KARICKOM BABU OOMMAN’S RABBIT FARM

KARICKOM BABU OOMMAN’S

RABBIT FARM

 Karickom Babu Oomman’s Rabbit Farm is a fast growing business.For the economic growth of our country, Rabbit growing is considered as one of the best aspects. In the ancient days rabbits were living in forests, hill areas, uncultivated lands etc. but at present it is famous that rabbit are grown as pet animals in township areas and villages. The growing of rabbits is not only for meat purpose but also it should be noted that importance is being offered for their skin and hairs.

The Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) strategy to fight world hunger has rabbit as its key component. . Increased awareness of the high potential of meat rabbit production has made a positive impact on the lives of the majority of subsistence, limited-resource rural and periurban populations in Western countries. In developing countries such as India, where enormous meat shortages exist, the potential for rabbit production is greatest Rabbit meat serves a source of Low saturated fat for the population overfed countries and as a source of cheap animal protein in underfed countries, thus exhibiting the varied potential of rabbit farming. Broiler rabbits must be considered as an important contributor of protein source to assure food security because of the ability of the species to produce high quality and quantity of meat.
Rabbits are raised world-wide for a variety of reasons. In Europe and Asia they are an important source of food. Rabbits produce white meat that is fine-grained, high in protein, low in fat, highly palatable, low in cholesterol, and that can be substituted for poultry in most recipes. Rabbit carcasses are only 20 percent bone. In the United States rabbits are raised predominantly for nonfood purposes. High quality rabbit skins are used in fur garments and trimmings. Medical and cosmetic research also requires a large number of rabbits each year. Many people raise rabbits for show or as petsRabbits are generally classified according to size, weight and type of pelt. Small rabbits weigh about 3-4 pounds at maturity, medium breeds 9-12 pounds, and large breeds 14-16 pounds. The two most popular breeds for meat production are the New Zealand and the Californian. These breeds are most popular because they combine white fur (preferred by processors) and good growth characteristics. New Zealand rabbits are slightly larger than the Californian, 9-13 pounds versus 8-10 pounds. The New Zealand rabbit has a completely white, red or black body, whereas the Californian is white with colored nose, ears and feet.

Farm Owner Mr Babu Oomman & Prof. John Kurakar

The two most popular rabbits for fur production are the Rex and the American Chinchilla. The Rex is slightly smaller than the American Chinchilla, 7 pounds versus 10 pounds. Fur from the Rex rabbit is unique in that guard hairs and underfur are the same length. The markets for rabbit fur tend to be unstable, so be sure there is a sufficient demand to allow fur to be marketed in a reasonable amount of time Domesticated rabbit is the only animal which can produce 10 to 15 times or more of its own body weight in a year through its Progenies. A scientifically  cared and well managed Rabbitry can generate good profit within few days.If you plan to start a rabbitry and succeed in that field you should have scientific and systematic knowledge about various type of rabbits and its Housing, Reproduction, Feeding, Immunization and caring etc As Rabbits are very sensitive animals it is very important to take care about several facts while preparing Shed and cages.In general, the type of housing is dependent upon the climate, location and size of the rabbitry. The optimum temperature in a rabbit shed is around 10 – 25° C. (SCARM 1998). Effective ventilation is required to control extremes of temperature and also to remove ammonia. Housing is a critical issue for rabbit health. Poor ventilation will result in irritation to the respiratory tract and susceptibility to infection from bacteria. Heat stress will cause major rabbit mortalities and reproductive failure. It is easy and cheap to prepare Shed using raw materials found around us as per our requirement. To set up a single unit rabbitry 35 feet X 12 feet shed is required. Roof can be made using Tile, palm leaf, coconut tree leaf or plastic sheet. Ensure that sunlight and rain should not enter in to the shed directly and ventilation should be proper. Prepare pillars of 1 feet height inside the shed to place the cages. The ground can be either concrete or mud.   Keep the shed always neat and tidy, temperature and ventilation should be maintained properly. Cover the entire shed using strong net to protect from other animals like birds, insects and reptiles. Rabbits are herbivorous animals. They take all the grasses and tree leaves which are found in our surroundings (ie tropical zones of kerala). Avoid feeding poisonous grasses, leaves and sprayed with any pesticides or herbicides.   Since Rabbits need fiber content food which is helpful for their digestive system Hay can be given to Rabbits. They may show some hesitation to take at the initial stage, later they become accustomed to it.Clean the shed and hutch before 8'O clock and keep sufficient water in the cages. Drinking more water will help to reduce the urine smell. Keep glucose water in mother rabbit’s hutch. In India from early sixties the rabbit farming gained importance in places like Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir through introduction of German angora breed. In 1977 the government of India took much interest in rabbit raising in states and established a Central Research Station to encourage rabbit farming and to envisage research program to mitigate the problems in rabbit farming. Now rabbit farming is take up length and breadth of the country. But more attention is required to be made to popularize and commercialize the mutton of it.

Rabbit Farming business requires less space and it can be done anywhere at farm, backyard, on terrace or even at home.The capital investment for this is very less. As Rabbits are vegetarian you can feed almost anything vegetarian to the Rabbit including waste or surplus vegetables from the market, tree leaves, cattle grass or even kitchen scrap. Hence, it is very easy and affordable to feed a Rabbit.No skilled labour is required for this project.As per Indian Law we can not catch, kill or keep a Rabbit as Pet animal. But since 1960, the Government of India has taken initiative in importing Rabbits. Thus growing or keeping Imported Rabbits is authorized by Indian Law.The reproduction capacity of Rabbits is very high. One female Rabbit delivers every 30 days. She delivers 5 to 10 babies per delivery.15 days after delivery the female Rabbit gets ready for mating again and the pregnancy and lection period is just 30 days. That means a female can deliver babies every 45 days, which is very fast growth of reproduction. In five years a mother Rabbit will deliver 34 times. Within 3 months a baby Rabbit gains weight of 2 to 3 kgs.

                                                     Prof. John Kurakar