Rabbit Farms Research Articles

PREFERENCE STUDY OF VARIOUS FORAGES IN A CAFETERIA ARRANGEMENT IN RABBIT PRODUCTION

In Nigeria, plants commonly used as feed by rabbit farmers are those around the environment as weeds. Not much has being reported on the preference of rabbits among such plants which are often of little or no use where they are found. Hence this study was designed to access the preference of rabbits for selected plants (Tridax procumbens, Euphobia heterophylla, Alternanthera brasiliana, Aspilia africana, Tithonia diversifolia) used by farmers. A total of thirty crossbred rabbits were used in a cafeteria arrangement feeding trial to study the preference of rabbits for forages presented. The animals were separated into two groups having fifteen rabbits in each group. The various groups were further divided into three sub-groups. Each sub-group had five rabbits housed in same compartment on a deep litter system. Animals in group A had fresh forages, those in group B had dry forages. The result from this study showed that for weaner rabbits the nature of forage and duration of exposure of rabbits to the forages had no significant effect (p>0.05) on the preferences of the animals. The coefficient of preference (CoP) recorded for Euphorbia heterophylla (0.44±0.15) was significantly (p<0.05) highest followed by that of Tithonia diversifolia (0.19± 0.09) while Aspilia africana was the least (p<0.05) preferred with CoP 0.11±0.05. For the post-weaned rabbits, CoP was not significantly affected (p>0.05) in all the parameters considered. From the results it was concluded that Euphorbia heterophylla was the most preferred of all the forages presented.

Application of Organic Coal Fertilizer and Rabbit Farm Waste on Pumelo (Citrus grandis L. Osbeck) Seed Growth

The pumelo population in Bali is declining one is caused of a lack of good-quality seeds. This research was conducted to determine the effectiveness of organic coal fertilizer and rabbit farm waste as organic fertilizers for the growth of pomelo grafting seedlings. The research design used a nested pattern randomized block design with 3 replications. There are two factors, the first factor is the type of fertilizer, which are Coal fertilizers, Rabbit Farm Waste fertilizers, and Cow Manure fertilizers. The second factor is the dose of each type of fertilizer which consists of 3 levels, namely: 10 tons/ha; 20 tons/ha; and 30 tons/ha. The results showed that the effectiveness of the treatment of the type of organic fertilizer and the dose of the type of organic fertilizer had no significant effect on all observed variables. This shows that both coal fertilizer and rabbit manure have almost the same quality as cow manure in influencing the growth of pomelo seedlings. The effectiveness of fertilizers tested on the average shoot length of grafting tends to show the highest yields obtained at the highest dose (30 tons/ha), namely Coal fertilizer which is 28.80 cm, rabbit manure is 31.87 cm, and cow manure obtained is 28.13 cm.

Analisis Kelayakan Usaha Ternak Kelinci menggunakan Fodder Jagung sebagai Pakan Substitusi

This study aims to increase public knowledge about how to analyze the feasibility of rabbit farming using corn fodder in Aimasi Village, Prafi District, Manokwari Regency. This research was carried out from April to May 2022. The data analysis technique used in this study is qualitative analysis by means of research that produces descriptive data, which is stated by verbal information. The variables measured are BEP (Break Even Point), R/C ratio (Revenue Cost Ratio), HPP (Cost of Production), and IOFC (Income Over Feed Cost). The results showed that the unit BEP value was 0,13 the rupiah BEP value was Rp62.648, the R/C was 1,89, the HPP value was Rp375.577 the IOFC value was Rp1.354.200 the conclusion shows that the resulting value is greater than the cost of production, so the rabbit farming analysis using corn fodder as a substitute feed is very feasible.

