Rabbit meat is one of the best sources of protein and is healthier than other meats. As a result, commercial rabbit farming in Kenya is becoming popular day by day. Rabbit meat contains more protein and less fat than beef, turkey, pork, and even chicken meat.
For a long time, commercial rabbit farming in Kenya for meat
production has not been taken seriously. But now, rabbit farmers in Kenya are
now raising highly meat-producing rabbits for commercial production of meat and
they are earning good money by doing this business.
Benefits of Rabbit Farming in Kenya
There are several benefits of commercial rabbit farming in
Kenya. The main benefits of rabbit farming business in Kenya are listed below.
- Rabbits
are very fast-growing animals like broiler chicken. They gain maturity
fast and become suitable for slaughtering purpose within 4-5 months.
- Rabbit
gestation period is less (generally between 28-31 days) and a doe give
birth of kids after every 2 months. Each time one doe can give birth of
2-8 kids.
- Starting
rabbit farming in Kenya requires very little capital or investment. Even,
you can start rabbit farming business in a well ventilated small space.
- Food
to meat converting rate is higher on rabbit than any other livestock
animals.
- Rabbit
meat is very tasty and nutritious. All types and all aged people can
easily consume and digest rabbit meat.
- Feeding
costs for commercial rabbit farming in Kenya is also very less. You can
easily feed your rabbits kitchen wast materials, grasses, plant leaves etc.
with their regular commercial feed. This will help you for reducing
feeding cost.
- Commercial
rabbit farming in Kenya can be great source of income and employment. You
can successfully use your family labor for rabbit farming business. Rabbit
farming is also very pleasuring and entertaining.
How to Start Rabbit Farming in Kenya
Starting rabbit farming in Kenya requires very low
investment. It’s very easy to set up and raising rabbits commercially. Here we
are describing the steps for starting commercial rabbit
farming business in Kenya.
Breeds For Commercial Production
Choosing suitable breeds for commercial rabbit farming in
Kenya is most important. The common rabbit
breeds used for commercial production in Kenya are California White,
Flemish Giant, New Zealand White and some other local cross breeds.
All those breeds are suitable for commercial production
according to the environment and climate of Kenya. Choose breeds according to
your desired production.
Housing
Making suitable rabbit
housing is the most important part for rabbit farming in Kenya.
Rabbits are very clean animals. They love to stay in neat and clean house with
good ventilation system.
You can raise rabbits in both deep litter and cage methods. Choose the method according to your production type and investment capability.
Some important factors to consider which constructing house
for commercial rabbit farming in Kenya are described below.
- Depending
on the breeds, various breeds vary in their weight. Generally, an adult
rabbit weights between 2-7 kg. And for commercial production, 1200-1500
squire centimeter clean space is required for 1 kg weight. That means 80cm
* 80cm space is required for a medium sized rabbit.
- Doe
needs extra space for proper growth. 80cm * 115cm space is perfect for an
adult medium sized doe.
- Keep
the kids or young rabbits in a group until they reach 4 months of age.
20-30 young rabbits can be kept in each group.
- Proper
ventilation system in the house is very essential. You can cover the walls,
doors, roofs of a hutch with chicken wire netting or made up of bamboo or
wood placed 20mm apart. This system is suitable for hot tempered areas.
- In
cold tempered areas, you can easily make a house with solid wall and roof.
- Make a
drain inside the house so that you can easily clean the house.
- Clean
the feeding and watering equipment inside the house on a regular basis.
Feeding
A sufficient amount of nutritious and balanced diet food keeps
the rabbit healthy and productive. For commercial production, you can feed your
rabbits commercially prepared supplementary feed.
This type of foods are available in the market. Along with
this you can add kitchen garbage, grasses, leaves of various trees etc.
This will help you reducing feeding costs. Sufficient amount
of clean and fresh water is also required with proper nutritious rabbit feed.
Breeding
Rabbit grows very fast and gains maturity earlier. They
become suitable for breeding within their 6 months of age. The gestation period
of rabbits is less compared to other livestock animals.
Generally, a doe give birth of kids after every two months.
Each time one doe can give birth of 2-8 kids. The gestation period stays for 28-31
days.
Care & Management
Take some extra care and management to your rabbits.
