By Najib Sani
A lecturer at the Department of Animals Health and Production Technology of the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, Dr Sani Mu’azu, has urged Nigerians to embrace rabbit farming as a sustainable solution to the high cost of meat and animal protein in the country.
Mu’azu, a specialist in monogastric nutrition and management made the call in an interview with our correspondent on Wednesday in Damaturu.
Mu’azu said rabbit production offers a quick and cheap pathway to food security, particularly at this critical time when poultry and other livestock have become expensive due to rising feed costs.
He said unlike poultry and goats which many Nigerians focus on, rabbit has a very short production cycle and can help bridge the meat deficit.
“Rabbit has a very short generation interval. From conception to kindling is approximately 30 to 32 days. So it reproduces very quickly,” he said.
According to him, one doe (female rabbit) can produce four to six litters per year, with each litter producing between five and 12 kids, translating to an average of 20 to 40 kids per year under good management.
Mu’azu noted that rabbits require little space and can be reared in backyards and small farms, making it ideal for urban households seeking to produce their own meat.
He also highlighted the economic advantage in feeding, noting that while a bag of poultry feed now costs between N20,000 and N25,000 and constitutes 75 percent of production cost, rabbits can thrive on locally available, high-fibre materials.
“With just N10,000, you can start your rabbit farm. Rabbit can utilise almost any available feed as long as it is hygienic and rich in fibre like groundnut haulms and agricultural by-products. That is the beauty of rabbit farming.”
He recommended a crossbreed of local rabbits and “New Zealand White” for better adaptation and profitability in Northern Nigeria.
The expert advised farmers to protect their stock from harsh dry season heat by providing shade, cross ventilation and avoiding direct sunlight between 11am and 4pm.
On health management, he said common diseases like coccidiosis and digestive disorders are preventable through proper sanitation and clean feeding and watering equipment without recourse to expensive veterinary drugs.
The animal scientist said if more Nigerians venture into rabbit production, it would increase availability of affordable animal protein and reduce pressure on poultry and beef.(NAN).