Factors affecting French rabbit farmers’ adoption of pro-welfare innovations

Consumers are increasingly animal welfare-conscious and critical of indoor caged housing systems such as those used in rabbit farming, and Europe has committed to legislate a ban on caged animal farming. Research has evidenced several technical and economic drivers of system change or lock-in in the livestock sector. Here we study determinants, motivations and/or resistance to adoption of pro-welfare practices among French rabbit farmers. First, we held 31 exploratory interviews with rabbit farmers and then performed a thematic analysis on the interview transcripts. We then assessed French rabbit farmers’ receptivity to change, using questionnaires containing 83 variables addressing receptivity to change, technico-economic characterisation of the farms, professional situations, and the personal and professional life of the rabbit farmers. Receptivity to change was evaluated through two synthetic variables summarising pro-change practices (changes already made on-farm to housing, management, feeding, etc.) and interest in innovation (receptiveness to novelty and relationship with innovation) graded on a 3-point scale (low, moderate, high). We analysed effects of technico-economic and sociodemographic variables (social attributes, internal and external motivations) on interest in innovation and pro-change practices using Chi-square tests and Cramer’s V. We collected 78 full questionnaires, i.e. covering 10% of the French population of professional rabbit farmers. Results showed a link between interest in innovation and pro-change practices (P<0.001). Sociodemographic variables (33%, 21/63; P<0.05) rather than technico-economic variables (5%, 1/19; P<0.05) were linked to receptivity to change. Pro-change practices were more influenced by the variables capturing internal motivations (6/16, economic, technical, work facilitation, materialise the farmer’s interests) than external motivations (3/21, societal incentives, family group or social environment). The weight of the sociodemographic variables suggests that transition support systems should be thought out in terms of farmer attributes.

THE REPRODUCTIVE ABILITY OF MALE RABBITS DEPENDING ON THE INFLUENCE OF PARATYPICAL AND GENOTYPICAL FACTORS

THE REPRODUCTIVE ABILITY OF MALE RABBITS DEPENDING ON THE INFLUENCE OF PARATYPICAL AND GENOTYPICAL FACTORS

Uso de esterco de coelhos na cultura da alface: uma opção alternativa

ABSTRACT Organic fertilization favors the physical and chemical attributes improvement of the soil and promotes the use of waste that would be discarded in the environment. This study aimed to identify the appropriate levels of rabbit manure compost (RMC) from rabbit farming in the production of substrates for lettuce. The experiment was implanted in plastic pots using 5 treatments: 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of RMC mixed with commercial substrate, in a completely randomized design with 10 replications. The analyzed variables were number of leaves per plant, shoot green matter, root green matter, shoot dry matter and root dry matter. There was an increase in number of leaves with the increase of the RMC doses incorporated into the substrate, up to the dose of 59.46%. The shoot green matter had its best response on 61.42% of RMC. In both variables there was a decline afterwards. The root green matter started with an increase up to the dose of 36.14% of RMC, followed by a decline, and another increase, not reaching the same values obtained at the beginning of the curve. An increase was observed in the shoot dry matter as the amount of RMC increased, up to the limit of 45.09%, and then declined. The root green matter showed an increase until approximately 25% of RMC, stabilizing on 75% of the compost. In general, values close to 60% of RMC mixed with the substrate presented the best results. We can conclude that the RMC can be used to promote a greater number of leaves, which are the economically viable parts of lettuce culture.

Rabbit Farming Management Practices: A Case Of An EmergingRabbit Farmer/Producer

Promoting rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) farming responses to the challenges in food security and agricultural sustainability. The purpose of this study is to describe the management practices of emerging rabbit farmers/producers in rural areas in relation to their housing practices, feeding, breeding, and healthand disease management. Also, it identifies the benefit and challenges of rabbitfarming. Furthermore, a framework was developed in capacitating the rabbitfarmers/producers to make rabbit farming ventures a sustainable livelihood in rural areas. Descriptive research was utilized; 33 rabbit farmers are the respondents of this study; a snowball sampling technique was used to identify the respondent. In- depth semi-structured interviews and observation were used in gathering the data. Findings revealed that farmers invest in galvanized wire cages but some use local materials like bamboo and used wood however they need to improve their housing design even its backyard rabbit raising. The majority uses a combination of rabbit pellets & forages that are locally available for feeding the rabbit. Also, most of them acquire their rabbit breed from local rabbit breeders where the challenge to the farmers is the quality and the inbreeding. Skin disease and diarrhea are common diseases in rabbits andfarmers have knowledge of identifying the symptoms and also curing them. Themajor benefit of rabbit production it gives an additional source of income forrabbit farmers/producers while the major challenges are inadequate/limited knowledge of rabbit production and an unreliable market for rabbit breeds and meat.

