Gidex's Rabbits farm

ESTIMATED ANNUAL RABBIT PRODUCTION FROM 2 DOES AND 1 BUCK

Rabbits are highly reproductive animals, and with good management, you can significantly increase your stock within a year. Below is a simplified breakdown of what to expect:

1. Breeding cycle – A female rabbit (doe) can be bred every 60 to 90 days, meaning each doe can have 4 to 6 litters per year.

2. Litter size – Each doe produces an average of 6 to 8 kits per litter.

3. Annual reproduction estimate
- If each doe gives birth 5 times a year with an average of 7 kits per litter:
- 7 kits x 5 litters = 35 kits per doe annually
- With 2 does, you get 70 kits per year

4. Mortality and survival rate – With a well-managed farm, a 10 to 15 percent mortality rate may occur. If 15 percent of kits don’t survive, about 60 rabbits will remain healthy at the end of the year.

5. Stock expansion – Some rabbits can be kept for breeding to further increase production in the following year, while others can be sold or used for meat.

With proper feeding, disease prevention, and housing, your rabbit production can grow efficiently and sustainably.

1. Proper Feeding – Ensure balanced nutrition tailored to each species for growth, health, and productivity.

2. Clean Water Supply – Fresh, uncontaminated water is essential for hydration and digestion.

3. Shelter and Housing – Provide adequate protection from harsh weather, predators, and diseases.

4. Health Monitoring – Regular check-ups to detect illnesses early and administer necessary treatments.

5. Biosecurity Measures – Limit exposure to pathogens by maintaining clean environments and controlled access.

6. Waste Management – Proper disposal of manure to prevent disease spread and ensure hygiene.

7. Stress Reduction – Minimize handling stress and ensure a peaceful, safe environment.

8. Breeding and Reproduction Management – Monitor cycles, genetics, and proper care for newborns.

Rabbit Meat:
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REASONS TO START EATING RABBIT MEAT

Back in the 1940s and 1950s rabbit meat was as common for dinner as chicken is today.

Below you will find a few reasons why you should consider adding rabbit meat to your diet.
Raise some rabbits in your lots, yards, or pastures.
Become closer to your food supply know what you eat!

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

2. The meat has a high percentage of easily digestible protein.

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

4. Rabbit meat contains less calorie value than other meats.

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

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

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

8. The ratio of me to bone is high meaning there is more edible meat on the carcass than even a chicken.

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

10. Rabbits are one of the most productive domestic livestock animal there is. Rabbits can produce 6 pounds of meat on the same feed and water as the cow will produce 1 pound of meat on the same feed and water.

So as you can see there are many health benefits to eating rabbit meat.
It is healthy for you and cheap to produce.
Why not try to incorporate some rabbit meat into your diet today!

Try it you’ll like it! Use rabbit as a replacement for chicken in any chicken recip.

Can Male Rabbits Stay With Their Babies?

After the female gives birth, which for rabbits, is called kindling most breeders take the male rabbit away from the mother and her babies, which are called kits.

The reason isn’t that the male is a danger to his kits, as most will be gentle with them and cause them no harm.

As is in the colony system of farming, the male and female stay together with the kits, unless for those who separate the male from the female.

The main reason is, the male can impregnate the female within hours of her giving birth, which is something that reputable rabbit breeders don’t want to happen.

Unless you are doing intensive breeding that you want the female to give birth to every month, which is very possible save for the kits who might not make it to maturity, the best weaning point is 2 months.

Otherwise your rate of mortality will shoot to all time high.

USING RABBIT URINE AS FERTILIZER FOR CROPS HAS SEVERAL BENEFITS!👇😍🐇

1. High nutrient content: Rabbit urine is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are essential nutrients for plant growth.

2. Cost-effective: Rabbit urine is a natural and readily available source of fertilizer, which can help reduce the cost of purchasing chemical fertilizers.

3. Improves soil health: The nutrients in rabbit urine can enhance soil fertility, improve soil structure, and promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms.

4. Environmentally friendly: Rabbit urine is a sustainable and eco-friendly fertilizer option that can reduce the reliance on synthetic chemicals that may harm the environment.

5. Increased crop yield: By providing plants with essential nutrients, rabbit urine can lead to healthier and more productive crops.

It's important to dilute rabbit urine with water before applying it to crops, as the high nitrogen content can be too concentrated and potentially harm plants if used in its pure form!

If you want to use it as foliar fertilizer, mix one litre of rabbit urine with five litres of water. While as an insecticide, a ratio of 1:2 urine to water is recommended. You can also add dry chilly, neem leaves and ash. The urine can also be added to a rabbit manure biogas digester to boost gas productivity.

The Hyla rabbit
In a bid to developing a rabbit with a big feed conversion ratio, as well as a better meat to bone ratio, a company that once existed in France-EUROLAP- cross bred New Zealand White and Californian rabbits through genetic selection and modification for years. This procedure brought about the development of Grand Parents Stock (GPS).

