From AgriMag

A lot of people particularly in the Philippines disapprove of having rabbits as an alternative meat source due to the belief that rabbits are being domesticated as pets alone.

During the 1st National Rabbit Congress, Honeylet Nicolas, DVM, Ph.D., shared some reasons that may possibly make the society accept the growing rabbit industry in the country.

1. Rabbits are considerably low-ranking in the food chain. In a natural process in the wild, rabbits are actually consumed as meat—naturally haunted by stronger predators.

2. As much as some people don’t want to hear this, rabbits are farmed and slaughtered all over the world, mostly in European countries and they are considered as high-value products.

3. These animals are prolific, climate adaptable, and easy-to-care livestock.

4. Rabbit meat is considered one of the healthiest meats recognized by the World Health Organization.

5. The protein content of other meats is usually converted into uric acid which makes it dangerous for the healthy; rabbit meat is an exception.

6. They do not compete with humans’ sources of food. You can feed them with grass or hay but anything beyond that is a treat.

7. There is a variety of by-products in rabbit farming, such as the rabbit feet which is considered as an amulet believed to bring good luck, tails may be converted into keychains, and furs are used to produce garments.

8. They can be easily raised by women and children compared to other livestock which requires optimal strength from men.

9. In history, rabbits do not have any zoonotic disease that can wipe out their population.

10. Rabbits do not contribute to noise pollution, unlike other livestock like pigs that oink or chickens that cluck.

This appeared as a sidebar in Agriculture Monthly’s April 2020 issue. 

Article Link: https://www.agriculture.com.ph/2020/05/20/from-why-rabbits-to-why-not-rabbits/

By Ellaine Kryss Hubilla

Rabbits make great pets, but they can also be a source of meat. The rabbit industry in the Philippines is not new. However, it is not well-known as well.

Although there are already a lot of rabbit farms in the Philippines, their numbers are still insufficient to make the industry well-known and acceptable; this is due to the society’s disapproval of the idea of consuming rabbit meat.

But for those who are interested in taking care of rabbits for production, here are some ways on how to raise them for commercial purposes or as an alternative meat source.

Things to consider before starting a rabbitry

Raising rabbits as pets is not a problem, but it’s a different story when raising them as livestock. The first question is where will you raise them? It is important to do some research on if zoning laws will allow you to cultivate rabbits on your property or if you should place them on a farm. In line with this, you should also consider what rules you should follow to be able to start a rabbit raising business.

After finding out where to place your rabbits, it is now time to think about their hutch. A hutch is the home where your rabbit will stay most of the time. It is usually made of wood and has a wire mesh front. The size of the hutch should accommodate the number of rabbits you’ll put there. Take note that females must be separated from males to avoid unintended breeding.

A nursing compartment is as important as a rabbit hutch. This is where your rabbit will stay to take care of their offspring. It should be separate from the rest of the colony. Some rabbit hutches already have a nursing compartment, but it can also be made or bought separately. Whatever type of nursing compartment you use will not affect your colony. What matters is that mother rabbits and their newly birthed offspring should have a space to themselves until the baby rabbits can be introduced to the rest of the colony.

What’s more important than having a rabbit hutch and nursery compartment is keeping the bunnies clean. Laying down bedding will maintain a certain level of sanitation. The kind of bedding to use is based on the owner’s preference, but it is recommended to go for bedding that is absorbent and easy to remove. Types of bedding include hay, paper pellets, wood pellets, shredded cardboard and many more.

When it comes to food, plenty of water and proper feed will determine the quality of meat your rabbits will produce.

While hay is considered bedding, it can also be a source of food that’s available at all times. Some varieties of lettuce are not recommended as rabbit feed because they have very low nutritional value and high water content. Dark, leafy, and fibrous vegetables can make great feed, however they must gradually be introduced to the rabbits to avoid digestive problems.

The average water consumption of a rabbit is around 100 to 600 ml per day or approximately 50 to 100 ml per kilogram of a rabbit’s body weight. If a rabbit weighs around four-kilograms the amount of water per day must be around 200 to 400 ml, but the figures will also depend on the kind of feed that rabbits consume. Rabbits that are fed water-containing food like leafy veggies will more likely drink less than those that are fed dry food like hay and pellets.

