Rabbit Farming 1. Why do Angora rabbit farming ?

1.1 Angora rabbits are mainly raised for their wool, which is known for its quality.Angora rabbits are of many types. The differences are mainly in the amount of woolproduced and the percentage of guard hair in the wool. Among the various types,German Angora is the best and annually yield 1000 to 1200gm of wool under idealmanagement practices. Rabbits can be adopted to any set of circumstances right from akitchen garden to a large intensive commercial enterprise. The wool produced by rabbits are preferred for manufacturing of high value woollens which have got very goodexport potential.

1.2 The advantages of rabbit farming are

i) Rabbits are highly prolific in nature

ii) Consume a large amount of forages from diverse origins and so can be reared onsmall amounts of costly concentrates.

iii) They can be reared in the kitchen garden/backyard of farmer's house

iv) Initial investment cost is low

v) Quick returns i.e. six months after the establishment of farm

vi) Income generation at quarterly interval makes the repayment easy.

Vii) Apart from providing wool rabbits also provides income from manure etc.

viii) Residual feed, together with rabbit manure is highly suitable for vermicompostwhich in turn provides excellent manure for fertilising the fields.

2. Scope for rabbit farming and it's national importance:

2.1 Rabbit farming is another livestock activity with great scope as it is relatively easy,rewarding and takes little space compared to other livestock activities. Rabbit farming can also provide a very valuable additional source of income in the rural areas. Anotherimportant consideration is food production cycle, which shows that rabbit need not be incompetition with man for it's food. For producing high quality woollens, blending withother fine quality fibres is essential. The other livestock species which is source of woolis sheep. The wool produced by Indian sheep breeds are of not fine quality. Therefore,currently we are importing the fine wool. The wool from Angora Rabbits is of very highquality and it's blending with carpet wool of sheep and silk improves the quality of

woollens to a great extent.

2.2 Good strains of rabbits suitable to our climatic conditions were developed with the constant efforts of North Temperate Regional Station (NTRS) of the Central Sheep andWool Research Institute (CSWRI), Garsa, Kullu and management practices werestandardised . Further, it has created adequate infrastructure for training of theinterested farmers for taking up the rabbit farming on scientific lines. However, Angorarabbit can be reared only in hill areas. Therefore, Angora rabbit rearing is a boon to thefarmers of hill areas, where the scope for other livestock activities is very limited.

3. Financial assistance available from banks / NABARD

for Rabbit farming

3.1 NABARD is an apex institution for all matters relating to policy, planning, andoperations in the field of agriculture credit. It serves as refinance agency for the ground level institutions / banks providing investment and production credit for various activitiesunder agriculture and allied sectors for ensuring integrated rural development. It co-ordinates the development activities through a well organised Technical Services Department at the head office and Technical cells at each of the regional offices.

3.2 For undertaking the rabbit farming on scientific lines, loan from banks with refinancefacility from NABARD is available. For obtaining bank loan the farmers / entrepreneurs should apply to the nearest branch of a Commercial, Co-operative or Regional Rural Banks in the prescribed application form, which is available in the branches of financingbank. Necessary help or guidance can be obtained from the technical officer attached to or the manager of the bank in preparing the project report, which is a prerequisite forsanction of the loan.

3.3 For Rabbitry schemes with very large outlays, detailed project reports will have to beprepared. The items such as land development, construction of sheds and other civilstructures, purchase of the breeding stock, equipment, feed cost upto the point ofincome generation are normally considered under bank loan. Other items of investmentwill be considered on need basis after providing the satisfactory information justifyingthe need for such items. The cost of land is not considered for loan. However, if land ispurchased for setting up the Rabbit farm exclusively, it can be considered asbeneficiaries margin money upto a maximum of 10% of the investment cost.

4. Scheme formulation

4.1 In case of commercial rabbit units, the banks are expected to submit a project foravailing the refinance assitance. The format/check list of the commercial rabbit projectsis given as enclosure (Annexure - I). The scheme normally should include informationon land, livestock markets, availability of water, feeds, veterinary aid, breeding facilities,marketing aspects, training facilities, experience of the farmer and the type of

assistance available from State Government's Regional Rabbit breeding centers.

