Abstract:
Rabbit production is fast becoming one of the livestock enterprises with the greatest potential and room for
expansion especially in developing countries. The rabbit is a uniquely versatile animal in terms of
reproduction, behavioural instincts, neonatal development, feeding habits and nutrient requirements. Correct
care and management are necessary if rabbit raising is to be successful. Rabbits grow quickly and have high
reproductive efficiency. Stocks of rabbit used in many parts of the developing countries are of mixed breeds.
Rabbits can be raised without spending money on concentrates. Rabbit production can be used as a tool for
poverty alleviation through entrepreneur development. For entrepreneurs to embark on rabbit production that
could generate income, they need to acquire skills. Breeding skill is important in rabbit production and one of
the major challenges of intensively reared rabbits is feeding since it determines the health status and
ultimately the profit that can be obtained from the rabbit production enterprise. The digestive ecosystem have
several physiological roles ranging from hydrolysis and fermentation of nutrients, immune system regulation,
angiogenesis, gut development and acting as barrier against pathogens. Mortality of young rabbits is of vital
importance in commercial rabbit farming since it determines the net income of the rabbit production
enterprise. Also prevention of diseases is very important in rabbits because curative treatment is less
successful in rabbits than in many other farm animals. On choosing foundation stock traits of economic
importance include litter size at birth, litter size at weaning and weaning weight. With good market, more
money can be made a year from rabbit than from goats, sheep or cattle on Kilogram weight basis. Profitability
of rabbit enterprise is however influenced by the genetic make- up , the number reared, the type of feed offered
and the pattern it is offered, housing system and the market available. It is hoped that rabbit meat may soon be
introduced into the regular meat market in the developing countries because of growing awareness of its
benefits.
