INDIA'S NO.

'1' IN RABBIT FARMINGSINCE 2001

RABBI
T FARMING INDIA
        RABBIT FARMING, LIVESTOCK, RABBIT MEAT / SKIN
 
 HOME
SERVICES
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This web site is a pioneer work on Rabbit Farming in India. The

study from practical experience in Rabbit breeding and research
work conducted on economic aspect of the enterprise under
Indian conditions. The web site will serve as a guideline to those
interested in taking up Rabbit farming a profession. As in India
currently Rabbit farming is one of the most easy, affordable and
with huge and quick returns business which is gaining lot of
market potentiality and with the help of good support and
encouragement from the Govt. of India, it is one of the booming industry."
YOGEN KAKADE
contact no. 09225507598
FOR TRADE ENQUERIES AND AGENCY PROPOSALS
CONTACT: MR. PRINCE: +91 9225520053
or CALL HEAD OFFICE [PUNE]:
+91 960 4188629, +91 960 4188672
 

INTRODUCTION
The existence of rabbit with human being remained from the time immemorial. Romans were the first to
domesticate wild rabbits. Wild rabbits [oryctolagus cuniculus] gained importance in Roman empire as
game animals. Such rabbits were increasingly populated in and around southern Europe, North  Africa
and Spain.
Rabbit raising started in other parts of Europe in the early middle ages but was not accepted as popular
animal till 19th century. In Australia and New Zealand, the rabbit population was by and large higher. In
North America only feral rabbits were abundant. Wild rabbits were in existence in Chili.
There are different views concerning the domestication of rabbits. Some say rabbits were domesticated by
1st century B.C. but others say that the first experiment in domestication of rabbits took place in
monasteries of France between 6th and 10th century A.D.
Napoleon was regarded as the most famous rabbit breeder of all times.
Rabbit keeping in commercial base started in the last century. The scarcity of food following first and
second world war pave the way for extensive rabbit rearing. Meat became popular due to it’s excellent
quality. During those times rabbit’s flesh was denoted as ‘Underground Mutton’ and served as a source of
food for rural families. Later on F.A.O. through different package programs encouraged the farmers for
rabbit farming. Thus rabbit farming gradually spread to other countries.
In India from early sixties the rabbit farming gained importance in places like Himachal Pradesh, Jammu
and Kashmir through introduction of German angora breed. In 1977 the government of India took much
interest in rabbit raising in states and established a Central Research Station to encourage rabbit farming
and to envisage research program to mitigate the problems in rabbit farming. Now rabbit farming is take
up length and breadth of the country. But more attention is required to be made to popularize and
commercialize the mutton of it.
For the economic growth of our country, Rabbit growing is considered as one of the best
aspects. In the ancient days rabbits were living in forests, hill areas, uncultivated lands etc.
but at present it is famous that rabbit are grown as pet animals in township areas and
villages. The growing of rabbits is not only for meat purpose but also it should be noted
that importance is being offered for their skin and hairs.

KEY FEATURES
1.     Rabbit Farming business requires less space and it can be done anywhere at farm, backyard, on
terrace or even at home.
2.     The capital investment for this is very less. One unit of Rabbits contains 7 females and 3 males. And
the cost of unit is just Rs. 18,000/-
3.     As Rabbits are vegetarian you can feed almost anything vegetarian to the Rabbit including waste or
surplus vegetables from the market, tree leaves, cattle grass or even kitchen scrap. Hence, it is very easy
and affordable to feed a Rabbit.
4.     No skilled labour is required for this project.
5.     As per Indian Law we can not catch, kill or keep a Rabbit as Pet animal. But since 1960, the
Government of India has taken initiative in importing Rabbits. Thus growing or keeping Imported
Rabbits is authorized by Indian Law.
6.     The reproduction capacity of Rabbits is very high. One female Rabbit delivers almost every 30 days
and  in the first year she delivers 5 to 10 babies per delivery and in the second year she will deliver 10 to 15
baby Rabbits per delivery.
7.     The pregnancy and lection period is just 30 days and we keep the baby rabbits with her for 15 days.
That means a female can deliver babies every 45 days, which is very fast growth of reproduction. In five
years a mother Rabbit will deliver 34 times.
8.     Within 3 months a baby Rabbit gains weight of 2kgs to 3 kgs.
 
IF YOU FEEL INTERESTED IN THE CONCEPT OF RABBIT FARMING AND
REALLY WANT TO EARN LAKHS OF RUPEES OR IF YOU WANT TO LEARN
MORE ABOUT WHY TO DO RABBIT FARMING OR HOW IT IS EASY TO
EARN LAKHS OF RUPEES PLEASE CLICK HERE ON

                                    MORE ABOUT RABBIT FARMING.

