As a business, it is quite a profitable business if you take it seriously. Dietary rabbit meat is in consistently high demand. The profitability of rabbit farming is determined by its waste-free nature. In addition to meat, you can sell the skin and even the insides of these animals. Oddly enough, it is also unique because it is the best fertilizer.

Before you decide to create a business for breeding rabbits, you need to resolve several issues, namely: choose the method of raising them. There are a large number of breeds and technologies, but the decision must be made independently, based on the available financial and labor resources.

Before starting to implement the idea, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the features of keeping, feeding and reproduction of animals. The first step is to decide on the method of raising rabbits. It must be remembered that this is a complex matter that requires long and painstaking work to obtain good results.

Raising rabbits (business from scratch)

There are several methods for raising rabbits.

• Purebred - mating of one breed of rabbit.
• Crossbreeding is the mating of different breeds.

The Mikhailov method and breeding animals in pits are also common.

In order to get an answer to the question “how to start a business with rabbits?”, you need to familiarize yourself with all the proposed technologies, choose the appropriate one and gradually implement it.

Purebred growing method

This method involves mating rabbits of a certain breed. The male is matched with a female that is as close as possible to his productivity and physique.
The purpose of this selection is to: consolidate the desired type of rabbits in the herd, enhance certain valuable qualities of young animals and increase the number of highly productive animals.

Sometimes pairs of rabbits with a certain outstanding trait are selected in order to consolidate it in future offspring. At the same time, they also look at other indicators, especially the state of health: whether it has worsened. This method is used to obtain meat, fluff and skins of rabbits of a certain breed. Along with the purebred breeding method, crossing is used, that is, mating of different breeds of rabbits.

Crossbreeding

It is used to breed new and improve existing breeds of animals. Any rabbit breeding farm primarily uses crossbreeding.

In comparison with “pure” breeds, animals obtained as a result of this method are distinguished by accelerated growth, lower feed consumption per kilogram of weight, high fertility and vitality.

There are several types of crossing.

• Reproductive - breeding new breeds of rabbits.
• Introductory - change in a certain indicator of animal productivity (single crossing).
• Absorption - a radical change in a low-productive rock due to its absorption by a highly productive one.
• Industrial - production of marketable young animals, meat, fluff, skins and other things. Industrial breeding of rabbits through crossbreeding is widespread on commercial farms.

Breeding in pits

Rabbit breeding as a business was originally practiced in pits. Today this approach is practically not used. The method of breeding in pits is relevant when owning a plot of land or premises of a small area. It was used when there was no necessary time for feeding and caring for rabbits, as well as when finances were limited, when there was not enough money for construction or purchasing equipment.

As the name suggests, rabbits are kept in pits. The depth of such pits is 1 m, the width and length are at the discretion of the owner. Up to 200 heads can be placed in one pit.

A metal mesh is placed on the floor of the pit and a mound of sand is made. The walls of the pit should be lined and a small area should be left near one of them, where a hole is dug 10-15 cm above the floor level.

The size of the hole should be large enough so that 3 rabbits can go into it at the same time. Placing the hole above the floor is done to prevent urine from flowing inside, as rabbits urinate at the entrance.

To protect from precipitation, the pit must have a roof. Life without light has a bad effect on the development and growth of rabbits, so you should make a glass window in it or illuminate the pit with an electric light bulb. A 40-watt light bulb, for example, is suitable for a 10 square meter hole. meters.

Feeders and drinkers from various containers are placed along the walls of the pit, which should be wide enough and not very deep. This will avoid crowding and allow the rabbits to reach food or water without effort.

Rabbits as a business are quite a profitable business, but the method of raising them in pits is far from the most profitable. The advantages of this technology: low financial costs, the ability to keep a large number of rabbits in a small area, absence of drafts, quick payback. Disadvantages: low weight of rabbits due to frequent illnesses, difficulty with breeding distribution.

Mikhailov method

This method is aimed at developing natural immunity. Mikhailov's method of raising rabbits leads to an increase in the quality of animals.

The author of this method is not a supporter of classical breeding, since it does not make it possible to achieve the real genetic potential of these mammals. In addition, the rabbit breeding business involves keeping animals in cages, which leads to frequent stress and high mortality of young animals. The Mikhailov method allows you to avoid such undesirable moments.

The essence of the Mikhailov method

In the generally accepted version of raising rabbits, they are fed no more than 3 times a day, and according to the Mikhailov method - up to 80 times a day.

As a rule, young animals are fed with rabbit milk for about a month, and according to Mikhailov’s technology, this should continue to be done for up to 3 months. This innovative method allows you to minimize the investment required to create a rabbit farm.

The result of Mikhailov's approach is accelerated rabbits. On average, they bring 10 rabbits every 3 months. These breeding features make it possible to significantly increase the profitability of the business, that is, increase its effectiveness. It should be noted that the skins and meat of accelerated rabbits are much better than those of classically raised animals.

Cages for industrial breeding of rabbits differ significantly from those proposed by Mikhailov. The latter are presented in three tiers. On the north side, such cells are equipped with a thick insulated wall, and on the south side, on the contrary, with an open wall that allows sunlight and fresh air to pass through. This has a beneficial effect on the growth and development of rabbits.

The cell area is 1.4 square meters. meters. It provides automatic mode for a long time. Within the tiers there are lattice floors, under which there are shafts shaped like pyramids. The operation of the cage is based on the principle of a stove: gases from the room with droppings exit upward through the exhaust pipe, and at the same time fresh air from outside enters. One such cage can accommodate up to 30 rabbits. On average, in practice, 13-15 animals are placed in cages.