Efficiency of using industrial crossbreeding to increase rabbits meat productivity

Rabbit farming is a powerful source of dietary meat, rabbit fluff, and rabbit skins. The research was conducted at the rabbit farm of the Precarpathian State Agricultural Research Station of the Institute of Agriculture of the Carpathian Region of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences. The article describes the creation of new highly productive genetic populations of rabbits identified as the best options for crossing maternal and paternal forms. Three breeds of rabbits and their hybrids were used for industrial crossbreeding, which are maximally suitable for industrial conditions of intensive production of rabbit meat: rabbit breed Poltava silver, Soviet chinchilla, and New Zealand white rabbit. After the result of the conducted research was found that the combination of crossbred females of the rabbit breed Poltava silver, Soviet chinchilla, and New Zealand white rabbit with purebred males of the Soviet chinchilla and New Zealand white rabbit has a positive effect on the reproductive qualities of female rabbits. Due to combinatorial heredity and compliance with the conditions of keeping in the farm of the Cherkasy Research Station, the best genetic combinations of rabbits, such as 1/2 rabbit breed Poltava silver 1/2 New Zealand white rabbit x New Zealand white rabbit, and 1/2 rabbit breed Poltava silver, 1/2 Soviet chinchilla x New Zealand white rabbit prevails the control group (rabbit breed Poltava silver x rabbit breed Poltava silver) by multiple fertility on 9.2 %, by high fertility on 5.1 %, milk production probably on 8.5 % and the number of weaned rabbits on 14.0 % (P < 0.05), the weight of the nest that was weaned at 28 days of age on 41.2 % (P < 0.01; P < 0.001). The local young rabbits of the third and fourth research groups (1/4 rabbit breed Poltava silver 1/4 New Zealand white rabbit, 2/4 Soviet chinchilla, and 1/4 rabbit breed Poltava silver 3/4 New Zealand white rabbit) at 28 days of age probably prevailed (P < 0.001; P < 0.01)) analogs of the first control group by the indicator of live weights accordingly of 107 and 83 grams, The highest intensity of development up to 28 days of age (P < 0.001) had the young hybrid rabbits of origin 1/4 rabbit breed Poltava silver 1/4 Soviet chinchilla 2/4 New Zealand white rabbit (609 ± 28.26 g), which has more control on 116 gram. By the indicator of live weight at 90 days of age, the local young rabbits of the second research group (1/4 rabbit breed Poltava silver 3/4 Soviet chinchilla) probably (P < 0.05) prevailed over the young rabbits of the first control group (rabbit breed Poltava silver) on 117 and the third research group (1/4 rabbit breed Poltava silver 1/4 New Zealand white rabbit 2/4 Soviet chinchilla) – on 156, and the fourth (1/4 rabbit breed Poltava silver 3/4 New Zealand white rabbit) – on 80 and the fifth (1/4 rabbit breed Poltava silver 1/4 Soviet chinchilla 2/4 New Zealand white rabbit) – on 207 grams. Better tendency to high lifetime fattening, meat, and constitutional indicators had young hybrid rabbits of origin: 1/4 rabbit breed Poltava silver 3/4 New Zealand white rabbit, 1/4 rabbit breed Poltava silver 1/4 Soviet chinchilla 2/4 New Zealand white rabbit.

RANCANG BANGUN SISTEM PEMBERSIH KOTORAN OTOMATIS PADA KANDANG KELINCI BERBASIS IOT (INTERNET OF THINGS)

Rabbits have their charm for breeding because of the benefits they get from rabbits. However, rabbit farming has a fairly high challenge, namely rabbits die easily because of the cleanliness of the cage. The accumulation of rabbit droppings results in increased levels of ammonia gas which are harmful to rabbits, breeders, and even the environment. In cleaning the cage, rabbit breeders still use manual methods that are ineffective and inefficient. For this reason, a systemwas created to create an automatic feces cleaning system in the rabbit cage based on IoT (Internet of Things) by utilizing loadcell sensors to detect the weight of rabbit droppings that are accommodated on the conveyor belt. Belt conveyor as a medium that transports rabbit droppings. The MQ-135 sensor is used to detect the concentration of ammonia gas and the MCUESP8266 Node as a controller and IoT as a notification and as a system control via a smartphone. Based on testing of the system, the loadcell sensor as a measure of the weight of rabbit droppings has an accuracy rate of 97.43%. The MQ-135 sensor as a measure of theconcentration of ammonia gas in rabbit cages has an accuracy rate of 99.19%. The conveyor belt can move to dispose of rabbit droppings when the weight is > 1000 grams or the ammonia gas content is > 25 ppm. Then the Telegram application bot can 100% control the system by inputting commands and can receive notifications from the system. From testing the system as a whole, the system can work according to the desired function with a 100% success rate.