The male line of the GPS has phenotypic characteristics that resembles the Californian Rabbit, a ruby-eyed whites rabbit with black extremities (GPA and GPB) while the Female GPS line having a phenotypic characteristics mimicking the New Zealand White rabbit, all white with ruby eyes (GPC and GPD. All A-D were genetically selected while bred individually.

Mating the genetically selected male line GPA with GPB produced What is known as your HYLA MAX . ONLY the male offspring from this litter is sold from EUROLAP to farms, this is the Parents stock(PS) male. The female line of is gotten from breeding the GPC with GPD, ONLY the female kits from this litter is selected and sold by Eurolap to rabbit farms forming the female Hyla PS line named HYLA NG (The NG has nothing to do with NIGERIA).

When Farms purchase Hyla from Eurolap, they are sold as selected Parents stock (PS) MAX and NG not the Grand Parent Stock (GPS).

The Hyla PS is identified by tattooed identification digits(Alphanumeric) in its ears.

Hyla MAX is bred to Hyla NG to produce kit known as FINAL PRODUCT. Kits from the this litter look like either New zealand white or Californian rabbits. These final products reach 3.5kg in 8-10 weeks(2- 2.5 months) and 5- 5.5kg at maturity (4.5 months).

Why to farm Rabbits

🔷High Reproduction Rate: Rabbits have a rapid reproduction cycle, allowing for a quick increase in population and potential for increased yield.

🔷Efficient Feed Conversion: Rabbits are known for their efficient feed conversion, meaning they can turn a relatively small amount of feed into a substantial amount of meat.

🔷Low Space Requirements: Rabbit farming requires less space compared to traditional livestock, making it a feasible option for individuals with limited land resources.

🔷Quick Growth to Maturity: Rabbits generally reach maturity quickly, leading to a shorter production cycle and faster turnover for profit.

🔷Versatile Meat: Rabbit meat is lean, high in protein, and has a unique taste, making it a healthy and sought-after option for consumers.

🔷Low Environmental Impact: Rabbit farming tends to have a lower environmental impact compared to larger livestock, as they produce less methane and require less feed.

🔷Dual-Purpose Breeds: Some rabbit breeds can be raised for both meat and fur, providing additional revenue streams for farmers.

🔷Ease of Handling: Rabbits are relatively easy to handle and manage, making them suitable for small-scale or beginner farmers.

🔷Manure for Fertilizer: Rabbit droppings are a valuable source of natural fertilizer, contributing to soil enrichment on the farm.

🔷Market Demand: There is a growing demand for alternative and sustainable protein sources, making rabbit meat an appealing option for those seeking healthier and eco-friendly choices.

Mobilization of Rabbit Farming in Nigeria:

Benefits:
1. High-protein meat source
2. Low-cost farming
3. Employment opportunities
4. Improved food security
5. Environmental sustainability

Challenges:
1. Lack of awareness
2. Limited funding
3. Inadequate infrastructure
4. Disease management
5. Marketing difficulties

Mobilization Strategies:
1. Sensitization workshops
2. Training programs for farmers
3. Provision of starter kits (rabbits, cages, feed)
4. Access to financing (loans, grants)
5. Formation of rabbit farming cooperatives
6. Development of rabbit feed industry
7. Marketing support (online platforms, trade shows)
8. Collaboration with research institutions

Government Initiatives:
1. National Agricultural Development Policy
2. Agricultural Promotion Policy (APP)
3. Livestock Development Program
4. Rabbit farming inclusion in school curricula

Private Sector Initiatives:
1. Rabbit farming businesses
2. Feed milling companies
3. Veterinary services
4. Equipment suppliers

NGO Initiatives:
1. Training and capacity building
2. Funding support
3. Technical assistance
4. Advocacy and awareness

Key Stakeholders:
1. Farmers
2. Government agencies (Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Livestock)
3. Private sector companies
4. NGOs (e.g., USAID, FAO)
5. Research institutions (Universities, NARIs)

Potential Locations:
1. Southern states (e.g., Lagos, Ogun, Oyo)
2. Middle Belt states (e.g., Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue)
3. Northern states (e.g., Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto)

Initial Investment:
1. Land acquisition
2. Infrastructure development (cages, fencing)
3. Rabbit stock purchase
4. Feed and equipment costs
5. Labor and training costs

Ongoing Expenses:
1. Feed and veterinary care
2. Marketing and distribution
3. Labor and maintenance

Revenue Streams:
1. Meat sales
2. Breeding stock sales
3. Manure sales (fertilizer)
4. Value-added products (e.g., rabbit skin, hair)

Growth Prospects:
1. Increased demand for protein sources
2. Growing awareness of rabbit farming benefits

Here are some of the top diseases in rabbit farming:

