1. Rabbit and Grasscutter Production

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this section, participants should be able to:
Select good breeding stock of rabbits and grasscutters for rearing
Take good care of rabbits and grasscutters from birth to maturity
Identify and control disease and pest of rabbit and grasscutters
Process and market rabbit and grasscutters

3. PURPOSE OF REARING RABBIT AND GRASSCUTTER
Meat
Laboratory experiment
Manure for crops
Fur for garments, hats and baby toys
Adhesive glue for furniture
As a pet or companion animal
The main purposes of keeping rabbits in homes and schools are for meat and laboratory experiments

4. SELECTION OF BUCK (MALE) AND DOE (FEMALE) RABBIT FOR BREEDING
Selection of rabbit and grasscutters are based on their
Fertility
Growth rate
Mothering ability
Disease resistance
Body shape and size
All information is obtained through record keeping

5. Where to obtain quality Breading Stock
National rabbitery Accra - MOFA
Farmer Brown Kasoa
MOFA offices

6. PREPARING A HOUSE OR HUTCH FOR RABBITS
There are 3 main systems for keeping
Battery cages
Hutch
Free-range
Rabbits can only be properly reared using battery cages and hutches
The housing system considered in this training is the Hutch.

7. TYPES OF RABBIT HUTCH The common types of hutches are: Wood-wire
All-metal hutches

8. WOOD-WIRE HUTCH

9. ALL-METAL HUTCH

10. HUTCH SIZES KIND OF RABBIT DIMENSION OF HUTCH Length (cm) Breath (cm)
Height (cm)
DOE (Female)
107 60 64
BUCK (Male) 90
BUNNY (Weaned) 75
KINDLING BOX (for Bunnies) 45 20

11. FEEDING RABBIT AND GRASSCUTTER
Can be fed on a wide range of materials including:
Guinea grass, carrots, centrosema, groundnut leaves
Dried pulp of sugar cane, cassava, maize, millet, hay
Kitchen left-overs, peels from cassava, plantain, cocoyam and banana
Fresh, clean drinking water

12. MATING RABBITS
Both Bucks and Does are considered mature for mating at the age of 5-7 months
Male rabbits or grasscutters are capable of servicing females
Female heat period comes on after every 15 to 17 days unless the Doe is pregnant
The signs of heat may include: restlessness and aggressiveness, swelling of the vulva, rubbing of its body against feeding container and hutch wall, and jumping around trying to get in contact with other rabbits

13. DETECTING PREGNANCY
A pregnant Doe will reject a Buck when sent for mating
Increases weight
Develops more fur
Becomes dull and hides in the corners of the hutch
Most experienced rabbit keepers can detect pregnancy by palpating the lower abdomen with fingers
Gestation period ranges from 30 to 32 days
Doe is capable of raising 6-8 bunnies in a litter
Doe can give birth 4 times in a year under a good breeding programme

14. SEX INDENTIFICATION
The sexes of Rabbits can be determined as early as 2 days after birth. But its easier after 8-weeks when the reproductive organs are well developed
Use your thumb and index finger to press the anal region to expose the sex organs.
Male sex organs appears like a circle with penis protruding
Female sex organ is exposed as a slit or V-shape.

16. HANDLING RABBIT AND GRASSCUTTER
Handling of Rabbit should be done gently
The correct way to handle an adult rabbit is to hold the loose skin at the back of the neck and support it underneath with one hand.
Young rabbits can be lifted comfortably without causing damage to the fur or bruising by grasping the loins gently but firmly with the hand.

18. CONTROLLING PEST AND DISEASES
Common Pest are:
Lice
Fleas
Tapeworms
Mites
Common diseases are:
Diarrhoea
Coccidiosis
Ear Canker
The best form of preventive measures:
Clean and disinfect hutch regularly
Use recommended pesticide for ectoparasites
De-worm rabbits to control tapeworm
Use warm water to remove crust and apply Vaseline to control Ear Canker
Contact your local veterinary officer

19. PROCESSING RABBIT MEAT
The two main process are:
Killing - stunning and cut throat to bleed carcass
Dressing the carcass- Scalding, singeing , skinning etc.
Storage:
Smoking or curing
Deep-frozen
Uses:
Food consumption
Khebab
Many more