Any profitable enterprise has a clear development plan. A well-thought-out business plan for breeding rabbits is the key to successful and profitable work.

Production part

Breeding rabbits according to Mikhailov’s method involves keeping them on special mini-farms. One mini-farm requires up to 500 kg of feed and about 250 kg of hay per year.

One accelerated rabbit eats about 14 kg of feed and up to 7 kg of hay per year. Product output - 1 animal (5 kg) in 10 days. The turnover period of cash capital is 100 days.

There are various models of farms for raising rabbits, including two-tier ones. The number of mini-farms on a farm depends only on the owner of the business, but it should be noted that they do not require large plots. For example, a rabbit farm of 16 mini-farms will occupy only one hundred square meters of land. Such production can be serviced only once a week with a productivity of 10 rabbits weekly.

Mini-farms require a certain heating at temperatures below +10 C with an energy consumption of 30 Watts.

Rabbit breeding as a business is not limited to breeding animals. To achieve maximum production efficiency, you should organize a personal workshop for processing products, a workshop for sewing clothes, as well as a site for the production of vermicompost.

Expenses and income

The cost of manufacturing a mini-farm, without additional equipment, can vary in the range of 5-20 thousand rubles. If you decide to do it yourself, it will be cheaper; if you decide to use the services of professionals, it will be more expensive.

For production to be effective, at least 300 mini-farms should be organized. The costs in this case will be about 350 thousand rubles (excluding taxes and the farms themselves). Revenues will be about 1.5 million rubles.

Market analysis

This section of the business plan should contain characteristics of similar farms in your region, indicate wholesale and retail buyers and their purchase volumes.

Production plan

The first step in organizing a farm is finding the right plot of land. The best option would be the site with the lowest rent. At the same time, we should not forget that the minimum area of ​​the site for full-fledged work is 5 acres of land - it will be possible to place the cages themselves and ancillary buildings on it.

The next step will be to purchase or build cells, depending on your decision - to save money or give up the functionality of ready-made cells. Next is the purchase of livestock.

This business plan assumes an initial herd size of 60 animals, including 20 males and 40 females.

Sales plan

In order not to be left with a surplus, the sales plan needs to be thought out and calculated before organizing the business. The main buyers of rabbit meat are markets, supermarkets, and private traders. The skins are often bought by fur studios and private fashion designers. An important factor in sales success is the proximity of megacities.

Financial plan

Breeding rabbits as a business requires careful development. This indicates the costs that production will incur and the income from it.

Expenses

Rent of a plot - 20-80 thousand rubles.

Purchase (construction) of cells - 10-40 thousand.

Purchase of rabbits (60 heads) - 18-30 thousand.

Compound feed - 50-100 thousand.

The salary of the hired employee is 120 thousand/year.

Total costs - 218-370 thousand in the first year.

Income

Sales of meat - 1.5 tons/year at 200-250 rubles/kg (300-375 thousand rubles). These figures were taken due to the fact that 40 female rabbits on average produce 20 rabbits per year, weighing 1.8-1.9 kg. Total - 800 rabbits weighing 1500 kg.

Sales of skins - 160 thousand (200 rubles per skin, 800 skins).

Total income - 460-535 thousand rubles/year.

In general, the payback on such a business will take no more than a year if you take the business seriously.

Breeding rabbits at home is becoming a favorite activity for many people, which also brings good profits. These animals are fertile, and their meat and skins are highly prized. Important factors for successful rabbit breeding are the choice of breed and method of keeping animals. It is important to decide which cultivation technology the farmer will adhere to.

Breed selection

Having decided to start breeding rabbits, you need to decide on the purpose of your activity. Some raise eared pets for the purpose of selling rabbits, in which case it is worth focusing on decorative breeds. Now they are very popular, such pets are purchased as pets.
Other breeds of rabbits:

Meat. These rabbits are raised for their meat. They quickly gain weight; after 6-7 months, each individual can produce at least 4 kg of dietary rabbit meat. Purely meat breeds do not have high quality skins. These include the California and New Zealand white rabbits.

Downy. Such animals are raised solely for their skin. Meat from downy rabbits can also be eaten, but it is not so highly valued in the market. Having decided to breed rabbits for the sake of selling high-quality fur, you should pay attention to the white downy or Angora rabbit breeds.

Meat-skin. This direction is universal. By raising Soviet chinchilla rabbits, black-brown or silver, you can get double benefits - meat and skins of good quality.

How to buy a healthy specimen?

Rabbit breeding at home will be successful if you initially purchase healthy rabbits. What to look for when purchasing:

1. Activity. A healthy individual is active and playful. If your pet lies down all the time and looks sad, he is most likely unwell.
2. Body type. Rabbits should be moderately well-fed, strong, with developed muscle mass.
3. Appearance of the skin. When a rabbit is sick, its fur loses its shine and looks unkempt. Farmers always inspect the fur in the anal area. If it is dirty there, the animal has digestive problems.
4. Eyes. A healthy pet's eyes are clear and shiny. Swollen eyelids, redness, and the presence of discharge are a sign of the disease.
5. Nose. A healthy rabbit has a slightly damp nose and the fur around it is clean. Any crusts under the nose or discharge from the nasal passages are a reason to refrain from purchasing.
6. Ears. It is important to examine the inside of the ears. If crusts, scabs or scratches, as well as a brown mass are noticed there, the rabbit is infected with psoroptosis.
7. A good rabbit's back is straight, without deflection.
8. The abdomen is soft to the touch.

After examining the animal before purchasing, you should ask the owner to provide documents and vaccination information. Only after this can you buy rabbits for breeding at home.

