Business plan for breeding rabbits. Breeding rabbits as a business: profitable or not? Code of type of economic activity

Every rabbit breeder will be happy to learn the basics of rabbit breeding as a business from our article. We also attach one of the most popular and effective business plan options that can ensure your success in this endeavor.

Prerequisites for breeding rabbits

Many people like rabbit meat, because it is tasty, tender and dietary, fully justifying its cost. Rabbit fur is a wonderful raw material for making warm, cozy winter clothes, from fur coats to hats and children's mittens. It can also be imitated as furs of rare breeds. The down of this animal is very much in demand in the production of velor, suede and knitwear.

Given that there are no more prolific animals in the world than rabbits, the business of breeding them can bring you a large income, paying off in the first year. Only one female per year can give you half a centner of meat and about three dozen skins from her offspring. If this is a downy female, you get a whole kilogram of down. From just one, and this is not the limit! But on a rabbit farm, more than a dozen of these animals can be bred.

Video about rabbit breeding

You need to be a serious person to breed rabbits. Don't start a business without knowing about the craft, its pros and cons, and armed with a business plan and the necessary funds. What kind of animal is a rabbit, how it eats, breeds, what it gets sick, how to treat - all this needs to be known before breeding and taken into account in the process.

The simplest scheme for an acute shortage of the family budget can be several purchased stands, or even the simplest home-made ones. However, this is not the best way to get rich, because in this way you will not breed enough rabbits. Although, unlike industrial rabbit breeding, personal farming is usually not as automated, and feed is used, as a rule, cheaper and easier, the purchased cages, building materials and the rabbits themselves for breeding will not pay off soon.

Many people like rabbit meat, because it is tasty, tender and dietary, fully justifying its cost.

Having a sufficient area of ​​land, you can breed animals in a pit. A small hole can hold up to two hundred rabbits, and they dig holes for themselves, and without your special attention they breed there. There may be several holes. A major disadvantage of this method is that rabbits from the pit are not suitable for the subsequent sale of skins, only for the sale of meat. However, this is a very profitable method, in the market a few carcasses per day are easily dispersed.

Breeding rabbits as a business is especially important with good financial injections. The more you invest, the more you get. Good money helps to keep animals in decent, best conditions. But the better the yield from them, the better the conditions that determine health, growth, reproduction rate, quality of skins, marketing opportunities. This means that carcasses, skins and fluff can be sold more expensive and more often.

• Animal breeding work is properly organized;
• You can choose the ideal time for prophylaxis, mating, birth;
• Feed is spent more economically;
• It is much more convenient to carry out breeding work.

Cages can stand both indoors and outdoors, it depends on climatic and weather conditions

Cages can stand both indoors and outdoors, it depends on climatic and weather conditions. In summer, they are taken out to nature, and the rabbit wintering takes place indoors. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the constant change in the microclimate in the rabbitry - to regulate the content of water and ammonia vapors, to ventilate the room. If the winter in your lane is warm, not frosty, the cages can be left outside in the winter.

What should the cells look like?

• The farm uses cages made of different materials - wood, metal, adobe, and even brick.
• Galvanized metal meshes are recommended.
• In order for cells to be conveniently transferred, they must be mobile. With a light and simple design that allows them to be easily cleaned and inspected by the rabbits themselves, they can be installed in multiple tiers, saving space.
• When laying the cages in tiers, provide a slight slope and waterproof roofs so that the urine and feces of rabbits do not fall on the “lower floors”.
• The floor should consist of mesh or slats based on oak, maple or beech. This keeps it clean. To exclude dermatitis on rabbit feet (pododermatitis) and their namin, an additional wood floor is installed under the mesh.

The choice of rabbit cage design is very wide.

The choice of rabbit cage design is very wide. They can be square or round, short or long, hold one rabbit or many, have one or many tiers. There are even specialized "houses" for males, young rabbits or females with offspring. In order to walk young animals, walking is recommended to cover.

Getting more and more popular shed rabbit breeding system. It differs from the outer cage in increased convenience regarding working conditions, such as, for example, the simplest mechanization that allows you to quickly remove manure and deliver water and feed to rabbits. At the same time, labor productivity is incredibly increased. A single worker is able to serve up to one hundred and thirty females with over a thousand babies in offspring - twice as many as using conventional cages. Once you spend on sheds, you free yourself from paying salaries to the second employee.

Advice to rabbit breeders who breed rabbits for down and skins: provide animals with the opportunity to constantly live in the open air. The quality of the products is thus much higher.

Rabbit breeds are classified according to their output: downy, meat and meat-and-skin breeds

Rabbit breeds are classified according to their output: downy, meat and meat-skin breeds. The latter include not only the famous chinchilla, but also the butterfly, giants (gray and white), silver and black-brown. Valuable breeds give, accordingly, valuable fur, but not everyone can afford to breed them. However, among the whole variety of breeds, you can definitely choose the one that would be most convenient for you to breed according to means, conditions and goals.

The breeding of downy breeds of rabbits is currently not very relevant, since it is far from possible to sell down and skins everywhere, which thundered in popularity in Soviet times. Therefore, for novice businessmen, we recommend starting rabbit breeding with meat breeds.

It is possible to breed rabbits, both by crossing individuals of different breeds, and by mating individuals of the same breed (purebred). The first option helps to improve such qualities as: precocity, fertility, vitality, economy in feed consumption without compromising the mass and quality of meat. Since these qualities are less and less evident with each new generation, crossbred rabbits are usually sent to slaughter immediately after fattening. With the help of the second option, new valuable qualities are developed in rabbits, which are preserved from generation to generation, and if necessary, then enhanced by the first method.

You can breed rabbits, both by crossing individuals of different breeds, and by mating individuals of the same breed.

To make your business grow faster, you can increase the fertility of females and the number of births per year. This is achieved very simply - immediately after the birth of the cubs, the female happens to the next male. This comes out without any problems, but it must be taken into account that the female ages faster if she is not properly fed. This is done with the help of a sufficient amount of diverse and concentrated green fodder, which replenishes the high energy expenditure of females during the period of simultaneous pregnancy and feeding.

A healthy rabbit gives up to 8 rounds of about a dozen rabbits per year. Keep an eye on the consistency of the performance of females - over time, it decreases, and females have to be culled.

As we have already mentioned, the importance of proper rabbit nutrition for the prosperity of your business is enormous. Any feed used must contain the entire set of nutrients and supplements necessary for the growth and development of animals - carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Rabbits should not need clean water either. What food is used for this?

Rabbits don't need clean water either.

• Green, consisting of a variety of non-poisonous herbs, fresh tree branches, and other fresh greens;
• Rough, represented by hay and dry branches;
• Juicy, represented by cabbage, silage and tubers, among which the most popular are beets, Jerusalem artichoke, carrots and turnips;
• Mineral, consisting of bone meal, table salt, old slaked lime and chalk;
• Concentrated, which includes various compound feeds, grains of legumes and cereals, as well as food waste.

As you can see, rabbits are not very whimsical in food, simply requiring its diversity. However, lactating females and calves additionally need animal compound feeds rich in proteins and a spectrum of B vitamins. They include: fish meal, meat and meat and bone meal, milk (both fresh and dry), as well as skim.

In parallel with the topic of nutrition, attention should be paid to the prevention of animal diseases. By nature, the immunity of rabbits is very weak, and the number of diseases to which they are susceptible is many, including those that people get sick. In order to protect broods from disease, you should not only keep the cages clean at all times, but also consult with a competent veterinarian, and vaccinate all rabbits against the most common infections.

In parallel with the topic of nutrition, attention should be paid to the prevention of animals from diseases.

Being involved in rural business in any way, you can seriously think about how useful it will be for you to also breed rabbits. Is such a business profitable for you personally? Finding the answer to this question is best to start by reading the rabbit breeding business plan. We present one of the best examples for this undertaking below.

Business plan overview

This business plan describes all the intricacies of the rabbit business, allowing you to assess the degree of profitability of such a project in business. It would be wrong to call this project exclusively rural. After all, rabbit breeding can also be done in partnerships organized by gardeners and gardeners, or in urban suburbs. Therefore, a closer definition of the category for breeding rabbits, the business plan of which we present, is the livestock business. The easiest way to start is by breeding meat breeds in order to then engage in the marketing of rabbit meat, so below we will focus on this.

Of the organizational and legal forms of doing business, the optimal form for rabbit breeding is the form of an individual entrepreneur. It involves significantly lower taxes, a simplified form of accounting, as well as mutual settlements with end consumers.

The easiest way to start with breeding meat breeds, then to sell rabbit meat

Since the demand for rabbit meat, firstly, is not too high, and secondly, it depends on the region of sale, this project is considered to be moderately successful, and also highly dependent on your ability to find end users.

To determine the profitability of rabbit breeding specifically in your area, you should analyze the local market in the field of animal husbandry, and rabbit breeding in particular. This will identify potential buyers, wholesalers and retailers, as well as determine their needs. The latter will help you not to spend more money on starting a business than necessary.

In our example, your company will be a rabbit breeding farm for 60 heads, subsequently having the opportunity to expand its specialization, in addition to meat, also selling skins and liver.

Having settled the rabbits in cages, hire a worker to take care of your household

Production plan:

1. Select a suitable land plot, both in terms of natural conditions and rent. You should choose a plot of at least five acres with an area. On a smaller one, it will be impossible to place all the cages and utility rooms necessary for the household.
2. Buy crates for rabbits. If financial resources allow, it is best to buy ready-made ones - they are more functional, stronger, and the rabbits themselves are more comfortable in them. However, if you are not free enough in finances, it is allowed to make cages on your own.
3. Buy the rabbits themselves. The initial livestock is bought immediately in the quantity indicated above. Of the 60 heads, 40 are females, and only 20 are males. The choice of breed in this case depends on the factors that we have already touched on above.
4. Having settled the rabbits in cages, hire a worker to take care of your household. At the same time, take care of buying compound feed, having previously calculated the right amount, based on the number of animals, the frequency of purchasing feed, and the recommendations of experienced rabbit breeders.

