RABBIT FARMING IN KENYA

For a long time, rabbit farming in Kenya has not been taken seriously. In many African societies, rabbits
are considered as pets for young boys. This is however not the case as farmers can now make good
money rearing rabbits. We set out to find out more about rabbit farming in Kenya.

Rabbit production is one of the livestock enterprises with the greatest potential and room for expansion in
Kenya. This is because 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.

Rabbit production has experienced a steady growth in the past few years, with gender biases associated
with its production fading away. This is a significant change considering that for many years rabbit
production in Kenya was confined to the youth, mainly 4-K club members and young farmers. Though
rabbit meat marketing is yet to gain ground, there is hope that with the growing awareness of the benefits
of rabbit meat, it will be possible for rabbit meat to be introduced into the regular meat market.

The realization that rabbits are well suited to rapid production of protein has increased the number of
industrialized production units just like in poultry. Breeds:

According to the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA), there are over 47 distinct rabbit breeds.
Only about a dozen of these are reared in Kenya, the most common being New Zealand White,
Californian white, Chinchilla, French lop, Dutch, Checkered Giant, Giant Flemish, Angora and Rex. A
survey conducted by Animal Production Division in November 2010 indicated that New Zealand White
and Californian White breeds of rabbits are the most popular in Kenya. These two medium sized rabbit
breeds (3.6 – 5.9kg) are also rated the most popular for meat elsewhere in the world because of their good
growth characteristics and high carcass dressing percentage. Other breeds that are popular in Kenya
include the Giant Flemish, the French Lop and Checkered Giant mainly because of their large size.

Some Common Rabbit Breeds

[Link] Zealand White:

Has a good gr weight of 3kg l regime. It is on of about 5Kg a considered a d

2. Californian White

This is another have broad sh meat breed wit and is white ex dark grey or bl rabbit breeds f
3. Flemish Giant

This is one of t weight. Though not an ideal m slow growth. I characteristics

4. French Lop/ Ear Lop

Has Outstanding characteristic is the large ears that droop around the head.
They have short and stocky legs but are heavy – they weigh over 5kg.

Though some Kenyan rabbit keepers have shown interest in this breed because
of its size, this breed is more suitable as a pet

5. Angora

This rabbit is mainly bred for its wool. Because of the wool they
produce, this rabbit requires regular grooming. It is therefore more
suited as a pet than for meat.

[Link] white.

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Reproduction

Sexual maturity of doe; 5-6 months; buck 6-7 months

Preferred age for fist mating of doe; 7-8 months buck 8-9 months

Mating ration is 1 buck to 7-10 does

Gestation period 31-33days

Beginning Rabbit Production

Obtain the breeding stock from a reputable rabbitry

Construct a 3 or 2 tier hutch

Construct feed racks and nest boxes

Purchase feed/water troughs

Materials needed for hutch, feed rack and nest box construction

Low grade sawn timber (hardwood)

Bamboo, raffia palm

Plastic felt, wire mesh, nails

Floor space for cage construction

Type Length Bre

Breeding doe 90cm 75c

Breeding buck 75cm 75c

weaners 74cm 75c

Note: visitors, domestic pets (e.g. dogs) should be kept away from housing area

Feeds and Feeding

Rabbits are non-ruminants herbivores which can be fed on wide range of feeds including:

Grasses: guinea grass, elephant grass

Succulent herbs: tridax, euphoba spp.

Legumes: centrosema, stylo

Tree/shrub fodder: leuceanea, pigeon pea.

Crop residue: maize husk, cowpea/groundnut vines.

Kitchen leftovers: vegetables trimmings, root and tuber peel

Cooked food leftovers: rice, yam, cassava

Concentrates

Rabbits should receive 100-150g of supplementary feed/day

Rabbits should be fed twice daily morning and late afternoon (evening)

Provide fresh clean water all the time

Management and Sanitation

Always lift rabbit with loose skin over shoulder whilst supporting lower part of the body.

Young rabbits are held with hand over loin area with head pointing downwards.

Accurate records are important in rabbit management.

Develop table for routine management activities such as mating, kindling and weaning to monitor
individual performance.

Develop individual identification system e.g. Ear tattoo.

Undertake daily stock inspection to identify sick stock for treatment.

Undertake daily cleaning of cages and washing water trough.

Metal Cag

Site selection

Distance to neighboring residence

Direction of prevailing winds in relation to neighbors

An adequate source of water

Topography (avoid step hill)

Soil type (well-drained soil)

Proximity to surface water bodies, sinkholes and flood plains

Facts About Rabbit Farming and Rabbit Meat

1. Rabbits grow fast especially if fed well reaching maturity at 5 months and slaughter weight at 3
months.

2. They require less land (space) with diminishing land size; therefore can be kept at the backyard.

3. They can derive their feed requirement entirely on greens only.

4. They are prolific each doe capable of reproducing 4 times a year an average of 8 kits per kindling.

5. They have one of the highest feed conversion ratios at 4:1.

6. Rabbit meat is white meat of high quality, easily

digestible with low fat, low cholesterol and high
protein compared to most other meats

7. The unsaturated fats (good fats) in rabbit meat

make 63% of the total fatty acids

8. Rabbit meat is lower in percentage fat than

chicken, turkey, beef and pork

9. Rabbit meat provides the lowest calories per

kilogram of meat consumed compared to other
sources of meat.

