Rabbit Meat Production

The increase in the world’s human population and the global recession will inevitably increase the demand for food, including meat, as well as for employment. Great hope is placed in the agricultural sector, which is responsible for the food supply and absorbs employment in rural areas. The slow reproductive rate of ruminant animals and the threat of bird flu in poultry may lead to a search for alternative animal sources of protein. Rabbit can follow the need. The potential benefits of raising rabbits include (i) strengthening food security, (ii) increasing income for farmers, (iii) providing job opportunities, and (iv) producing high-quality, healthy meat (v) developing the rural economy. The biological merits of the rabbit, such as being small in size, prolific and fast growing, efficient in the use of forage as well as a premixed diet, and its good adaptation to various environments, are well known.

This indicates that rabbits are potential animals to breed for both micro (home) and large-scale (industrial) operations. In Asia, there are both types of parenting; for (i) family consumption of meat and small cash income for poor people living in rural areas, as well as for (ii) industry; meat, skins or laboratory supply. China, Malaysia, and some parts of India may fit into the second category. China is probably the largest rabbit producing country in Asia or even the world. The current situation shows that the purpose of rabbit farming in some Asian countries, although on a small scale, has shifted towards commercial purposes, as happened in Indonesia and Vietnam. Moving towards industrialized rabbit production, on a small, medium and/or large scale, may contribute in a small way, but could be significant in helping the global problems mentioned above.

SAFE HANDLING TECHNIQUES

APPROACHING A RABBIT:

The safest initial approach with rabbits is to start by stroking the top of the head. Don’t offer your hand for a rabbit to sniff like you would a dog because rabbits can’t see directly in front of their noses. You may scare them into biting.

LIFTING:

Rabbits are prey animals and, as such, are startled when picked up off the ground. They assume they are going to be eaten! For this reason, we recommend that you learn to interact with your rabbit at his level: with his nose three centimeters from the ground! Sit on the floor to read the morning paper or watch the evening news; lie down on the floor to read; Buy one of those legless folding chairs that will allow you to sit comfortably on the floor. This way, you can interact with your bunny without scaring or restricting it. This is a great way to get to know her personality and have fun with it.

A rabbit’s spine makes up only 6% of its body weight. It is extremely fragile, so great care must be taken when handling your new friend. Can you see the natural “C” curve of her spine? If you straighten your back and kick violently, you can break your spine and become paralyzed, so be careful to always keep your spine curved. Rabbits should NOT be picked up by the ears or scruff. Instead, cup her bottom with one hand, resting that arm along her body. Slide your other hand under your chest and bring it up toward your body, resting your feet against you and tucking your head under your chin. Once her feet are settled, you can move your hand from under her chest to over her shoulders, with your index finger on one side of her neck and your thumb on the other. This is a great way to control her because you can stop her from jumping without hurting her in any way.

GIVE:

If the rabbit is struggling violently, you may want to crouch down and let go of the rabbit rather than try to restrain it. Keep him from jumping from heights because he could break his back. It’s easier to catch a loose rabbit than to care for a crippled one!

CLEANLINESS

• Comb your bunny at least once a week. If he has long fur or is losing hair, you should comb it daily.

• Trim her nails ~every six weeks

• Check and/or clean your anal glands ~every six weeks

• Bunnies don’t need baths! If your rabbit has a dirty bottom, clean it by dripping water on the area and soaking it until you can pick up the feces. Consult your vet to determine the cause.

HEALTH PROBLEMS

• If your bunny skips a meal, try giving him a bit of a banana or other treat to see if he eats it. If she doesn’t eat for at least 24 hours, take her to the vet!

• Sneezing, runny eyes or nose, and lethargic behavior are other signs of poor health. Consult your vet!

• If his poops start to get smaller or lose their shape, see your vet. Diarrhea should be considered an emergency.

DISEASES

Rabbits should be inspected daily for any signs of poor health. All sick rabbits and those exposed to disease should be isolated and kept in quarantine. Dead rabbits must be removed immediately and disposed of hygienically. These precautionary measures will reduce the spread of infection in the rabbit in cases of communicable diseases. Preventing the outbreak of a disease is better than cure, and even more so because most diseases do not have a ready and effective treatment. Disease control has been one of the main obstacles for new rabbit breeders. It is vital that you seek out all the information you can about rabbit health.

Pasteurella is a bacterium that is common in animals, generally causing few ill effects in healthy rabbits in a low-stress environment. When the bacteria multiply rapidly, the most common manifestation of pasteurellosis is a condition called a cold. Pasteurellosis is also evidenced by pneumonia, abscesses, watery eyes, vaginal discharge, enlarged testicles, and twisted neck. The common cold is characterized by a runny nose and is extremely contagious. Strict sanitation and good ventilation are required for effective control. The condition can be easily suppressed with antibiotic treatment, but cure is difficult. If colds are allowed to go untreated, rabbits will begin to die of pneumonia. Abscesses are usually seen in subcutaneous areas and can be treated with antibiotics. Cocci, a protozoan parasite, causes diarrheal disease and/or liver damage.

Hepatic coccidiosis is of great concern for rabbits. Sulfaquinaxilone is one of the drugs available for the control and prevention of cocciosis. Veterinary assistance is required for the supply and use of a coccidiostat. These are normally administered in the drinking water or feed. Prevention of coccidiosis can be helped by daily removal of fecal matter from cages with a wire brush. The myxoma virus causes the devastating condition called myxomatosis. The virus was introduced into Australia to kill wild rabbits. It can be transmitted from wild to domestic rabbits by mosquitoes and fleas, which act as mechanical vectors. Rabbits of all ages are affected, and swelling of the eyelids, lips, face, and ears is seen in the chronic form of the disease. Keeping flying insects out of the hatchery is vital to preventing this disease. Immediate culling of affected animals is the best way to prevent further spread of the disease. There is no treatment or vaccine for myxomatosis available in Australia.

Calicivirus causes the disease commonly known as rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD) or viral hemorrhagic disease. It is used for the biological control of wild rabbits in Australia and is transmitted through flies, mosquitoes, direct or indirect contact with animals, and through the air. Adult animals mostly die quickly, showing few clinical signs, although fever, blood-tinged mucus, and respiratory distress may be observed in some cases. Kittens up to 4-5 weeks of age seem to have some natural resistance against the disease. The protection of breeders with RCD vaccine is essential. The first dose of the vaccine can be given as early as 12 weeks of age and a booster dose after 12 months of age is essential.

MARKETING

The following information has been collected from rabbit breeders in NSW and Victoria. It is only a guide as to the marketing arrangements that are operating in the industry. Regional rabbit breeding groups have worked together to establish certified rabbit slaughterhouses, either as purpose-built slaughterhouses or as part of existing livestock slaughterhouses. The marketing of the meat is usually handled by one of the larger producers, the slaughterhouse manager, or a meat wholesaler associated with a particular slaughterhouse. The important point for new farmers to appreciate is that there is no set up state marketing system like we see for other livestock industries.

Marketing your rabbits will mean taking advantage of groups that are already established or establishing your own from scratch! However, there appears to be good domestic demand for rabbit meat, especially in the cooler months, and there is plenty of room for growth. Prices paid for rabbits vary from group to group and range from Rs 300-450 per kg of clothed weight. Rabbits are typically stripped to 50% of live weight at slaughter. There is a small residual value for hides and by-products. Slaughter costs are around Rs 50 per rabbit.