Meat is easiest to sell by locating the farm near district or regional centers

Even before all these operations, a marketing plan should be formed in order to eliminate the factor of overproduction and make the sale itself faster. The easiest way to sell meat is to locate the farm near district or regional centers where large supermarkets are located. Other significant buyers may also be meat markets and shops, owners of meat counters, private individuals. If, in addition to selling meat, one also sells skins, it will matter how far away private fashion designers and fur ateliers are located.

Financial plan

Speaking about the financial plan, we came close to the question of exactly how much money you can earn in a year by privately raising rabbits. Below we will indicate all the main columns of expenses and income.

How much to spend:

• For renting a plot - 20-80 thousand rubles. annually. This spread is determined by the difference in the cost of rent in different regions of the country and specific places in the regions.
• Acquisition or creation of rabbit cages - 10-40 thousand rubles. one time. We recommend not to save on quality, and buy functional and durable stands in specialized stores.
• Acquisition of rabbits - 18-30 thousand rubles. for sixty goals. The cost depends on the region and breed.
• Feed costs - 50-100 thousand rubles. annually. The cost also varies by region.
• The salary of an employee is 10 thousand rubles. per month, total - 120 annually.

As you can see, rabbits are not very whimsical in food, simply requiring its variety.

The total cost in the first year: 218-370 thousand rubles.

How much will you get:

• For the sale of meat - 300-370 thousand rubles. in the first year. This is an approximate figure, on the basis that each of forty rabbits will bring about twenty rabbits a year, each - almost two kilograms in weight, in total - one and a half tons of meat from 800 rabbits annually, with the cost of meat from 200 to 250 rubles / kg.
• For the sale of skins - 160 thousand rubles. This is if you take into account the average price for the skin - 200 rubles.

The total amount of income for the first year: 460-535 thousand rubles.

Thus, the net profit for the first year of operation of the enterprise will be from 90 to 235 thousand rubles, on average - 160 thousand rubles.

Video about the secrets of rabbit breeders

You can increase your profit even more. To do this, send the most active and healthy rabbits not to the cutting room, but to mating, while increasing the total number of cages. Additional expenses will be associated with this, but your income will increase proportionally.

When breeding rabbits, it is important to consider the main thing - having started a business, do not stop halfway, treat business with all your attention, and you will undoubtedly be rewarded with a decent stable profit!

In this article, we will talk about a business that belongs to the niche of agriculture. It's about a home business for breeding rabbits. This is a very tricky niche and may not be suitable for every entrepreneur, but if you have experience working with rabbit meat, then there is a high probability that you will succeed in this business.

prospects

Back in the 70s, there were many fur farms on the territory of the Russian Federation engaged in breeding rabbits, but after the 90s, many of them ceased to exist. Because of this, today in the domestic market there is a significant demand for rabbits is very high, even taking into account the importation of imported products from abroad. So you don’t have to wonder: breeding rabbits as a business is profitable or not. The answer is unequivocal: with proper business management, it is profitable.

Niche pros and cons

In such an area as a rabbit breeding business, the pros and cons are as follows:

• Short payback periods
• Fast and high income
• Ability to sell multiple products

As for the cons, the main problems in breeding rabbits are:

• Difficulty in care
• The fearfulness of animals. Stress in them can not only cause physical illness, but also lead to the death of the animal.

Business risks

Before starting a business in a particular area, you should familiarize yourself with all the possible risks, draw up a business plan. A rabbit breeding company as a type of business has the following risks:

High mortality of young animals. This problem can be solved by involving experienced veterinarians in all processes in the production.

Competition. Before starting a business, you should carefully learn everything about distribution channels, target audience and direct competitors in the market.

Business registration

In a business like breeding rabbits, a business from scratch requires mandatory registration. A mini-farm can be issued in two ways: as a peasant farm and an individual entrepreneur.

KFH (peasant farming)

Peasant farming is a type of individual entrepreneur that has several main differences. The composition of the peasant farm may include people who have the right to carry out any economic activity, as well as own the property of the enterprise. However, by registering a KFH, you become, in fact, an ordinary individual entrepreneur.

Another important plus of the KFH is that its registration entitles you to state assistance.

IP (individual entrepreneur)

IP is one of the simplest and most convenient forms of doing business, especially for rabbit breeding. The nuance is that the KFH has certain gaps in the legal definition, due to which the receipt of each benefit leads to a huge bureaucratic red tape, leveling all the benefits.

As for the form of taxation, either a single agricultural tax or a simplified regime is suitable for a rabbit farm. In this case, you will need OKVED with the code A.01.25.2.

Necessary equipment

A business plan for breeding rabbits necessarily involves the purchase of equipment. There are several ways to keep rabbits. Namely: semi-free, in enclosures or cages. I must say, the first two options are practically not used - the main emphasis is on the cellular system.

It allows you to maintain the optimal mode of feeding, breeding, organization of mating. In addition, being outdoors reduces the risk of spreading diseases.

Double single-tier cages are mounted on wooden poles so that 0.8-1 m remains from the floor of the cage to the ground. In the nesting compartment, the floor and walls are made of plank, in the stern - mesh (the mesh is made of metal). The roof is made of boards, and then covered with a layer of roofing material. It is important to observe a slope of 15-20 degrees. The floor in the cages should also be made at a slope of 5-7 degrees, for the outflow of urine from the animals. Juveniles contain 3-5 animals per cage.

shed system

The shed system proved to be very good in keeping rabbits. It not only greatly facilitates care, but also makes it possible to make many processes in this production mechanized. With its help, you can serve more than a hundred rabbits and more than 1000 cubs at the same time.

There are about 250-200 cells in one shed. The dimensions of each cell are 140 by 70 cm (length and width, respectively). Front height - 55 cm, rear - 36.

Cells are installed in two tiers. Adult animals are settled in the lower one, young animals are placed in the upper one.

Breed for breeding

For breeding, hybrid breeds with good breeding stock (i.e., the number of young rabbits that a female can give birth and raise in a year) are usually preferred. To purchase them, contact the distributor of foreign breeding centers - they will not only help you with the choice, but also select high-quality equipment.

Purchase of rabbits

You should also not buy pregnant females - it is unlikely that anyone would sell such an animal if it did not have serious problems.

Feeding rabbits

Among the inhabitants who know about breeding rabbits only by hearsay, there is an opinion that only grass and hay will be enough for them to eat well. This is nothing more than a myth. Hay and straw make up only one-fifth of a rabbit's full-fledged diet, the rest is grain-meal feed. There are many options for making a complete diet. For convenience, here is a table with the daily norms of feeding rabbits. They can be included in the business plan "breeding rabbits" with calculations for a specific enterprise.

Stern	adult rabbits	Juveniles aged, months
		1 to 3	3 to 6
Grass of natural meadows	1500	200-500	500-900
legume grass	1200	150-400	400-700
Green hardwood branches	600	50-200	200-400
beet tops	200	50	50-100
fodder cabbage	600	100-150	250-400
cabbage leaf	300	100	100-200
Carrot	600	100-250	250-400
fodder beet	200	100	100-200
Sugar beet	600	100-250	250-400
Turnip, swede, turnip	400	50-100	100-200
boiled potatoes	400	50-150	150-300
Raw potatoes	150	50	50-250
Silage	300	20-80	80-200
Hay	300	100	100-200
Cereal grain	150	30-60	60-100
legume grain	50	10-20	20-30
Shrovetide grain	20	5-10	10-15
Bran	100	5-20	20-80
Cakes and meals	100	5-20	20-80
Meat and bone meal	15	5-10	10
Salt	2.5	0.5-1	1
Chalk	2	0.5-1	1

Do not increase the rate given in the table - this can lead to obesity.

In the second table you can see the annual diet of animals:

Physiological state	Annual count feed day	Feed in kg.
		concentrates	hay	roots	green stern
Rabbit and male in a non-roaming period	33	3.46	1.19	3.23	4.48
Rabbit and male during breeding season	32	4.16	1.44	3.84	5.6
Baby rabbit	120	16,8	6	15,6	23,1
Rabbit lactating	180	62,4	21,1	57.2	83,35
For one head of young animals from 45 to 120 days	75	10,14	3,14	—	11.97
Total for 24 heads of young animals	—	243,36	75,36	—	287,28
Annual need for replacement young animals	42	5,25	1,89	5,67	8,19
The annual requirement of the male	365	47,50	16,40	44	64
Share of male per female rabbit	—	5,93	2,05	5,5	8
For one rabbit with offspring (24 heads up to 4 months of age)	—	341,36	109	91	420

How to save on feed?

Feed is the main expense item on a mini-farm, so many want to somehow reduce it. Purchased compound feeds are quite expensive, but underfeeding animals is not an option at all. The best solution would be to make your own feed.

All that is needed for this is grain and grain waste, a good powerful grain crusher and a granulator.

Here are three good balanced formula feed recipes:

1) Recipe No. K-92-1 mixed feed concentrate for adult rabbits.

2) Recipe No. K-91-1 mixed feed concentrate for young animals.

3) Recipe for compound feed concentrate for rabbits of all ages.

Do not try to prepare silage or root crops as feed. This is a good solution for a small private farm for 15-25 animals, but on a farm scale it is unprofitable. Growing, harvesting, harvesting ... this will result in a considerable amount. An exception can be made only for harvesting hay - it is difficult to buy quality on the side, it is easier to prepare it yourself.

rabbit breeding

Breeding rabbits as a business is largely dependent on the rate of reproduction of animals. It is better to breed animals according to the following scheme (if you use a shed system, of course): in one shed for 60 cells, 14 cells with females and one cell with a male are placed on the upper tier. All other cells in tiers are allocated for young growth. Each of the rabbits litters three times a year, then the cubs stay with the female for 2 months. For the year, therefore, each female produces about 25 rabbits, and the total increase is 300-350 animals per year.

