Rabbits provide meat and other products, and can be quickly sold for cash or turned into a nutritious meal when needed. With careful attention, they are not difficult to raise. With a society that is now more health conscious, many more people are now consuming white meat. Rabbit meat is tasty and has low fat content. This has resulted in a high demand for rabbit meat from individuals and the hotel industry, an opportunity the youth can take advantage of to make income. In Nigeria one kilogram sells for about between N1500 and N2000. The best breeds available in East Africa are California White, Chinchilla, New Zealand White, Flemish Giant, Angola, Earlop, Paramino, Dutch, Agut, Rex, Checquered and Franskvendor
How to start rabbit keeping
The first thing needed is a decision on the sort of pen (hutch) to be built. A good one should be three feet long by two feet wide. This is enough room for a single rabbit. One only requires a little space on which to put elevated sheds. The initial capital for constructing a hutch is minimal. One can also use scrap wood and buy a roll of wire to enclose it. One can also have the cage under a house roof that saves costs and well utilizes space. To start, one needs a doe (female) and a buck (male). Once the kindling begins, the colony increases rapidly. One doe is capable of yielding about 30 to 40 rabbits a year. If one starts the business having borrowed the initial rabbits, within half a year one can return live rabbits of the same age. Rabbits produce litters of six to ten offspring after a gestation period of only 30 days.
Feeding rabbits
A rabbit requires very little feed and water. It is easy to feed them as they can eat a variety of foods. Rabbits are monogastric (single stomach), herbivorous (eat plant material) animals. They feed on forage such as grass and leaves, or leftover food. Forage should be kept off the cage floor by tying it together in a bunch and hanging it from the ceiling or wall of the cage. This prevents the food from contamination by urine and droppings. Wet forage could lead to diarrhoea and even death. If forage is wet when harvested, it should be allowed to dry for a few hours first before it is fed to the rabbits. Rabbit feeds can also be prepared from many readily available ingredients. Containers for water and food should be clean. Rabbits need clean water at least twice a day.
Health of rabbits
To know if your rabbits are healthy check out for signs such as a smooth coat, standing ears, clear eyes, quiet breathing, no mange (scabies) forming crusts around the nose, eyes, at the edges of the ears or inside the ears as a dirty mass. Put the animals on the ground or a table with a rough surface and lift the front part of the animal to watch for irregular legs, inspect the anus to see whether it is dirty from diarrhoea, which is often the case in young rabbits. Check the stomach (abdomen) of the animal. It should feel soft but smooth; a spongy feeling may indicate some intestinal troubles. Watch for sneezing. Dirty front legs and/or a dirty nose may indicate a coughing disease (pasteurellosis), because the animal ‘rubs’ its nose with its front legs. Pneumonia and diarrhoea are the two common ailments that may attack rabbits but they are easily countered by sheltering rabbits in a warm and clean environment. Cures are also readily available at agro vets
Important Networks
For one to be a successful farmer, it is good for one to join networks or associations that enhance farming capacities and on value addition. In Nigeria there is the AFAN Grasscutter &Rabbit Breeders Association of Nigeria. They have plans to create viable rabbit enterprises for members in the country. Joining any of the available networks or association would help to foster sales when the rabbits are due for sales.
Thanks for the information.I love to start rearing rabbit but i need a land of my own.God bless you.
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Please where is the office/meeting venue for AFAN Grasscutter &Rabbit Breeders Association of Nigeria in Ibadan?
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A nice and illuminating article. Am inspired to go into rabbit breeding but would like to oblige me with, if you don/t mind, the full postal address of AFAN Grasscutter and Rabbit Breeders Association of Nigeria.
Thanks in anticipation of your acceding to my request.
Amb. Donald ABRAHAM
+234 I 704 149 5314
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i have got land in zimbabwe 20hectares we can go into partnership adress your letter to hazelworth trading private limited ..i am also into rabbit rearing on a large scale
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Would like to be partnering with you, an we can discurse more. My mobile no is +2348038976854
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Can someone start the rearing where there is no bush or in a city. Thank you
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Yes you can even start right at your back yard all you need is good cages and feeding system
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Good day..please where can I get flemisg giant rabbit in Nigeria…thank…08030559712…
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I would like to know we’re I can get German gray giant rabbit and Flemish giant rabbit for sale. if an one wants the new Zealand breader I have them for sale. my no is 234(08138008150).