Choosing the type of rabbit keeping

There are several types of keeping rabbits. It is important to immediately decide which type will be used. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Farmers practice rabbit breeding in the following ways:

• in cages or enclosures;
• in the pits.

Cellular

Most farmers prefer to raise rabbits in cages. Pet stores offer a wide range of housing for eared pets. It is not necessary to buy ready-made cages; you can make them yourself from available materials. For example, some make them from old furniture - a table or cabinet. This approach significantly reduces the cost of keeping rabbits.

When making cells, it is important to take into account the basic requirements for them. Let's look at them:

1. Dwelling size. A suitable area for one pet is 80x60x45 cm. The height can be greater, but not less than 45 cm, since the rabbit must fit inside when it stands on its hind legs. The size of the home for a female with offspring is at least 90 cm in length and at least 80 cm in width.
2. Materials. The cage is made from environmentally friendly materials - wood, not coated with varnish or paint. The front part is sewn up with metal mesh.
3. Floor. Particular attention should be paid to the floor. If rabbits are kept on a cage, they may develop pododermatitis. Ideally, lay linoleum on the floor, because it is easy to clean and will not damage the paws of animals.
4. Roof. The rabbit cage should be protected from precipitation and direct sunlight.
5. The inside of the home is equipped with drinking bowls and feeding troughs. It is better to immediately secure the food containers to the walls of the cage so that the rabbits do not knock them over.
6. Little house. A resting house must be installed in the rabbit cages. In the future, it will serve as a queen cell.
7. Door. It is secured on hinges and a lock is installed. It is important to ensure that the opening is not too small. The owner should be comfortable cleaning the cage. The food container can easily enter the doorway.

Raising rabbits in cages has several advantages:

• animals are kept alone or in small groups, which avoids mass infection;
• the farmer controls the mating process, preventing inbreeding;
• in summer the cages can be moved outside, and in winter - into a warm room;
• It is possible to equip dwellings with automatic drinking bowls.

In the pits

If the farmer does not have suitable premises where rabbits could live in winter, they can be bred in pits. This method is successfully practiced even in the middle zone. It is cost effective. We will consider other advantages of pit breeding below:

• animals live in conditions close to natural;
• they multiply constantly;
• pets’ immunity becomes stronger;
• rabbits lead an active lifestyle, due to which meat quality indicators improve;
• space saving - in a pit with an area of ​​4 m2, 150-200 individuals can live.

Now let's look at the disadvantages of pit content. These include:

1. Inbreeding. The farmer cannot control inbreeding, therefore, without replacement of the male, the clan gradually degenerates.
2. Epidemics. Once one individual is infected, the disease quickly spreads among animals. There is a high risk of losing the entire livestock.
3. Wildness. The animals begin to be afraid of humans, they do not go to hand, and it is difficult to catch them in a pit.
4. Due to fights between males, it is impossible to sell the skins as they are damaged.

Attention! Rabbits of large and fur-bearing breeds are not suitable for pit housing.

Construction of a pit does not involve large material and physical costs. Farmers dig a pit approximately 1-1.5 m deep, and its area is 2x2 meters. The walls of the pit are lined with wood or covered with slate. A layer of sand of at least 20 centimeters is poured onto the bottom, after which a fine mesh is laid on top. One of the walls is not fully sheathed, leaving space in the lower part where rabbits will dig holes.

It is important to take care of protection from precipitation. It is better to make the roof removable and sloping. It is worthwhile to provide ventilation and lighting inside the pit in the winter, when the roof is closed to protect pets from cold and snow. Inside the pit is equipped with feeders and drinking bowls.

Attention! For normal reproduction, animals need daylight hours, which lasts 16 hours.

Rabbits do not freeze in pits in winter, since the air temperature there remains within acceptable limits. These animals are sensitive to drafts, which are absent with this method of keeping.

Feeding rabbits

In order for animals to remain healthy and reproduce well, they need to eat well. Each farmer decides for himself whether he will give the rabbits compound feed or create their own diet. The first method is simpler than the second, and does not require the farm owner to have deep knowledge of how much concentrates, greens, or succulent food to give to pets. The advantage of preparing your own diet is that this method is less expensive.

The basis of the rabbit's diet in winter consists of concentrates and hay. Animals obtain protein and vitamins from grain crops. They need hay for normal digestion and for grinding down their teeth, which are constantly growing.

In summer, rabbits are given greens:

• nettle;
• dandelions;
• plantain;
• sow thistle;
• burdocks;
• dill, parsley;
• tops of garden plants - carrots, potatoes.

Attention! Do not feed rabbits tomato tops, wet grass or poisonous plants.

The diet of eared pets should also include vegetables - carrots, sugar beets, Jerusalem artichoke, zucchini, cabbage (in small quantities). Vegetables contain many vitamins, which strengthen the animals' immunity. It is forbidden to feed rabbits red beets, as well as vegetables and fruits that contain a large amount of fiber.

Branch food is another important component of the rabbit diet. Rabbits are given branches of maple, willow, mulberry, acacia, grape shoots, raspberries and currants. The branches are especially useful at the beginning of summer, when they contain the most vitamins and minerals.

Important! To maintain immunity in winter, when the food supply is scarce, rabbits are given vitamins and mineral supplements.

Features of rabbit breeding

Rabbits are allowed to mate when they reach puberty. This age occurs at different times in different breeds. On average, females can breed with rabbits from 5 months. Males should wait until 6-7 months for their first mating.

Important! The highest productivity in rabbits is recorded in the first 2 years of their life.