Next, pick the breed you want to raise. Rabbits that are longer, plumper, and have more fur are ideal for consumption. Palomino, Chinchilla, Champagne D’Argent, Flemish Giants, and New Zealand rabbits are some good options to put on your farm.

After preparing everything, that’s the only time you can proceed with the actual rabbit farming, which starts with the mating of the rabbits.

Breeding rabbits

The first part of this process was done successfully if you were able to separate the females from males to avoid unintended breeding. If you are planning to breed the rabbits, just put a doe (female rabbit) inside the bucks’ (male rabbit) hutch and wait. If the doe finds a partner, just wait for some time and check if the buck falls off his side looking as if it’s dead but do not panic because it is an indication that the deed is done. The male rabbit must fall off his side a couple of times before you put back the doe in her space.

If the mating is successful, the next thing to do is to track the birthing dates. This will maximize the fertility of female bunnies. The breeding or mating schedule will depend on you if you are ready to accommodate the kittens (baby rabbits are called kits or kittens). The mother rabbit can rest for about six to eight weeks after her young are weaned. If the resting period takes around six weeks, the mother rabbit may breed for about five times per year, while for eight weeks, the mother rabbit may breed for about four times per year. The doe can have around one to 14 kittens per birthing.

It takes about 30 days for a rabbit to gestate and it will require a few pregnancies before the doe can learn how to take care of her kits. This indicates that you may lose the first few offspring before you can have a successful breeding.

Once you have kittens, the aftercare system must be applied.

Caring for kits

After the mother rabbit gave birth to her kits, avoid any form of interruption as this may impede the bonding process, which may result in the mother neglecting her offspring. Lightly check if the kits are still alive, but do not pet or remove them from the nursing compartment.

It is normal for mother rabbits not to feed their kits if someone is looking, but it doesn’t mean that she’s not feeding them. This act is done to secure the offspring from the threat of predators.

If the baby rabbits start to develop fur and begin to hop on their own, it’s the only time that the mother rabbit can relax. It is advisable to have a new hutch to accommodate the younger rabbits.

Although rabbits do not require a lot of attention and maintenance, there are still things that shouldn’t be done when raising rabbits.
Avoid anything that can carry mites, like straw, because rabbits are susceptible to these parasites.

Wood shavings can be used as bedding, but not in places with newborn kits because the scent is bad for their respiratory systems and may cause death.

Put some fly strips around the hutch or nursery compartment to keep flies away. Flies may lay eggs on newborn rabbits and the hatching larvae may eat them.

Keeping the hutch and nursery compartment clean is an important factor in raising rabbits. Remove all the rabbits and beddings, scrap all forms of waste, and thoroughly wash the hutch with a diluted bleach mixture. Mix one part of bleach with 10 parts of water, soak the hutch with the solution for at least 30 minutes. Also, clean the food and water containers with the solution and make sure to rinse it thoroughly. Dry the hutch before putting back the rabbits and the new clean bedding.

Taking care of rabbits is not hard. They require significantly low care maintenance compared to other livestock. With a small capital, it is possible to start the business with a high possibility of profit in return. As mentioned, rabbits are easy-to-care for. They can be raised by stay-at-home spouses, or even children, due to their small size. Letting them be in their hutch with a monitored breeding schedule, regular facility cleaning, and proper feeding will guarantee good products and profits.

Despite the long run operations of rabbit farms in the country and with all the benefits that the industry can offer, it is still unpopular due to people’s perceived taboos, lack of awareness, and need for industry support.

The Association of Rabbit Meat Producers Inc. (ARaMP Inc.) believes that with sufficient support and further commercial campaigns on the benefits of rabbit meat as alternative livestock, rabbitry will emerge as an answer to global and societal issues of hunger, malnutrition, and poverty.

This appeared in Agriculture Monthly’s April 2020 issue.

Article Link: https://www.agriculture.com.ph/2020/05/18/road-to-rabbit-farming-guide-in-raising-rabbits-as-an-alternative-meat-source/

By Ellaine Kryss Hubilla

The 1st National Rabbit Congress is happening today at Bulacan Agricultural State College at Brgy. Pinaod San Ildefonso, Bulacan.