OR PLEASE CONTACT US BY SENDING AN EMAIL. JUST CLICK ON

                                                             CONTACT US.
We look forward to hearing from you.
kakade farms
Talegaon Dabhade
Pune, Maharashtra 410506
India
ph: +91 9225507598
[email protected]

INDIA'S NO. '1' IN RABBIT FARMINGSINCE 2001

RABBI
T FARMING INDIA
        RABBIT FARMING, LIVESTOCK, RABBIT MEAT / SKIN
  

 HOME
 SERVICES
 MORE ABOUT RABBIT FARMING
 PHOTOS
 CONTACT US
 RABBIT MEAT & SKIN

more about rabbit farming

INTRODUCTION
The Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) strategy to fight world hunger has rabbit as its key component. .
Increased awareness of the high potential of meat rabbit production has made a positive impact on the lives of the
majority of subsistence, limited-resource rural and periurban populations in Western countries. In developing
countries such as
India

, where enormous meat shortages exist, the potential for rabbit production is greatest
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
1. Rabbits have small body size leading to efficient space utilization
2. Rabbit Farming requires less space and it can be done as commercial or as backyard farming.
3. Limited competition with human food in contrast to Poultry.
4. Early sexual maturity: 6 months in Does and 12 months in bucks
5. Prolific breeders: High fecundity rates – 6 to 8 pups in short gestation period.
6. Year the around breeding in ideal management conditions.
7. 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).
8.  Can be successfully done as agro-allied farming (No requirement of skilled labor).
9. 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.
10. Within 3 months a baby Rabbit gain market weight of 2 kgs to 2.5 kgs.
11. Rabbit meat is defined to be the most nutritious meat known to man. It is   white meat  and it has been found to
provide good health and prevent excess fat, heart diseases, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetics and
cancer among those who eat it.
HISTORY
Indeed the wild rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus of southern Europe and North Africa is thought to have been discovered
by Phoenicians when they reached the shores of Spain about 1000 BC. In Roman times the rabbit was still
emblematic of Spain . The Romans apparently spread the rabbit throughout the Roman Empire as a game animal.
Like the Spaniards of that time, they ate fetuses or newborn rabbits, which they called laurices.
Several breeds of rabbit were known in the 16th century and this is the first record we have of controlled breeding.
Domestication can therefore be traced to the date Middle Ages. This was probably the work mainly of monks, since it
provided them with a more delectable dish than the tougher wild rabbit.
In the 16th century breeding seems to have spread across France , Italy , Flanders andEngland
. In 1595, Agricola mentions the existence of graybrown (wild), white, black, piebald (black and white) and ash grey
rabbits. In 1606, Olivier de Serres classified 3 types of rabbit: the wild rabbit, the semi wild or "warren" rabbit raised
inside walls or ditches, and the domesticated or hutch-bred rabbit. The meat of the last is described as insipid, and
that of the wild or semi wild type as delicate.
Global Rabbit Meat Production
China is the largest producer of rabbit meat, constituting approximately 40% of global production. Most of the
remainder of global production occurs in Europe . Other Asian countries viz. Thailand and Vietnam are also in the
producers list.
China accounts for approximately a quarter of world exports, with The Netherlands, Germany, Japan, Switzerland,
the United States and other European countries being the major importing nations. Current rabbit meat supply is far
below estimates of domestic and export demand.
The world production of rabbit meat is valued to be about 1 million tons, of this the 54% isproduced in the EU. The
four biggest world’s producers – China , Italy , Spain , France – contribute to almost ¾ of the world production.
The international trade of rabbit meat involves almost 50 thousands tons, equal to almost the 5% of the world
production, to confirm that the principal part of the world’s production is destined to the domestic use80 % of the
world imports are made by the European Union. Main importer countries: Italy , Belgium , France , Germany . Main
exporter countries: China ,Eastern Europe countries
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.
Present structure of Rabbit farming in india
Rabbit housing:
The ideal direction for rabbit shed in East West. Temperature inversion factor plays important role in rabbit farming.
Hence appropriate provisions for temperature maintenance should be made to avoid stress on animals. In the
modern production systems of livestock, rabbit rearing is still kept under traditional pattern i.e. Deep litter.  This
system is mainly followed in some of the Asian countries viz. Vietnam , Bangkok which are engaged in extensive
rabbit farming with a population of at least 25000 heads in one housing.
The cage system of rearing replaced floor system in the late 1990’s. The cages are erected on wooden poles, steel
bars and on stones. Bucks and Does are housed separately in individual compartment and brought together only at
the time of breeding. The ideal gauge for floor of the cage is 14-16 with a mesh size of 19x19 mm or 25x13 mm. The
walls and roof can be constructed with lighter gauge i.e. 16-20 with a mesh size of 25x25mm. Average space per
animal  includes the space for pups with a room for adequate exercise.
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.
But, in cage system, reingestion of Cecotropes is not possible. Based on the nutritional and physiological
requirements of rabbits and our practical experience we have formulated a exclusive broiler rabbit feed in
consultation with an reputed compound feed company inIndia . Taking into consideration each and every part of cage
management system, balancing for unavailability of Cecotropes  a result oriented Broiler rabbit feed from 100% veg
source in mash form is successfully used by our farmers. It contains 17% Protiens,14% Crude fiber, 12% Indigestible
crude fiber, 3 % fat, essential  Amino acids, Minerals and Vitamins totally with Digestible energy of  2550 Kcal/Kg and
and Metabolizable energy of 2410 Kcal/Kg. The rabbits can be exclusively reared only on this ration without a greens
or hays. This feed helps the weight gain of fryers, maintains the fecundity and fertility of the breeders, and maintains
vigor and disease resistance.  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.
Breeding:
The ideal age of Buck and Doe to start breeding is 10-12 months and 4-6 months respectively. Rabbits do not ovulate
on a regular cycle; as a result they do not actually go into heat. The mating of the rabbit will cause the doe to produce
the eggs necessary for fertilization, usually 10-13 hours after breeding has occurred. This phenomenon is called as
Induced Ovulation.
Although the does has no actual heat cycle, she will only accept the buck in about 12 out of every 14 days. When a
successful connection happens, the buck will literally fall to its side, and will usually let out a grunt. When she is ready
to breed her vent area will be a dark pink, red or purple. At least 14 hours of light daily have been found beneficial.
Provide artificial light in winter when daylight hours are less than 14 hours. A 40-watt bulb every 10 feet works
satisfactorily. Use a time clock for ease and accuracy. This lighting program provides better conception in winter. . A
Cyclic Breeding Program is recommended in an ideal broiler rabbit farming though inbreeding is not objectionable.
Using Bucks from different units is always beneficial.
The best way to determine if the doe is pregnant is to palpatate the doe. Palpating the doe correctly to determine
pregnancy takes practice and should be done after 12 days from mating.
The average pregnancy period is 30 days. With the nearing delivery the doe will start making nest by pulling her fur
and placing in nest box. The average fecundity rate is 6-8 pups. The pups are ‘Altricial’ i.e. deaf, dumb and blind at
the time of birth. Care should be taken that adlibitum feed and water is available in the cages before during delivery
period. Water deficiency at the time of delivery can lead to Cannibalism. In broiler rabbits the survival rate of young
ones till maturity or slaughter age is 85-90%.
 The Doe can be rebred after 15 days from delivery even though the pups from previous litter are with her. Care
should be taken that Bucks and Does are always housed separately. Housing does together leads to
‘Pseudopregnancy’, bucks and does together leads to castration of bucks by does and only bucks together leads to
fight and injuries.
Care of pups:
1. Use appropriate material mainly low grade cotton or soft hay for bedding in nest box.
2. Replace the bedding material at regular intervals.
3. If mothers milk is insufficient for the pups, they cab be fed to a healthy foster mother.
4. Wean the puppies at 20-25 days age.
Disease management
The common diseases in a broiler rabbitry are Pasteurella infections – Snuffles, Conjunctivitis, Abscess (mixed
infection), Blue Breast, Enteritis, Coccidiosis, Ear mange and Scabies.
Fortunately the two most deadliest Viral disease of rabbit viz. Myxomatisos and Viral Haemorrhagic disease are not
prevalent and not documented in India .There are no commercially available medicinical preparations for Rabbits as
such in Indian market. Through our practical research and practical, We have concluded to an appropriate dose of
almost all the preparations for the above mentioned infections. Most of them are fed on prophylactic basis either
through feed or water thus decreasing the prevalence of diseases.
Following critical points should be strictly looked upon:
1. Cages, sheds, feeders and waterers should be cleaned daily.
2. There should be adequate space/animal
3. Proper ventilation should be provided.
4. Sick animals should be isolated and kept in separate cages and treated immediately.
5. Routine operations like Feeding, watering, cleaning cages and utensils should be carried for healthy animals first
and then the diseased ones.
Rabbit manure:
Rabbit manure is considered to be highest in nitrogen among all the other domesticated species. Comparative
approximate NPK Values of Various Animal Manures are mentioned below*.
 