The following are allowed for mating:

• healthy, moderately well-fed individuals without physical defects;
• unrelated rabbits;
• females who show signs of sexual heat.

Signs of females being ready to mate:

• aggressive behavior;
• an increase in the size of the genital loop and its redness;
• When stroking her back, the female raises her tail.

Noticing this behavior of the female rabbit, she is placed next to the rabbit. The male must be in his territory to feel confident. After a short introduction and flirtation, the female accepts the cage and is fertilized. But sometimes mating does not occur for various reasons. Then it is recommended to temporarily put the rabbit away, and after a few hours arrange a second date for the animals. If mating does not happen this time, it is worth finding another gentleman for the capricious lady.

Advice from experienced farmers on how to breed rabbits successfully:

• young females are placed with mature rabbits;
• It is better to mate adult rabbits with inexperienced young males.

After 7 days, when the female should be in heat again, she is again placed next to the rabbit to check whether she is covered. If the rabbit does not allow the gentleman to approach, it means that she is pregnant.

Reference. Gestation lasts 28-32 days.

Within a month after successful mating, the appearance of offspring should be expected. During pregnancy, you need to improve the rabbit's nutrition and provide her with complete rest. One litter can have from 5 to 11 rabbits. Birthing in rabbits occurs easily and quickly; females do not need any outside help.

When baby rabbits are born, they are completely dependent on their mother for the first weeks of their lives. She feeds them with her milk and takes care of the children. However, there are also various difficulties, for example, when the mother’s milk is not enough to feed the litter. In this case, you will have to find another nurse for the babies. That is why it is important to breed several female rabbits on the farm at the same time, so that at least one more lactating female is on hand.

When babies grow up, they are introduced to complementary foods, and when they reach the age of one month, they are given the first vaccination. This measure should not be neglected if a decision is made to breed rabbits. Any infection is dangerous for these animals and can destroy the entire livestock.

It is impossible to briefly describe all the intricacies of keeping rabbits at home. Having decided to take up this business, you need to constantly study, listen to the advice of experienced farmers and put them into practice. The rules of animal feeding and vaccination must not be neglected, otherwise the pets may die.

Breeding rabbits is quite an interesting and profitable activity. This type of activity is very popular in households.

Rabbits are characterized by high growth rates, the ability to reproduce throughout the year, and increased fertility.

In addition, rabbits are quite unpretentious to being kept in cages, they are able to adapt well to changing conditions, and at the same time they fully pay for the food spent on them. Breeding rabbits at home is not a difficult task for beginners if you know the features of rabbit breeding.

Physiological and biological features

Speaking about keeping rabbits at home, it will be useful for beginners to know that rabbits are born completely blind, naked and completely dependent on their mother. They eat only milk. The eyes of small rabbits open only at 10-14 days. After another week, they leave their nest and taste food for adult rabbits.

At 1 month of age, rabbit children can already do without it. By this time, they have primary hair growth, and milk teeth are replaced by molars. Typically, a newborn rabbit has 16 primary teeth. But after 3 weeks, their gradual replacement with permanent ones begins. Baby teeth begin to fall out around day 25. After changing teeth, rabbits have 28 teeth.

Rabbits are true vegetarians. They eat green grass and prefer to eat high-quality hay in winter. These animals happily eat branches of trees and shrubs, grain, fruits and vegetables. When kept at home, the diet of animals should include food of animal origin in the form of mineral and nutritional supplements.

Where to start breeding rabbits

These animals are usually bred at home for their skins and meat. Downy rabbit breeding is a less common activity. Rabbit meat is very tasty, healthy and nutritious. It contains a large amount of easily digestible proteins, 90% of which are easily digested in the human body. Lean meat does not leave an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth. Meat is used in medicinal and dietary nutrition. Dishes based on rabbit meat are considered delicacies and deserve the attention of true gourmets.

Breed selection

The following breeds of rabbits are suitable for meat breeding for slaughter:

• Flanders
• French ram.
• Californian.
• White New Zealand.
• New Zealand Red.

All of the above breeds of rabbits are distinguished by the rapid growth of their young, good body weight gain, and optimal feed costs. Commercial products can be obtained by the fourth month. The weight of the rabbit by this time can reach 5 kg.

As mentioned earlier, rabbits are bred for the purpose of obtaining skins. It is used in light industry for the manufacture of hats, fur coats, and is also used as a finishing for the hoods of products made from natural and synthetic materials. Shoes can also be decorated with rabbit fur. Rabbit fur is used as an imitation of more expensive fur: mink, sable, arctic fox, seal and others.

High-quality fur can be obtained from rabbits of the following breeds:

These animals are distinguished by soft, thick and beautiful fur with a short axis and strong down. Slaughter can be carried out as early as 6 months of age, when the animals have completed their first adult molt.

When choosing rabbits for your breed, you need to pay attention to the constitution and health of the animals. Appearance must correspond to all breed descriptions. Males should be well-developed, strong, energetic, with a pronounced masculine type. You should not select lethargic, small, developmentally delayed, passive animals.

But the criteria for choosing a female are more varied. The expectant mother should have a light head, strong but not rough bones, a wide bottom, a straight back, strong legs and an elastic, non-saggy belly. In this case, it is worth paying attention to the nipples; there should be at least four pairs of them, evenly spaced and well developed. This is a guarantee that the female will be able to successfully raise and feed large offspring.

Home conditions

Under the conditions of keeping on a private farm, you can practice raising rabbits in a barn, but you can also use outdoor cage keeping of animals. The place for rabbit houses should be level, protected from drafts, and have natural or artificial shading. Rabbits do not tolerate overheating quite well, they do not like moisture and drafts, so it is necessary to immediately create all comfortable living conditions for the livestock. The approach to the site must be free to ensure unimpeded distribution of feed and cleaning of cages.

