Rabbit farming in Nigeria
Rabbit farming in Nigeria is an undertaking in the agricultural industry which is one the biggest sector of the economy. Many youths ignore the Nigerian agricultural sector due to lack of support and encouragement from the Nigerian government and most especially the political class who in my view do not need empowered youths but rather educated and employable youths to till their empires. Thus, in Nigerian agricultural sector only some select smile to the bank while the primary producers remain in poverty with no whole hearted support whatsoever from the Nigerian government.
Animal husbandry is usually differentiated depending on the type of animals one keeps since each animal has its own requirements. Rabbits have less requirements compare to other forms of livestock in relation to capital operating costs and maintenance. Quick returns and high demand are additional factors that place rabbit farming in Nigeria on the profit side.
The financial aspect of this venture is favorable since there is a higher return on investment and since expansion / growth is fast and payback period is short. Cash flows will start to be realized after the first lots of kits mature at about five months.
There is great potential in rabbit farming because of the increased life style change of most Nigerian families towards healthy living. This is evident by the preference of white meat than red meat and increase in the demand for rabbit meat because it the most nutritious of all the white meats. This is a trend that shows future growth of rabbit farming in Nigeria and thus increased cash flows of early
entrants to the industry.
The opportunity is immense based on the changing trends in the market rabbit meat market coupled with the gap in the supply of the product.
The market for rabbit farmers in Nigeria is relatively large but the supply is low, which gives rise to a deficit meaning higher profits can be realized. There is still growth in the rabbit meat market in Nigeria. This means the demand is increasing making it a profitable venture.
A male rabbit is called a buck, a female rabbit is called doe and the baby rabbits are known as kittens. Rabbits mature at the age of between four to six months at which they can start to reproduce. To tell the difference between a male and a female rabbit, hold the rabbit in a cradling position on its back. They will usually relax into a hypnotic state. Go to the genital area of the rabbit and separate the fur to reveal the vent area under its tail where its genitals are located. Press down lightly just above the anus to make the area protrude. If you see a vertical slit with pink folds of skin on either sides it is a female. On the male, what you will see is a tiny pink tube like organ without pink sides. The younger the rabbit the harder it is to the tell the sex.
Rabbit farming in Nigeria is suitable with the following breeds of rabbits: Chinchilla, Carlifonia white, New zealand white, Cotton tails and Flemish giants
Each of these breeds have their own unique features as shown below:
Chinchilla
- Have brown/grey fur
- Upstanding ears brown eyes
- Both doe and buck attain live weight of between 5 - 6kg at 5 months
- Dressed meat yield is between 3 - 4 kg
Californian white
- Have a dense white fur
- Upstanding ears and red/pink eyes
- Both doe and buck attain live weight of between 4 - 5kg at 5 months
- Dressed meat yield is between 2 - 2.5 kg
Flemish giants
- Have brown fur
- Upstanding brown ears
- Brown eyes
- Both doe and buck attain live weight of between 5 - 7kg at 4 - 6 months
- Dressed meat yield is between 4 - 5 kg
- Flemish giants may have various colors; black, blue fawn, light grey, sandy steel, grey and white.
Rabbit farming can be practiced in any part of Nigeria, as long as they are housed properly and protected from predators and the elements.
There are various ways to construct the housing for the rabbits depending on the size of the breeding stock, location of the project as well as the availability of local materials for the construction.
The initial capital requirement for starting a rabbit farming business in Nigeria is minimal because once there is a good structure in place, the farmers can start with few mature rabbits which will reproduce fast and increase his stock. The initial budget can be less than N50,000 depending on the number of mature rabbits the farmers start with.
Food for the rabbit is relatively cheap in Nigeria since vegetables and greens can be obtained locally at no cost. While rabbit pellets go for about N4000 for 25kg bag which can last the farmers a whole cycle. Hay is roughly N4000 per 50kg.
The cost of acquiring a mature rabbit of any breed that is ready for breeding is between N2000 to N4000. The price of mature rabbit in Nigeria is largely dependent on its weight and age. One hutch which can house a nursing rabbit and the litter costs between N3000 to N5000 to build.
The market for rabbit farmers in Nigeria is mainly in large hotels and restaurants.