Of course, it will be problematic to calculate the exact numbers, but you will get at least 250-300 heads from one shed. If you have rabbits of pure breeds, you should not breed them separately - it will take a lot of time and effort, it is better to buy replacement young animals every few years.

Disease protection

Vaccination provides good protection against diseases - of course, this is not a guarantee of the complete absence of morbidity. But it will help to reduce the risks at times. Veterinarians recommend annual vaccination with a complex preparation, the rest of the vaccines are only for epidemics.

Waste management

In addition to the production of meat and fur, you can also use waste on a mini-farm. For example, glue is made from the paws and ears, and the ventricles are sold to dairy farms or to a meat processing plant. The rest is better to burn.

Sales of products

Breeding rabbits for meat as a business requires the organization of stable distribution channels for goods. The sale of finished products is an important plan in the business strategy for the production of rabbits. There are three main options here.

Own customer base

Simply put, this is word of mouth - relatives, friends, buddies, acquaintances, acquaintances of acquaintances, etc. Do you think this option is not serious? In vain, this category of people is able to create a good reputation, and such that the products will “fly away”. And there is no need to spend on advertising. This is good for a start - then, of course, it will be possible to take care of something more ambitious.

At the initial stage, it is important to provide an affordable pricing policy in order to attract the maximum number of people. In addition, direct sale from the farm does not require any additional permits.

Sale of rabbit carcasses through restaurants

At first glance, it is very profitable and tempting. But there is one weighty "but": a rare restaurant includes rabbit dishes in the menu. So there will be little demand.

But, if you still decide to take such a step, do not contact the owner or administration - it is better to express your proposal to the chef. This is a really working way that will help you get an additional source of income. But here, permissions will be required - you will need to obtain a veterinary certificate form No. 2 at the veterinary and SES.

The shops

Selling products to stores is a good idea, but it is useless to target large supermarket chains, since the required volumes of products are very large there. Yes, and you will have to compete with large wholesale suppliers. Therefore, it is better to look for small butcher shops or shops - their owners will certainly be interested in your products.

Additional sources of income

Rabbit by-products can also be sold to generate additional income.

rabbit skins

As one movie said, "Rabbits are not only valuable fur ...". But fur is also included, because it is from the rabbit that warm soft hats, muffs and even fur coats are made. But in the Russian Federation today the situation with the sale of rabbit skins is quite complicated. But difficult does not mean impossible.

After slaughter, preserve the skins - yes, they will not be expensive, but there is a buyer for every product. Most often they are purchased by manufacturers of clothing and footwear - ask if there are such in your area. Yes, as the main income it is unprofitable, but as an additional one it is quite.

Litter

Organic fertilizers are always needed in agriculture. Of course, rabbit farms will not be able to compete with those where cattle are bred, but it can provide some small additional income. You can also engage in the production of biohumus - a fertilizer obtained by fermenting manure in special installations. The demand for such fertilizers is quite high, so you can earn extra money. Moreover, it has a long shelf life.

Inventory

Feeding and watering systems, cages - all this will be useful not only for farmers, but also for owners of private farms. Some of the small equipment that you did not need can be put up for sale - they will be bought with great enthusiasm.

Expenses and income

It's time to calculate how much money it will take to open a rabbit farm. Of course, you can start a business with one rabbit and gradually develop, but then reaching a good profit can be delayed for many years. It is much better to have a certain amount, invest it and earn decent money almost immediately.

Name	Sum
Initial Costs
Cells	200.000r
Equipment	100.000r
Inventory	30.000r
Room equipment	100.000r
Buying rabbits	120.000r
Customer acquisition	20.000r
Business registration	10.000r
Total:	580.000r
Monthly expenses
Land lease	40.000r
Communal expenses	10.000r
Feed	30.000r
Veterinary service	5.000r
Employee salary	20.000r
other expenses	15.000r
Total:	120.000r

We have decided what our monthly and initial expenses will be, but the issue that worries thousands of entrepreneurs has not been closed. How much can you earn in this business?

Let's do some calculations. One female rabbit can bring 60 rabbits per year. If you have 120 rabbits, then in one year 7,200 rabbits will be born with a total weight of 14,400 kg. The cost of one kilogram is approximately 200 rubles, which means that the revenue for the year will be 2,880,000 rubles. 50% will go to our expenses and 1.440.000 rubles will remain for the year, which is approximately 120.000 rubles of net profit per month. The payback in this way will be 12 months, taking into account the fact that in the first months you will have little or no profit.

» Rabbits

Many people living in rural areas are engaged in rabbit breeding. Mostly to provide his family with fresh, tasty meat. In addition, rabbit meat is dietary and it is indicated for use in many diseases, as well as for baby food. Breeding rabbits as a business does not find its wide distribution.

But this is the only business that you can start with minimal costs. Fertility of animals, high cost of meat and low competition are important components of a constant, high income from this type of activity. With a skillful approach and organization, this business can become exactly what will bring you a stable and high income.

In this article, we will look at rabbit breeding as a business, find out where to start and how to succeed.

Any entrepreneurial activity has its pros and cons. Rabbit breeding is no exception. The advantages of a mini farm include:

1. Small financial costs to start a business.
2. High fecundity, at which it is not required to purchase young animals.
3. Minimum documents for the organization.
4. Small maintenance costs.
5. The high cost of meat.
6. Wide sales opportunity.
7. Low competition.
8. Obtaining additional income from the sale of skins and manure.

Flaws:

1. The downside in rabbit breeding is susceptibility to infectious diseases and, at the same time, high mortality.
2. Strict sanitary requirements for care and breeding.
3. Preparation of relevant documents.

Organizational and legal aspects

What is better to arrange - a personal subsidiary plot, individual entrepreneurship or a farm?

Any type of activity must be registered and taxes paid. It is clear that if there are 20-30 rabbits on the farm, then this is not necessary for own consumption and registration. The choice of form depends on the number of animals and how many employees are on the farm. Let's take a closer look at the registration forms:

1. LPH (personal subsidiary plot).
2. IP (individual entrepreneurship).
3. KFH (peasant farming).

private household plot

Ideal for a beginner businessman. Starting with a personal farm on your own land, you have many opportunities for development. When conducting this form of production, taxes are not paid, but in order to conduct business activities, you must provide a certificate of the availability of a land plot. Selling meat through the markets and to your friends.

What does IP registration give?

With this form, it will be possible to open your own retail outlet for the sale of meat. As well as supply them to other outlets. The entrepreneur must pay tax. On this issue, you should contact your local tax office for clarification, because the legislation in this matter is constantly changing.

This will include:

1. Farm certificate.
2. Obtain a GOST-R declaration.
3. Issue a phytosanitary certificate.

If there is no accounting knowledge, then you will need to hire a specialist to keep records. Therefore, it is better to formalize entrepreneurship with large volumes of production.

Peasant farming

Carries out any kind of agricultural activity. It is similar to entrepreneurship, with a few exceptions:

• may have several farm managers with equal rights;
• the statutory and constituent document is not required.

In theory, this form of activity is practiced to receive various subsidies and benefits from the state, which, I dare say, are difficult to obtain.

Be prepared to solve problems on your own.

Hence the conclusion, if you do not have production on an industrial scale, then at first it is better to dwell on the design of private household plots.

Form of taxation

There are two forms of taxation for the agricultural direction. This is a Simplified view, where income minus expenses and Uniform Agricultural. Which one is more convenient for you, you can ask for advice from a person involved in accounting. Because it depends on the form of activity, on the number of employees and on the volume of production.

Upon registration, you will be assigned an OKVED code with an encoding - A.01.25.2. This means: breeding rabbits and fur-bearing animals on a farm. This code does not include meat and skins of animals obtained by hunting or trapping.

How to start breeding livestock from scratch?

Consider in which cages the animals will be kept. What forage base they will be able to receive. On what land plot will the complex be located? Also read about all the breeds of rabbits and think about which one will be more convenient for you to work with. Study the market.

Leave couples for divorce from those parents who have the best performance.

The best breeds for breeding

Breeds for breeding are best to choose those that can tolerate our Russian climate and are not particularly demanding on the conditions of detention. In this case, rabbit breeding will be profitable.

Breeds of rabbits for breeding are divided into:

• meat;
• meat-skin;
• downy.

There are also decorative rabbits, but they are kept as pets.

1. Meat breed.

Fast growing rabbits. They gain maximum mass by six months. With sufficient care, by 4 months, the carcass is from 2 to 3 kg.

1. The meat is skin.

Rabbits from which you can get both the skin and meat.

1. Downy.

Rabbits with beautiful soft down, which many people use to make clothes.

Flanders

They belong to the meat breed. These rabbits are the largest. The body length reaches 70 cm. The mass of an adult individual reaches 10 kg. Flanders were used to breed other large meat breeds.

Rabbits have large, wide ears. Strong, muscular body. Tender, soft meat. The color of the fur is similar to a kangaroo or beaver. Flanders are popular with breeders due to their balanced and calm nature.

Flanders rabbits

But this breed has its drawbacks. They need large cages, but are best kept in aviaries. They eat a lot of food. Rabbits are late. They often have difficulty in childbirth. But if you create decent conditions for them, then it is quite possible to breed for income.

Maintain accounts. Record the weight, skin color, and surviving rabbits. How many babies each rabbit brings

New Zealand

Relate to meat. The average weight of these animals is up to 5 kg. Pure white. Compact body with well developed muscles. Small head with erect ears. Developed skeleton. The carcass is dense without excess fat.

