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How To Raise Rabbits For Food : THE RABBITRY

Partie 1 : CHOOSING THE LOCATION

Everyone unfamiliar with the rabbit business should not begin raising the animals fast. Many who have not made sure of a market for their product, or have started in the business on too large, or have expanded their enterprise rapidly have failed.

It is much better to begin by raising a few rabbits and to develop a market gradually.

Success in rabbit production is dependent on quality, quantity, and economy in production and on efficient marketing.

Good management and interest in the welfare of the animals are essential to success.

Important: A good rabbit breeder will give clean feed at regular intervals and supply fresh water every single day. He will see that the hutches and nest boxes are kept clean and will devote his time in looking after his stock.

· THE RABBITRY

At first, rabbits are grown successfully in practically every part of the country.however, the selection of a special section of the country for rabbit raising is not of paramount importance, the breeder is free to choose a location.

Rabbitries are established in small towns, in cities, in rural districts, and on poultry and general farms.

The land on which rabbit hutches and shelters are to be built should be well drained and reasonably level to facilitate construction.

The Best location is a reasonably level, well drained piece of land, the slope being gentle.

Some trees are desirable to provide shade in summer and to encourage a feeling of security for the rabbits.

As much thought should be given to the structures and equipment as to feeding and breeding.

Rabbits tolerate hot and cold weather provided they are protected from wind, rain, and direct sunlight.

A roof built over them will provide shade and keep rain out will meet most requirements.

Note: it is not necessary to erect a building in which to place the hutches.

· EQUIPMENT

The structures in the rabbitry consist of pens, nest boxes, hutches, and shelters.

Determining the kind to build are concerned with location, climate, extent of the business, and the amount of money.

The foundation and floor should be of concrete, to expedite thorough cleaning, and windows should be so arranged that they may be opened. Water should be accessible to the rabbits, Electric light facilitates the work of the producer, And Feed bins, and a place to examine the rabbits are required.

Note: Arrangements should be made for washing feed dishes.

The feed house when considered necessary may be a combination structure used to store grain, The purpose of this building is to provide a place for the storage and preparation of feed.

The hutches designed to serve as isolation and hospital pens should be placed far from the breeding hutches.

Metal and crockery dishes are used for both feed and water.

· BREEDING HUTCH

Hutches and nest boxes require frequent cleaning and spraying to keep them free from vermin and to protect the health of the animals. The construction, therefore, should be as simple as possible, and ample provision should be made for light and air.

Rabbits are more easily cared for and are less likely to become diseased in well-built hutches than in poorly built temporary ones.

Rabbit hutches should have about 10 or 12 square feet of floor space. The standard hutch is 4 feet long, 2 1/2 feet deep, and 2 feet high.

The many kinds of hutches involve the same fundamental ideas. All have either wire-mesh or slat-wood floors.

· SELF -F EEDERS

The self-feeding system is adapted to raising rabbits for market.

The advantages of the self-feeding system are:

1. Self-feed rabbits gain more rapidly in weight than hand-fed rabbits.

2. It makes possible a consistently high-quality market product.

3. It prevents waste and contamination.

4. Requires less feed than the hand-feeding system.

When the different grains and protein supplements are placed in separate compartments, so that the rabbits have free access to any kind of feed at all times, they will consume the particular feed they desire and the quantity wasted will be negligible.

KINDS OF SELF –FEEDERS

· the all-metal

· the 5 gallon oil-can feeders

The oil-can feeder is less expensive, can be made by anyone with mechanical ability, and is satisfactory for use in commercial rabbitries.

The all-metal self-feeder has the added advantage of not requiring floor space and can be constructed by a tinsmith.

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