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I started my rabbit farm one year ago, but suddenly the animals continue to die one by one, now I want to start again. Where can I get good bread. Like German gray gaint and Fleming giant rabbit. My no is 08034703156. Thanks.
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please where can i get a flemish giant rabbit.
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I appreciate your good write-up.I have already started with 12 rabbits only 6 now left others are dead am almost give up, can u do anything to help please?
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Please do not give up. What type of housing system do you use in your farm , what type of food do you give the doe, hope you prepare a plce fo the doe to litter, hope you did not touch the litters after birth for any reason. If possible please get me on WhatApp:08182355047 or call me on 08136650972
Many thanks
Gbenga
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Gbenga speak to Ojumu Dami- 08069659439 who is into rabbit rearing. She will be helpful in giving you technical assistance
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please where and how much can i get flemish giant rabbit and how about marketing the products. Thanks 08038545462
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Pls, where can I get the giant rabbit to rear around Ogun state. Thanks
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Am really impressed with your strides in Agricultural development and information dissemination in same regards. Actually, i just started my rabbit farm this month and needed more information on rabbits…..Oguche Sunday(ASVC cord.)from KSU.
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I live in ghana and a rabbit farmer though I like them as pet as well. I will love you to help me market them and also I want to have the flemish gaint since I dont have that breed.
How do I get both male and female and at what cost.
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Am in Ghana and I want to have the flemish gaint how much will it cost me
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Really I’ll say that God has used You sir to broaden my knowledge abt this rabbit farming. Am a youth and also a student of A.B.U Zaria. I sat down to just imagine what I could venture into to bring me my own “worked for” money in this situation of our country Nigeria where youths graduate & stay witout job, pls sir, I’ll appreciate you if you can help me with some article or books via my email: onietanj92@gmail.com that can help me more. I really have interest to join the Association you talked about in your article. Kindly link me up sir, here is my contact pls in case it’s needed: +2347036973443 or +2378098414610 or +2348056755701. I haven’t started at all but planning to start, still gathering money pls.Thanks for your maximum cooperation in anticipation.
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I wish to be one of the farmer producing rabbit.
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Thanks a lot for shareing this information, my mum just started the business and I’m wondering if that association exists in Kaduna or Asaba.
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I do not have that information right now but would make inquiry and get back to you.
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Good day sir ,intend to sart up a grasscutter and rabbit farm but I lack the experience and I need ur you to assist me with some material that can really help me on a.omololu@yahoo.com thanks you sir ,also wish to know if the association exist in abuja and there point of meeting .
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Dear sir,
I would send you some materials in the coming wEek.
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thanks,i would like how i can go about it,liked it.
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Iam already having 2 rabits doe and a buck which I acquired in August and keeping them in on of the rooms in the house.Of recent the female one has been trying to digg a hole in the has and this has affect its noise.I tried to put a basin with some stroys incase it wanted for delivery.Well give them food like matooke peels, potatoes, vegetable etc.Is there any food in the market that I can buy for them because one of them(female)is loosing weight.
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Please where can i get the flemish giant rabbit breed for sale as i current have the newzealand white and need 2 get an extra breed. Am also a pigeon breederm
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For your Rabbit Purchase contact Ojumu Damilola- 08027729185,08069659439.