Rabbits of this breed are fertile and milky. They are ways to feed up to 12 babies. Rabbits grow quickly and at 3 months can weigh up to 3 kg. Since there is dense wool on the soles of the feet, it is possible to keep it on the net. Calm and balanced.

Ram

Relate to meat. The breed got its name from its long, lop-eared ears. Large breed. Body length up to 70 cm. Weight 7-8 kg. Velvet skin in different shades. Broken, strong body. Excellent taste of meat. Rabbits are late. They bring 9 rabbits. Calm. Regular ear care is required.

Meat also includes:

• - white giant
• - gray giant;
• — Californian.

White

A popular representative of the downy breed. Various colors: white, black and blue. The average weight is 4 kg. Body length 55 cm. 7 rabbits are brought. Fluff is combed out from 700 gr to 1000 gr.

Angorskaya

Body weight 3 kg. The rabbit brings up to 6 rabbits. They grow slowly. Mostly kept at home. They require maximum skin care. Cheerful, playful character.

Black-brown

They belong to the meat-skin breed. They have a beautiful skin and tasty, tender meat. Hardy rabbits. The female rabbit brings up to 8 young rabbits, which are actively growing.

Do not allow closely related cases. The offspring in such cases is smaller, born with defects and weak.

Butterfly

They have interesting colors. On a white background, specks like butterfly wings. Spots of various shades: blue, yellow, black and gray. Highly fertile rabbits. Great for keeping in the Russian climate. Beautiful skin and tasty meat.

First of all, they have a beautiful gray-blue skin. Grow fast. They bring 8 rabbits. Weight of adults from 5-8 kg.

Arrangement of the place of detention

In rabbit breeding, there are several ways to keep:

1. Pit.
2. Cellular.
3. Shedovy.
4. According to the Mikhailov system.

And now about each method in more detail.
The pit method of keeping is the most ancient. This method is closer to natural conditions, which has its pros and cons. The advantages of this method are:

• arranging a pit from available materials;
• when several families are launched into it, we get a large, healthy offspring;
• precocity increases;
• rare cleaning of the pit;
• obtaining healthy animals due to their active lifestyle;
• there are no animal health problems;
• space saving, up to 200 individuals can be kept in a 2 * 2 pit.

For all its merits, pit content has its drawbacks:

• infections spread to all animals;
• cleaning a pit is a complex process;
• it is better not to breed large breeds with valuable fur in the pits;
• closely related relationships, animals become smaller over time;
• catching the animal is difficult.

However, with the right approach to arranging the pit, this method can be used to breed pets.

Mating at an early age is harmful to the health of animals.

Standard pit:
We choose a dry place without a close occurrence of groundwater. A pit 2 * 2 m is suitable for 200 animals. We dig at least 1.5 m deep. This is due to the fact that the animals dig horizontal minks and can dig a passage to the surface. To prevent this from happening, reinforce the walls with mesh, brick or slate. One wall remains open. It will contain nests. To start minks from the bottom of 20 cm, make a recess.

Pour a 20 cm layer of sand at the bottom, and equip a grid or slatted floor on top. Cover with straw or sawdust and clean once a week.

It is desirable to make a roof over the pit. So that it does not overheat, it should not be covered with metal sheets. Be sure to make a pipe for air circulation.

In winter, organize artificial lighting. Equip drinkers and feeders in such a way that the animals have enough space for everyone. And finally enclose the place with a fence.

The cell method is the most popular among rabbit breeders. The side and back walls are made of wooden boards. The ceiling, floor and doors are covered with mesh. In cold climates, cages are made portable. During cold weather, they are transferred to sheds or any insulated room.

It is possible to install in several rows on top of each other. There are single and double sections. Two-section are used for rabbits, where one compartment is nesting, the second is fodder.

Standard sizes of single-section cages:

• length - 110 cm;
• width - 60 cm;
• height - 60 cm.

Two-section:

• length - 150 cm;
• width - 60 cm;
• height - 60 cm.

Young animals for fattening are kept in cages, the length of which is up to 3 m. Dense plantings are not recommended. The fewer animals in the cage, the higher the weight gain.

Equip retractable trays for quick cleaning of cages. Along the aisle, manure is transported on trolleys or removed mechanically. Autodrinkers are being set up. Feeders with gradual feeding.

Thus contains from several tens to several thousand animals. Shed content in most cases is used by farmers and large farms. Depending on the climate, sheds are arranged under awnings or in enclosed spaces with ventilation.

According to the Mikhailov system. The system was developed by Academician Mikhailov. This method allows you to raise rabbits in special mini-farms. It is intended for raising rabbits on an industrial scale. They can contain a large number of livestock. At the same time, they are served by three to four people.

In this method, animals are kept outdoors in rabbit farms. Everything you need is present in the mini farm. It is warm in cold weather, cool in hot weather. The animals are provided with water and food around the clock.

Rabbits do not like to be disturbed once again, and the developed mini-farm for rabbits by Mikhailov allows you to feed and water them without worry.

Animals gain weight quickly and are absolutely healthy. They are also called Mikhailov's accelerators. Do not confuse - accellerat is not a breed, but a rabbit grown by a special method. Expensive system, because the cost of the cells is high, but if you make them yourself, then the costs are reduced. Using the system allows you to increase the turnover three times. Next, let's see how to make do-it-yourself rabbit cages drawings according to Mikhailov.

How to make a cell according to the Mikhailov method with your own hands according to a drawing with dimensions?

The farm consists of several compartments. It includes:

• - nesting department;
• - for youngsters;
• - extract;
• - heating for the nest;
• - feeders;
• - drinkers.

The cell is built in several tiers:

The first tier is the stand. It rests on four pillars. Racks are made of strong bars. The supports of the upper tiers consist of the beams.

To support the structure, a stand frame is adapted. It has compartments for electrical equipment and tool storage. It also has a ladder and a feces barrel. It is better to collect it from a material that does not rust. Below are drawings of a cage for rabbits with dimensions according to the Mikhailov method.

On the stand is the middle tier. It is intended for walking animals and the generic department. With the help of racks, the tier rests on a stand. The dimensions of the racks are 2 * 10 cm. On the eastern side, the hole is covered with a net. There is a 250*250 mm window in the grid. On this tier is a trap for control and jigging, as well as shelter.

The farm is divided into several sections. The bunker feeder and automatic drinker are located in the walking area. The gap 20 * 30 cm is made from below. It leads to the sloping mines. Deviated 100 mm to the right. By this it is combined with the lower compartment on the first floor. The flooring is at an inclination of 45°. From rats there is protection from metal strips.

At the bottom, slats 2 * 45 cm are stuffed. Poop falls into the gaps and the cage is always clean.

The design provides a pipe for ventilation. Due to this, gases do not accumulate inside.

In the nesting compartment, a door is made that leans back. When it is open, it turns out a table for working with kids. This section has a solid floor. It is a little lower in level. External walls are insulated. The hole is closed with a view on the south side.

Since the mother liquor is made removable, gaps remain on the sides. To prevent animals from entering this hole, they are covered with planks. The damper that blocks the nest is better to make metal. The door is made of wood.

On the upper tier are the growing rabbits. A separate section has been made for the male. She stands for the frame.

The water tank is located between the compartments on the front wall. Moisture enters it automatically from other containers, which are located outside on the wall of the walking compartment. To keep the water warm in cold weather, heating is provided by a boiler.

Next to the drinker is a bunker feeder. Added a utility. When the rabbits rake out the hay, crumbs fall into it. The crumbs can be reused. The top of the feeder is folding. When you need to put the next portion of food, it opens.

For hay and root crops, the feeders are located between the floors. The heavy lid pushes the food down.

A complex design, but having built one with your own hands, the rest will be easy to do. After you try it in work, transfer the rest of the animals to such cages. Indeed, in such cages it is easy to work with animals, and they, in turn, feel great.

Let's talk more about organizing a rabbit farm.

Farm organization

No special permission is required for its construction. The main thing is the availability of a plot of land and a ready-made business plan with calculations. It is important that this site is located at some distance from residential buildings, ask the local authorities about this. Moreover, this concerns farms, and not a household for 10-20 heads.

Choose a place for a farm on some hill or with a slope. After clearing the entire area, it must be asphalted or concreted. Also make a drainage system.

By the way, it is worth remembering that rabbits can get sick. And you need to know , and .

In order to receive about 1000 carcasses of meat per year, the farm area will be approximately 1000 square meters of land. What to place on the site:

1. Shed - 3 pieces (360 sq.m).
2. Feed shop obligatory car access to it (200 sq.m).
3. Sheds where inventory and building materials are stored (50 sq.m).
4. Room for slaughterhouse and refrigerators (50 sq.m).
5. Manure collector (30 sq.m).
6. Passages for the passage of minitractors.

sheds

The use of sheds saves time on maintenance and building materials. We install two tiers of cages. On the back walls, make windows 20 * 100 cm.

• length 20 m;
• height 2 m 40 cm;
• passage width 1 m 40 cm.

Cells

Cells according to the sizes below are then divided for males, females and young animals.

• length 1m 30 cm;
• width 70 cm;
• front wall height 55 cm;
• rear wall height 40 cm.

The slope of the roof is made for the convenience of cleaning manure. Such pallets to do for all tiers.

In the manufacture of cages, use a galvanized mesh with a mesh size of 18*18, 20*20, 16*48 mm.

Between the cells, a mesh nursery for hay is installed. Drinking bowls and feeders are installed under the manger. For females, the cells are divided into nesting and feeding compartments.

There are 60 cells in such a shed. During the year it is possible to grow 400 or more heads of young animals.

feed shop

On the farm, you will need a feed shop. Compound feed, grain and a grain crusher are stored in this room. You can also put a granulator and.

Separately put a shed for storing equipment and building materials.

