Raising rabbits, also known as rabbit farming, is a fairly profitable business where one can keep rabbits on land without much investment. Rabbits can be bred for their fur and meat, which are in high demand, especially their fur. Female rabbits are also very fertile and can regularly give birth to offspring. They require very little maintenance, with a very high profit considering the low initial investment as they provide income from their meat, skin, fur and manure. Commonly used rabbit breeds are New Zealand White, Dutch Belted and French Lop.

Rabbit housing: Proper housing is necessary for raising rabbits to protect them from harsh weather conditions like heat and rain. They should also be protected from animals such as cats and dogs, so they should be raised in well-built sheds that can be built in a backyard. There are two types of housing that can be built to house rabbits. The first is the “Deep Litter System” or the Pen system where the floors are made of concrete so that they can be easily cleaned. The floors should be covered with paddy husks, sawdust, etc., and the manure on the ground should be changed regularly. About 30 young rabbits can be housed together and then moved to an individual pen when they reach adulthood. Males in particular must be kept apart or they could fight and seriously injure each other. The other method is the cage system. This method is considered to be the most efficient housing system although the initial expenses are high. Rabbits are very cold hardy and can survive if they have shelter from the winds, but they cannot endure the heat and can suffer from illnesses if exposed to high temperatures, which is why good planning. is necessary when a shelter is in place. to house the rabbits. They should also have good ventilation if they are housed indoors, as they can contract respiratory illnesses if not properly ventilated.

Benefits of raising rabbits: Rabbits are mainly raised for their meat and excellent fur and skin. The initial investment to start a rabbit farm is also very low, but generates high profits. To raise them, one does not need a large farm as they can be raised in a backyard, so there is no gap between who can start a rabbit farm. It’s not just for those with a good economic background. The feed is also inexpensive and can range from hay to pellets. Fresh vegetables can also be given. Thanks to this, rabbit breeding offers self-employment and provides a good income. Rabbits also typically produce 6.4 times more wool than sheep and do not need pasture. Raising rabbits is a rewarding activity that creates income opportunities due to its easy management, and it is a flexible business as it can range from backyard farming to large commercial industry.

Rabbit management: Rabbit management includes breeding, feeding, disease control and disinfection. Rabbits are restless by nature and handling can be difficult, so it is important to handle them well as improper handling can lead to fractures and injuries. They should also be regularly checked for disease and worms, although they are not very susceptible to disease, immediate action should be taken if there is a problem. Good nutrition also ensures good health, so providing them with good nutritious food can help them grow well. They can eat grains, legumes, green forages and various kitchen waste. Clean water should also be provided regularly.

Reproduction: Rabbits are prolific and will breed year round because they do not have an estrus period. They are ready to breed when they are 5-6 months old and they can have 4-5 litters per year and a litter will typically have 8-23 young. Male rabbits must be 1 year old for healthy offspring. These offspring are ready to be sold around the age of 8 weeks. With proper care, rabbits can give birth multiple times, their gestation period ranges from 31 to 33 days. When purchasing rabbits strictly for their meat, it is not necessary to purchase show-grade breeds, although during the initial phase of raising rabbits for sale it is important to start with good, healthy cattle. It should also be noted that breeding rabbits with defects can prevent the offspring from being in perfect condition and affect genetics down the line. A rabbit can carry 10 times its weight in terms of gestation.

Comparison of rabbit meat with other meats: Rabbit meat is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. It contains vitamins B3 and B12, phosphorus, potassium and selenium. It is also lower in fat, calories and sodium than other meats and is high in protein. The omega 3s in rabbit meat are richer than in chicken or pork. Due to the benefits of low sodium and low fat, rabbit meat is very appealing to people with high blood pressure. Compared to rabbit meat, chicken contains 4 times less iron, while rabbit meat contains 4.85 mg of iron and chicken meat 1.26 mg. It is also beneficial for dieters because rabbit meat is lean, even more so than chicken, and very high in protein.

How Rabbit Raising Helps Reduce Unemployment and Poverty: Raising rabbits has the potential to relieve people of poverty due to its ease of maintenance and low cost during initial start-up. With good management, meat and fur can bring in enough money and because a doe can give birth about 4-5 times a year compared to a calf per cow or 2-3 lambs, once the profit starts, it will help. bring a good stable income for the farmer. There is no waste in marketing rabbits, and a knowledgeable farmer may very well benefit from this as every part of the rabbit can be sold and used, which means that there are many sources that a farmer can earn money through the rabbit industry. Raising rabbits is more profitable than conventional breeding and just two rabbits and a male can give you 50 or more rabbits in a year.

Aspects of rabbit breeding: Raising rabbits for commercial purposes is extremely beneficial because there is no waste. Almost all parts of a rabbit are used and sold. Meat, skin and fur. Due to its high quality and richness in vitamins and minerals, rabbit meat is gaining momentum and farmers said it was difficult to meet demand as there are now many buyers. They can also turn 20 percent of the protein they consume into edible meat compared to other animals such as chicken and pork, making them more economical in terms of food energy. Even their fur is of high quality and because rabbits have more fur than sheep, it is also a good form of income. Another great addition to the aspect of rabbit farming is the small amount of land and labor required. They can be kept in a small area and only one to two people are needed to watch the rabbits, saving costs and hiring additional labor, which only proves that it can be. practiced by uneconomical people.

Raising rabbits is a very lucrative business and because of that it is a more flexible job with little maintenance; even people who are just starting out can be successful. With low investment and high return on investment, it also helps people with financial constraints to have stable income and is encouraged to practice as it can be practiced by almost anyone with minimal knowledge. This saves people from being unemployed and without a salary in a society where the cost of living is slowly rising. It can help a person to be self-sufficient and serves as a serious hobby or job. ‘

Article submitted by 1st year Naga students from the College of Veterinary Science and AH, Jalukie, Nagaland