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Kindly send me a message on whatsapp so I can add you to a group of rabbit breeders (Rabbit Breeders Association of Nigeria). There you can reach out to breeders and prospective clients. my number is 07069646878
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Pls add me up in the group via: 08032291914
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Pls i love to start grasscutter nd rabbit rearing farming over years now but where to get those animals is whatz givin me headach.
pls how can i get dem
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For your Rabbit Purchase contact Ojumu Damilola- 08027729185,08069659439. For Grasscutter try Songhai Farms in Porto Novo Benin Republic. or farms around Porto-Novo
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Kindly send me a message on whatsapp so I can add you to a group of rabbit breeders (Rabbit Breeders Association of Nigeria). There you can reach out to breeders and prospective clients. my number is 07069646878
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I am a mother of 5 searching for a livelihood, though a graduate of sociology from the university of ibadan.i came across ur article and highly interestd in rabbitry but i donot know how 2 go about it.Also how much do i need 2 establish?waitng 4 ur worthwhile responce
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Kindly send me a message on whatsapp so I can add you to a group of rabbit breeders (Rabbit Breeders Association of Nigeria). There you can reach out to breeders and prospective clients. my number is 07069646878
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how can I get flemish giant rabbit to buy here in Nigeria.
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For your Rabbit Purchase contact Ojumu Damilola- 08027729185,08069659439
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I’ve got the space & some spare cash to start rearing rabbits. Where do I get someone with experience in building rabbit pens/cages?
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Design and construction of cages have no special technicality. You can do some research on cage designs by looking at rabbit rearing materials and visiting farms. Then you can show it to a handy man to help in the construction. ALL THE BEST
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Thanks for the opportunity to learn about rabbitry in naija. Please, I need some materials in grass cutter farming. onyebuchichima@ymail.com
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Live @ costain lagos and want to get into back yard rabbit farming pls can u give me a contact address or phone No of the nearest farm to me
Banke
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Pls I wish to more about rabbits…I wish 2 knw how old must a rabbit b b4 getimg pregnant…nd much more of dear growth…..I jxt start d business With 2 female rabbits nd 1 male
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Inshort am short of words, am about to start the grasscutter and the rabbit when I stumbled on your artickles, pls I need ur phone number and how to join the association pls. pls kindly get back to me urgent. God bless sir
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thanks a kenyan rabbit farmer plz tel me of market there in nigeria
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My rabbits give birth to 16 litters, l do recycling on my farm their waste l use as fertilizer on d farm that produce organic food for d rabbits, cage system is almost d best after free guide range system. Rabbits have spiritual implications besides every farm animal have spiritual implementation if d farmers knows it he/she tap into it, for example if u rear snail the spiritual implementation is that things cannot be hard or difficult for u. for rabbits…….. bye 4 now
Happy Rabbitary
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Hi Gbenga…can I please have your mobile number? I also need the line you use on whatsapp. I am interested in doing this. You can add me on whatsapp with +2347030291432.
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Please call me on 08136650972 or on whatsApp: 08182355047
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thanks a lot for sharing that information
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Pls how can I get materials that containing every information on rabbit .
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Our company NATE FARMS ENT. NIG LTD can supply you with cost effective imported Rabbit cages for all stages of life for more contact us at 08132478092, email natefarms@gmial.com also you can look up our website at http://www.natefarms.com
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i have flemish giant rabbit in my farm,am from kaduna u can reach me on 07030066753
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your location or your distance is not a barrier. call me for any breed of rabbits at moderate cost. I have been raising rabbits for so many years now. I can also give alongside with the rabbit my manual: “RAISING HEALTHY RABBITS MADE EASY”. 08094074349 or 07063262127
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Iam interested in rabbit farming fm zimbabwe.looking 4 new zealand white breed.my number is 0778939094
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Thanks i have begun rabit farming on a small scale.Please i need contacts and market for my products in benin city.
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Pls guys don’t knw if anyone has angorra breed,u can’t contact me on 08131389849,I also av grass cutter and new Zealand breed on stock.
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i’m willing to start but still need info on t1ge best and fastest growing bread in lagos, also i’ll appqeciate if i can get more articules on amstrongchuks@yahoo.com
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Pls Sir,i Need Your Phone Number So That We Can Talk Better.This In Mine 08033693725 Or 08059160881 Just Flash My Number.
Thanks.