Slaughterhouse and refrigerators

Mass slaughter is more convenient to do in special rooms. Therefore, put a slaughterhouse at the farm. It is better if you attach it to a room with refrigerators. The slaughterhouse must be equipped with a blood drawer and a furnace. The oven will be required to burn waste (paws, heads, entrails and unnecessary skins). Thus, there is a continuous process: slaughter, cutting, packaging and freezing. read in a separate article.

manure collector

We should not forget about manure. Equip a pit on the farm to collect manure. It should be in the farthest corner. As far away from rabbits and slaughter as possible. The walls of the pit should be concreted. The depth of the pit is not less than 3 m. The length is arbitrary.

Flandra and Soviet chinchilla were crossed. With sufficient care of the female, rabbits at the age of one month had a mass of 1-1.2 kg of live weight.

And now consider the full business - the process of breeding rabbits.

Since we breed rabbits for meat, we also choose breeds of meat direction. Not bad, and even successfully bred and paid off are such breeds: white giant, gray giant, silver or black-brown, flanders, Soviet chinchilla, Californian, butterfly, ram and there are several other breeds.

With proper care, by 3-4 months, the weight of the carcass is from 2-3 kg. Early maturing and prolific breeds. Soviet chinchillas are excellent mothers. The character is calm and able to accept other people's rabbits.

Two female Soviet chinchillas once fed 40 rabbits, by the way they were of different ages. It was in winter.

When buying young animals, they must be vaccinated against infectious diseases. Since rabbits are stressful animals, in order for their transportation to go smoothly, they need to be given antidepressants or drip vitamin B6 when drinking, which acts as an antidepressant.

Newly bred young should be planted separately from the rest. They must be quarantined for a month. If everything is fine with the animals, you can connect with the rest.

How to organize feeding on the farm?

If someone thinks that it is possible to feed rabbits with hay and grass alone, they are deeply mistaken. To be successful in business, they need a complete feed, and without feeding with grain-meal feed, nothing will work.

Rabbit diet, daily dose in grams:

Main livestock:

1. Meadow grass - 1500;
2. Legumes - 1200;
3. Branches - 600;
4. Beet tops 200;
5. Cabbage leaves (should be given with caution) 600;
6. Carrot 600;
7. Fodder beet 200;
8. Sugar beet 600;
9. Turnip 400;
10. Boiled potatoes 400;
11. Raw potatoes 150;
12. Silo 300;
13. Hay 300;
14. Cereal grain 150;
15. Bean grain 50;
16. Oilseed grain 20;
17. Bran 100;
18. Cakes 100;
19. Meat and bone meal 15;
20. Salt 2.5;
21. Chalk 2.

Try to follow these rules. Animals should not be overfed.

To make it easier to navigate how much feed is needed per year, see the following figures, kg.

For females and males during the dormant period:

1. concentrates 3.50;
2. hay 1.20;
3. root crops 3.25;
4. green fodder 4.50.

For females and males in the breeding season:

1. concentrates 4.20;
2. hay 1.50;
3. root crops 3.8;
4. green fodder 5.6.

Female motherfucker:

1. concentrates 17;
2. hay 6;
3. root crops 16;
4. green fodder 23.

Lactating female:

1. concentrates 62;
2. hay 21;
3. root crops 57;
4. green fodder 83.

Young growth 45-120:

1. concentrates 10;
2. hay 3.20;
3. root vegetables 12.

In the morning, the animals are given juicy and green food. In the afternoon and evening - concentrates. Drinking, fresh water should be constantly.

Reproduction of rabbits is an important process in rabbit breeding. Run it through the diagram. In sheds, the upper tier is occupied by females and one male. Young growth is seated in the remaining cells.

Each rabbit gives about 3: in spring, summer and autumn. It turns out about 25 babies. The rabbits sit under the female until the age of two months. In total, 300 goals are planted for fattening. Keep in mind that waste is inevitable for one reason or another. They are freely placed on the rest of the cells.

3 sheds of 60 cells result in 3*300=900 heads per year.

Feed savings

Fattening rabbits with purchased food, as you know, is expensive. It is impossible to grow grain. It is impossible to reduce the feeding rate. Therefore, it is better to produce compound feed on your own.

To do this, you will need a grain crusher and a granulator. Granules are eaten by rabbits willingly.

Several pellet recipes. Option for everyone:

• oats, wheat 30;
• barley, corn 45;
• wheat bran 12;
• cake 12;
• chalk 0.5;
• salt 0.5.

Option for youngsters:

• oats, wheat 40;
• barley, corn 45;
• cake 8;
• meat and bone meal 6;
• fishmeal 6;
• chalk 0.5;
• salt 0.5.

Option for everyone:

• oats, wheat 31;
• barley, corn 32;
• wheat bran 15;
• cake 15;
• meat and bone meal 3;
• fishmeal 3;
• hydrolysis yeast 2;
• bone meal 1;
• salt 1.

Hay harvesting also brings great savings. But silage and growing root crops is unrealistic. Therefore, it is better to buy them.

Try to mechanize manual labor. Buying a mini tractor will greatly facilitate manual labor. On it you can bring food to the Swedes, as well as take out manure. Set up automatic water supply.

Rabbit conditions and vaccination

To avoid various diseases, rabbits need to be provided with good conditions.

Cages must be clean and dry. If the cells are wooden, whitewashing with lime every six months is desirable. Before entering the shed, make a square depression and pour lime into it too, so that those who come in pass through this lime. Thus, the disinfection of shoes will take place.

To avoid mass extinction of livestock from infectious diseases, vaccination is required. At present, a complex vaccination against VGBK and myxomatosis has been developed. Such a vaccination is given in the spring to adults, and young animals are vaccinated every three months.

Implementation of homemade rabbit meat

Of course, everyone is interested in the sale of meat. To begin with, treat and offer rabbit meat to your friends, acquaintances and relatives. If they like it, be sure some of the rabbit meat will go with a bang. Delicious shish kebab from rabbit meat and baked rabbit with champignons are delicious. This creates its own client base.

Selling meat from the yard does not require permits. But if you hand over to resellers, then you need a veterinary certificate.

You can try to offer restaurants. But since rabbit meat is not cooked in Russian restaurants, they will most likely refuse you. Then you can do this, offer the chef to cook a rabbit dish and give him a couple of pieces. If it works, then you will have an established distribution channel. But, then you need a few permits.

You can open your own outlet or offer your product to shops, wholesalers or supermarkets. But the fact is that 1000 heads a year or 2000 kg of meat is a small amount. Annual issuance of documents will eat up most of the profits.

To resolve this issue, contact the point of sale directly and solve it on an individual basis. Large suppliers in such points sell their products at extremely low prices.. But they are huge. And you can end up broke.

New foods should be introduced in small portions and gradually. When acquiring rabbits, be sure to ask what they were fed. A sudden change in feed adversely affects the health of animals.

Business profitability with a business plan

The amount of the initial investment will be different for everyone. Because the cost of building materials in all regions is different. And then, perhaps you already have, say, a tractor, or some kind of equipment. And someone will start from scratch.

The list of necessary for breeding rabbits:

1. Building materials:

- galvanized profile;

- galvanized mesh;

- roofing materials;

- lumber.

1. Land plot:

It's better to rent, it's cheaper.

1. Improvement:

- storm sewer;

- water drainage;

- asphalt or concrete;

1. Construction cost:

- construction team;

1. Necessary equipment:

- mini tractor;

- grain crusher;

- granulator;

- refrigerators.

1. Rabbits:

- at least 50 goals.

1. Inventory:

- feeders;

- drinkers.

The annual cost of raising a rabbit on a mini-farm

Multiply the amount of compound feed consumed per year by one production unit by the cost of the compound feed. To this amount, add the amount of other expenses: paperwork, fuel, etc. We get the annual cost per unit of production.

There are 42 production units on a farm of 3 sheds. That is, 14 females in each shed. Now multiply 42 by the amount of the annual expense (let's say 2000 rubles). The annual expense in this way will be 84,000 rubles. But as you know, there is no such thing as no additional costs, so let's add a little to this amount. We will receive 100,000 rubles.

little rabbit

Income calculation

The production unit is 50 kg of meat (25 grown rabbits * 2 kg). For most people, it is not the taste of the product that is important, but its cost, so we will put it for about 200 rubles. Now 200 * 50 = 10,000 rubles. This is from one production unit.

Now 10,000 needs to be subtracted from 2000 and we get a net profit. That is, 8,000 rubles. This amount must be multiplied by 42 and you get 336,000 rubles of net profit per year. We divide by 12 months and we get that every month for 30,000 rubles. Judge for yourself - a good salary.

You can receive such a salary by devoting only 4-5 hours of time to a mini-farm. Agree to profitably keep rabbits and create a farm from scratch is not so difficult. Moreover, if you want more, you just need to increase the livestock. When the system gets up to speed, you can think about industrial production.

As you can see, the rabbit breeding business is quite profitable. Raising rabbits is fast and all costs pay off in a year.

Industrial cage, France. Photo: Ethique & Animaux L214

In recent years, the interest of farmers and large agricultural holdings in breeding rabbits has sharply increased. The market is increasingly in demand for dietary meat, and experts predict a 3-fold increase in demand for rabbit meat. Its price reaches 450 rubles per kilogram, so rabbit breeding as a business has good prospects.

Rabbit meat production and product demand

Rabbit meat cannot be attributed to exotic products, but it is rare in stores and does not lie on the shelves. The Russian rabbit meat market is practically not filled, while the need for it, according to some experts, is about 300 thousand tons per year. Import deliveries of products dropped sharply: from 4,300 tons in 2014 to 1,760 tons in 2016.