Animal % nitrogen % phosphoric acid % potash

Dairy cow 0.57 0.23 0.62

Beef steer 0.73 0.48 0.55
Horse 0.70 0.25 0.77
Swine 0.49 0.34 0.47
Sheep/goat 1.44 0.5 1.21
Rabbit 2.40 1.40 0.60
Chicken 1.00 0.80 0.39
 
(*Anon. 1998. Fertilizer values of some manures. Countryside & Small Stock Journal. September-October. p. 75)
Thus in coming days rabbit manure can be an additional source of income for the farmers.
The manure has already been tried by few farmers in
India

on some crops with simple processing and has given excellent results. We think that rabbit manure will surely
contribute to the concept of ‘Organic Farming’ because of its excellent nutirtivity .
 
 
 
 
RECORD KEEPING
An ideal rabbitry always progresses with good record for all the aspects.
A. Breeding Records
1. Rabbit’s number
2. Number of rabbit to which this rabbit was bred
3. Date bred
4. Date kindled
5. Number of bunnies born
7. Number of bunnies weaned
8. Weight of bunnies at weaning time
 
B. Feed Records
Concentrate as well as greens consumpion
 
C. Medication records
Drug used, dosage, period of treatment
 
 
 
 
kakade farms
Talegaon Dabhade
Pune, Maharashtra 410506
India
ph: +91 9225507598
[email protected]