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Kindly send me an email via whalayojo@gmail.com
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I have recently started rabbit farming and I am from Zimbabwe. would you kindly help with ideas and the best way to successful rabbit farming. you can get in touch with on my email:tinashemakotore@gmail.com. thank you in advance
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am having like 54 rabbits now cos i stated last year but am also having marketing problem
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Can you tell me about where you are located? the size of your rabbit, breed and possibly a picture of the animal.
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Connect me on whayApp is u want to sell 08182355047
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I greet you all my friends, please I need in detail information on the challenges in breeding rabbit so as to make plans for them when they start coming. Fnkz.
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what a lovely acticle. Appreciated
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I have 200 rabbits weighing 3-5kg for sale… If anyone is interested you can contact me on 08030879889 or 09036818058..Email: Imariashadrack@yahoo.com
My farm is at Ikorodu, Lagos..
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what type of breeds do av in stock
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As regards the commercial rearing of rabbit, you can also get all the information you need through Mrs Ojumu who has a vast knowledge about rabbit rearing locally. Her contacts are: 07018863388, 08179186175.
Contact farm address: 3, Odochiya Street, Akute. Ogun state.
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GIFTED HANDS FARMS LTD.
For technical assistance on rabbit farming, or purchases n sales of various rabbit breeds, contact me on 08122360164 (calls, SMS, wattsup). I have been in active rabbit farming and vast in the technics involved in raising healthy rabbits.
MR. UNYIMEABASI EBONG (CEO)
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Send me a message on WhatsApp so I can add you to the Rabbit Breeders Group
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Where I get rabbits to forming
9036222903
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Tanks man, pls where can i get a male nd female rabbit?. 09022482329
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Send me a message on WhatsApp so I can add you to the Rabbit Breeders Group
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Dear sirs,
We supply Rabbit Meat from Benin.
Contact us :
ELEVAS
elevasbenin@gmail.com
+229 96747351
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Send me a message on WhatsApp so I can add you to the Rabbit Breeders Group
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Please I am interested in starting breeding both rabbits and grass cutter in Nigeria please could you contact me on my e-mail “bayomi@hotmail.com same address as on facebook, I can be contacted on 00 234 803 7700106
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send me a message on WhatsApp 07069646878
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We have good fast growing rabbits breeds, grasscutters and guinea pigs
London is lbadan Oyo state
08120528950 or 08136650972 or eesteeresources@gmail.com WhatsApp 08120528950
Thanks
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Boluwajoko Gbenga Oluwasegun is an Agri-Business Developer . A seasoned and experienced Agropreneur in Crops, and Animal Production. He has developed Standard and Viable Business Plan for many Start-ups and Existing SMEs. Well versed in Agri-Project Management, Agri-Technology, Product Development, Value chain Analysis, Agribusiness development, Agricultural Blogging, Market Research and Data analysis .
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Kindly send me a message on whatsapp so I can add you to a group of rabbit breeders (Rabbit Breeders Association of Nigeria). There you can reach out to breeders and prospective clients. my number is 07069646878
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Healthy weaned rabbits for sale. Contact 08162052073
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I really will like to go into rabbit farming,but the market for rabbit is what scares me the meat is not as popular as chicken
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does any one know where i can get good fast growing Guinea Pigs in large quantities to be used as laboratory animals. please contact me on 08036941733
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Please can I get a miniature lop-eared rabbit from you, I stays at Akure… No:07061197796
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Thank for the information.
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I am in need of newzealand rabbit in kaduna,kawo side.My no.08165667710
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Rabbit group of rabbit for sale at ibadan oyo state at an affordable price.The more you buy the lower the price is reduce.I have like 35 rabbit for sale Which comprises of califolian white and chichila some with brown and white colour.I have like two month old,four month old,7 month old,aduIt onelike a year,two years old,If you are interested call me on 08148566463
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There is Rabbit Farmers Association of Nigeria (RAFAN) which I’m the national secretary. We have Chapters in all States. Join us in your state today.
For enquiries, call: 08068265049.
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Rabbit for sale in colony {1male and 5 female}.
3month old at 22,500
6month old at 45,000
Pregnant rabbit 60,000
Point of delivery 75,000
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Thanks so much sir
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