According to the AB-Center analytical agency, in 2015 the consumption of rabbit meat amounted to 17.5 thousand tons. Of these, 13.5 are products of small farms. Industrial rabbit breeding in our country is not well developed, but the situation is changing rapidly. In the North-Western Federal District, the construction of 3 large farms with a production cycle has begun, which intend to produce more than 7 thousand tons of rabbit meat per year.

Data of the expert-analytical center of agribusiness "AB-Center", 2017

Rabbit is a white dietary meat, digestible by 90%, low in fat and cholesterol. It is non-allergenic, suitable for the production of baby food, capable of removing salts of heavy metals from the body. Demand for it is shaped by the trend towards healthy eating, but is constrained by its high price and the lack of a wide range of products in stores.

For farms, rabbit breeding is very convenient. The business does not require large initial investments, the technologies developed over the years for breeding and keeping rabbits allow you to do this business without special training. The simplest equipment is required, part of which the farmer can make himself. Animals are characterized by high fertility and precocity. One rabbit is capable of 7–8 births per year, which is about 140 kg of meat in live weight annually. Of all areas of animal husbandry, rabbit breeding is the most profitable in all respects, second only to. However, for poultry meat the market is close to saturation.

Comparison of production efficiency of different types of meat

Index	Beef	Pork	rabbit meat	poultry meat
Commodity weight, kg	300–500	100–110	3,5–4	2–2,5
Growing period, days	500–540	140–180	42–49	40–50
Feed conversion, kg/kg live weight
Average cost, rub/kg	95–100	80–90	75–85	50–60
Average price in live weight, rub/kg	120–140	95–115	130–140	65–70
Profitability of production, %	35–37	18–20	22–24	65–69
Average payback period, year	9	5	5	4

* Studies of the Kuban Agrarian University, Krasnodar, 2017 (Klimova N.V., Mozhegova V.D.).

Breeding and keeping technologies

In rabbit breeding, meat and skin areas are distinguished; this is a practically waste-free agricultural production. Rabbits are most profitable for breeding for meat; it has become more difficult to find a wholesale buyer for skins. Previously, they were bought in large quantities for export to China, but since 2016, the Rosselkhoznadzor has banned the import of rabbit meat from the Middle Kingdom, and there have been retaliatory difficulties.

The productivity of breeding rabbits by 20-30% depends on the conditions of detention, the rest is contributed by the breed (genetics) - up to 25% and full feeding - up to 55%. The microclimate is of great importance, rabbit queens are able to breed all year round, but with sharp temperature changes this advantage is not realized. In addition, cold weather is bad for the growth and development of rabbits. Currently, three main technologies are used in rabbit breeding: keeping outdoors in pits, cages (mini-farms) and in rooms with a controlled microclimate.

Requirements for the conditions of detention are established:

• NTP-APK 1.10.06.002-00 Standards for technological design of small-scale enterprises of fur and rabbit farms.
• RD-APK 1.10.06.02-13 Guidelines for the technological design of fur and rabbit farms for peasant (farm) farms

Breeding in holes

Rabbits are burrowing animals by nature, so the traditional way of breeding them is very simple. They choose a site on a hill, enclose it with a fence, deepening the base into the ground by 50–60 cm so that the animals do not dig. A canopy is made over the pits, a door for passage is equipped in the fence. From the inside, feeders and drinkers for rabbits are hung along it.

This method of rabbit breeding is quite affordable at home, as well as for novice farmers. It does not require large material costs. The size of the plot should be such that the ratio is maintained: approximately 5 rabbits and no more than 30 heads of growing young animals 20 square meters. meters. These are close to natural conditions of detention, animals feel calm and develop well.

Technology cons:

• the expansion of production is inevitably associated with an increase in land;
• it is impossible to control the fertilization of females, which leads to a decrease in profits;
• high feed consumption due to eating them by mice, hamsters, rats, birds;
• mortality of young animals in the winter, a decrease in the sexual activity of rabbits;
• difficulties with preventive care, vaccination, risk of infections.

This rabbit breeding technology is still used at home, while all operations (feeding, watering, cleaning) are carried out manually. However, the cost of production will be quite high. If a farmer wants to start raising rabbits as a business, he needs to choose more productive ways to raise them.

Cell content

The street technology of breeding rabbits in cages has become the most widespread. Compact single-tiered or multi-tiered cages are inexpensive, they can be made at home. They take up little space, so a large plot of land is not required. All cage designs are similar, differing mainly in the system for organizing the feeding and watering of animals, as well as in the principle of cleaning floors from manure.

Multi-tiered structures for rabbits are usually called a mini-farm. The most famous are the designs of Mikhailov and Titarenko, as well as Makrol, Rabbitaks (their photos are below in the article). Cell content facilitates the care of the livestock, allows you to control the birth of females. Depending on the type of feed (wet, dry), flute or bunker feeders, hay boxes are equipped in the cages.

The most difficult thing in such conditions for keeping rabbits is to organize a watering system. The best option is when the water from the reservoir comes through pipes with built-in nipple drinkers. In winter, it is necessary to ensure their heating with a heating element. Mesh floors with a cell of 1.6 × 4.8 cm are installed in the cages, under them there is an inclined bunker, which is periodically cleared of manure. The capacity of one mini-farm is small: usually no more than 4 families (a rabbit with offspring) and up to about 35 animals per undergrowth.

Disadvantages of keeping rabbits in open-air cages:

• seasonal reproduction: at temperatures below -15 degrees, they become sleepy and sexual life stops;
• in the summer heat, the risk of diseases and death of newborn rabbits increases;
• low productivity and rather high cost of meat due to manual labor.

Modular sheds

Closed hangar-type premises or rectangular ones made of light metal structures bring rabbit breeding to a qualitatively higher level. The module (rabbit) is covered with cellular polycarbonate, a fan is mounted in the roof. There is a passage inside, along which there are multi-tiered cages on both sides.

In sheds, a system of keeping rabbits is implemented according to the principle “everything is empty - everything is occupied”. When combined with artificial insemination technology, offspring are obtained from each rabbit queen 7 times a year with a 49-day cycle and 8 times with a 42-day cycle. The main herd (males and females) is kept in isolated cages, young animals are housed in 5–7 heads, depending on the design of the house and the breed of animals (they differ in size). Industrial cages are equipped with spring covers, which facilitates the transplantation of rabbits, their treatment, insemination. To remove manure, removable corner panels or pallets are equipped.

In such a room, an automatic drinking system with nipple or float drinkers is equipped. The feed bins are filled with dry pellets about once a week. Optimal conditions for breeding rabbits are maintained by a heating system and forced ventilation. The cost of buying a closed rabbitry pays off quite quickly due to higher productivity of rabbits, livestock safety, reduced labor costs, and, consequently, a reduction in the number of employees.

Types of cages and other equipment

There are a large number of designs of rabbit cages, different in size and configuration. Most are made of wood, the doors are mesh, the floors are slatted. In some models, a system of floor heating in mother liquors, and pipes for water supply are provided. The most popular varieties of rabbitries are shown below.

The cost of cages for the industrial keeping of rabbits depends on the dimensions, design, material, additional equipment (feeding, heating, manure removal system, type of drinkers). The cost of one Mikhailov mini-farm is about 15 thousand rubles, a block of 4 pieces will cost 60 thousand rubles. A set of 12 mini-farms for 1000 rabbits with bunker feeders, nipple drinkers, a heated mother liquor and a polycarbonate canopy costs about 350 thousand rubles.

Closed rabbitries of industrial type are offered by Pankrol (Krasnodar Territory), ELKO (Belarus, representative office in Kaluga). These are turnkey complexes, they include:

• cell equipment (uterine and fattening);
• water supply systems, air conditioning;
• wiring for lighting, automation;
• systems of feeding-drinking, manure removal;
• heating devices for floor and water.

The price of the modular shed "Pankrol" for industrial breeding of rabbits is (based on the number of contained rabbits and young animals):

• for 54/430 - 400 thousand rubles. (6×6 m);
• for 120/960 - 1 million rubles. (15×6 m);
• for 612/4900 - 4.8 million rubles (45 × 9.5 m).

Closed modular rabbitries with artificial microclimate.

Breeds of meat rabbits

In total, there are about 60 breeds of rabbits, which differ in the quality of the skin, weight, slaughter yield of meat products. With age, the coefficient of meatiness increases in all varieties, but if you buy rabbits for breeding for meat, you should pay attention to the following well-established breeds.

• New Zealand white. The breed of the New Zealand rabbit was bred in the USA, now it is widespread in Europe and in Russia. Animals have a well-developed chest, sacro-lumbar part. At 3 months of age, the weight of a rabbit is 2.7 kg. The slaughter yield is 55–65%, the proportion of meat in the carcass is 77–80%. The rabbits are prolific, they bring up to 12 rabbits, which is why it is necessary to align the litters. The wool is white. Feed costs 3.5-5 units/kg gain.
• Silver. Originally from France, it was brought to us from Germany almost 100 years ago. Very large, fast growing rabbit. It is born black or smoky in color, after 3.5 months it gradually acquires a silver tint, and weighs about 4 kg. Adults are very large: 6–6.5 kg. With good care, the slaughter yield is about 62%. There are 8-10 rabbits in a litter. Valued for high-quality fur raw materials.
• Californian. American origin, obtained by crossing Russian ermine, chinchilla and New Zealand breeds. Possesses high precocity and meatiness. Animals have thin and light, but at the same time strong bones. The California rabbit is called "broiler", it reaches a marketable weight of 2.3 kg by the end of the second month of life. Like the New Zealand breed, it has strong, well-furred paws, which saves it from damage on a metal slatted floor, especially in winter. Slaughter yield 60%.
• White (gray) giant. This species was bred in the Poltava region in the 50s of the last century. They crossed the Flanders breed and a local variety of rabbits. From the first they inherited a powerful backbone and high meatiness, from the second - fertility and precocity. Animals are unpretentious to the conditions of detention, adapted to a temperate climate and successfully grown in the northern regions. They reach a weight of 1.7–1.9 kg at the age of 120 days. Slaughter yield 55%, weight fraction 85%.