Productive young stock and breeding stock should be kept in different sections, although on small farms this division is arbitrary. There is a separate cage for quarantine and a cage for sick animals. It is worth paying attention to the fact that recently purchased animals cannot be immediately placed with the main herd.

Cages for rabbits can be made in different ways, but the specific use of the room and the needs of the animals must be taken into account.

Quality feeding

A good food supply is the key to the prosperity of your rabbit farm. As mentioned earlier, these animals prefer to eat a variety of plant foods. The following plants can be classified as green food:

Green mass before distribution needs to be dried, and wet from rain should never be given to rabbits. Such food can cause digestive upset in rabbits, and sometimes lead to death.

Rough feeds include the following:

• Dry leaves of fruit trees.
• Hay.
• Branch food.
• Herbal flour.

Hay is necessary harvest during budding, the best in composition are: forbs and legume crops. If we talk about twig food, rabbits prefer to eat aspen, maple, rowan, acacia. Among the branches of garden crops, it is recommended to use apple, raspberry, pear, and cherry.

Juicy foods include:

• Fruits.
• Fodder beet.
• Cabbage.
• Potato.
• Jerusalem artichoke.
• Carrot.
• Pumpkin.

Sugar beets should be fed in strictly limited quantities mixed with bran. Vegetables are a seasonal crop, so your diet can be varied throughout the year.

In addition, rabbits also need grain feed, for example:

• Peas.
• Oats.
• Corn.
• Barley.
• Wheat.

Additionally, you can include cake and bran in your diet.

Don't forget about fertilizing. The following products can be used as supplements:

For a complete diet, you can also use granulated food. It can be purchased ready-made at markets or in specialized stores. Such pressed lumps contain a large number of useful microelements.

If you periodically feed rabbits with garlic and onions, this will provide the animals with an additional supply of vitamins, and the phytoncides contained in these products will prevent the development of viral and infectious diseases.

In one year, a female rabbit with an average litter eats up to approximately 1 ton of grass, 200 kg of succulent feed, 150 kg of hay, 200 kg of concentrates, 12 kg of mineral feed. These data may vary depending on the breed of animal, diet menu and climatic conditions of the region.

Features of reproduction

Before breeding rabbits, you need to know some of the nuances of this process. It is recommended to mate breeding animals for the first time at the age of 5 to 11 months. If we talk about disposable females, then they can be mated at the age of 5 months. In a strong, healthy, well-fed female, the desire to mate will manifest itself, as a rule, every 5-6 days, a little less often in winter, so it will be quite easy for the farmer to plan the time of birth of the offspring. A few weeks before mating, it is necessary to strengthen the diet with vitamins and protein feed.

Males are given: oats, eggs, milk, which can increase spermatogenesis and also increase the activity of animals. During mating periods, males should be strong, well-built in the body, but not greasy.

Mating in rabbits is known to take place quite quickly. During one cage, a male is able to secrete up to 2 ml of sperm. 20 minutes after mating, sperm begin to penetrate the female’s oviducts. Fertilization occurs within 10 hours.

A rabbit's pregnancy lasts 26-35 days. And at the time of birth, the cubs reach a weight of 50 to 90 g. Their weight will depend on the breed and the number of rabbits in the litter.

A few days before giving birth, the female rabbit becomes restless, begins to run around the cage, and makes a nest, lining it with down. Before giving birth, the female’s belly drops, her nipples swell, and milk flows into them. At this time, it is necessary to limit the supply of succulent feed and offer the animal hay. A few days after birth, nutrition is restored. If the female does not have milk, it can be stimulated with the help of fruits and vegetables.

Raising and breeding rabbits is an activity that will captivate you. This is quite interesting and instructive to do. For many, rabbit farming becomes a lifelong hobby.

Attention, TODAY only!

You won’t find so many ideas for starting your own business these days in the press and on the Internet! Those who have even a modest summer cottage plot (not to mention a spacious rural house with a plot of land) are given a ton of ideas in the form of recommendations - from growing oyster mushrooms in the basement to organizing an ostrich farm.

Among those who are thinking about starting their own business, the rabbit breeding business is becoming increasingly popular. But you should know: for your business to be truly profitable, you need a clear understanding of the specifics of such an industry. In this article we will talk about what features are involved in raising these furry animals, whether it is profitable to breed rabbits or not.

What are the benefits of rabbit meat?

There are mainly three types of meat on the shelves of supermarkets and grocery stores. We are talking about pork, beef and lamb. Meanwhile, rabbit meat has a number of advantages regarding quality, taste and benefits for the human body. That is, this market niche can still be considered relatively free.

The absorption of rabbit meat by the human body is better and more productive compared to beef or pork. This indicator - the percentage of digestibility - in this case reaches 90% against the usual 60% in other types of meat. And thanks to its low fat content, rabbit meat is a wonderful dietary product.

Thus, if you have an excellent, tasty and healthy food product, combined with low competition in this segment, you can confidently predict the high profitability of your chosen business. That is, the answer to the question of whether it is profitable to breed rabbits is definitely positive.

Characteristic signs of business

What features are inherent in domestic rabbit breeding? The main one is the high ability of these animals to reproduce. The female carries the cubs for 30 days, and re-fertilization is possible almost immediately after birth. The productivity of an adult rabbit during the year is about 200 babies. In terms of a useful product, this amounts to about 500 kilograms of rabbit meat.