4.2 The scheme should also include information on the number, breed and cost ofanimals to be purchased, their production performance, technical norms and input andoutput costs with their description. Based on this, the total cost of the project, marginmoney to be provided by the beneficiary, requirement of bank loan, estimated annualexpenditure, income, profit and loss statement, repayment period, etc. can be workedout.

5. Requirements of a good project

A format prepared by NABARD for formulation of rabbitry development schemes isgiven in Annexure - I. The scheme so formulated should be submitted to the nearestbranch of bank. The bank's officers can assist in preparation of the scheme or filling in the prescribed application form. The bank will then examine the scheme for its technicalfeasibility and economic viability.

A Technical Feasibility - This would briefly include :

a) Nearness of the selected area to veterinary hospitals, breeding centers, marketing outlets for wool and other products and the financing bank's branch.

b) Availability of good quality breeding stock from nearby breeding farms.

c) Source and availability of training facilities.

d) Availability of concentrate feeds and kitchen garden/ vegetable market waste.

e) Availability of medicines, vaccines and veterinary services etc.

f) Reasonability of various production and reproduction parameters.

B) Economic Viability - This would briefly include :

a) Unit cost - The average cost of breeding stock relavant to the area

b) Input cost for feeds, veterinary aid, insurance, labour charges, etc.

c) Output costs i.e. sale price of wool, wool producers of different age groups and culledanimals

d) Income-expenditure statement and annual gross surplus.

e) Cash flow analysis.

C. Bankability :

Repayment schedule (i.e. repayment of principal loan amount and interest.)

Other documents such as loan application forms, security aspects, margin moneyrequirements etc. are also examined. A field visit to the scheme area is undertaken forconducting a techno- economic feasibility study for appraisal of the scheme. Theeconomics of model rabbitry unit is given in statements 1-8.

6.0 Sanction of bank loan and its disbursement

After ensuring technical feasibility and economic viability, the scheme is sanctioned bythe bank. The loan is disbursed in stages against creation of specific assets such asconstruction of sheds, purchase of equipments and animals. The end use of the fund is verified and constant follow-up is done by the bank.

7.0 Lending terms - general

7.1 Unit cost

Each Regional Office of NABARD has constituted a State Level Unit Cost Committeeunder the chairmanship of RO- in-charge and with the members from developmental agencies, commercial banks and cooperative banks to review the unit cost of variousinvestments once in six months. The same is circulated among the banks for theirguidance.

7.2 Margin Money

NABARD has defined farmers into three different categories and where subsidy is not available, the minimum down payment as shown below is collected from thebeneficiaries. Sr. No. Category of farmer Beneficiary's

Contribution (%)1 Small farmer 5 2 Medium farmer 10 3 Large farmer 15

7.3 Interest Rate

Banks are free to decide the interest rates within overall RBI guidelines. However, forworking out financial viability and bankability of model project, we have assumed rate ofinterest as 12% p.a.

7.4 Security

Security will be as per NABARD/RBI guidelines issued from time to time.

7.5 Repayment Period of Loan

Repayment period depends upon the gross surplus in the scheme. The loans will berepaid in suitable quarterly/half yearly/annual installments usually within a period ofabout 5-6 years with a grace period of one year.

7.6 Insurance

The animals may be insured annually or on long term master policy, where ever it isapplicable.

8. package of common management practices recommended for rabbit farming:

Well established scientific management practices should be adopted to maximise the economic benefits from rabbit farming. The major norms and recommended practicesare given below:

Selection of breed:

1. Select right type of the breed for maximization of economic benefits. Various wooltype of rabiit breeds and their characteristic features are given in Annexure - II.

2. Breeding males and females should be of different sire lines, below one year of age,devoid of visual deformities like patchy wool, buck teeth, sore hock, visual reproductivedefects and should be true to the breed.

3. Purchase of breeding stock should be avoided from rabbitries with high incidence ofdiseases like pneumonia, sore hock, coccidiosis, enteritis or with poor reproductiveefficiency i.e. <50%.

