0.37 m² and over 5.5 kg-0.46 m² floor space is required. For doe with litter additional 0.14 m² area is required for litter. (Harkness and Wanger; 1989). Standardized floor space required for weaner- 1.5ft², for grower- 2.0 ft², for finisher 2.5 ft², for adult- 3 ft² and for nursing mother 4.5ft². Rabbit house system is generally divided into two systems: Open hutch system and Cage/shed system.

Open hutch system: Hutches are normally kept in the open in orchard or under tree shed. The dimension of hutch is generally 1.5x0.75x0.5 m and longitudinally it is divided into five compartments having dimension of .75x.3x.5 m for 3 weaners or 2 growers or one finisher/adult. This system is more hygienic and healthy.

Indoor Cage/shed system: The cage is made of GI welded wire of different mesh size. Cages are kept on concrete or wooden rack in closed house. Wire cages are suspended either in single/two/three tire system. Indoor low cost housing systems are more advantageous and cheap. This house is made up of locally available thatch roof, bamboo wall and katchha floor. Rabbits maintained in indoor low cost housing and were feed 50% green roughes and 50% concentrate pellet feed performed best. (Das and Sikka 2007).

Nutrition

Rabbits are given balanced feed for quality and quantity wool, meat, fur and healthy kits production. In livestock production systems, the cost of animal feed represents about 70-85% of the total recurring cost (FEFAC 2015), therefore it is necessary to find low cost feeds incorporated in the ration of animal and poultry. Farouk et al., 2021 showed in his study that the best growth performance and economical feed efficiency was observed in rabbits fed on diet containing 30% Kitchen Food Waste (KFW) and surpassing all treated groups and achieving the best body weight gain. Xu et al (1992) reported that daily feed intake was significantly reduced by 0.16 gm with an increase of 1% RH and feed intake was highest at RH of 25%. A water requirement of rabbit depends upon physiological and climatic condition. Rabbit feed should contain carbohydrate, protein, fat, fiber, vitamins mineral and water. Rabbit requires about 300ml-1.5 liters of fresh water/day. For raising rabbit two types on nutrition system are followed hey and grey diet /commercial balanced pellet ration. Rabbit are very selective in their feeding behavior and prefer leaves, young green plant parts. Adult rabbit can be fed concentrate 100-150 gm per day, contain 14-16% DCP, growing young rabbits may be given 80-100 gm balanced pellet feed, pregnant and lactating doe requires 200-280 gm/day, contain 18-20% DCP. The pellet feed give in the morning and hay green forage of fodder leaves to be given in the evening.

Health Management

Health management is one of the important aspects of profitable rabbit farming. Some common diseases of rabbits are noticed in various farms of rabbits are:

1. Coccidiosis: Most commonly observed in young animals caused by Eimeria spp. of parasites.

2. Pasteurellosis: caused by Pasturella multocida, and shows respiratory related symptoms.

3. Wry neck: cause inflammation of middle ear of rabbit leads to twisting of neck and incordination of gait and animal becomes unable to eat and drink water.

4. Snuffles: causes rhinitis and leading to bronchopneumonia. 

Some other diseases like mange, ear canker, sore hock, hair balls (Trichobizaroars), aflatoxicosis and gastro-enteritis complex may common. Practically rabbit does not suffer from major diseases so need of vaccination but regular deworming is needed by anticoccidial medicine at least four times a year. Proper disinfection of rabbit sheds cages; nest boxes and feeding-watering proper arrangement of good light, fresh air, dryness, cleanliness in the rabbitry keep rabbit healthy. Prophylactic medication against common diseases such as coccidiosis and pasteurellosis should be carried out.

 Advantages of Rabbit farming

There are many advantages of commercial farming in India. Bunnies are cute, small sized and soft therefore are a good source of meat.

1. Rabbits are considered as backyard animal and suited for both small and large scale commercial production. The initial investment cost for rabbit farming is low and gave quick return, just after 6 months of establishment of the farm. Small groups 40-50 in numbers can rear in the backyard of the house with kitchen waste and some grasses as feed.

2. Investment cost is lower incoparision to other livestock; rabbits can conveniently be reared on grain free diets or high forage-low cereal diets.

3. Rabbits are highly prolific, and give birth of 25-50 young ones (Kits) per year. The gestation periods of rabbits are 28-32 (average 30 days) days and selling age of rabbit is 90-100 days.

Meat characteristics: Rabbit meat is widely popular meat throughout many different culture of the world and has no any religious taboo. Rabbit meat is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and comes under category of white meat, which is exceptionally lean, lower calories, lower fat, and higher protein and very palatable excellent quality (Holmes et al., 1984). Sodium and caloric content of the meat is also low (McNitt et al., 2011). Rabbit meats can be processed at the age of around 12 weeks.

1. Rabbits are best producer of wool (require 30% less digestible energy to produce 1 kg of wool as compared to sheep). Angora rabbit is used for production of one of the finest wool in the world. Rabbit’s wool is 6-8 times warmer than contemporary sheep wool.

2. They also provide good source of income from sale of Pelt, Kits, and manure other than meat. Rabbit skins are used for making fur garments, hats, and hand gloves etc.

3. The use of Rabbits in biomedical research as animals is extensive now-a-days. Rabbit blood is one of the best medium for growing the AIDS virus.

3. Rabbit manure used as organic manure in agricultural field and fruit plants. It is richer in Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium which are remaining in proportion of (3.7: 1.3: 3.5) as compared to the cattle manure (2.9: 0.7: 2.1). An adult rabbit produces about 100-150 kg manure per year. Rabbit manure can also be used for earthworm production which is used for making the soil porous and also as live baits for catching fish.

Conclusion

Rabbits are highly prolific, low body size, rapid growth rate, short gestation period, early maturity, high genetic potential, efficient feed and land utilization, ability to utilize forage and fibrous agricultural byproducts. Therefore it is considered that if scientific management and hygienic practices of rabbit farming are followed it can be established as a highly profitable business. Angora rabbit hair fibers are excellent fiber with enormous commercial value. In India, these fibers are not much exploited and their production is limited to small sector only. There is tremendous scope for export of this fiber and its product to other country. In India, there has been a rising awareness in recent years as a broiler rabbit production acts as an alternative means of alleviating food shortage.

Reference

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