They are bred for different purposes. Breeds of rabbits for breeding for meat are gray or white giant, as well as ram. In order to obtain fluffy fur, they choose rex, butterfly, and white downy. In addition, it is possible to breed decorative rabbits. There are also universal options. For example, Soviet chinchillas or gray giants are breeds of rabbits for breeding for meat and obtaining skins at the same time.

During the breeding process, good care and proper nutrition are very important. The more comfortable the living conditions are, the higher the quality of mating and, as a result, the health of the little rabbits. The number of matings can be increased by minimizing the number of stress factors. And without high-quality, balanced nutrition, talking about animal health is pointless.

Pros and cons of a rabbit farm

What advantages does this business have over other livestock farming options? Its main advantages are high profitability, short payback period, minimal competition and stable demand. The combination of these factors looks very attractive, but at the same time some negative aspects should be taken into account.

So, for the high-quality maintenance of these clean little animals in cages, regular (that is, daily) cleaning is required. Otherwise, the entire livestock may be susceptible to disease. Shy animals grow and reproduce well only in a calm, favorable atmosphere without even minimal stress.

Rabbits require constant monitoring. In the absence of food and even water, a female rabbit is capable of eating her own offspring. Breeding rabbits at home for beginners may seem like a troublesome and difficult task at first.

Getting down to business

Where to start breeding rabbits? In what form is business possible in this area? There are two such varieties: either in the form of individual entrepreneurship, or with the organization of a private farm. The first option is especially popular among those who are starting from scratch. Its main advantage is a reduction in the tax base and a simplified accounting scheme. If you decide to start a farm, you can count on receiving a subsidy from the state.

But in any form of activity, success largely depends on a well-thought-out business plan.

Rabbit farming as a business: where to start?

Before you start creating your own rabbit farm, as in any type of business, you should analyze the potential market, paying attention to a number of important characteristics. We are talking about market saturation, the presence of a potential buyer within easy reach, the degree of intensity of competitive activity and the solution of transport issues.

Having clarified the situation for yourself, you can move on to the next step - choosing a land plot. Its area must be at least 15 acres, and your future rabbit breeding farm must be located away from your home.

Having purchased or rented a plot, you can begin setting up your planned business. The initial financial investment can be quite significant, but due to the short payback period and high profitability of this type of activity, this is not a problem.

Is it profitable to breed rabbits compared to, say, chinchillas or nutrias? The capacity of your business can be increased many times over thanks to the high reproductive qualities of the animals, and this is a significant additional advantage. In general, breeding any domestic animals, like other types of agricultural business, is very, very in demand these days.

What should be on your site

The next step of the rabbit breeder businessman will be to compile a list of buildings whose presence on the site is mandatory. Each of them should be placed on the plan of the site allocated for the future company. What applies to such buildings?

• Sheds. This is the name given to the premises where rabbits will live and breed. Such “industrial” rabbit hutches are made from wood with windows covered with welded mesh. The more comfortable the rabbits are in the sheds, the better the breeding process will be, and the less fear the owner will have for the health of the pets. The minimum number of sheds is from 3 pieces.
• Feed workshop. This is a kind of warehouse where food for rabbits can be stored for the next few months. If you spare no expense and equip your feed shop with a granulator and a grain crusher, the costs will quickly pay off.

• The slaughterhouse premises must have a fully equipped meat shop and a spacious refrigerator. Due to high hygiene requirements, the materials for its construction are metal-plastic and tiles.
• Tools, equipment and necessary building materials should be kept in a separate shed.

A spacious manure pit should be dug not far from the site. With regular replenishment, it is possible to sell manure as fertilizer to surrounding farmers.

What do you need rabbits for?

When starting to breed livestock, decide on the objectives of cultivation, and from here plan methods for breeding rabbits. What is your goal - skins, meat or both? Having understood this issue, choose the desired breed. Let's say your choice is gray giant rabbits. Breeding, growing and caring for them requires certain knowledge.

For beginners, it would be wisest to get one of the local purebred breeds. They usually have an affordable price, ease of acquisition and the ability to consult with other rabbit breeders.

Then start drawing up a business plan with upcoming expenses and income outlined in it. In addition, you should take care of registering your own business.

What is better for a future rabbit breeder - to purchase a plot or rent it? This depends not only on the size of the initial investment, but also on the long-term goals of the future businessman. If you decide to take this profitable business seriously, it is better to purchase the land as your own. When rent is due, monthly expenses to cover it must be provided for in the business plan.

About norms and rules

When breeding rabbits, a number of sanitary requirements must be met to prevent diseases in the rabbit environment. In this regard, there are certain rules according to which premises for rabbit livestock are designed, down to the slope of the roof and the installation of floors.

Other requirements relate to the location of buildings within the site. The slaughterhouse must be at a distance of at least 50-60 m from the rabbit cages. Sick rabbits should be quarantined at a distance of 100 meters from the sheds. The manure storage facility also needs to be moved outside the farm - no closer than 100 meters. All distances are in the direction of prevailing winds.

What and how to feed rabbits

In nutrition, these animals are quite whimsical compared to other types of farm animals. Their daily diet requires a mandatory combination of different types of food - green (herbs, cereals, legumes), juicy, such as vegetables or root vegetables, rough and silage, as well as concentrated, consisting of bran, grain or mixed feed.

To calculate the need for the amount of feed, we proceed from the fact that gaining a weight of 4 kilograms for one animal requires about ten kilos of hay and 15 kg of compound feed. Other elements serve as additives to the diet at different times of the year. In the warm season (spring and summer), be sure to feed the rabbits with green and roughage; in the fall and winter, do not neglect silage and juicy ones.