Growth Performance, Digestive Efficiency, and Meat Quality of Two Commercial Crossbred Rabbits Fed Diets Differing in Energy and Protein Levels.

Simple SummaryThe nutritional composition of the diets for growing rabbits should be well-balanced, both to meet the requirements of the high-producing hybrids currently used and to avoid nutrient losses. The improvement of the feed conversion ratio represents a key point in increasing rabbit farmers’ profitability because of the high feeding costs. This study evaluated the growth performance, digestive efficiency and meat quality of growing rabbits belonging to the most diffused commercial crossbred rabbit breeds, Grimaud and Hyla, feeding them diets with different energy and protein levels. The two genotypes showed similar growth performance, but Grimaud rabbits achieved higher slaughter yield than Hyla rabbits. The administration of high-energy diets improved feed conversion and increased nutrient digestibility. Conversely, low dietary protein contents reduced nitrogen excretion without negative effects on growth, feed efficiency and carcass traits of fast-growing rabbits.The present study evaluated the effect of digestible energy (DE) and crude protein (CP) levels on growth, digestive efficiency, slaughter yield and meat quality in growing rabbits of two genotypes (Grimaud, G vs. Hyla, H). A total of 384 crossbred rabbits (192 G and 192 H), half males and half females, were divided into eight experimental groups according to a bi-factorial arrangement (2 genotypes × 4 diets; 48 animals/group) and reared in individual cages. From 33 to 64 days of age, rabbits were fed four diets obtained by combining two DE levels (high, HE—10.9 MJ/kg vs. low, LE—9.2 MJ/kg, on average) and two CP levels (high, HP—159 g/kg vs. low, LP—144 g/kg, on average). Then, all rabbits received the same fattening diet (10.7 MJ DE/kg; 156 g CP/kg) until slaughtering (77 days of age). Growth performance did not differ between genotypes for the entire trial (on average final live weight 3010 g; daily weight gain 50.5 g/d), but H rabbits showed a faster growth during the post-weaning period (p ≤ 0.01) compared to G rabbits, while exhibiting lower slaughter yield and lower carcass fatness (p ≤ 0.01). As DE level increased, feed intake decreased and feed conversion improved (p < 0.001), while caecal volatile fatty acid concentration increased and caecal pH and N-ammonia decreased (p ≤ 0.01). The reduction in the CP level did not affect performance and carcass traits. No significant interaction was detected between genotype and diet. In conclusion, G rabbits may have an advantage over H rabbits because of the higher slaughter yield. As for the nutritional characteristics of diets for high-producing crossbred rabbits, high energy levels are confirmed to enhance feed efficiency, whereas dietary CP can be reduced to 144 g/kg without negative effects on performance and carcass traits.

Network Architecture for Intelligent Identification of Faults in Rabbit Farm Environment Monitoring Based on a Biological Neural Network Model.

Currently, livestock and poultry farming is gradually developing towards modernization and scale, and closed livestock and poultry farms are widely used for poultry feeding management, but at the same time, the farming risks of large-scale farms are increasing. In this paper, based on the study of wireless sensor networks and biological neural network models, the environmental factors that mainly affect the growth of domestic rabbits are analyzed as an example, and the technology is used to design and implement an environmental monitoring system for modern farms. The design of the system is divided into three main parts: hardware design of each node, software design, and upper computer monitoring software design. The hardware part of the system uses coordinator nodes, router nodes, sensor nodes, and control nodes to form a wireless sensor network in the farm, carries out the hardware circuit design of each node, and based on the protocol stack, designs the software program of each node to realize the collection, transmission, and regulation of environmental information in the farm. In the upper computer part, the design and development of the upper computer monitoring software interface are used to complete the real-time display of environmental data, historical query, database storage, and curve drawing, and to design a remote client data query system based on the architecture to realize the query of environmental data of the farm by remote users and to carry out monitoring fault intelligent identification alarm. At the same time, the paper investigates the optimal deployment of wireless sensor network nodes and searches for the optimal location of sensor nodes through an improved biological neural network algorithm to maximize the network coverage and reduce the coverage of blind areas, and conducts simulation experiments with the coverage rate of a rabbit farm as the optimization target.