The event was organized by the Association of Rabbit Meat Producers Inc. (ARaMP) in collaboration with the mentioned agricultural institution. Attendees are members of various organizations, rabbit meat producers, as well as those who are planning to start the agribusiness.

For Day 1, topics such as Communication Campaign on Rabbit Raising as an Alternative Livelihood will be tackled, as well as Sensory Evaluation of Rabbit Meat, Market Study of Rabbit Meat, and many more. For Day 2, February 28 8 in the morning, seminars on meat processing will be discussed. Afterwards, a rabbit dish cooking contest will take place among senior high schools from San Ildefonso.

The rabbit industry is a fast-emerging alternative for livestock cultivation today. According to studies, rabbit meat is cleaner than other kinds of livestock and provides more protein due to its plant-based diet. Moreover, the industry is sustainable and profitable due to its increasing number of demands in the market. ARaMP Inc. believes that with proper support and consumer awareness, rabbit production will emerge as an alternative solution to hunger, undernourishment, and poverty.

Article Link: https://www.agriculture.com.ph/2020/02/27/rabbit-industry-may-be-a-sustainable-alternative-for-livestock-production

The Association of Rabbit Meat Producers, Inc. (ARaMP) had wanted to benchmark with other Asian countries with regards rabbit production methods and technologies. The association wanted to see how the Philippine Rabbit Industry fares with the rabbit industry in other Asian Countries. An earlier plan to go to Vietnam was shelved because of lack of itinerary and identified rabbit farms to visit.

When the invitation to attend the International Conference on Rabbit Production in Tropical Climate 2019 was received from the Malaysian Rabbit Breeders Association (MARBA), ARaMP Inc. President Art Veneracion readily accepted the opportunity to see rabbit production systems in other tropical countries. To his surprise, a lot of members registered to go to Malaysia to participate in the conference. The list of speakers was impressive and the conference will provide the members a chance to hear, ask questions and meet the rabbit gurus whose writings were used as reference materials and guide by rabbit producers all over the world. The description “in Tropical Climate” emphasized the conference’s relevance to Philippine conditions.

A total of twenty two ARaMP Inc. members joined the Malaysian trip and participated in the conference. Although happy with the big interest and turn out of participants, Art Veneracion was a bit worried that the ARaMP members’ maybe expecting too much from the trip and these may be difficult to meet. Careful not to dampen the group’s enthusiasm, members were advised to tone down expectations, since both the Philippines and Malaysia just started rabbit production fairly recently.

Keynote speakers included Prof. Steven Lukefahr, Professor Department of Animal Science and Veterinary Technology of the Texas A & M University Kingsville, USA whose topic was “In Times of Disaster: Rabbit Projects to the Rescue”. He said that rabbit projects can provide quick and permanent relief with minimal economic risk to disaster stricken areas.

Dr. Thierry Gidenne, President of the World Rabbit Science Association (WRSA) from France spoke about “Integrated Urban Farming” and “Rabbit Nutrition in Tropical Countries”; while Prof. Laping Wu of the China Agricultural University spoke about “Chinese Experiences and Practice of Poverty Alleviation through Rabbit Farming”. Ms. Caroline Herbert of Sarl Hycole, France spoke about “Hybrid Rabbit Development”.

Several rabbit scientists from universities in India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Ghana presented papers on rabbit topics ranging from Manure Utilization, Physiology and Production Performances, Production Challenges, Rabbit Feeds, Meat Quality, and Nutrition. These studies are highly applicable to conditions in the Philippines and will be useful to the conference participants from tropical countries.

The ARaMP members were very proud when ARaMP Inc. President Art Veneracion was called to speak before the plenary about the “Rabbit Industry in the Philippines”.  He discussed the present state of the Philippine Rabbit Industry, the challenges and hurdles that had to be overcome, the initiatives and events ARaMP had spearheaded, successes and improved degree of acceptance.  The twenty minute talk-presentation that featured pictures of industry events was interrupted by enthusiastic applauses from the audience, ironically, started not by the Philippine delegation but by delegates from other countries.  The MARBA Secretary Kamarulazwa Muhammad who persuaded Art to make the presentation was after all correct in saying that other countries are interested to know about the state of the Rabbit Industry in the Philippines.