Location and Housing:

4. Areas having temperature ranging between 10o C and 20o C and relative humidityranging between 55 and 65% throughout the year are ideal for rearing Angora rabbits.

5. Ensure adequate facility for clean water, electricity, approach road, supply ofbreeding stock, feed, fodders, veterinary aid and nearness to market for sale of wooland meat of culled animals.

6. For small size rabbit farms hutch system may be adopted which is a self containedcage-cum-nest box with it's own roof.

7. In case of larger farms cages may be arranged inside the sheds in single or two tierunder hanging or step wise rack system.

8. Provide adequate floor space per rabbit. The space (hutch sizes) requirement fordifferent categories of rabbits is given in Annexure - III.

9. Rabbitry roofing should be preferably of asbestos, wood, thatch or other locallyavailable cheaper materials.

10. Construct sheds in such a way that predators and birds do not enter the shed. Incase of open hutches proper fencing should be provided to protect the rabbits from their predators.

11. Construct rat proof civil structures for feed and wool storage.

12. Keep the shed/pens clean by regular cleaning and disinfection to make it free fromflies/mosquitoes and a foot dip should be maintained at the entrance of the sheds.

13. Rabbit cages should be cleaned regularly, especially disinfected before kindling.

14. During kindling period cage/hutch nest box should be kept clean so that kits do notpick up diseases like coccidia.

15. Feeders and waterers should be cleaned regularly and mash feed should beremoved from the feeders which can be used for feeding other livestock species.Equipment:

16. Use scientifically designed cages and equipment. The ideal guage for floor of thecage is 14-16 with a mesh size of 19x19 mm or 25x13 mm. The walls and roof can beconstructed with lighter gauge i.e. 16-20 with a mesh size of 25x25mm.

17. The feeders should be designed and placed in such a manner that the feed can bepoured from outside and should be 5-7.5 cm. above the cage floor to avoid contamination by urine, faeces or water. The rim of the feeders should be round and turned inward ½" so that the rabbits do not spill the feed/water.

18. The watering equipment of 400-500 ml. capacity made up of aluminum, earthen or any other locally available cheaper material may be used.

Feeding:

19. Production performance depends upon the quality of feed offered. For highproduction levels balanced pellet feed in combination with hay should be given.

20. Fresh green plants like bean, Alfalfa, berseem, grass, tender banana, cane andbamboo leaves, cutup pieces of the stalks of plants such as maize or banana, roots

such as cassava, yams, carrots, beefs and turnips inedible portions of cabbage andcauliflower etc. can replace partially or wholly pellet feeds in case of low input and lowoutput production system. Different types of feeds that can be fed to rabbits are given inAnnexure - IV a.

21. If whole pellet is fed, feed is given at a time for many days.

22. If concentrate and hay are given, then concentrate should be offered preferably inthe morning and hay in the afternoon. Recommended concentrate feed formulae forAngora rabbits are given in Annexure - IV b.

23. A practical combination of different types of feeds and regular timetable for feeding is advisable so that rabbits do not feel any stress due to changes in their daily routine. Apractical feeding combintaion is given in Annexure - IV c.

Watering:

24. Water should be available round the clock particularly to a lactating doe.

25. Always give fresh and clean drinking water.

26. Always keep water pots clean and remove sediments daily. Water pots should becleaned thoroughly every week.

27. Use of properly designed Automatic watering equipment can also be made. Breeding Management:

28. The average age at first mating is about 5-7 months and it varies with the physical maturity of individual rabbit and also breed.

29. Mating should be done either early in the morning or in the evening.

30. The doe is to be taken to the buck cage and never vice-versa

31. The breeding should be planned in such a way that about 3 to 4 litters per doe areobtained per year during multiplicative stage.

32. The nest box is kept in the cage around 25th day of pregnancy with loosened jute wool or wood shavings.

33. Male rabbits can be used for mating until they are about three years.

34. In order to prevent inbreeding depression rabbits from the same family should notbe bred. Therefore, replace male rabbit about once every year.