Marine Macroalgae in Rabbit Nutrition-A Valuable Feed in Sustainable Farming.

Simple SummaryCommercial rabbit farming has faced critical challenges in the last few years, during which the ban on the prophylactic use of antibiotics in animal feed has added to the weakness of the production system and a decrease in consumption of rabbit meat. Considering the potential role of macroalgae as an alternative to the use of antibiotics in animal nutrition, this review paper aims to evaluate the use of macroalgae in rabbit farming. It specifically focuses on how macroalgae can be used sustainably to improve rabbit health as an economically viable alternative that could help guarantee the future of this high-value sector.The rabbit meat industry has faced critical challenges in the last few years, during which the ban on the prophylactic use of antibiotics in animal feed has added to the weakness of the production system and a decrease in consumption of rabbit meat. This review paper highlights the potential value of macroalgae in the rabbit farming sector as an alternative to the use of antibiotics to improve rabbit health. In line with sustainable agriculture programmes, the use of seaweed in rabbit nutrition may improve gut health according to the One Health approach, whereby consumers and the environment could receive tangible benefits. The inclusion of algae in animal feed has experimentally proven to help to reduce intestinal dysbiosis. However, further studies evaluating the prebiotic effects of algal components on gut health and also identifying the compounds directly responsible for the antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of algae are still needed. Furthermore, the inclusion of marine algae in rabbit food could potentially become a commercial marketing strategy that could attract new consumers who are concerned about environmental sustainability and who are looking for different, high-quality foods.

Método transversal e longitudinal para descrição da curva de crescimento de coelhos

ABSTRACT Rabbit farming is an activity with high growth potential due to its easy handling, high prolificacy, low polluting impact, and easy adaptability to family farming systems, producing meat of high biological value. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate, using von Bertalanffy's nonlinear model, growth curves of weight as a function of age in ‘Flemish Giant Rabbits’ and ‘New Zealand White’ crossbred rabbits. Two different data collections were used: the longitudinal method and the cross-sectional method. The experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Lavras, located in the municipality of Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil, where 10 crossbred rabbits were evaluated, and animals were weighed from 0 to 150 days of age. Both methods proved to be adequate to describe the development of rabbits and the cross-sectional method proved to be an adequate alternative to obtention of growth curves, saving time in data collection and showing consistent estimates.

Neomycin's immunomodulatory effect on the gene expression, some hematologic parameters, and intestinal histology in two rabbit lines

Understanding the effects of antibiotics on immunogen expression and the genetic consequences of antibiotic overuse in rabbit farms are becoming increasingly important as customers become more interested in healthy and safe products. The present study was destined to evaluate the effect of Neomycin, as a common antibiotic used in rabbit farms, on immune genes, some hematological parameters, and small intestinal histology in two rabbit lines: V and Alexandria. A total of 160 rabbits were orally provided 50 mg of Neomycin in 5 ml of water daily. The immunity genes have been studied using IL-2, IL-4 and CD1. The results showed an independent relationship between Neomycin-treated groups. At 21 days of age, V-line rabbits had the lowest levels of hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBCs), and lymphocytes compared to the Alexandria line. The responder rabbits showed the highest value in Hb, RBCs, and lymphocytes while the non-responder rabbits showed the highest value in WBCs. Several cytokines were tested, and no significant differences were found between the two lines. While CD1A1 (T cell surface glycoprotein CD1) increased the gene expression in the V-line innate-immune group and the responder group to the Neomycin. Based on the findings, Neomycin enhanced rabbits' immune responses.

