Rabbit Farming - 6 Important Considerations Before You Start Raising Rabbits

Rabbits are raised for show, fur, home or
commercial meat production, laboratory animals,
and breeding stock. Raising rabbits can be
a satisfying experience as well as contributing
to the family income and diet. People
living in urban areas or on small acreages often
consider raising rabbits because space
requirements are minimal. But the following
facts should be considered before starting a
rabbit project.

- Be sure there is a market for the product.
There are few if any rabbit processing plants in
the Midwest, thus the family table and neighbors
are the primary market. The demand for rabbit
has not grown like that for poultry.

- Rabbits require daily care.

- Check local zoning laws and health
requirements before starting a rabbitry.

- The technology of rabbit production has not
experienced the rapid advances of other
livestock industries.

- Rabbits are ready to breed upon reaching
maturity. The age of maturity will range from 5
months for the small breeds to 9 to 12 months
for the large breeds. One buck to each 10 does
is suggested as a maximum with 4 to 5 matings
per week for limited use, 2 to 3 matings per
week for continuous use. Breeding difficulties
may occur during temperature extremes,
particularly hot weather. Houses with good
insulation, fan-ventilation and an
evaporative-type cooling system will improve
breeding during hot weather.

- An adequate supply of clean, fresh water,
feed, and salt spools should be available to the
rabbits at all times. The condition of the doe,
buck, or young bunnies will determine how much
feed to give at each feeding.

When it comes to building your rabbit farm, you
would need to create a rabbit hutch that is well
ventilated, well lit and has proper cooling and
heating systems. To make things easier for you
when it comes to cleaning, metal cages are
recommended. Once you have the cage properly set
up, you would need to have a feed hopper, a good
watering system and a nest box in placed in it.

Once you've figured that out, only then would
you be able to choose the kind of rabbit breed
that you would require. Breeding stock for a
rabbit farm can be purchased from various local
breeders. Typically, female rabbits are actually
capable of producing up to 50 live rabbits
annually. Rabbit farming is a relatively easy
business to handle once you have gotten the
groove of how things work. You will eventually
learn other tips and tricks along the way so
listen, observe and take note.

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Find out the proper way of rabbit farming the
first time and avoid having to make painful
mistakes that beginner rabbit owner's are prone
too. Separate yourself from the average rabbit
owner who will end up harming their rabbits
without knowing it and you could learn more tips
on raising rabbits from the guide here:
http://www.howtoraiserabbits.com

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