Rabbit Farming - 6 Considerations Before You Start In Raising Rabbits

Rabbits are raised for show, fur, home or commercial meat production, laboratory animals, and breeding stock. People living in urban areas or on small acreages often consider raising rabbits because space requirements are minimal. Raising rabbits can be a satisfying experience as well as contributing to the family income and diet. But the following facts should be considered before starting a rabbit project.

- Be sure there is a market for the product. There are few if any rabbit processing plants in the Midwest, thus the family table and neighbors are the primary market. The demand for rabbit has not grown like that for poultry.

- Rabbits require daily care.

- Check local zoning laws and health requirements before starting a rabbitry.

- The technology of rabbit production has not experienced the rapid advances of other livestock industries.

- Rabbits are ready to breed upon reaching maturity. The age of maturity will range from 5 months for the small breeds to 9 to 12 months for the large breeds. One buck to each 10 does is suggested as a maximum with 4 to 5 matings per week for limited use, 2 to 3 matings per week for continuous use. Breeding difficulties may occur during temperature extremes, particularly hot weather. Houses with good insulation, fan-ventilation and an evaporative-type cooling system will improve breeding during hot weather.

- An adequate supply of clean, fresh water, feed, and salt spools should be available to the rabbits at all times. The condition of the doe, buck, or young bunnies will determine how much feed to give at each feeding.

When it comes to building your rabbit farm, you would need to create a rabbit hutch that is well ventilated, well lit and has proper cooling and heating systems. To make things easier for you when it comes to cleaning, metal cages are recommended. Once you have the cage properly set up, you would need to have a feed hopper, a good watering system and a nest box in placed in it.

Once you've figured that out, only then would you be able to choose the kind of rabbit breed that you would require. Breeding stock for a rabbit farm can be purchased from various local breeders. Typically, female rabbits are actually capable of producing up to 50 live rabbits annually. Rabbit farming is a relatively easy business to handle once you have gotten the groove of how things work. You will eventually learn other tips and tricks along the way so listen, observe and take note.

Learn the right way of rabbit farming the first time and avoid having to make painful mistakes that beginner rabbit owner's are prone too. Separate yourself from the average rabbit owner who will end up harming their rabbits without knowing it and learn more tips on raising rabbits from the guide here: www.howtoraiserabbits.com