Abstracts of the Webinar on Cuniculture, WEBIASESCU 2020

The first Webinar on Cuniculture, WebiAsescu 2020, organised by the Spanish Association of Cuniculture (ASESCU), was held online 11st and 24th November, and 17th December, 2020, co-organised with Grupo Editorial Agricola and Henar Comunicación Agroalimentaria. This meeting was programmed in substitution of the annual edition of Symposium on Cuniculture, cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar series was arranged in thee editions consisting each one of two main talks and 5-6 oral communications. First webinar focussed on “Marketing of rabbit meat and new consumer trends” and was integrated by two main talks: “How to improve the marketing of rabbit meat” (by María Luz de Santos, from Intercun) and “Analysis of the status and future perspectives of rabbit meat production and industry in Spain” (by Luis Montero, from Polytechnic University of Valencia). Second webinar was related to “Pathology: coronavirus and control of myxomatoxis and viral hemorrhagic disease” and included two main talks: “Coronavirus and rabbit farming” (by Francisco Parra, from University of Oviedo) and “Myxomatosis and viral hemorrhagic disease: key aspects of its control” (by Juan M. Rosell, from Cunivetservice). Third webinar was devoted to “Present and future of the sector: Legislation, certification and animal welfare” and two main talks were presented: “Conclusions and recommendations EFSA: Health and welfare of rabbits on farms” (by Angela Trocino, from University of Padova) and “Indicators of animal welfare in rabbits. How to do a full assessment” (by Antoni Dalmau, from IRTA). Moreover, a total of 16 oral communications were presented by research teams from Spain, Algeria, Mexico, France and United Kingdom. Each webinar was attended by more than 300 participants from several European, American and African countries. Abstracts of the contributions presented are reported below.

Rabbit welfare protocols under Brazilian conditions: The applicability of welfare protocols in rabbit farms for different purposes – First results

In Brazil, scarce data are available, and little is known about rabbit welfare. This study aimed to apply welfare protocols for growing rabbits, bucks, does, and kits on farms with different rabbit production purposes: meat, pets, and teaching/research. Two separate protocols based on the 4 principles of Welfare Quality (good feeding, housing, health, and behavior) were used, one for growing rabbits and one for does, bucks, and kits. Twelve farms, comprising a total of 1,557 rabbits (843 growing rabbits, 190 bucks, 149 lactating does with their kits, and 375 non-lactating does) were assessed. Within the good feeding principle, the most critical problem was the excessive height of the drinkers (above 22 cm) for young rabbits (around weaning) and the limitation to just one drinker per cage. Regarding the good housing principle, the absence of a daily record of the environmental temperature, the absence of an elevated platform in the cages, and the absence, or poor condition, of the footrests were the main problems. Based on the good health principle, a high presence of moderate pododermatitis (affecting more than 20% of affected rabbits) and a low weaning age used by 5 farms were observed. The principle of appropriate behavior evaluation revealed the isolation of the animals at some farms (pet and research). The lack of environmental enrichment was an issue for all types of rabbit farms. It was observed that some parameters were influenced by the number of rabbits, particularly for farms with fewer rabbits. An adaptation of the protocols, mainly for the number of evaluated rabbits and breeds, could be utilized to elucidate the reality of Brazilian rabbit production. It is necessary to provide incentives and improve divulgation regarding the actual recommendations of rabbit welfare for rabbit farmers.

Helminthiasis of rabbits on the upland and lowland areas and the risk factors

Rabbits are a potential livestock commodity to supply quality meat with higher protein and lower fat and cholesterol content than other meat. Helminthiasis is a parasitic worm infection that has imposed economic loss involving some risk factors. This study aimed to investigate the helminthiasis cases in both upland and lowland areas, as well as their risk factors on helminthiasis infection of rabbit farming. A total of 192 rabbit samples was derived from Baturraden and Kalibagor, Banyumas Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia. The research engaged a survey method with a purposive sampling. Data on the correlation between the areas and helminthiasis incidence were subjected to a chi square analysis. The risk factors were computed in the 2x2 contingency table and analyzed with Odds Ratio. The result showed a significant correlation between the altitude of an area and the helminthiasis incidence (P<0.05). Regarding the host, male rabbit is 1.15 times as risky as the female counterparts to get helminthiasis infection. Meanwhile, the environmental factors, such as the metal floor of the rabbit cage contribute 7.42 times as much risk of helminthiasis infection as that of wooden floor.

Pemanfaatan Limbah Air Seni Kelinci menjadi Pupuk Organik Cair di Desa Widorkandang, Magetan

Widorokandang Village, Magetan Regency, East Java has potential in agriculture and animal husbandry. The problems faced in agriculture are about the price of fertilizers and the use of inorganic fertilizers in the long term. The alternative of reducing the use of inorganic fertilizers by using organic fertilizers can help to improve soil structure and good nutrients. This is supported by the existence of a rabbit farm in Widorokandang village which produces rabbit urine waste as the main ingredient for making liquid organic fertilizer. The process of making liquid organic fertilizer is done by fermentation which is easy for the community to do. IPB KKN-T students together with rabbit breeders in Widorokandang village made a liquid organic fertilizer product "Growi". This product is expected to help overcome fertilizer problems in Widorokandang village and improve the community's economy. The relative profit value of the "Growi" liquid organic fertilizer business has a value of more than 1 which is a feasible business.