On the Agroserver, you can buy a monthly rabbit for breeding at a price of 350-500 rubles per head, depending on the breed. An adult rabbit for a tribe costs from 1 thousand rubles. In addition to those listed above, in Russia there are breeds such as Flanders, Burgundy, French sheep. Hy-Plus hybrids have also appeared, characterized by very fast growth and good health. But you can only buy them in loudspeakers, since the appearance of these rabbits does not differ in characteristic features (it is easy to make a mistake). At the same time, you will have to keep the broodstock, since hybrid traits are not transmitted to offspring.

Feed requirement and diet

When raising rabbits, two feeding systems are used: dry (granular) feed and combined, when the animals are fed simultaneously with juicy feed, hay and concentrates.

Compound feed quality requirements are established by GOST 32897-2014 Compound feed for fur-bearing animals, rabbits and nutria. General specifications.

Feeding rabbits only with full-ration granular compound feed is inexpedient and reduces the profitability of production. At the same time, traditional feeds (corn, winter wheat, hay, sunflower cake) contain an insufficient amount of proteins necessary for intensive breeding of rabbits. When breeding rabbits for meat, the best option is the usual mixed diet with additives such as "Premix".

The maximum daily dose of feed for rabbits of different composition (g)

Type of feed	Compound	Animal age
		1-2 months (150 k.u.)	2-3 months (200 k.u.)	3-4 months (260 k.u.)
Dry concentrates
compound feed	meat and bone meal, protein and mineral supplements	85	125	165
grain mix	cereals and legumes	50–80	115	110
Sunflower cake		10	15	20
succulent feed
Silage		-	100	150
Roots	potatoes, beets, carrots	50–150	160–200	250–300
Skim milk		30	-	-
Oilseed grain		5–6	8	60
meal		3–10	15	20
Green feed
fresh greens	nettle, thistle, vetch, cut grass	300	400	600
cabbage leaves		30–100	200	300
hard feed
Bran	different composition	15	25	30
branches	Birch, linden, aspen, apple tree, acacia	50	100	125
Meadow hay		30–70	100	200

Hay for the winter is harvested at about 40 kg per adult animal and 15 kg per rabbit up to 4 months old. For a fattening period of 120 days per family (female, rabbit and 20 rabbits) leaves:

• concentrates - 340 kg;
• hay - 110 kg;
• root crops - 90 kg;
• green mass - 420 kg.

Rabbits should have constant access to food and water. The amount of daily gain significantly depends on the content of proteins (proteins) in the diet, it is necessary to include supplements containing lysine, methionine, arginine, cysteine. Bran, branches (roughage) are of great importance in regulating digestion processes, reducing the risk of intestinal disorders and infectious diseases.

Risks

Like any other farm animals, rabbits are prone to diseases, especially if the breeding and maintenance conditions are violated. Therefore, observance of the rules of veterinary care and vaccination is mandatory. Timely repair of cages, slatted floors protects animals from mechanical injuries, frostbite and overheating. Among the dangerous diseases that can lead to a 70% loss of livestock within a few days, the following can be noted.

Economic risks in rabbit breeding are associated with typical problems that are characteristic of all agriculture as a whole. These are difficulties in renting land and obtaining a loan for the construction of a rabbit farm, with the acquisition of high-quality breeding material, there are very few rabbit reproducers in the country. Also, small farms are characterized by the problem of establishing sales to the store chain due to the small volume of supplies.

Investment in business and profitability

When drawing up a business plan for a rabbit farm, you need to focus on the average profitability in the industry and real examples of operating farms. The productivity of the farm and the payback period depend on the technology of keeping rabbits, the availability of own funds and land, and the need for lending. The following are averages for a typical medium sized commercial rabbit farm (indoor).

• Number of rabbits - 264;
• The selling price of meat is 207 rubles / kg.

The total amount of current expenses is the sum of the following:

• feed - 58%;
• veterinary drugs, vaccination - 35%;
• electricity (including heating) - 4%
• water consumption (water disposal), utilization - 2%;
• other expenses - 1%.

Example. The farm of Kirill Sheshtanov, KFH "KroSh", Leningrad region.

• 2014 The initial investment in the business amounted to 1 million rubles. The money was spent on training, purchasing a computer, paying for a patent; 4 mini-farms of Mikhailov, 8 breeding rabbits (gray and white giant) were purchased.
• 2015–2016 An application was submitted and a one-time grant in the amount of 5.5 million rubles was received. Added own funds 3 million rubles. 200 mini-farms have been purchased, our own slaughterhouse has been built, equipment for it has been purchased, and accreditation has been carried out. The annual turnover amounted to 800 thousand rubles.
• 2017 There are 250 mini-farms in total, 2,000 rabbits are kept. The farm is served by only 3 people: livestock specialist, worker, slaughterer. The turnover amounted to 1.2 million. There are plans to purchase a Ford Transit car with a refrigeration unit.

In the above example, the peasant farm organized the outer cage keeping of rabbits. The entrepreneur is going to develop production according to the European system, in closed sheds. You can learn more about its history on the website of the Food Industry News Portal.

Marketing routes and prices for meat

In small towns, markets and seasonal fairs are the main sales channel for rabbit meat. Entrepreneurs note that rabbit carcasses weighing 1.5 kg are in the greatest demand. The large mass of the animal raises suspicions about its age, and the cost of meat is quite high. Other distribution channels:

• restaurants, farm produce shops;
• own points of sale in covered markets;
• hospitals, baby food factories;
• intermediary wholesale organizations.

The cost of 1 kg of rabbit meat on the wholesale websites Agro.ru, Agroserver reaches 500 rubles, on average it varies in the range of 350-425 rubles. Depends on the quality of the meat, the nature of cutting and packaging.

* Prices for April 2019

It is difficult for small suppliers to build relationships with large chain stores. Most often, they sell products to intermediaries at a price almost half that of the consumer. At the same time, the organization of its own slaughter and cutting shop significantly increases production efficiency. For example, if you offer vacuum-packed carcasses to shops and catering establishments, in a marinade weighing 0.5, 1, 1.5 kg. A cut rabbit with a small weight is much more affordable than a whole carcass.

Veterinary standards and GOSTs

• TR TS 034/2013 - Technical Regulations of the Customs Union. On the safety of meat and meat products.
• GOST 27747-2016: Rabbit meat (carcasses of rabbits, broiler rabbits and their parts). Specifications.

The rules for the circulation of unprocessed fresh meat and semi-finished meat products on the territory of Russia and other EurAsEC countries are regulated by the Regulations of the Customs Union. According to this document, the compliance of product quality with the established requirements is confirmed by a veterinary certificate. It is issued by the relevant territorial service of Rosselkhoznadzor after laboratory testing and veterinary and sanitary examination.

Control over the production and movement of fresh meat from the producer to the wholesaler and retailer is carried out using the state information system GIS Mercury (Vetis). In this system, the manufacturer generates VSD (veterinary accompanying documents), which are transmitted along the chain to the final seller who sells the product to the consumer.

For packaged semi-finished meat products, it is necessary to draw up a declaration of conformity, and on a voluntary basis, you can also obtain a certificate of conformity. The rules for issuing these documents are established by TR CU 021/2011 (Technical Regulations of the Customs Union. Food Safety).

Form of organization of the economy

In rabbit breeding, any form of organization of production is possible:, or. Peasant farming is more profitable in the sense that it is possible to apply for certain measures of state support - soft loans, subsidies, grants. When registering an enterprise, you need to select the following codes as the main types of activity (handbook "OK 029-2014 (KDEC Rev. 2):

• 01.49.2 - breeding of rabbits and other fur-bearing animals;
• 01.49.21 - production of fine rabbit hair;

In addition, the agricultural tax is the most beneficial in comparison with other taxation regimes. It is 6% of income, and losses from previous periods can be written off as payment. A farm can be organized even by one family member on his own behalf. If the rest will act as members of the peasant farm, then they will have to pay contributions for pension insurance.

In conclusion, we note that fluctuations in market prices are unlikely to have a large impact on the cost of rabbit meat in the near future. Demand for it is growing, and the supply on the market is still small. Simultaneously with the breeding of rabbits for meat, the farmer also receives by-products. It further increases the overall profit of the farm. Thus, wholesalers buy dried rabbit skins at a price of about 60 rubles / kg, and rabbit manure is suitable for application to the fields even without preliminary biological treatment. It is willingly taken by local entrepreneurs engaged in crop production, so it will not be difficult to find buyers.

rabbit farm business plan

We present you a free ready-made example of a business plan, on the basis of which you can draw up your own. This material contains all the items of expenditure and examples of calculations for rabbit breeding.

• Introduction
• 1. Resume
• 2. Production plan
• 3. Market analysis
• 4. Analysis of sales markets for products and purchases of raw materials
• 5. Marketing strategy of the project
• 6. Organizational plan
• 7. Financial plan

This example is suitable for both the farm and for your household, since you can simply reduce the scale of the business.

useful links

• How it works: how much does a rabbit farm bring // RBC, an interview with the owner of the Lelechi rabbit farm
• Faster than rabbits: how an extra-class biathlete became a livestock breeder // RBC, interview with numbers

Running a farm or a small private economy has recently gained popularity as a source of main or additional income. The main thing in this activity is to choose the right livestock industry and provide pets with the conditions of detention. Rabbit breeding will bring you profit or supply your family with food. But first, you need to draw up a business plan for breeding rabbits, which includes calculations of the initial capital, items of expenses and income, and additional profit. It is useful to familiarize yourself with the features of caring for animals.

Rabbits can bring good profit

The meat of these animals is characterized as dietary, has a delicate taste, is absorbed by the body and does not cause an allergic reaction. Included in the menu of patients suffering from metabolic disorders.

