Rabbits are used for meat, vocational projects, laboratory animals, as a teaching tools, animal research models, and as pets. Because of their use in a wide range of enterprises, it is necessary to have a good knowledge of the different aspects of their management and nutrition.
The domestic rabbit descended from wild rabbits found in the Mediterranean countries and was introduced into England in the late 11th and early 12th centuries.
The different breeds of modern domestic rabbits have evolved as far back as the 18th century. Rabbits can be quickly grown and are a cheap source of protein. They can be reared for consumption or commercial undertaking.
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Advantages of Keeping Rabbits
They have fairly small body size which makes it relatively possible to be;
Raised in a confinement. There is a low cost of production in other words starting
Requires modest production compared to other farm animals.
Rabbit meat is of high-quality animal protein which can be relied upon where other protein sources are absent.
Rabbits are efficient feed converters to high-quality protein, they use local forages and food wastes that are of no direct value to humans.
Rabbit production can be used to minimize the protein intake in- balance across the world.
There is excellent product acceptance with respect to social and religious traditions in other words it is not restricted by any strong taboos or particular beliefs that prevent the eating of rabbit meat or its promotion as food.
Curative and preventive drugs are available for most rabbit diseases.
Rabbit is a small body size animal and convenient for ‘one meal size’ with no need for storage.
Rabbit also gives useful by-products like fur which is useful for making cardigans.
It is an attractive animal for handicapped children who enjoy being involved in its care and management.
The rabbit is a suitable animal for learning basic skills for animal husbandry; it responds to careful handling but can withstand the sometimes rough handling of the beginner.
It also lends itself to simple recordkeeping e.g. of weekly live weight gain and reproduction and so can introduce the idea of management recording to new students of animal production.
Disadvantages of Rabbit Keeping
Rabbits are highly vulnerable to prey like how persistent a dog can be when trying to break into a rabbit hutch. This constitutes a challenge to the farmer.
Rabbit production is not easy it takes a great deal of skill, a lot of hard work, and a lot of food.
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