It doesn’t matter that you want to start rabbit farming in Kenya with little or no enough knowledge. We got you covered with the best tips to transform you from small scale farmer to commercial rabbit farmer. Lets get to business.
Rabbit farming in Kenya is one of the most lucrative businesses emerging on board in recent years. Farmers in rabbit farming tend to expand their stock within a short period. The high rise of rabbit meat has led to a need to increase rabbit farmers in Kenya.
If you are looking for a wholesome guide for rabbit farming for beginners, you are in the right place.
Rabbit Production And Maturity Rate
Farmers venturing into the business are advised not to limit space when setting up rabbit cages since rabbits increase quickly.
A single rabbit can give birth 3-4 times in a year with not less than 10 kittens per litter making it easy to transition from small-scale to large-scale farming.
A rabbit sexually matures after 3.5 months on average. At this time, the rabbit is also ready for slaughter.
Rabbit Breeds
Other than Kenya’s indigenous rabbits, there are other specific improved rabbit species commonly reared in Kenya such as
- California white
- New Zealand White.
Products Obtained From Rabbits
The rabbits are highly beneficial as everything about them is valuable including meat, far, urine, and solid wastes.
Read More: Where To Sell Rabbit Urine In Kenya | High Paying Markets
Tips To Succeed In Rabbit Farming Business
Have A Business Plan
Potential rabbits’ famers with passion and hunger for establishing the farming system in Kenya can consider having a constructive business plan. The plan can help them replicate a picture of the existing business system from management to marketing.
Choose Your Method Of Farming
Beginner farmers in rabbit farming can be encouraged to invest in a small-scale farming system to grow simultaneously to larger productions.
Managing a small number of rabbits, for starters, can familiarize the farmer with the business, creating an excellent foundation to build on as the business grows to higher production levels.
Small-scale farming can start with as little as 2 does and a single buck. Since rabbits have a gestation period of about 28 – 31 days, the farmer can achieve a good number of kittens (8 to 15 kittens) in a single year.
Once you have mastered rabbit farming in small scale, its now time to go for large scale commercial rabbit farming.
Read More: Commercial Rabbit Farming In Kenya | Why You Should Start Now
Secure Rabbit Housing
Rabbit cages are not complicated hence less costly during construction. The farmer ensures the cells are raised above the ground to protect the rabbits from rodents and other crawling predators.
The cages must have bedded in the cages to comfort the rabbits, especially for pregnant does.
Rabbit Feeding
Rabbits are susceptible and selective animals. They only feed on fresh feeds, whether pellets of plant feed, hay, or water. If the feeds or water are leftovers from previous feeds, the rabbits resist feeding and positioning their noses in the air.
Read More: Rabbit Pellets Prices In Kenya And Healthy Pellets Alternative
Maintain High Hygienic Standards
The farmer should be keen to present fresh feeds every day and provide clean drinking water regularly. Any vegetable, leaves, or fruits must be thoroughly washed with plenty of water before offering to the rabbits.
Marketing Strategies
The farmer should identify the targeted market in the area where the business is to be established. The farmers can identify with a similar business production in the area and find out the voids to be filled. The higher the demand, the greater the supply chain.
Make use of these ready markets for your rabbit products:
- Rabbit Slaughterhouse in Kenya Offering The Best Prices
- Rabbit Buyers In Kenya For Meat, Urine, Fur, Pet | Ready Market
Challenges Facing Rabbit Farming
1. Rabbit Easily Develop Obesity
Rabbits need pellets to substitute their daily protein diet. According to the health regulations on the rabbit’s health, the pellets should be fed mainly to the younger kittens. On the other hand, older rabbits should be supplemented by green plants as too many pellets causes obesity in growing rabbits.
2. High Vulnerability To Other Health Complications
Regular feeding of the rabbits on pellets causes diarrhea, blotting, tooth removal in growing rabbits, and other digestive complications. In case of stomach upsets, the rabbits must be attended to urgently lest they deteriorate health-wise or even lose their lives.
3. Lack Of Adequate Government Support System
The Kenyan government has put more emphasis on crop and more significant animal production compared to rabbit farming. Maters arising in rabbit productions are not urgently attended to as towards other forms of production. As a result, rabbit farming is evaded by young farmers to other farming options.
4. Poor Marketing
Since rabbit farming is an upcoming business in the country, the marketing structure has not yet been established as readily available. Most farmers rely their market on local consumers, specific butcheries in town centers, and local hotels.
5. Scarcity Of Rabbit Slaughterhouses
Rabbit farmers in large-scale productions rely on the provided slaughters for their market. Small-scale farmers find it hard to expand on the business due to the scarcity of slaughterhouses and difficulties accessing the available ones due to distance.
6. High Rabbit Pellets Prizes
The rabbit pellets are readily available in the agrovets and the supermarkets. The feeds are not so much expensive, as 1kg of pellets can be charged about Ksh. 90- Ksh.150.
The price is not constant, thus. Supplier’s charge depending on their point of distribution. A single rabbit can utilize up to 2 kg of pellets from day one to maturity. Farmers may spend not less than Ksh. 300 on the rabbit pellets throughout the life of a single rabbit.
7. Rabbit Prizes
The Kenyan market demand for rabbits has greatly improved, with more interested investors popping up. Several rabbit breeding companies have emerged and excelled in the business across the country.
The rate at which potential farmers order rabbits indicates that the farming system in Kenya is growing in expansive dimensions.
Different charges have been posted on rabbits depending on the age and purpose for raring the rabbits. The table below elaborates a summary of the available rabbit charges from rabbit farmers around the country.
| Type of rabbit | Average charges |
| Rabbits aged 1-3 months | Approximately Ksh. 400 – Ksh. 700 |
| Mature rabbits (Ready to eat) | Approximately Ksh. 1,000 – Ksh. 2,000 |
| Rabbit for pets | Approximately Ksh. 2,500- Ksh. 3,500 |
| Local restaurants (per plate) | Approximately Ksh. 1,000 – Ksh. 1,500 |
| Raw rabbit meat | Approximately Ksh. 300 – Ksh.500 |
| Pregnant rabbit | Approximately Ksh. 35,000 and above |
Whenever there are challenges, we always have solutions. Here are the solutions to the challenges of rabbit farming.
Lets now wrap up these wholesome guide with
Successful Rabbit Farmers In Kenya Secret Tips To Success
Conclusion
Rabbit farming in Kenya has proven to be a more lucrative business worth investment by upcoming farmers. The government of Kenya is urged to improve the educative system on rabbit farming to farmers to help curb the farming system’s challenges. More farmers are encouraged to invest in the business to rabbit product demands.
