Commercial Department of the American Rabbit Breeders Association
Commercial activities include:
Fertilizer, fur, lab, meat, novelties, pet, pharmaceuticals, wool, and worm production.
The department is responsible for gathering and disseminating information on producers and buyers engaged in all commercial aspects. The department shall encourage human methods in all commercial operations.
The department shall develop ideas to assist members with commercial projects, such as pamphlets, posters, ads, coupons, packaging and other related topics.
When “commercial” rabbit ventures are mentioned, the first to come to mind is usually the production of rabbits for meat. Many of these commercial meat facilities raise fryers for marketing directly to a processor. Often, rabbits are transported from the local area to processors in other parts of the country. This is accomplished by transporters (or runners) covering an established route and run on a regular basis such as every two or three weeks. The ARBA “Market Report” has a listing of many processors and is frequently updated to provide price and weight requirements. Contact them to determine if there are established routes in your area to their facility.
What breeds are best for meat production?
Although there are a number of breeds with the body type suitable to the commercial meat venture, the most popular is the New Zealand White followed by the Californian. A crossbred fryer from these two breeds is also acceptable to many processors. Before venturing into a meat producing enterprise with the intent to sell to a processor, contact the buyer to determine the preference and select your breed(s) accordingly.
Are there other options for meat producers?
Some producers have found it advantageous to process and market their fryers instead of selling to a processor. States have regulations regarding the marketing of meat for human consumption. Regulations will vary from state to state. Begin with the regulations published by the State Agriculture Department or the Health Department.
In addition, the pet food market offers many possibilities for rabbit producers. Check with licensing requirements before venturing into this area.
What type of licensing is required for meat production?
It would be advisable to investigate your local zoning laws regarding the establishment of the rabbitry. If located within an incorporated city, it would be expected to see some type of restrictions. In some cases, this might extend into the county as well.
Usually no licensing is required for the production of rabbits for meat as long as the zoning requirements are not violated. However, that is not true when the production of rabbits extend to the “pet” market. It is possible that the rabbitry would need to be licensed and inspected under the guidelines of the Animal Welfare Act enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In short, licensing is required for breeders who supply more than $500 of rabbits to a wholesale facility/buyer. Direct pet sales to the consumer are not included in the $500 threshold. If there are no pet sales to a wholesale or resale facility, inspections by the USDA are not required.
The $500 threshold also covers producers supplying rabbits to research facilities.
What is the best source of information for rabbit producers?
Membership in ARBA comes with an Official Guidebook entitled “Raising Better Rabbits & Cavies.”
Where can I obtain breeding stock?
It is important to begin with good stock bred for meat production. Many processors will be able to provide a referral.
How many does and bucks should I purchase?
Have you previously had experience with rabbit production? If not, it is advised to start with twenty to thirty does and three or four bucks. In doing so, you can acquire good management skills without becoming overwhelmed.
Is it best to purchase breeding age does?
It would be rare to find producers who are able to provide large quantities of young ready-to-breed or proven does. It is often recommended that eight to ten week old does be purchased for development within your facility which allows them to become accustomed to the environment before the initial stress of the first time kindling.
Should I purchase proven bucks?
Purchasing at least one young proven buck is recommended by many breeders.
What is the recommended re-breeding schedule?
There are several schools of thought regarding the most profitable re-breeding schedule. Although many producers will re-breed at 11, 14, 21 or 28 days after kindling, there are some producers who follow a 42 day re-breeding schedule. In most instances, this 42 day schedule allows for the marketing of fryers directly from the maternity cage and allows a period of rest for the doe before the next kindling. This reduces the need for a lot of finishing cages for the fryers. Re-breeding on a more intensive schedule calls for additional cages for the fryers during the growing/finishing time as well as manpower to wean and physically move the fryers.
If two barns are equipped with the same number of cages, the 42 day re-breed facility will have more does in production than a facility with a more intensive re-breed schedule. The difference is that finishing cages would be required in one facility and not in the other. It must be noted that the resulting fryer production could be the same for both facilities.
How long will it take for fryers to reach 5 pounds?
Growth rate is affected by genetics, ration consumed, litter size weaned, temperature, and cage stocking rate. |