Income will bring both meat and skin areas in rabbit breeding.

Advantages

Rabbits are characterized by a number of advantages that will become a source of profit:

• fertility;
• a short period of sukrolnost;
• productivity: both meat and skin.

Breeding rabbits is beneficial even for a novice businessman:

• quickly pays off;
• brings profit with little time and effort;
• does not require a large start-up capital;
• not subject to high taxes;
• does not require large expenses for the maintenance of animals.

Minus - losses among the young.

The cost of rabbit breeding quickly pays off

Varieties

Choose meat breeds, since the main source of income from a rabbit farm is meat. Among these varieties are popular:

• New Zealand red - weight up to 5 kilograms, early maturity;
• New Zealand white - quickly gaining weight, already in three months they weigh up to three and a half kilograms;
• the Californian is a broiler breed, by five months the specimen weighs four and a half kilograms, with an increase of up to 45 g daily.

Breeders acquire representatives of these breeds at special fairs and exhibitions of agriculture. Avoid buying livestock from bird markets.

Red New Zealand rabbit - a representative of the meat direction

Where to begin?

Opening a rabbit farm does not require large initial contributions. So, for the maintenance of a herd of up to 1 thousand heads, a plot of no more than a standard six acres will be required. Homemade cages and devices for eating, water will affect the cost reduction.

Before you start rabbit breeding, choose how you want to register your activity. For a mini-enterprise, a personal type of subsidiary farm is better suited. Another option is to obtain documents of an individual entrepreneur. The decision is associated with the ways of selling products.

If you have thought over the sales market (meat sold to friends or exhibited at rural production fairs), then a personal subsidiary farm (LPS) is suitable for you.

You will save on taxes. The choice of the activity of an individual entrepreneur (IP) will fully promote the business, but with some disadvantages:

• increase in expenses for the organization of entrepreneurial activity;
• permits are required.

Rabbit cages take up quite a lot of space

To open a rabbit farm, you will need a place where you build it. This can be done on your own or rented garden plot. Calculate the losses from the registration of the enterprise. A separate item of expenditure is the arrangement of the entrance and the water drainage system. You will also need materials for the construction of shed structures:

• fine mesh with galvanization;
• wooden bars;
• metal sheets and profile;
• roof materials.

Homemade feeders and drinkers will reduce payments, but refrigeration units and equipment for preparing compound feed are store purchases. If you plan to hire workers for the rabbit farm, then their wages are an additional cost.

LPH or IP?

When choosing a private household plot, you will need the following documents to start a business:

• confirmation of the rights to the land plot;
• your health record;
• sanitary book of the car on which rabbit meat is delivered (if this is your personal vehicle);
• a certificate from a veterinarian on the condition of the rabbit population;
• safety assessment of meat products received from a veterinary laboratory.

Documents that will be required for registration of an individual entrepreneur and rabbit breeding:

• certificates: farms for breeding rabbits, phytosanitary control;
• declaration of conformity with state quality standards.

IP status implies the payment of taxes

Private household plots are not taxed, a single tax on agriculture is paid for individual entrepreneurs.

The activities of private household plots are controlled by the bodies of the rural or city administration, and Rosselkhoznadzor is responsible for the individual entrepreneurs. The code of your economic activity is A.01.25.2, that is, “breeding of rabbits and fur-bearing animals on a farm”, and a ban is imposed on the skin-skin production from an animal obtained by hunters.

Building conditions

• find out from the local administration the requirements for the distance between agricultural buildings and residential buildings;
• choose a flat area on a hill to avoid flooding during the rainy season or when the snow melts;
• choose a quiet place, away from noisy roads;
• avoid wetlands with high humidity (rabbits get sick from this);
• lay asphalt on the territory of the rabbit farm, arrange moisture removal.

Humidity is contraindicated for rabbits

Fixed Cost Items

If a kilogram of such food costs an average of no more than 9 rubles, then the cost of feeding a rabbit family will be 3,000 rubles. Three shed devices annually consume feed for approximately 126,000 rubles.

Home-made mixed feed from cereals and grass flour with vitamin and mineral supplements will reduce food costs. You can prepare juicy feed and hay with your own hands, but it is not recommended to spend money on this when farming more than a thousand heads.

Set aside 300 rubles or more per head for veterinary care. For three sheds, each of which contains 14 queens, you will need more than 12 thousand rubles. Add to this payments for electricity (1500 rubles) and hay (2000).

Rabbits may need a vet

Items of permanent income

The sale of meat products is the main income in rabbit breeding. Net lethal output from the head - 2 kg. Three shed complexes annually produce up to 1000 livestock of young animals, a total of 2000 kilograms, 250-300 rubles each.

At such prices, the profit from the sale of meat will amount to 500 thousand rubles a year. If we subtract the expenditure items from this amount, then 360 thousand rubles remain (30 thousand monthly).

Separately, calculate the yield of offal - the liver and kidneys (plus two thousand per year). Rabbit breeding will pay off within six months.

Additional profit

They also help out money for rabbit skins, which are best preserved during the slaughter period in the summer. In studios or factories they are accepted for 30-40 rubles, dressed are more expensive (up to 150). Selling a thousand skins annually, the breeder receives up to 150,000 rubles.

It is advisable to use rabbit droppings for the production of vermicompost, which is obtained after fermentation of excrement in biogas plants.

Biohumus from rabbit droppings will bring additional income

Markets

Build your own customer base. At the initial stages, it will include relatives, acquaintances, and so on. Advertise in the newspapers, post ads on the streets. They sell meat products directly from the rabbit farm. If dealers turn to you, then show them a certificate from a veterinarian.

For cooperation with restaurants, you will need a certificate from a veterinarian of form No. 2.

In addition to the veterinary department, visit the SES, the local center for standardization and metrology, in order to navigate the marketing standards for meat products.

It is unlikely that a network of large supermarkets will become a promising market for you. Such suppliers offer too low wholesale prices for meat.

Restaurants willingly buy rabbit meat

Organization of livestock care

For breeding, 45-50 heads of breeding young animals are bought (expenditure up to 13,500 rubles). The most convenient system, which presents the possibilities of automating the keeping of animals and saving space, are cage batteries (shed system).

The two batteries are connected by means of a roof. The shed body is made of wooden or metal raw materials, the passage between the batteries and the floor are sheathed with boards or poured with concrete.

With the system of sheds, the cells themselves and additional utility rooms are placed on one hundred square meters, on which up to a thousand copies are grown annually (in square meters):

• three complexes of sheds (20 * 2.4 * 2.8 meters) - 360;
• a room for compound feed, cereals, with an entrance - 200;
• inventory storage room - up to 50;
• a place for slaughter and refrigeration units for meat (with ventilation and compliance with sanitary standards) - up to 50;
• concreted manure pit up to three meters deep, under a canopy - 30;
• the rest are passages for a small tractor.

In the shed, 60 cells with parameters of 1.3 * 0.7 * 0.55 meters are placed using the two-tier method. To make cages, use a galvanized mesh with small cells (in mm) 18 by 18, 20 by 20, 16 by 48. To install the floor at an angle, set the back wall of the room 20 centimeters below the front. This will make cleaning easier. Arrange a double floor covering so that the roof of the lower segment serves as a collection for the litter of the inhabitants of the upper floor (a double floor is also needed in the lower tier).

The slaughterhouse is supplied with a drain for blood and an oven in which waste is burned after slaughter. If you equip nearby refrigeration units, this will facilitate the processing of meat and save time.

Cell batteries are the most convenient option for keeping rabbits

Feeding and breeding

Separate rooms are allocated for the female rabbits and the breeding male in the upper segment of the shed (14 cages plus one). In the remaining 45 cells, young animals live, 7-8 specimens per group. Maintain cleanliness, change flooring in time and remove litter, disinfect.

Rabbits are ready for breeding immediately after giving birth, but farmers at home allow them to the male 3-4 times a year (spring, summer and autumn).

6-8 rabbits are born, which the female feeds for at least two months. In total, keeping fourteen female rabbits in a shed brings from 250 to 350 heads annually, and an enterprise in which there are three sheds will produce up to a thousand rabbit carcasses.

Between the places of eating and nests in the cages are placed a nursery from a grid of 35 (25) by 35 millimeters, filled with hay. Feeders and drinkers are installed under them.

Concentrated food (cereals, compound feed) is stored in a special dry room. Homemade feed is cheaper. It is more useful than purchased, which contains synthetic vitamins and substances undesirable for animals. In the summer, they are given dried fresh grass, and hay is harvested for the winter. The menu of lactating and pregnant females is more varied and nutritious, includes juicy varieties of feed and supplements of mineral and vitamin elements.

Compound feed for a rabbit can be bought or prepared independently

For self-production of compound feed, purchase a grain crusher and an extruder for granulation. One of the homemade food recipes contains (as a percentage):

• ground grains of oats and wheat - 30;
• ground barley and corn grains - 45;
• wheat bran - 12;
• cake - 12;
• chalk - 0.5;
• salt - 0.5.

Per day, an adult rabbit consumes (in grams):

• forbs - up to 1500;
• bean hay - 1200;
• branch feed - 600;
• carrots - 600;
• cabbage for food - 600;
• fodder beet - 200;
• bran - 100.

Additives to the main menu - flour of animal origin (15 g), table salt - 2.5 g, crushed chalk - 2 g. In the morning, the herd is fed with juicy and green fodder, at lunchtime and in the evening - with mixed fodder, grain crops. Pour fresh, clean water, slightly heated, into the drinkers.

The market niche of rabbit meat is now underoccupied, unlike chicken or pork.

Even as a beginner breeder, with a sound business plan, you can make money with little expense. Rabbit farming, which used to be almost neglected, is gradually becoming a profitable business venture.