We are about to start with rabbits in tha UK. I am thinking of an 80 doe unit of New Zealands, to provide about 200 kits every three weeks. Would this be right? We are thinking of worm bis for our own use underneath the cages. Would this help with the amonia smell? OR should we use sawdust? What about hay? I get mixed views on this and want to know other opinions. I know you can make cages, but I think they will cost nearly the same as buying,but if I were to buy do you have any european manufacturer suggestions? Do you use a computer management program? If so what is it, and how good is it? I know these are a lot of questions, but I want to make sure we are going to do this well.

Many thanks

Alison

-- Alison Homa (alisonhoma@hotmail.com), February 06, 2002

Answers

Allison, First off have you located a buyer? I was told when I started this venture that is the most important. I not only located a processor but found a couple other sources to fall back on. With a 80 doe unit what is going to be your breeding schedule? I am aiming at minimum of 120 does [probably more] and breeding 15 does per week. At 15 a week and averaging 8 per litter that would give me 120 kits a week. That would be assuming they all took. Believe me I am learning the hard way that it WONT happen. And then even if they do have kits that doesnt meen they all will live. Learning the hard way again. This will also work only if I can reach 4 1/2 lbs in a 8 week period. I am thinking it will be 9 or 10 weeks and then I will need to add 30 more does. I am deffinatley going to try worm beds under the cages but wont get that far till we add on to the barn. Have to research that more. If you start it please keep us posted. I have a dirt floor in the barn and have not had any problems with smell. I rake the floor everyday. Not sure about the cages as far as cost. I bought out a guy including cages, supplies and rabbits. Here is a link to how to build them... http://www.rabbitweb.net/hutchsystem3.asp

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), February 07, 2002.

Alison, This is my breeding schedule. You could modify it to suit your needs.This is when I get to full production. I will be breeding 15 does per week. Assuming they all take and average of 8 kits per liter. That would give me 120 kits. Now I know that this will never happen. There will be losses and such. I am shooting for 100 kits total. I will then breed back the does 2 weeks after kindling. When the kits reach 4 weeks they will be weaned. That will give the doe a 2 week rest period before her next litter. I need to have 90 does total,6 sets of 15. I hope that makes sense. Then you have to figure in your bucks, 10 does for 1 buck. And then your additional cages to grow out the weanlings. I have been getting to 4 1/2 lbs in aprox 8 weeks. Hope this helps.

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), February 09, 2002.

In the UK there is only one processor. He will come and collect every three weeks, as long as there are more than 200 fryers.

He has contracts with the major supermarkets in this country. At the moment he is importing 6000 - 8000 rabbits a week from europe, which cost more money, but thaere is a hugh shortage of breeders here. Along with this I am hoping to provide breeding stock to other homesteader/smallholders. I had to drive for 5 hours to locate the nearest New Zealands, and that's a long way in the UK.

I am also thinking of University reserch, and exotic animal keepers as another possible outlet. What do you think?

I am not sure what schedual we will follow yet but I am aiming for a kit a week from each doe with a 20% failure rate. Does this sound right?

Thanks for your help

Alison

-- Alison Homa (alisonhoma@hotmail.com), February 09, 2002.

Alison...

I'm sure you are aware that you will need to maintain a low profile. Animal Rights Activists are particularly active in the UK. As such, you may have difficulty in contacting the University Research and exotic animal keepers in regard to providing rabbits for their purpose. Most likely, you will need references to prove that you are legitimate and be prepared to have them contact your references!

For a breedback schedule, you really should ask the original owner of your rabbits what schedule was used, as they were most likely developed for consistent breeding on that schedule.

With an average of 8 kits per litter, you would need to breed at least 25 does for your goal of 200 fryers every 3 weeks. Not all will produce 8 per litter, and your mortality rates may also be higher than 20%, but that does sound like a good percentage to start with. So, I would suggest breeding a few extra does in order to ensure the 200 needed every 3 weeks. Please remember... because of mortality rates, does that don't conceive or breed, and differing growth rates, the "figures on paper" will tend to lie!

Growth rates can vary according to genetics AND feed and your own management program. Since you are just getting started, then, you have no idea what kind of growth rates you are looking at. This can also affect what type of breedback schedule is needed to ensure 200 fryers every 3 weeks. Until an average growth rate can be established, then, I really can't say how often you need to breed in order to meet the requirements of the processor. What weights and ages does he require?

-- Pat Lamar (fuzyfarm@3-cities.com), February 11, 2002.