Breeding rabbits at home for beginners can come with a number of surprises. Monitoring the freshness and balance of the supplied feed is very important. There should not be the slightest trace of rot or mold. Too dry food is also not welcome - animals can choke on it.

About rabbit housing

Do not forget that these animals are rodents, that is, the cages must be constructed of high-quality and durable material.

Compared to poultry or nutria, rabbits are more prone to comfort. The range of temperatures suitable for their normal life is from 2 to 30 degrees, but quality conditions for growth and reproduction require maintaining them in the range from 13 to 26 degrees.

There are several known methods by which the habitats of these animals are developed. Raising rabbits in earthen pits with carefully reinforced floors and walls is the simplest of all. This method is one of the lowest cost, but is used exclusively for meat breeds.

What are cells like?

The most common choice is to raise rabbits in enclosures. The most popular methods for household use include the so-called cellular method. The material for constructing the cages is wooden boards combined with a metal mesh. Female rabbits and offspring are housed separately from male rabbits.

The shed method already mentioned above is a system of several tiers of cells. The main advantage of this option is compact placement, which is important in conditions of a small site area.

It is also possible to keep it according to the so-called Mikhailov system, which is a small farm of three to four cells. Each of the mini-farms is equipped with ventilation, a manure collector, and, of course, drinking bowls and feeders. This method is most effective for high-quality growth and reproduction. But it also requires the largest financial costs.

Where to sell?

Let's now talk about selling the resulting products. Its directions should be considered based on the volumes of the future economy. If they are small (about 500 rabbits annually), the meat can be sold for sale or sold independently, subjected to a sanitary and epidemiological inspection.

For large farm volumes, you will need to obtain some additional documents. We are talking about a farm certificate, the same phytosanitary one, and a GOST-R declaration. If you complete all of the above, at the same time as trading at the market, you will have the opportunity to sell meat to a network of supermarkets and grocery stores.

Indicative business plan for rabbit breeding

Let's draw up and analyze a sample business plan for setting up a small farm for one hundred livestock. What are the costs?

The process of building rabbit cages will cost about 50,000 rubles; to buy one hundred heads of young animals, add another 30,000 rubles. (the exact amount depends on the breed), from 70,000 to 150,000 rubles. will have to be spent on purchasing feed. Add another 20,000 rubles. for veterinarian services, utility costs and other small items. Total: the expenses part of the business plan can contain a figure from 170,000 to 250,000 rubles.

Now about income

100 rabbits will yield about 200 kilograms of meat. At a wholesale price of 200 rubles. per kilo and retail - 400 rubles. It is actually possible to sell all products for an amount of about 400,000 rubles. For the proceeds of the skins - an additional 250 to 300 thousand rubles, let's take an average of 280,000. Total: the level of expected income is about 600-800 thousand rubles.

Even within the framework of the small farm given as an example, during the first year it is possible to receive about half a million rubles as profit. In the future, this figure will increase even more, since there will be no more need to spend money on the construction of new cells. As a result, the profitability figure for such a business ranges from 60% to 80%.

Things to remember

Of course, the above business plan for breeding rabbits is very conditional. The numbers can vary significantly, depending on the breed and number of specimens purchased, as well as the amount of initial investment. Much also depends on the region where the business is planned.

Among other things, this plan does not include rental costs (if any). Such expenses can also vary greatly by region and area. Equipment depreciation should also be taken into account. But in general, the above calculation gives a general idea of ​​the profitability of the business in question.

Conclusion: such an activity is quite profitable and attractive in terms of money. And yet, despite the confident “yes!” in response to the question whether it is profitable to breed rabbits, it should only be done by those who are not afraid of the specifics of this business and the associated difficulties in the form, for example, of the need to slaughter furry pets.

Rabbits are fertile and unpretentious, so raising rabbits in a private backyard is profitable. Rodent meat has a delicate taste and is very healthy, and the skins can be used to make outerwear and accessories.

Methods for keeping rabbits

On household plots and small farms, rabbits are kept in cages, pits and sheds. For industrial breeding, rodents are kept using the Mikhailov method.

Cellular method

Rodent cages can be placed both outdoors and indoors. This depends on the climatic conditions of the region. Based on the installation method, cages are divided into stationary and portable. For one adult individual, the optimal size of the home is 70 * 60 * 40 cm, for a female with offspring - 90 * 80 * 40 cm. The optimal material for manufacturing is galvanized mesh and wooden boards, more than 2 cm thick. For strength, all wooden parts are sheathed with metal sheet or net: rabbits chew wood. The floor is usually made of slats covered with fine mesh. Trays for garbage and feces are placed under it.

In summer, the cages should be in the shade: rabbits can get heatstroke from direct sunlight. If there is food and warm bedding, rodents can easily withstand frosts down to -25 ° C, but it is better to bring cages with pregnant and lactating females, as well as young animals, into a warm room. Or insulate with additional walls.

Swedes are cages assembled together and arranged in two tiers, between which there is a small distance for pallets. Usually two or three rows of Swedes are installed parallel to each other.

Raising rabbits for meat and fur in Sweden has a number of advantages:

1. Facilitating control over the reproduction and health of animals,
2. Reduced risk of epidemics and mass mortality,
3. The ability to fully or partially automate feeding, watering and cleaning.

A natural and simple way to raise rabbits in your garden. For a family of 20 rodents, the pit should have an area of ​​4.5 -5 sq.m. and be a meter deep. The walls are lined with battens or panels to prevent the edges from collapsing. They leave only a small space for rabbit holes and crawl spaces. The bottom of the pit is covered with straw and hay.

