Small-Scale Rabbit Farming Project – 20 Rabbits

 

Project Focus: Meat production (New Zealand White, California White, Flemish Giant, Chinchilla, etc.)
Setup: 5 breeding females (does), 1 male (buck), and provision for 14 offspring per month
Space Needed: Approx. 10 ft x 10 ft shaded area, properly ventilated

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1. Rabbit Breeds to Consider

Breed	Characteristics
New Zealand White	Fast-growing, popular for meat
California White	Hardy, good mothering ability
Chinchilla	Good meat and fur
Flemish Giant	Large body, slower to mature but good value
Dutch	Small to medium size, ideal for starters

You can start with a mix of 5 does and 1 buck of any combination above.

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2. Housing Requirements

A. Type of Housing

Option	Description
Hutch (wood + wire)	Most common; raised 3 ft above ground
Cage system	Metal cages; durable but costlier
Colony system	Open-floor space for several rabbits (harder to manage hygiene)

Recommendation: Raised hutches divided into compartments for each rabbit.

B. Hutch Dimensions

Rabbit Type	Space per rabbit
Adult rabbit	2.5 ft x 2.5 ft
Doe with kits	3 ft x 3 ft
Growers (young)	2 ft x 2 ft per rabbit

Build 6 breeding cages, and a grower section that can host 14–20 young rabbits at a time.

C. Other Housing Tips

• Raised to avoid flooding or damp

• Proper roofing to protect from rain/sun

• Wire mesh bottom (optional) for droppings collection

• Nearby area for manure use or composting

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3. Feeding Guide

A. Daily Feeding Schedule

Feed	Quantity per rabbit per day	Source
Hay/grass	200–300g	Napier, sweet potato vines, lucerne
Pellets (optional)	100–150g	Agrovet stores
Vegetables	Small amounts	Cabbage, carrots, sukuma (well-washed)
Water	Unlimited	Fresh, clean daily

B. Affordable Feed Sources

• Grow your own: Napier grass, sweet potato vines, legumes

• Supplements: Mineral blocks, salt licks (1 per cage)

• Avoid toxic plants: Tomato leaves, onions, avocado, maize leaves (moldy)

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4. Breeding Plan

Item	Frequency
Mating	Doe can be mated every 6–8 weeks
Gestation	28–31 days
Litter size	6–12 kits per birth
Weaning	4–6 weeks after birth
Ready for slaughter	10–12 weeks of age (2–2.5 kg weight)

You can expect 25–35 rabbits per month after stabilization.

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5. Health & Disease Management

Common Issue	Prevention
Diarrhea	Clean water, no rotten greens
Snuffles (cold)	Good ventilation, isolate sick rabbits
Ear mites	Clean cages regularly, use paraffin treatment
Bloat	Avoid overfeeding vegetables, introduce slowly
Coccidiosis	Use preventive deworming (consult vet)

Vaccination: Recommended for viral diseases in high-production setups. Not mandatory but advisable.

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6. Equipment Needed

Item	Quantity	Use
Water bowls or nipples	10–20	For hydration
Feeding troughs	10–20	Local wood or plastic feeders
Nesting boxes	5	For pregnant does
Cage tools	-	Cleaning brushes, gloves, shovel
Buck record book	1	Mating records, lineage

7. Startup Cost Estimate (Kenya)

Item	Cost (KSh)
6 breeding rabbits (5 does + 1 buck) @ KSh 1,500–2,000	9,000 – 12,000
Cage construction (wood, mesh, nails)	15,000 – 20,000
Feed (first 2 months)	3,000
Water/feed bowls, nesting boxes	3,000
Vet/medicine/emergency	2,000
Labour (if any)	2,000

Total Estimate: KSh 30,000 – 40,000

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8. Expected Income (After 4–5 months)

Product	Price per unit	Quantity	Monthly Income
Rabbit meat (1.5–2.5 kg)	KSh 600–800	15–25 rabbits	KSh 12,000 – 20,000
Manure (organic)	KSh 300–500 per sack	3–5 sacks	KSh 1,000 – 2,000
Breeding stock (optional)	KSh 1,500 – 2,000	As sold	KSh 3,000 – 10,000

Break-even point: Within 4–5 months with good care and breeding.

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9. Tips for Success

• Keep clean records: mating, feeding, health, and sales

• Maintain strict hygiene in cages to avoid disease

• Provide fresh greens and water daily

• Start small and scale after 6 months based on results

• Sell to butcheries, hotels, neighbors, or advertise online/Facebook groups