MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF AN EMERGING RABBIT PRODUCTION

Abstract

Rabbit meat can contribute to the sustainable development goal (SDG) for food and nutrition security and poverty alleviation since there is an upsurged interest in rabbit farming in the country. The study aimed at documenting the management practices of the emerging rabbit producers in terms of housing, feeding, breeding, and health and disease management. The study uses qualitative-descriptive research, which utilized in-depth semi-structured interviews with 33 rabbit producers, a snowball sampling technique was used to identify the respondent. Findings revealed that in terms of housing practices the majority of the respondents use cages of different sizes depending on the rabbit’s growth, mostly made of galvanized wire but some use local materials such as bamboo and used wood. For feeding practices, the majority use a combination of rabbit pellets & forages. While for breeding practices, they practice reproduction and care management, and weaning of kits. For health and disease management, the most common disease of the rabbit was diarrhea and skin disease, experienced by mostly young rabbits to adults. Respondent has knowledge in curing diseases of rabbits and can identify symptoms. With the increasing rabbit production, management practices currently utilized by rabbit farmers have an impact on the rabbit performance, and it needs to determine and provide information to make the venture profitable.