How To Start Rabbit Farming In Kenya 2021 | Cost, Care, Profit And More
How To Start Rabbit Farming In Kenya 2021… Are you looking for a way to start rabbit farming in Kenya? If yes, then this informative article is for you. You will be given detailed information about How To Start Rabbit Farming In Kenya 2021 | Cost, Care, Profit And More.
Beginning rabbit husbandry needs low capital to invest in. It begins by choosing a suitable breed for farming which is an important aspect. Rabbit breeds that are used for investment include the Flemish Giant, California white, Flemish giant; this is because of their ability to resist harsh environmental conditions in most parts of the country. Choosing breeds also depends on the desire for production.
Housing is a crucial element that is considered when setting up a rabbit farm. Making a suitable hutch is an integral part of farming. Since rabbits are deemed to be clean animals, they dwell in a clean environment with proper air circulation.
The cage method and deep litter system are some of the ways that can be used to rear rabbits; therefore, it’s advisable that you choose a suitable method depending on the type of production and the kind of investment to be practiced. For the proper construction of a rabbit hutch, there are factors that should be considered.
An adult rabbit has an approximate weight of 2-7 kg, and for the production purpose, 1200-1500 square centimeters would be appropriate space. While for a medium-sized rabbit 80cm by 80cm is recommended to allow smooth movement within the hutches.
Since does require extra space for dwelling, an 80 cm by 115 cm space is good for a doe which has got a medium size. Kits, on the other hand, should be kept in groups of 20-30 until they attain an age of four months.
Cost Of Rabbit Farming In Kenya
The cost of rearing rabbits varies according to the type of methods and techniques used. Feeds take up a greater fraction of the revenue needed in rabbit rearing, and this is due to the fact that rabbits consume about 25grams of pellets each day. This amount translates to 2.25 kilos in 90 days. On average, every 2kg of pellets cost between Ksh.90 and Ksh.150 and can be easily found in the local agrovet shops and supermarkets
Care And Management
When farming is done in areas which are mostly influenced by cold temperatures, walls and roofs should be made of solid materials to retain heat in the room. Drains should be made inside the house for easy cleaning. Feeding equipment should be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
Enough amounts of nutritious feeds help in ensuring the rabbits are in good health and a productive state. During commercial investment, supplementary commercial feeds are provided to the rabbits. In relation to this kitchen waste, tree leaves and grasses can also be introduced into the diet to reduce the feeding cost.
A sufficient and clean amount of water should also be given to rabbits to enhance the body’s cooling system. Extra management practices should be provided by vaccinating the rabbits within the appropriate time to keep them free from diseases.
Rabbits can alternatively be fed on vegetables with an average feeds on two leaves of Sukumawiki (kales) every day. Apart from kales, Carrots may also be introduced into the diet. They may also chew hay during the day. Other costs such as transportation, depreciation of hutches, and cost of labour should also be included.
Rabbit Farming Profitability In Kenya
As it is a highly profitable business, commercial production can be a great source of employment and earnings since a rabbit of 1-2 months costs Kshs.350 while a fully grown rabbit of 5-6 kg runs at the cost of Kshs.1000 to Kshs.1500.
Apart from that, rabbit meat is served at accost of Kshs.1000 per plate. This is profitable compared to cheaply available commodities like kitchen waste, grass, and plant leaves which are used as feeds during the production process.
Rabbit keeping in Kenya is considered to be cheaper, more efficient, and more productive compared to other agricultural ventures because rabbit feeds are easily available. Furthermore, the construction of the rabbit hutches is also quite straightforward.
Apart from meat, rabbit skin and fur can be sold separately, thus allowing you to generate additional income. For instance, fur is used to make expensive coats, and this method has been deployed across the world to address the demand brought about by the ban on fox hunting.
What’s more, and rabbit dung can be used as manure while their urine is used as fertilizer. The urine can also be mixed with water and used on crops as an insecticide. The rabbit gestation period is always between 28-31 days, and a doe may give birth within a period of two months, each time reproducing 2-8 kids resulting in a greater expansion in the business. Rabbit meat is nutritious, tasty, and easily digestible, which all aged people can eat without any problem.
Rabbit Farming And Market In Kenya
Most farmers in Kenya are faced with the great challenge of finding a market for their rabbit products, and this may be a result of a poor flow of information from the sellers to the buyers and vice versa. The challenge of finding a market may also result because many people lack knowledge about rabbit farming in Kenya.
Rabbit marketing can be done in a number of ways; the first method is through local companies and organizations such as Alcare group, Rabbit Republic, And Rabbit Breeders Association Of Kenya (Rabak), this is an organization that was formed to provide a market for a variety of rabbit breeds such as Dutch, Chinchilla, Ear lope, New Zealand White, French lope, California White, Flemish giant, and Angora. It coordinates with the ministry of livestock in Thika to buy and slaughter the animals.
Rabak also promotes food security, generates wealth, and creates employment opportunities for farmers and the community. The organizations also provide Rabbit farming training in Kenya for the rabbit farmers. One can decide to sell the rabbits to various businessmen as well. This is a perfect idea especially when you do not want to engage in the actual slaughtering.
City hotels which are frequented by the Chinese also provide a market for rabbit meat, or you can sell directly to customers or butcheries at the cost of Kshs.2000 to Kshs.2500. Schools are also the right places to sell rabbits as most students look for activities to do in their clubs.
Buyers Of Rabbit Urine In Kenya
Locally greenhouse farmers and other rabbit urine buyers in Kenya purchase rabbit urine at the cost of Kshs.50 per litre. Apart from selling the rabbit urine of which the market has gone down, one can still use the same on his/her farm as foliar fertilizer or insecticide. As a foliar fertilizer, one liter of rabbit urine is mixed with five liters of water while for insecticide one liter of urine is mixed with two liters of water.
Modern rabbit farming in Kenya has significantly improved the production levels. For instance, activities such as record-keeping, and interbreeding have led to quality products in the market, therefore generating more income for the farmers as compared to the local rabbit farming methods.
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