Are you considering going into rabbit farming in Nigeria? Rabbit farming is not very popular in Nigeria but is a lucrative option for people looking to get into the animal husbandry business. Rabbit farming is called cuniculture. Cuniculture is the practice of raising rabbits for meat, fur or wool.

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According to the livestock scientist – Dr. Popoola, Nigeria is better off with rabbit meat than cow mean because rabbit meat is white meat and healthier. Besides they reproduce and mature quickly without even costing much to raise.

All over the world, rabbit meat contributes about 40% of the total world supply of meat. This means that rabbit farming in Nigeria can prove to be a lucrative business in the long run.

How to start rabbit farming business in Nigeria

1. Choose a good breed

You need to choose a quality rabbit breed in order to begin a rabbit farming enterprise. To avoid any complications, ensure that they are easy to handle.
I’ll walk you through some different rabbit breeds.

New Zealand White: Albinism is a genetic defect in white New Zealand rabbits. The New Zealand White rabbit is most popular. The New Zealand White rabbit is pure white and has bright pink eyes. When mature, it weighs between 3 and 5 kilograms.
Californian: Also known as the California White, this breed of domestic rabbit was originally created for the fur- and meat industry. It can live for 5-10 years. It weighs in at 3.5kg to 4.8kg
Chinchilla: The American Chinchilla Rabbit is a commercial-shaped breed. It weighs approximately 4kg to 5kg when it was developed. Chinchilla rabbits are a very popular breed. They are primarily raised for their meat.
British Giant: A larger breed of rabbit, the British Giant is a descendant of the Flemish Giant. This Belgian breed originated in Britain. A giant rabbit can live for between 4 and 6 years on average, but some may live longer. British Giants are large rabbits that can reach 6-7kg in adulthood.
Angora: This is the oldest domestic rabbit type. It is bred to produce long hairs, also known as Angora wool. These fibers are gathered through shearing, combing, or plucking. They are 2-5kg in weight and live for 7-12 years.

2. Have a good supply of rabbit feed

Rabbits eat grasses, shrubs, herbs, and hay. They also eat cabbages, lettuces, carrots, spinach, carrots and kitchen waste. You should make sure that you can easily access these feeds in quantity. Clean water should also be available.
You can also buy rabbit feed in stores. They should be fed twice daily to keep them healthy.

3. Access to a veterinary doctor

A veterinary doctor is required to perform regular checks and administer vaccinations, as well as provide advice on nutrition and feeding. A good veterinary doctor is essential for rabbit farming in Nigeria.

4. Able to provide housing for the rabbits

Rabbits may be housed in cages or hutches. These should be constructed so that the rabbits are protected from heat and humidity. Make sure that you can also provide water dispensers, feeders, nest boxes, fans, lighting system, etc. You should ensure that your rabbit cages are adequate in size and have enough space for the animals to roam around.

Prices of rabbit in Nigeria

The following are the prices of different matured rabbit species. These prices can fluctuate and are therefore not certain.

New Zealand: 6000naira – 7000naira
Chinchilla: 5000naira – 6000naira
Dutch: 5000naira – 6000naira
Harlequin: 6000naira – 7,000naira
English Spot: 5,000 – 6,000naira

Cost of rabbit farming in Nigeria

Let’s make an estimate of the cost of rabbit farming in Nigeria. You can break them down by your location as location plays a major role in determining the price.
Let’s say 10 rabbits.
Each rabbit costs 4000 naira for three months. They eat herb that can be purchased in bags, but it is still 4000 naira to break down.
10 rabbits x 4000 naira=40,000 naira to be fed within three months. After three months, they can be sold.

The advantages of rabbit farming in Nigeria

Rabbits can be raised for a fraction of the cost of other livestock, and they are a great alternative to poultry products.
Rabbits grow quickly.
Rabbits reproduce very quickly as such they multiply fast.
You can easily find local workers to clean your rabbit farms.
You can raise rabbits for both their meat and fur. This means your earn both ways.
If you provide them with nice cages, rabbits will take care of their own needs.
There is a growing demand for rabbits
Rabbit farming does not require a lot of labour.

Disadvantages of Rabbit Farming in Nigeria.

There are also some disadvantages of rabbit farming in Nigeria and we will list them here.
Infections: One of the major disadvantages is infections. You need to be able to identify some of these diseases and have is treated as soon as possible.

Some common diseases and problems that rabbits face include:

Trichobezoars which are scientifically known as hairballs. This is when hair found in the stomach of a rabbit (as they self groom) doesn’t pass through the gut. This can lead to serious complications.
Pasteurellosis/snuffles: This bacteria usually affects the eyes of the rabbits causing redness, discharge, and squinting; and/or the nose, causing sneezing and discharge. It can also affect the ears, causing a head tilt and abscesses as well as uterine infections.
Uterine tumors: This is a condition that affects female rabbits. Symptoms include bloody vaginal discharge, violent behavior, and lethargy. This is a type of cancer called uterine carcinoma and should be suspected if a doe gets sick.
Overgrown teeth: Rabbits’ teeth can become overgrown because they grow throughout their lives. This is especially true if the rabbit doesn’t grind the teeth down regularly by eating enough fibre. The incisors in the front of the mouth can curl up so that the affected rabbits are unable to close their mouths or eat. This can lead to death.
Myxomatosis is a disease caused by the myxoma virus, which is widespread in wild rabbit populations. Your rabbit can get infected even if it is not exposed to wild animals. The virus is spread through bites from flies, fur mites and mosquitoes.
Viral hemorrhagic Disease: Also known as rabbit calicivirus, rabbit hemorrhagic disorder (RHD), or rabbit calicivirus(RCV), this highly contagious condition was first identified in China in 1984. It now has a nearly global distribution. The calicivirus causes the viral hemorrhagic disorder. Although the incubation period can last up to three days animals may die without clinical signs.
Encephalitozoonosis: Encephalitozoon cuniculus is a microorganism that lives in a cell. It can be transmitted to humans, mice, hamsters and dogs. Infected urine can spread the disease from rabbit to rabbit and from mother to offspring.
Pasteurellosis is a condition caused by Pasteurella multocida bacteria. It can cause abscesses, respiratory infection, and chronic inflammation in rabbits. It can infect the ears, nose, ears, eyes, ears, and nasolacrimal ducts. It is common to get an infection of the upper respiratory tract, also known as snuffles in young rabbits.