Rabbit meat products produced by a MARBA member was exhibited and are for sale.  It is a pity that no rabbit dishes were cooked and served at the conference.  We were told that rabbit satay was a favorite in Malaysia but it was not made available to be tasted by the conference participants.

A farm tour to Goodtree Garden Rabbit Farm in Sepang, Malaysia was part of the Conference experience for the foreign delegates.  ARaMP members were quick to join and seized the opportunity to see and observe the rabbitry set-up and practices in Malaysia.

ARaMP members are now confident that they are on the right track. It can be said that the Rabbit Industry in the Philippines is at par with its neighboring countries. At first glance, it may seem that the rabbit industry in Malaysia is more advanced than the Philippines. This is because the Malaysian government has included the rabbit as major livestock and has programs to support the industry. In the Philippines on the other hand, the rabbit industry receives minimal support from government who ignores the industry and refuses to include the rabbit in its livestock programs. The industry’s saving grace however, is the strong private sector led by ARaMP who strongly believes that the rabbit is the answer to Health and Livelihood Development and continues to pursue the development of the rabbit industry!

DA Spokesperson Usec. Noel Reyes explains what African swine fever is, and how it hits numerous towns in the Philippines. The video also explores rabbit as an alternative livestock.

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSLppQd0uj4

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brQ64Rs8_-E

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOpEglHVqGA

Gen. FELIMON SANTOS JR., the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is a rabbit Industry advocate and a member of ARaMP, Inc. since April 2016.

In the Philippines, rabbits were introduced by missionary groups and the U.S. Peace Corps after the Second World War. They knew that rabbits grow fast, are prolific and will not compete with humans for grains; making them the ideal protein source that can alleviate food scarcity brought about by the devastations of war.

Small fancy breeds and giant breeds are raised for pets and are not economically viable to be raised for meat. Medium sized rabbit breeds with a high meat to bone ratio are best suited for meat production. But because of the popularity of rabbits as pet animals, rabbit meat producers are confronted with the challenge of changing mindsets and overcoming constraints to make rabbit meat gain wide consumer acceptance.

Small and giant breed rabbits are cared of as pets and are not economically viable to be raised for meat. The Association of Rabbit Meat Producers, Inc. (ARaMP) since its organization in 2015 persists in its advocacy to make Filipinos know that, with small investment, rabbits can provide protein and income, to both rural and urban households. ARaMP has seen that if managed properly, rabbit production is sustainable and profitable. With proper industry support and consumer awareness, rabbit production can emerge as an important low-cost answer to the problems of hunger, undernourishment and poverty.

ARaMP, addressing the need for support to rabbit raisers advocating rabbit production for human consumption, has since conducted and continues to conduct various seminars and awareness campaigns to overcome cultural and other restraints that limit the consumption of rabbit meat. Membership to the association has since grown all over the country and even those raising rabbits for pets are already showing interest in meat production and showing readiness to partake of the healthy meat.

In 2016, the 1st Rabbit Festival was held with the theme “Rabbit Meat, Healthy to Eat”. The 2nd Rabbit Festival followed in 2017, with the theme “Healthy and Happy with Rabbit Meat”. Also in 2017, the 1st Rabbit Stakeholders’ Forum was held. In this forum, the rabbit raisers’ experiences were gathered and raised to theoretical levels to outline plans and guides for more successful rabbit raising enterprises.

Indeed, rabbit meat has gained increased popularity and acceptance as can be gleaned in the larger market demand for rabbit meat nowadays. Complementing ARaMP’s information effort is a growing health conscious populace that has increased purchasing power and is in the look-out for alternative protein source. (In its forecast made in 2012, the Philippines was listed by Chatham House as among the countries with fastest growing meat consumption).