Timing of part-time group housing for farm rabbits: Effects on reproductive performance, skin injuries and behaviour

Commercial rabbit farms commonly house breeding does in single-litter cages that generate concerns for animal welfare. Group housing increases the space per animal and allows for more natural behaviour. When housed in group, however, does exhibit aggressive behaviour around parturition and continuous group housing systems have negative effects on reproductive performances. Part-time group housing aims to reduce aggression by delaying the grouping of does until 3–4 weeks after kindling. The aim of this study was to test the effect of the time of grouping on reproductive performances and animal welfare. This trial was conducted at 2 commercial rabbit farms in Belgium. At 22 (G22), 25 (G25) or 28 (G28) days post-partum (pp) groups of four does with their kits were created by removing walls between single-litter cages (13 and 7 groups per treatment on farm 1 and 2, respectively). Reproductive performances, skin injuries and behaviour were monitored during 2 (farm 1) and 3 (farm 2) consecutive reproduction rounds. Both does and kits were checked for skin injuries immediately prior to grouping (as reference for newly acquired injuries), at 1, 4 and 6 days after grouping, and again at weaning (35 days pp). Doe behaviour of a subset of groups (N = 21 per treatment) was observed at 3 days pp. Results showed that kit mortality between day 22 and 35 was highest in G22 and lowest in G28 (P = 0.03). The incidence of injured does and kits increased after grouping. At weaning 93.3% of the does and 39% of the kits showed injuries. On all observation days, G22 kits had fewer and less severe injuries compared with kits from G25 (P < 0.05) and G28 (P < 0.05). Skin injuries before grouping were found but this was unexpected; it may indicate aggression unrelated to group housing. Behavioural analyses indicated that G22 does showed more locomotion (P = 0.02) and more friendly social behaviour (P < 0.001), but less comfort behaviour (P < 0.001) compared with G28 does. Offensive and defensive behaviours were rarely observed (< 0.1%). In summary, skin injuries were found after grouping, with fewest and less severe injuries observed in G22 kits on all observation days. Reproductive performances did not show significant differences except for kit mortality, which was dependent on treatment. Pre-grouping injuries should be considered as it may affect estimates of the incidence and severity of aggression of rabbits housed part-time in groups.

Performance of Weaner Rabbits under Prevailing Feeding Systems in Kiambu County, Kenya

Despite the recent upsurge of interest in rabbit farming in Kenya, there is inadequate information on both on-farm performance and cost of production which are important in determining the profitability of the enterprise. This study assessed these 2 parameters in 6 rabbit farms in Kiambu County. In each farm, 40 weaners were monitored to determine their feed intake, weight gain, the time to reach 2 kg body weight and the cost per weight gain. The type, quantity, quality and cost of feeds offered was monitored. The key determinant of the type of feed offered to rabbits was availability rather than quality. None of the offered feeds singly provided all the required nutrients in the amount for growing rabbits. Forages on offer were low in Crude Protein (CP) content (average, 12.6% vs. recommended 16-17%) while commercial concentrates were low in fibre content (average, 9.2% vs. recommended, 15-16%). On average, a weaner attained 2 kg body weight at 18 (range, 16-19) weeks after consuming 6.6 (range, 5.5-8.1) kg DM, 874.9±163.6 (range, 761-962.2) g of CP and 14723±1868.7 (range, 11535-17643) Kcal of digestible energy with a feed conversion ratio of 6.3±0.7 (range, 5.6-7). Feed cost per unit weight gain averaged KES 164.5 (range, 135.3 -234.4) while the production cost per kg weight gain was KES 280.2. The study concluded that rabbits at the farm level received inadequate energy and protein leading to slow growth rates, delayed attainment of target weight and a high cost of production making the enterprise unprofitable. There is need to evaluate feeding of rabbits with an aim to providing balanced diets to gain body weight and to optimize performance and consequently improved profitability.