35. After three years, the full grown female rabbits should be replaced either by newpurchases or females of own farm.

Care of young ones:

36. The nest box should be removed after 5 weeks of kindling.

37. Kits should be examined and dead ones should be removed daily.

38. If the bedding becomes wet it should be replaced by a fresh and clean one.

39. Weaning should be done at 5th or 6th week after kindling.

40. No sudden change in feed is advisable.

Disease prevention/control:

41. Clean sanitary conditions of rabbit cages, sheds and equipment, balanced feed andfresh clean water are essential to prevent chances of infection.

42. The rabbits should be prevented from coming in contact with the feaces.

43. Overcrowding should be avoided.

44. Proper ventilation should be provided.

45. Flies which may act as carriers of the infection should be kept under control in therabbitry.

46. The common diseases of rabbits and recommended preventive/control measuresare given in Annexure - V

47. Rabbit cages should be disinfected with blow lamp after every shearing and kindlingcages before the doe is shifted and after weaning.

48. Burn dead sick rabbits at once to keep the diseases from spreading.

49. The bedding of the nest box should be burnt after use.

50. The dead animals should be buried soon after post mortem (if required).

Shearing of wool/marketing:

51. Shearing of wool should preferably be done when the wool is 5 to 6 cm long. Certainquality standards adopted by rabbit wool exporting countries are given in Annexure - VI.

52. Young ones should be sheared a week after weaning and subsequently at every 10-11 weeks interval.

53. Shearing should not be done on extreme cold days of December and January

54. While shearing care should be taken to cut the wool as close to the skin in a single cut.

55. After shearing animal should be given protection against adverse climate for 15days.

56. The wool should be sorted out into various grades for better marketing.

57. Ensure the constant and study demand for wool and pelts.

58. Avoid shearing of pregnant females 15 days before due date of kindling.

59. Wool should be delivered in a clean manner to fetch premium price.

60. Plan shearing of breeding stock 7-10 days before start of breeding in your flock to avoid poor reproductive efficiency. Format for submission of schemes

Scheme : Angora rabbit farming for wool production

1. GENERAL

i) Name of the sponsoring bank ii) Address of the controlling office sponsoring the scheme iii) Nature and objectives of the proposed scheme iv) Details of proposed investments

S.No. Investment No. of units (a) (b) (c)

v) Specification of the scheme area

(Name of District & Block/s)

S.No. District Block

vi) Name of the financing bank's branches

S.No. Name of the Branch District (a) (b) (c)

vii) Status of beneficiary/ies (Individual/ Partnership/Company/Corporation/ Co-operative Society/Others viii) In case of area based schemes, coverage of borrowers in weaker

sections (landless labourers, small, medium & large farmers as per NABARD's norm, SC/ST, etc.) ix) Details of borrowers profile (Not applicable to area based schemes) (a) Capability (b) Experience (c) Financial

soundness (d) Technical/

Other special

Qualification (e) Technical/

Managerial

Staff and

adequacy

thereof

2. TECHNICAL ASPECTS

a) Location, Land and land development i) Location details of the project

ii) Total area of land and it's cost

iii) Site map

iv) Particulars of land development,

fencing, gates etc.

b) Civil structures (If required)

i) Site map

ii) Detailed cost estimates along

with measurements of various civil

- Sheds

- Store room

- Quarters for labourers etc.

c) Housing

i)

ii)

Type of housing

Area required (sft. per breeder and

adult wool producer

Cages in shed / open hutches

d) Equipment

i) Feeders

ii) Waterers

iii) Nests

e) Breeding stock

i)

ii)

iii)

iv)

v)

vi)

Proposed breed/strain

No. of breeders to be purchased

Age of breeders

Source of supply of breeding stock

Cost of breeding stock (Rs.)

Proposed programme of

replacement

f) Production parameters

i)

ii)

iii)

iv)

v)

vi)

Pregnancy period

Number of kittens born per kindling

Number of kindlings per year

Mortality among the adults and

young ones

Wool yield per annum (gms)

- breeder,

- 2-3 months old

- 5-6 months old

- 8-9 months old

- 11-12 months old

- above one year

No. of clippings per year

g) Herd projection

To be appended with project report

h) Feeding

A Concentrate Purchased of own feed

manufacturing

B.

