Commercial Rabbit Farming In Kenya | Why You Should Start Now

Top 10 reasons you should start commercial rabbit farming today with no regrets. Rabbit farming is one of the business in Kenya that can walk you from nothing to being wealthy in one year.

Commercial rabbit farming in Kenya is a business investment to be thought about in terms of the financial establishment. Most rabbit farmers in the large-scale system have opted to take rabbit farming as a full-time job.

Rabbit farming in Kenya has emerged among the fastest-growing businesses in the farming industry. Many farmers have majored in their productions as small-scale farmers. Most parts of the country recognize the company as profitable.

Although the rabbit market has not yet been established as readily available, farmers have other ways of marketing their end products. Over the past few decades, the farming system has rapidly increased to competitive levels with other white meat producers such as those in;

Aquaculture
Poultry farming
Pig farming, among others.

Reasons Commercial Rabbit Farming Is A Lucrative Business.

Some other factors that facilitate rabbit business going commercial are;

1. Increase Need For Food Products

Kenyan food producer companies use rabbit meat to make sausages and buggers. The links come with a unique taste as final products, attracting a great demand from the consumer at distribution points.

Specific companies have taken advantage of rabbit’s body parts from the slaughterhouses to make dog foods. Some of the body parts include heads, feet, skin, among others. Dog foods supplement their protein diet from the body parts.

2. High Quality Meat For All

The quality of rabbit meat has greatly influenced rabbit farming in Kenya. Above other white meat, rabbit meat is distinguished by low cholesterol. The rabbit meat is one of the tastiest white meat customer’s merit.

The nutrient content of the meat has also graded rabbits on a larger scale. Consumers benefit from high proteins, calcium, phosphorous, among other nutrients.

Rabbit meat is suitable for both well and sick individuals. The low-fat contentment has made it possible for individuals with heart diseases to feed on rabbit meat. The low sodium content does not affect heart palpitations.

The low cholesterol levels make it fit for hypertensive patients, among other cases. The meat is highly digestible with no digestive complications hence suitable for individuals of all age groups.

3. Clothe And Textile Industries

The emergence of other clothe, and textile industries in the country have led to the high demand of fur and skin. Since rabbits are among the best producers of fur and leather, rabbit farming has grown commercial to fit such industries’ needs.

The products are used in making expensive and durable clothing such as’

Jackets
Shoes
Belts
Handbags
Purses
Wallets
Wristwatches
Capes among others

4. Increased Slaughterhouses

The establishment of rabbit slaughterhouses in prominent places has encouraged small-scale farmers to increase their forms of production to large-scale farming. The readily available market in the slaughterhouses has enabled farmers to overcome extra costs to feed the rabbits due to delayed marketing.

5. Better Government Support System

The Kenyan government has created a suitable support system for rabbit farmers, especially in central and western areas. The grants help the small-scale farmers expand in the rabbit production farming systems to meet the rabbit and meet demand from consumers.

The rabbit producers have then managed to meet the cost of production and overcome challenges like disease control, among others.

6. A Higher Number Of Kittens Per Liter

Rabbits tend to produce not less than 8 kittens per litter and as many kittens as 15. The rabbit farmers are able to achieve a bigger number of rabbits within a short period. A doe has a gestation period.

Therefore, a single local doe can birth up to 3 times a year. Some improved rabbit breeds can birth liter up to 6 times on the maximum.

7. Short Maturity Period Of Rabbits

Since rabbits take a shorter period to mature, farmers in the field have achieved a large number of kittens. Therefore, transitioning from small-scale farming to large-scale farming is made easier. Rabbits fit for meat are from 4 months and above, which allows farmers to restock.

8. Simple Housing Structures

Farmers spend fewer funds on rabbit housing structures compared to rearing other animals. Simple structures made of wood and wire mesh and some beddings are good to comfortably accommodate the rabbits to maturity. Due to this reason, most farmers have found it easier to go commercial.

Likewise, a single sizeable cage can accommodate up to 30 growing rabbits without any commotion. The idea gives the farmers an added advantage to raise as many rabbits as possible using a few cages.

9. Cheaper Costs Cost On Feeds.

Rabbit’s rearing has been rated among the cheapest animals in agricultural practices compared to other commercially domesticated animals. A single rabbit can consume up to 2 kg of rabbit pellets from day one to maturity.

The pellets can cost the farmer at most Ksh. 300. The pellets can be supplemented by suitable vegetables and hay, which costs less Ksh. 500 per rabbit. As a result, rabbit farming has boomed into commercial productions.

10. High Demand From Top-Ranked Hotels

Most of the highly ranked hotels in Kenya have raised the demand for rabbit meat as customers highly prefer it. The natural delicacy of rabbit meat has penetrated the market with a great distinction from other white meat. Rabbit farming has, in turn, been able to go commercial to meet the supply according to the demand.

Conclusion

Commercial rabbit farming in Kenya has been proven as one of the most lucrative businesses taking the country’s economy to the next level. The government of Kenya is urging young farmers to venture into the business to curb the gap n the rising demand for rabbit meat.

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