ESTIMATED COST FOR STARTING A RABBIT RAISING BUSINESS IN NIGERIA
Feed:
3,000 Naira ea. A 25 kg. Bag of feed can vary, depending on the brand and its ingredients. An average cost will be N 3,000 - N 4,000 per bag. Food will be your biggest expense and should be bought in bulk if possible. It must, however, be stored in a dry area and not be allowed to become damp. It needs to be fresh always.
Hay:
1,500 Naira ea. Hay is a very important part of your rabbit’s diet. A rabbit’s digestive system is one of balance. It needs the right nutrients moving through the body to supply it with energy, growth, and healing ability. A good quality hay will provide these nutrients. Prices vary for bales of hay from N 800 to N 2,500.
Feed Cart:
8,000 Naira ea.
START UP ESTIMATE COST:
(FOR 3 DOES AND 1 BUCK / BUILDING NOT INCLUDED)
PRACTICED BREEDING SCHEDULES
(These schedules are based on the average 31-day gestation period.)
In my opinion, to realize a profit from raising meat rabbits, one must select the 14 or 21-day re-breeding schedule. The key to profit or loss is based on the kilograms of meat produced per doe. This opinion is based on a commercial level. These schedules will require additional cages for growing out fryers and will require weaning the fryers from the doe at 30 days.
This will allow the doe an adequate rest period before her next litter. With this schedule, 7 to 8 litters per year can be produced. Eight fryers can be placed in a 18' x 24' x 36' cage. Good management, good maintenance of the rabbits and good record keeping are required with these two schedules. If these 3 things are performed adequately, it should produce a profit if you receive the normal meat market price.
This will allow the doe an adequate rest period before her next litter. With this schedule, 7 to 8 litters per year can be produced. Eight fryers can be placed in a 18' x 24' x 36' cage. Good management, good maintenance of the rabbits and good record keeping are required with these two schedules. If these 3 things are performed adequately, it should produce a profit if you receive the normal meat market price.
MEAT MARKET PRICES:
The market varies across the country (It can range anywhere from N400 to N600 per kg. received.)
Cost/Benefit Analysis:
On average, you can expect the doe and her litter together, up to the market delivery date, to consume approximately 1.6 to 1.8 kg of feed per pound of the total litter’s weight gain.
In order to successfully raise rabbits for meat you need to have the right stock, the right equipment, the right knowledge, and lots of determination. It can be tricky getting started, but the benefits are worth it.