Vaccinate them timely to keep free from all types of rabbit
diseases.
Never feed them polluted or expired food. Try to monitor all
their activities.
Marketing
Marketing process is most important part of rabbit farming
in Kenya. Basically, there are no formal markets for selling rabbit products so
far like chickens, goats or fish.
But rabbit meat slaughterhouses are coming up due to the
high popularity and increasing demands of rabbit meat. Right now you can try
the local market, restaurants, and supermarkets.
Rabbit meat has a huge demand in China and some other
countries. So, if you have sufficient facilities then try to export to foreign
countries.
Every business goes with some problems. Don’t fear about
marketing your products. Formal markets are not available right now. But rabbit meat popularity and consumption rate is increasing rapidly. And a suitable
marketplace is coming up soon. So, for earning some extra income, start
commercial rabbit farming in Kenya.
Frequently Asked Questions
People ask many questions about rabbit farming in Kenya.
Here we are trying to list the most common questions about raising and breeding
rabbits in Kenya, and trying to answer them. Hope you will find your answer.
Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have more questions.
Is rabbit farming profitable in Kenya?
Yes, commercial rabbit farming is a profitable business in
Kenya. Commercial rabbit production requires less investment, but the profits
are much higher than many other livestock farming businesses. Although, you have
to set your marketing strategies before starting this business. Because your
production will not be profitable if you can’t sell your products well.
How much does it cost to start a rabbit farm in Kenya?
A rabbit breeder locally costs between Kshs. 3,000-6,000 and
the average number of rabbit bunnies per mother is 3-8 every two months.
Is there a market for rabbits in Kenya?
Yes, the market is huge. But you have to contact the right
person for selling your rabbits. You can directly contact some hotels in
Nairobi for selling rabbits in large numbers.
Can you raise rabbits with chickens in Kenya?
Yes, sure! You can raise rabbits with your chickens. But try to make a separate space for your rabbits within the chicken house.
How much does a rabbit cost in Kenya?
The average cost of a mature rabbit is between Kshs. 1000 and
Kshs. 1500. And a baby or small rabbit of 1-2 months of age will cost you
around Kshs. 300 to Kshs. 500.
How much is a kilo of rabbit meat in Kenya?
You can expect the price around Kshs. 500 per kg.
Is there a demand for rabbit meat in Kenya?
Yes, and the demand is increasing gradually. You can target
selling your rabbits directly to some hotels in Nairobi for more profits.
Rabbit buyers in Kenya have improved the market for rabbit meat and other
rabbit products.
How many rabbits do you need to make money?
Having around or up to 20 breeding pairs will be enough for
making good money yearly.
Where can I sell rabbit meat in Nairobi?
You can target hotels and rabbit butcheries first and then
schools, and open markets.
Where can I sell rabbit urine in Kenya?
You can contact the buyers listed here for selling your
rabbit urine.
Alcare Group
- Location:
Kanyariri-Gitaru Road, Gitaru
- Phone
1: 0725 893 963
- Phone
2: 0718 784 649
2. Aqua Farm Consultants
- Location:
Standard Building, 6th Floor, Nairobi
- Phone:
0720 586 990
3. Rabbit Breeders Association Of Kenya
- Location:
Township Kenyatta Hwy, Thika Livestock Offices, Nyeri Town
- Phone:
0721 219 092
4. Rabbit Urine Extra
- Phone:
0775 591 851
5. Rabbit Consortium Limited
- Location:
Dagoretti, Kabiro Kabiro, Dagoreti North, Nairobi
- Phone:
0725 600 710
6. Rabbit Republic Limited
- Location:
Standard Building, Wabera Street, Nairobi
- Phone:
0720 586 990
How much is rabbit urine per liter in Kenya?
Pure rabbit urine for organically raised crops Kshs. 100 per
liter.
What do Kenyan rabbits eat?
For commercial production, you should feed your rabbits with
commercial rabbit feed. Along with this, you can also feed them pellets and hay,
grass, potatoes, fruits, vegetables, etc.
How much is rabbit pellets in Kenya?
On average, the cost of rabbit pellets is between Kshs. 90
to Kshs. 150. Please visit the store directly to know the current price
of rabbit pellets.