Rabbit Farming- A Lucrative area for investing in

Did you know that Rabbit meat is one of the best source of protein and that it is healthier than other types of meat? If you did not know, then that is how things are. Commercial rabbit farming in Kenya is becoming popular day by day. Rabbit meat contain more protein and less in fat than beef, turkey, pork and even chicken meat, which most of us tend to feed on at all times. It is not easy to convince someone in Kenya to change from other types of meat to taking rabbit meat.

For a long time, commercial rabbit farming in Kenya for meat production has not been taken seriously. But currently, rabbit farmers in Kenya are now raising highly meat producing rabbits for commercial production of meat and they are getting good profits out of them. Rabbit meat contains high ratio of protein, energy, calcium and vitamin than any other types of animal meat. The amount of cholesterol, fat and sodium is also less than other meat.

Despite the growing interest, rabbit production in Kenya is still dominated by ultra-small and small scale producers with minimal investment in housing, feeding and other management practices. Production is not structured; hence farmers are unable to clearly project the number of rabbits they are able to avail to the market at any given time. Market is also not clearly defined as many people are oblivious of the fact that rabbit meat can adequately replace other protein sources.

Starting rabbit farming in Kenya requires very low investment. It’s very easy to set up and raising rabbits commercially. This is a great opportunity when well invested in, and commercial production can be a great source of income and employment. Rabbits need small place for living and less food for surviving.

People usually raise rabbits as pets. But raising them commercially, can be a great source of income and a smart way of employment. The annual demand of meat is increasing rapidly throughout the world. Right now poultry, beef and pork meat are controlling this huge demand. Commercial rabbit production can play a very important role to meetup this demand.

Investing in commercial Rabbit farming will come along with a number of benefits. Rabbits are very fast growing animals like broiler chicken. They gain maturity fast and become suitable for slaughtering purpose within 4-5 months. This means that a farmer will be able to sell the meat at least three times in a year, thus bringing fourth as much profits as possible. Starting rabbit farming in Kenya requires very little capital or investment. Even, you can start rabbit farming business in a well ventilated small space.

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Rabbit gestation period is less (generally between 28-31 days) and a doe give birth of kids after every 2 months. Each time one rabbit can give birth of 2-8 kids. A farmer can start will as little as five rabbits but in two moths time, he will be having at least 30 rabbits. By the end of the first year, they will have multiplied to a good number for marketing.

Feeding costs for commercial rabbit farming in Kenya is very less. You can easily feed your rabbits kitchen waste materials, grasses, plant leaves etc. with their regular commercial feed. This will help you for reducing feeding cost. Commercial rabbit farming in Kenya can be great source of income and employment. You can successfully use your family labor for rabbit farming business.

From the foregoing, rabbit production in Kenya offers great opportunity for food security among households as a cheap source of protein and an income source. There are also opportunities for other players in the rabbit value chain to benefit including meat and pelt processing and sale of manure. The superior nutritional value of rabbit meat is appealing to the changing diet and health concerns of Kenyans where incidence of lifestyle related diseases is on the increase.