C.

i) Source of availability

ii) If purchased

a) Place of purchase

b) Brand

c) Cost (Rs./kg)

- Breeder feed

- Wool producer feed

iii) If manufactured on farm

a) Capacity of feed grinder

and mixer

b) Source of raw materials

c) Feed formula

d) Cost of production (Rs./kg)

iv) Requirement (gm / rabbit)

- Breeders

- Wool producers

(for different age groups

seperately)

Hay (gm / rabbit)

i) Source of supply

ii) Cost per kg

iii) Requirement

- Breeders

- Wool producer

(for different age groups

seperately)

Vegetable / fruit garden waste

If proposed to feed

i) Source of supply

ii) Cost per kg

iii) Requirement

- Breeders

- Wool producers

(for different age groups

seperately)

i) Veterinary aid i) Source

ii) Location

iii) Distance (km.)

iv) Availability of staff

v) Type of facilities available

vi) If own arrangements are made

a) Employed a veterinary doctor /

stock man / consultant

b) Periodicity of visit

c) Amount paid (Rs.)

vii) Expenditure per rabbit (Rs.)

j) Electricity

i) Availability and source

ii) Approval from electricity board

iii) Connected load

iv) Problems of power failure

v) Arrangements for generator

vi) Expenditure per rabbit (Rs.)

k) Water

i) Source

ii) Quality of water

iii) Availability of sufficient quantity

for drinking and cleaning

iv) If investment has to be made type

of structure, design and cost

v) Expenditure per rabbit (Rs.)

l) Insurance

i) Type of policy

ii) Periodicity of insurance

iii) Premium rate

m) Manpower

i) No. of supervisory staff

ii) No. of laborers

iii) Salaries and wages per month (Rs.)

n) Marketing of wool

i) Source of sales

ii) Place of disposal

iii) Distance (km.)

iv) Type of payment (cash / cheque)

v) Price realised - (Rs. per kg wool)

vi) Periodicity of payment

o) Marketing of other products

i) Sale price of wool producers - age wise

(Rs. per wool producer)

ii) Sale price of cull rabbits (Rs. per rabbit)

iv) Manure - Qty per rabbit (kg)

- price per unit

p) Beneficiaries experience

q) Comments on technical

feasibility

r) Government restrictions if

any

3. FINANCIAL ASPECTS

i) Unit cost

Sr.

No.

Name of the

investment

Physical

units and specifications

Unit cost with

component

wise breakup

(Rs.)

Whether

approved by state

level unit cost

committee

Total

ii) Down payment / margin /

subsidy (Indicate source

& extent of subsidy

iii) Year wise physical and financial programme

Year Investment Physical

units

Unit

Cost

(Rs.)

Total

outlay

(Rs.)

Margin /

subsidy

(Rs.)

Bank

loan

(Rs.)

Refinance

assistance

(Rs.)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Total

iv) Financial position of the borrower / s (to be furnished in case of corporate bodies

partnership firms) a) Profitability ratio

i) GP ratio

ii) NP ratio

b) Debt equity ratio

c) Whether Income tax & other

tax obligations are paid upto

date

d) Whether audit is upto date

(enclose copies of audited

financial statements for the

last three years)

vi) Lending Terms

i) Rate of interest

ii) Grace period

Annexure - II

Characteristic features of different wool breeds under Indian Conditions

S.No Characteristic

features

Breeds Russian Angora

British Angora

German Angora

French Angroa

1 Origin Russia British German French 2 Body weight (Kgs.) 2.75-3.25 3 to 3.5 3.5 to 4.5 2.5 - 3 3 Wool yield (gms. per

year) 250-300 275-350 800 - 1000 700-800

4 Quality of wool Interior Fine Superior Fine 5 Guard wool (percent) >7 <7 <3 >5

Annexure - III

Housing specifications (hutch sizes) for Angora rabbits

S.No. Particulars Dimensions(ft.) Length Breadth Height

1 Breeding hutch/cage for breeding males + females

2 . 2 1 ½

2 Hutches/cages for single rabbit

2 1 ½ 1 ½

3 Kindling cages 3 ft (2 + 1 for New Born)

1 ½ 1 ½

Annexure - IVa

Different types of feeds suitable for feeding rabbits

S.No Category of feed Feed staffs 1

2.

