The rabbit as a producer of meat and skins in developing countries

	The rabbit as a producer of meat and skins in developing countries
Contents:
		LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS; ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
		SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
	CHAPTER 1:	INTRODUCTION
	CHAPTER 2:	THE PRESENT STATE OF RABBIT PRODUCTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
	CHAPTER 3:	THE EFFECTS OF HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES ON RABBIT PRODUCTION
	CHAPTER 4:	MANAGEMENT OF RABBITS IN TROPICAL DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
	CHAPTER 5:	RABBIT SLAUGHTER AND PROCESSING
	CHAPTER 6:	RABBIT SKINS
	CHAPTER 7:	POSSIBLE PROBLEMS CONCERNING ESCAPED STOCK
		REFERENCES

Chapter 1

Introduction

In many countries commercial rabbit production is increasing. This involves the use of large numbers of rabbits of improved breeds and strains, scientifically balanced and pelleted feeds, and strictly controlled environmental conditions. In contrast to these relatively sophisticated rabbit industries, rabbit production on a small scale, or backyard level, is still important in many countries, including Malta, France and Spain. This type of system involves small numbers (a few dozen or less) of animals, fed on a variety of green forage, vegetable household waste, and agricultural by-products (where available). The rabbits are then supplied to local markets. It is essentially a low input system with minimal costs.

This report is concerned with rabbit production in developing countries, most of which lie in the tropics. The authors believe that small-scale, low input systems of rabbit production, using locally available materials (Figure 1), are relevant to the needs of many rural and urban populations in developing countries. Production targets in such a system would be lower than those achieved in intensive commercial rabbitries.
Commercial production targets of 35 to 45 young reared/doe/year (5-7 litters) are achieved in developed countries, and even 60 young reared/doe/year is considered to be realistic by some producers (Dodd, 1974).

Figure 1 Rabbit production in Algeria illustrative of simple housing constructed from local materials, and forage based feeding. (Courtesy of FAO and OXFAM)

However, lower levels such as the 16 young reared/doe/year (4 litters) currently being achieved in countries such as Ghana (Mamattah, personal communication) are quite satisfactory, at least to begin with, in small, non-intensive production systems. Growth rates of 2kg in 8-10 weeks currently being achieved in European commercial rabbitries (Ministry of Agriculture, 1973) cannot be expected, at least initially, in backyard systems. This is not to say that production cannot eventually be raised, with the development of rabbit strains more suited to the tropics and of improved feed formulations based on locally available materials. It must be emphasized that, although the production levels quoted for non-intensive systems may appear to be low, meat is still being produced cheaply and in reasonable quantity. The low inputs would not demand the high production performance, and concomitant returns, needed to cover costs incurred in large commercial rabbitries. Perhaps another point to consider is that rabbit production might well be challenged by poultry at commercial levels. This does not mean that there would be no scope for the simultaneous development of both rabbit and poultry production in developing countries, as both could be successful in certain circumstances.

In areas of high human population growth, and limited space particularly, rabbits could help to alleviate the shortage of animal protein which often exists. Their ability to utilise fibrous cellulose-based feedstuffs not suitable for human consumption, their convenient size and relatively high productivity (Anon., 1970) make them eminently suitable for this purpose. Moreover, the carcases of rabbits usually have very high meat to bone ratios in comparison to other forms of livestock such as cattle, sheep and pigs. Rabbit meat also has relatively high levels of protein and low levels of fat, in comparison to the meat of other animals (Ministry of Agriculture, 1973).

Rabbit manure is very useful, its dry matter content being about twice that of horse manure and over three times that of dairy cow manure under conventional UK farming systems (Sandford, 1974). Moreover, rabbit manure is relatively rich in phosphorous and nitrogen when compared to the manure of other livestock on a dry matter basis (Casady, 1975; Mills, 1974). Consequently, it is a useful fertilizer and has been used in local vegetable plots in Tanzania, which in turn provide food for the rabbits (Stamp, personal communication).

The utilisation of rabbit skins to make such things as coats, rugs and small miscellaneous articles can also provide additional income and employment.

This report attempts to examine and identify some of the problems related to rabbit production in tropical developing countries and to discuss the general viability of meat and skin production from these animals. While it is not intended to produce a rabbit keepers manual as such, some aspects of basic rabbit meat production are described. This is to illustrate the sort of problems which arise in some developing countries and to show how producers can overcome them. By giving an account of the extent and relative success of rabbit production in various developing countries, the advantages and problems associated with this can be seen in perspective. A further aim of the report is to promote cooperation and an interchange of information and ideas between rabbit producers in different parts of the developing world.