CHOICE OF RABBIT FOR REARING Archives

Rabbits belong to the group of farm animals referred to small stock. If raised under suitable conditions, their products can be very high. Many people keep rabbits as a hobby while some keep them to make money. RABBIT REARING Male – buck Female – doe Baby – kit CHOICE OF RABBIT FOR REARING Ability to grow rapidly, A good converter of food into body weight. Ability to resist diseases (disease resistant), Ability to give birth to many young ones in a litter, Good quality hides and skin. HOUSING/HUTCHES Rabbits are kept in cages for safety from harsh weather and predictors. Mature rabbits are kept singly in HUTCHES (cages), usually made of wooden or metal materials. The type of housing for rabbits and guinea pigs will depend on the following factors: Availability of local housing materials; The condition of environment; The size of the enterprise; The amount of money the farmer has for the enterprise. RABBIT FOOD Hays Grasses Cereal grains4. Leaf Vegetables Dry bread Pelleted ration Kitchen waste Mineral salt Clean, cool water Concentrates (groundnut, palm kernel, soybean and cotton seed) DISEASE CONTROL Rabbits suffer from the following diseases: Sore back Mange Coccidiosis Bloat Bloat is the swelling of the stomach of the animals as a result of overreacting of green succulent vegetables. Care should be taken to prevent disease attacks on animals. FARM RECORDS Simple records should be kept in the pen to show the following: The breed of rabbit kept; The mating or breeding date; Birth dates; Number of litters at kindling; Size of litter at weaning; Number of rabbit sold. STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES Step 1: Teacher revises the previous topic Step2: Teacher introduces the new topic Step 3: Teacher explains the new topic Step4: Teacher welcomes pupils questions Step45 Teacher evaluates the pupils Evaluation/ Assignment List 4 choice of rabbit for rearing; State 3 qualities of a rabbits; Mention 3 diseases of rabbit and how to control them; List 5 records of rabbit keeping. See also Meaning of Weed MAINTENANCE OF FARM AND ANIMAL TOOLS Simple Farm Tools Animal Farm Tools Farm tools

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION – RABBIT REARING