II

Roughages

Dry Bulky feeds

Fresh Bulky feeds

i) Grasses

ii) Green cereal plants

iii) Legumes

iv) Roots

v) Green vegetables

vi) Other plants

Concentrates

i) Energy supplements

ii) Protein supplements

Hay made from grass or legume (Alfalfa)

Guniea grass, Napier grass

Maize, Sorghum

Alfalfa, Berseem

Turnips, radish, carrots, sweet potatoes, yams

Green leaves of cabbage, spinach, lettuce etc.

Banana leaves, various weeds, local grass

Maize, Sorghum, millets, barley

Soya flour, groundnut cake, cotton seed cake, meat, fish meal.

Source: Rabbit rearing : State Bank Institute of Rural Development

Lingampally, Hyderabad - 500 019

Annexure -IV b

Recommended concentrate feed formulae for Angora rabbits

(Percentage)

S.No. Particulars Young rabbits

Adults rabbits

Male Female

Lactating Does

1 Maize 15 15 15 20 2 Ragi/Jowar/Bajra 15 15 15 15 3 Deoiled Rice

brass/wheat-brass 33.5 38.5 33 24.5

4 Groundnut cake 10 6 5 8 5 Sunflower cake 5 8 5 - 6 Soya Meal - - 5 10 7 Luecerne Meal 20 16 20 20 8 Mineral Mix 1 1 1.5 2 9 Common salt 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Total 100 100 100 100

Source: Rabbit rearing : State Bank Institute of Rural Development , Lingampally, Hyderabad - 500 019

Annexure - IV c

Feed requirements of rabbits

(gms/day)

S.No. Particulars Concentrates Hay Greens+Veg/ Fruit garden waste

1 Breeding stock (on an average)

280 80 adlib

2 Weaners (7-12 weeks) 60 30 adlib 3 Growers (13-24 weeks) 90 30-40 adlib 4 Adult rabbits (above 24

weeks) 140 50-60 adlib

Annexure - V Common diseases of rabbits and their prevention and control

S.No. Name of the disease

Important Symptoms Prevention and control measures

1. Coccidiosis Diarrhea, loss of appetite and dehydration. May cause death in 24-36 hours.

(i) Coccidiostats like Sulphaquinoxaline + Sulphamerazine @ 0.02 to 0.10% in drinking water

(ii) Strict Hygienic measures2. Body mange

(Ear canker) Intense prurity, scratching, scaling of the skin, loss of fur and animal becomes weak.

(i) Application of ascabiol lotion

(ii) Ivermectin injection 0.02 ml/kg body wt (S/C)

(ii) Strict hygienic measures 3. Enterits

complex Subnormal temperature, crouched posture, roughned hair coat, gelatinous mucus with dry feaces and bloat.

(i) No successful treatment

(ii) Tetracycline in feed @ 100 gm/tonne feed

(iii) Adequate amount of fibre should be given.

4. Pasteurellosis

(Snuffles)

Discharges from nostrils, wiping of nose with paws, loss of appetite, high rise of temperature.

(i) 400000 IU of pencillin and 0.5 g streptomycin given I/M

5. Shorehock Inflamed areas or sores on the under surface of hind paws, weakness and dehydration.

(i) Sores should opened and antiseptic dressing should be applied. Provide soft bedding during treatment period

6. Hind quarter paralysis

Sudden jerk, excitement, paralysis, loss of control over urination and defication.

(i) Affected animals should be slaughtered.

7. Hairfball occlusion

Wool get accumulated in stomach and blocks normal passage of food.

(i) Treat the animal with mineral oil or neopeptin or fresh pineapple juice.

8. Wryneck Permanent turning of neck to one side, unable to eat, weakness.

Affected animals should be slaughtered