JF RABBITS: FOREMOST RABBIT BREEDER IN NIGERIA

Rabbits are the most productive of domestic livestock. A rabbit only takes 6 months to mature. Their gestation period is only 30 days and on average, a female rabbit gives birth to 30 young ones per year. They are very cheap and easy to feed as they mainly feed local weeds and water. You can as well feed them on rabbit pellets if you can afford them. They occupy little space hence suitable for most rural farmers who are small scale. They are quiet animals that can be raised in any environment. They rarely get sick unless kept in unhygienic conditions. Their meat is white, high in protein and low in fat and cholesterol. Its health advantages make it high on demand especially in institutions such as restaurants and hospitals.

3 Females + 1 Male = 3000 rabbits! Four out of many that have turned pairs of rabbits into thousands of rabbits Africa already boasts of a few rabbit farmers who started from nothing but have built remarkably successful rabbit farm businesses. Their success in spite of capital and skill challenges will inspire and encourage you to take action on your. Four successful African Rabbit Farmers you need to know Let’s meet them!    

In Kenya, rabbit keeping is traditionally a hobby for teenage boys. But Moses Mutua is not only changing perceptions, but proving it can be a commercially viable venture. In the last three years he has been running Rabbit Republic, a company that rears rabbits, processes their meat and works with other rabbit farmers.    Moses Mutua (CEO Rabbit Republic) 

    Because Cholesterol and fat level in rabbit meat is much lower than chicken, turkey, beef, and pork, the meat has been used and is suitable for special diets, such as those for heart disease patients, diets for the aged, low sodium diets, weight reduction diets, etc. Rabbit meat is a wholesome tasty product. Compared with most other meat, such as beef, chicken, lamb and pork it is high in protein and low in fat, cholesterol, and sodium. The meat is white, fine-grained, delicately flavored, nutritious, and appetizing. It can be prepared in over 300 different ways ( USDA 1963 ).  

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 [PDF] on the profit side.       ...

Rabbit farming is an enterprise in the agricultural industry, which the current government has vowed to revive, for the benefit of Nigeria’s financial status.