The top of the pit is covered with a roof. If you make it continuous, then you will need to install sources of artificial light. It is recommended to make the roof from mesh and boards or slate. This will allow daylight to penetrate inside, but will protect from precipitation and predators.

• The advantage of this method is that it is cheap. Keeping rabbits in pits has its disadvantages:
• Rabbits in the pit mate without control from the breeder,
• Inbreeding of rabbits negatively affects the quality of the offspring,
• Increased risk of developing infectious diseases,
• Difficulty in cleaning
• High humidity negatively affects animal health and fur quality.

Aviary method

Enclosures are set up outdoors, and the sizes depend on the livestock planned for keeping. For three dozen individuals, the recommended area is about 25 sq.m. The floor of the enclosure is poured with concrete, on top of which straw is laid. This is necessary so that the animals do not dig holes and escape to freedom. A more budget-friendly flooring option is a mesh dug in around the perimeter of the enclosure. The minimum depth is 1 meter.

The enclosure must be covered with a roof. The walls are made of timber, metal mesh and wooden panels. Breeding rabbits in enclosures is not recommended for meat breeds: this type of housing gives the animals a lot of room to move, which makes the meat tough.

You can control the reproduction of rabbits using the enclosure method by capturing young males.

Mikhailov method

Academician Igor Nikolaevich Mikhailov developed a theory according to which the productivity of rabbit breeding depends entirely on balanced feeding. An improper diet and rough food leads to poor development of the stomach muscles. As a result, digested food moves slowly through the intestines, resulting in slower growth, lower body weight, and poor-quality fur.

Industrial breeding of rabbits using the Mikhailov method provides constant access to clean and fresh water at any time of the day. The second important condition is to leave the suckling rabbits under their mother until they reach three months of age. By the beginning of 4 months of life, with this approach, large breed rabbits gain up to 5 kg.

Breeding rabbits using the Mikhailov method is possible only in special cages or mini-farms.

They differ from ordinary cages in that they have a water heating device, which allows animals to drink warm water even in severe frosts. Each cell has a warm, open and sunny side, as well as a shaded and cool side. The rear wall is solid and equipped with a heating system. The downside is that industrial cages for rabbits are quite expensive and are the main expense item.

Rodent breeding

How to breed rabbits:

• Set up cages or an aviary,
• Buy a pair or family of rabbits,
• Organize proper feeding
• Wait for offspring.

Formation of the herd

Rabbits are easy to breed because they do not require any special physical or financial expenses on the part of the breeder. The main thing is to choose the right manufacturers. If finances are limited, you can buy a male and a female, and after the sale of the first litter, buy additional rabbits. You can purchase a family at once: one male and five females.

Some people prefer to buy baby rabbits rather than adults. Their cost is lower, but you will have to wait several months for the first offspring. The optimal age of purchased young animals is 4-6 months. The parent herd is formed from grown individuals that are not related to each other. Animals reach their greatest productivity by the age of three.

Mating of rabbits of valuable breeds can continue until they reach the age of six.

Rodent mating

The female’s readiness for mating can be easily noticed by the change in color of the reproductive loop and its significant increase. For mating, the female is placed in the male's cage. Usually one visit to the rabbit is enough for the rabbit to become pregnant. But to check, she is again placed with the male after five days. If the first mating of rabbits was successful, the female will behave aggressively and will not let the male near her. A male is given a maximum of 6-7 females per day.

Castration and sterilization

If young animals remain in the parent herd for rearing, then it is better to castrate the males and sterilize the females. This will allow the babies to grow to the required age, but avoid unnecessary inbreeding.

Castrated rodents gain weight faster and are lazy and calm. Several castrated males can live peacefully in one enclosure without fighting.

Pregnancy of rabbits and queen cell

Pregnancy in rabbits lasts about a month. Depending on the breed and physiological characteristics of the animal, birth occurs on the 28th -35th day and lasts no more than an hour. The first litter usually contains no more than 6 rabbits, then the female can bring up to 16 babies. Repeated mating of rabbits is not recommended immediately after birth. This will lead to exhaustion and weakening of the female’s body. The best option is to wait a month or a month and a half.

Reproduction of rabbits at any time of the year requires the organization of a warm nest or queen cell.

Newborn rabbits have no fur and need warmth. Even in summer they quickly get sick from drafts or dampness. A special queen cell for rabbits can be built from a regular cage or made separately.

It is a box measuring 50*35*35 cm, with one round entrance hole. The lid is made hinged or removable to make it easier to change the litter. The walls are made of thick sheet plywood or scrap boards. Insulate the floor with fine, but not dusty, sawdust. The queen cell for rabbits is installed in the enclosure or hung on the main cage.

Feeding the rabbit

It is impossible to raise healthy offspring without proper feeding. Rabbits begin to try adult food on days 5-7, and switch to independent feeding at two weeks of age. Basic feeding rules:

• Young animals need vitamins and mineral supplements; they can be diluted in mash or water,
• Vegetables and fruits must be clean and finely chopped,
• Hay and grass without traces of fungus and mold,
• Food should be fresh and feeders should be clean,
• The water is changed regularly.

A rabbit during lactation should eat per day:

• 150-350 g of hay,
• 45-65 g sunflower cake,
• About 5 g feed yeast,
• 3.5 -4.5 g fish oil,
• 6.5 -7.5 g bone or meat and bone meal,
• Up to 500 g of grain (depending on the number of rabbits and lactation period),
• Up to 500 g of succulent feed.

To feed the rabbits in the first days, add a little soaked feed, grated carrots, chopped hay or grass to the feeders.

Cases