1. Myxomatosis: A viral disease causing skin tumors, blindness, and death.
2. Viral Hemorrhagic Disease (VHD): A highly contagious and fatal disease causing internal bleeding.
3. Respiratory infections: Pneumonia, pasteurellosis, and snuffles, often caused by bacteria like Pasteurella multocida.
4. Coccidiosis: A parasitic disease causing diarrhea, weight loss, and death.
5. Mucoid enteropathy: A gastrointestinal disease causing diarrhea, dehydration, and death.
6. Tyzzer's disease: A bacterial disease causing diarrhea, abdominal pain, and death.
7. Listeriosis: A bacterial disease causing septicemia, abortion, and death.
8. Encephalitozoonosis: A parasitic disease causing neurological symptoms and death.
9. Dental problems: Misaligned teeth, tooth root abscesses, and malocclusion.
10. Parasites: External (fleas, ticks, mites) and internal (worms, coccidia) parasites.

To prevent and control these diseases:

1. Implement good hygiene and sanitation practices.
2. Vaccinate against myxomatosis and VHD.
3. Use antibiotics judiciously to treat bacterial infections.
4. Monitorfor signs of disease and take prompt action.
5. Provide a balanced diet, fresh water, and a healthy environment.
6. Quarantine new rabbits before introducing them to the main flock.
7. Seek veterinary advice regularly.

Remember, a healthy rabbit farm starts with a strong biosecurity program!

Rabbit farming is a lucrative venture for several reasons:

1. High demand: Rabbit meat is a popular protein source in many parts of the world, and the demand is increasing.
2. Fast breeding: Rabbits have a short gestation period (about 28 days) and can produce large litters (up to 12 kits), making them a fast-breeding livestock.
3. Low space requirements: Rabbits require minimal space compared to other livestock, making them ideal for small-scale farming or backyard farming.
4. Low feed costs: Rabbits are herbivores and can thrive on a diet of hay, pellets, and vegetables, which are relatively inexpensive.
5. Diverse products: Rabbit farming can generate multiple income streams, including:
- Meat sales
- Breeding stock sales
- Manure sales (as fertilizer)
- Fiber sales (from angora rabbits)
6. Low labor requirements: Rabbit farming can be managed with minimal labor, making it a great option for small-scale farmers or those with limited resources.
7. Government incentives: Some governments offer incentives, such as subsidies or tax breaks, for small-scale farmers or those engaging in sustainable agriculture practices like rabbit farming.

Overall, rabbit farming can be a profitable venture when done correctly, with proper management, marketing, and care for the animals.

10 COMMON TYPE OF TURKEY.

1.BLACK TURKEY.
2.ROYAL PALM TURKEY.
3.BRONZE TURKEY.
4.BROAD BREASTED WHITE TURKEY.
5.BOURBON RED TURKEY.
6.BLUE SLATE TURKEY.
7.NARRAGANSETT TURKEY.
8.WHITE HOLLAND TURKEY.
9.BELTSVILLE SMALL WHITE TURKEY.
10.MIDGET TURKEY.

RAISING DAY OLD CHICKS TO GROWERS

■Day 1-day 7
- The chicks need to be in a brooder.
What is a Brooder?
- a brooder is a simple construction that is used to raise chicks until a point they are not so vulnerable.
- brooders maybe small rooms, wood construction, brooder boxes etc.
- chicks should stay in a brooder for at least 3 weeks - 4 weeks

●How to make a good brooder!
- make sure the brooder is not cold. ( provide source of heat ie. 100,watts Bulb, hot water bottles, brooder pots, etc)
- consider constructing brooders that's not too big and not too small.
-clean and disinfect the brooder before receiving chicks
- provide enough drinkers and enough feeders
- make sure the brooder is free from insects, rodents and mature chicken.
- provide dry dusting materials (saw dust or rice husks).

■Feeding chicks between day 1-day 7
- the best feed at this age is starter (crumbs or mash). - starter crumbs
- fugo starter mash
- pembe starter mash
- at this age avoid mixing of the feed with jenga, omena, pellets etc. You can mix starter crumbs and starter mash at a proportional ration.
- Avoid feeding broiler starter crumbs for chicks that are not broilers.

●Drugs .
- chick formula (egocin,veta chick start, poltricin, vitamet chick etc, dosage (one teaspoon for 5lts, ½teaspoon for 2 litres and ¼teaspoon for one litre)
- aliseryl (this is a blend of various vitamins that will help your chicks grow fast with strength and energy. Also helps chicks boost the appetite and also helps in preventing numerous diseases). Dosage same as chick formula
- liquid paraffin- this is not the normal paraffin we use at homes. This is a medicated paraffin that helps relieve constipation, helps in digestion, prevents injuries to alimentary canal and helps chicks to pass soft droppings.
- so week one give a combinations of chick formula, aliseryl and liquid paraffin

■Give Newcastle at day 7_
Day 8- day 14
■Feeds
-Same as previous week
-
●Drugs
-continue with chick formula
- use coccidios