ULTIMATE GUIDE TO RABBIT FARMING IN NIGERIA 2
The only manual needed to guide YOU to success in Rabbit farming within Nigeria.
Ultimate guide to rabbit farming in Nigeria manual presents
an overview of the entire process of raising rabbits in Nigeria-from selecting
healthy animals to preparing proper foods to treating disease. A separate
section of the manual includes step-by-step procedures for the construction of
a hutch unit to house two does and one buck.
Continuation: Housing
The weather conditions that most affect rabbits are rain, sun
and heat. Rabbits often enjoy sitting in the sun, but they must always be able
to get out of the direct rays of the sun. Too much sun can kill rabbits.
Rabbits tolerate cold in their "fur coats" better than extreme heat.
Also, protect rabbits from rain and wind. If the sides, front or back of the hutch are covered only with wire netting, hang sheets of plastic or gunnysacks over these spaces during rains to protect the rabbits. Always place the enclosed back of the hutch to the wind. Rabbits suffer when exposed to drafts. In severe winter it is best to bring the hutch under the shelter of a roof (a corner of the barn) or under the eaves of the house.
Self-cleaning floors
The floor of the hutch should be no higher than the waist and be self-cleaning. A self-cleaning floor is made by stretching 1 cm (1/2 in) square wire netting in a frame. Wire floors help prevent rabbits from becoming sick and dying because manure and urine pass through the holes of the wire and drop to the ground. The inside of the hutch then stays clean, dry and sanitary.
The manure under the hutches should be gathered every few months and used on vegetable gardens. Rabbit manure is better than the manure of pigs, chickens or cows for growing vegetables.
Preparations for Feeding
The manger
Rabbits eat lots of grass and leaves. But grass should never be scattered on
the floor of the hutch. Grass on the floor of the hutch gets dirty with manure
and urine, and this dirty grass can make rabbits sick. It is easy to prevent
this problem by building a simple manger, or feeding place, of wire netting or
planks. This can be fastened to the outside of the hutch. The rabbits then pull
the grass through the wire mesh and feed themselves as they are hungry. The
manger should be large enough to hold plenty of grass and leaves.
Sometimes baby rabbits crawl out of the cage into the manger. To prevent them from falling to the ground, make a cover for the manger.
A manger can be placed between two compartments in a hutch.
It is not necessary to build a manger, but it is necessary to make the food available so that it is not lying on the hutch floor to get dirty. One way to do this is to tie grass and leaves in bundles with string or wire and hang it on the inside of the hutch near the front. This method will prevent the grass and leaves from becoming dirty or spoiled.
Water
Rabbits need water. They get some water from eating grass and leaves, but they need more water than this. Make sure rabbits can get water whenever they wish to drink.
To do this, make an automatic water container:
- Turn a large bottle over and fasten it to the inside of the hutch so the lip of the bottle is inside a small tin can. Make sure there are no sharp edges on the tin can.
- The lip of the bottle is about lcm below the top rim of the can.
- Remove the bottle and fill the can and bottle with water.
- Replace the bottle. As the rabbit drinks water from the can, more water will fall from the bottle, thus providing rabbits with plenty of clean, fresh water.
- Fill the bottle as often as necessary to keep the water supply clean and fresh - probably at least once a day.
Automatic watering systems using pipe and nipples are a good
investment for the rabbit raiser who is raising many rabbits.
Feed dishes
If possible select a heavy earthenware crock with about 8cm (3 in)-high sides. Heavy
dishes cannot be tipped over by the rabbits.
A coffee or butter tin can be used. Nail the can to a small board. Be sure there are no sharp edges on the can.
A section of bamboo with an opening cut into the side can be used. Fasten it to a small board to keep it from rolling.
Whatever kind of container you use, young rabbits will climb into them. Usually rabbits will not urinate on their food but could contaminate it with their droppings. This will have to be watched.
If feed pellets are used, a feed hopper can be built like the one below. This has the advantage of always keeping the feed clean.
A coffee or butter tin can be used. Nail the can to a small board. Be sure there are no sharp edges on the can.
A section of bamboo with an opening cut into the side can be used. Fasten it to a small board to keep it from rolling.
Whatever kind of container you use, young rabbits will climb into them. Usually rabbits will not urinate on their food but could contaminate it with their droppings. This will have to be watched.
If feed pellets are used, a feed hopper can be built like the one below. This has the advantage of always keeping the feed clean.