10. Rabbit meat is one of the cleanest meat as it is

raised off the ground
11. Other important products from rabbits include manure, skins and fur. They can also be produced as
lab animals

Rabbit Farming in Kenya – Maturing Period

Rabbits have a maturing period of 4 – 5 months after which they can start reproducing. A female rabbit
gives birth every 2 months (60 days) to a litter of 6 on average after a gestation period of between 28 and
31 days. The litter number may be more in some cases. The weaning period(suckling) is 28-31 days after
which a farmer should start feeding them on hay and pellets.

Benefits of Rabbit Farming in Kenya

Rabbit keeping is cheaper, more efficient, and more productive than other agricultural businesses
including poultry farming. This is partly because rabbit feed is much more easily available and
constructing a rabbit hutch is very simple.

Apart from meat, Rabbit skin and fur can be sold separately providing extra income. The skin and fur is
used to make expensive coats in the western world where hunting of foxes has been banned. Additionally,
rabbits produce dung, which is excellent manure and the urine can also be used as a fertilizer.

They are also used as testing specimens by laboratories. The breed usually determine how they are used.

Rabbit Farming in Kenya – Benefits of Rabbit Meat

It is one of the best white meats available on the market today.

The meat has a high percentage of easily digestible protein.

It contains the least amount of fat among all the other available meets.

Rabbit meat contains less calorie value than other meats.

Rabbit meat is almost cholesterol free and therefore heart patient friendly.

The sodium content of rabbit meat is comparatively less than other meats.

The calcium and phosphorus contents of this meat or more than any other meats.

Rabbit meat with the many health benefits does not have a strong flavor and is comparable to chicken but
not identical.

Rabbit Farming in Kenya – Start up Costs

A Rabbits cost around Ksh.350 at the age of 1-2 months. The price of mature rabbits depends on weight
and size. Mature rabbits can have a live weight of 5 – 6 kg.

You can buy breeding stock to start with from local breeders. Rabbits start to breed at the age of 6 to 7
months and give birth after a month of gestation. Female rabbits can produce up to 50 live rabbits per
year. They produce an average of 9 kits per birth.

How to Start Rabbit Farming in Kenya

To start your rabbit farm, prepare a rabbit hutch that is well lit and well ventilated with heating and
cooling systems. You can build the hutch from scrap materials. Metal cages are usually recommended for
its ease of cleaning.
Equip the hutch with feed and water basin and a nest box. To keep your start up cost low, you can
construct rabbit housing yourself from available construction materials you have. Cleanliness is important
to ensure that the rabbits do not get sick.

Rabbit Farming in Kenya – Rabbit Market

There a high demand for rabbit meat in Kenya. Mostly the meat is sold to restaurants and hotels who
serve it as an exotic dish and charge up to Ksh.1000 per [Link] farmers are therefore keen to sell to
big hotels and restaurants.

Local butcheries sell rabbit meat at Ksh.250 per kilo while Supermarkets can sell it for up to Ksh 500 per
kilo.

Rabbit Farming in Kenya – Housing and Routine practices

Rabbit Housing Requirements:

Recommended Articles

1. The house must protect the rabbits and keep them from escaping

2. The house must protect the rabbits from predators

3. The house must protect the rabbits from adverse weather

4. The house should allow easy, comfortable access for the manager

5. The house must be self cleaning or easy to clean

6. The house should be of reasonable cost, easy to maintain and be durable.

7. Ideally, rabbits should be kept in cages either outdoor with extended roofs or indoor where the cages
are kept inside buildings on platforms.

8. A rabbit unit should be well ventilated, rain-proof and allows some sunlight

Rabbit Housing Dimensions

1. Standard cages for rabbits should measure: L=80cm, W=60cm, H=45cm.

2. For pregnant does or does with young kits, a provision for a nesting box of 30cm by 30cm.

3. Usually weld mesh wire is preferred because of ease in maintaining cleanliness. The quality of
available weld mesh wire in Kenya is however poor and does not last long

4. Many farmers have thus resorted to using all-wooden cages or wooden plus weld mesh wire cages.

5. Multi-tier cages are becoming popular because they safe on space. More than two-tier cages are
however not recommended because of difficulties in management.

An outdoor hutch plan for 6 doe and 1 buck breeding unit (economic unit):

Rabbit Farming in Kenya

Rabbit Farming in Kenya – Handling Rabbits

The ears alone should never be used as the sole means of holding the rabbit. The best method is to grasp
the ears and the skin close to the head with one hand while the other hand takes the full weight of the
rabbit at the hips. For young rabbits up to about 3-4 months old, a suitable method is to grasp the animal
across the loins.

Rabbit Farming in Kenya – Sexing

A part from the sex organs, physically the buck is usually smaller than the doe and often has a broader
head. In the buck, a protruding sex organ appears as a rounded tip, while in the doe the organ is slit-like
or v-shaped, and will slope slightly downwards towards the anus. When the bucks are mature the penis
and testicles are easily observed.

Rabbit Farming in Kenya – Identification

It is important to properly identify your rabbits in order to help you keep records about them. The most
common ways of identification for rabbits include tattooing and ear notching. Tattooing is the most
relevant in rabbits due to their high turnover. For exhibition purposes rings with official marks are used.

Rabbit Farming in Kenya – Record Keeping

Keep proper records of all your rabbit unit activities i.e. Breeding records, Growth, Sales and expenses.

All these are important to help you understand your rabbit enterprise and for planning. Rabbits with
breeding records help avoid inbreeding and can also fetch premium prices when sold to other farmers.

Rabbit Farming in Kenya – Video

Agriculture & Farming in Kenya

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