ARaMP members and rabbit raisers from Bulacan and nearby provinces, in order to consolidate supply of rabbit meat and to be able to meet market demand, has established the Rabbit Raisers and Meat Producers Cooperative (RRMPC). The cooperative aims to give support to rabbit meat producers in their logistical and marketing needs. Parallel to material support, members are given a continuing education to the values of cooperativism to avoid the dog-eat-dog business culture of competition that may be detrimental to the growth of the sunshine industry.

Trainings on Rabbit Raising and Processing continues to be held with the support of the
BAI- Animal Product and Development Center in Marulas, Valenzuela.

Although the Roadmap is still pending finalization and approval, ARaMP has already started its implementation in its private capacity. The increased production of rabbits, calls for a rabbit slaughter house that is conforming to international standards. In anticipation of the production volume for the local as well as the export market, ARaMP has sought the help of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) for the development of specifications and design of a slaughter house facility in conformity with international standards. ARaMP in a meeting with Director Ernesto S. Gonzales and the NMIS key officials presented the rabbit industry need for a slaughter house. Dir. Gonzales and the NMIS officials acknowledged ARaMP’s initiative and responded positively. Rabbitries in centers of production in Bulacan and Cavite were visited to assess the industry requirement. NMIS pledged to work with ARaMP to put industry standards in place.

In anticipation for the rabbit industry need for support and veterinary services, ARaMP visited state universities and colleges to ask them to revisit their curriculum to include rabbit production. BASC was among the first to respond and will soon offer subjects on rabbit production.

ARaMP and BASC have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to collaborate on programs that will help grow the rabbit industry in the Philippines. It has set up its rabbitry at the BASC campus for research and training. BASC’s slogan “Karne ng Kuneho para sa Kalusugan at Kabuhayan” will be the theme of the 1st Rabbit Congress in the Philippines to be collaborated on by ARaMP and BASC. Also in the pipeline is the establishment of a Rabbit Research Center at BASC.

Rabbit meat was declared by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the “healthiest meat available to man”. Studies show that compared to other meat, rabbit meat has the lowest fat, lowest cholesterol, lowest calories but has the highest protein content. (Circular #549 USDA Washington DC)

In the Philippines, although rabbits have long been listed as livestock, there are still, insufficient programs and standards to support industry growth. Filipinos should not be deprived consumption of this healthy meat, due to perceived lack of standards and humane procedures. It is imperative that the ARaMP initiative to grow this industry, that may well be the answer to food security and good nutrition in the Philippines; be extended its needed support and encouragement from government as well as the private sector.

GETTING TO KNOW ALL THE ADVANTAGES OF RABBITS AND ITS INDUSTRY IN THE PHILIPPINES. 

by Angie M. Veneracion

Although Rabbits have long been part of many Philippine households, the lingering reluctance and perceived taboo on eating rabbit meat is the greatest hindrance to widespread rabbit production.

Filipinos have forgotten that rabbits were brought to the country after World War II by the US Peace Corps and some religious missionaries to help alleviate the problem of food scarcity brought about by the devastation of war. Instead, rabbits have come to be cared for as pets instead of being produced as meat sources.

RABBITS FOR MEAT AND PROFIT – Rabbit production can be extremely profitable if managed properly. It requires little space and can be done on a farm, in one’s backyard, or even in a small space at home. They are very gentle and quiet animals and will not be a nuisance to people. They can be cared for by women and even children. Rabbits are also easy and affordable to feed and do not compete for grains with humans. They have a high production capacity; medium-sized breeds that are ideal for meat production can be bred at 6 months old with a gestation period of only 28-32 days.

Rabbit meat was listed by the USDA to be among the healthiest meats available to man; it is low in fat, bad cholesterol, and calories while having high protein levels. In addition, rabbits are multipurpose animals and can be cared for as pets, and used as laboratory and experimental animals. Their fur has long been used in garments and furniture. The rabbit’s foot was considered a good luck charm for centuries, and even rabbit manure and urine are used as fertilizer.

One organization aims to hurdle these cultural and other constraints so that rabbit can be recognized as an important low-cost answer to the problems of hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. Rabbit production potential needs to be tapped and promoted, since it can provide protein and income to both rural and urban households with a minimal investment.

GETTING THE GOVERNMENT INVOLVED – The Association of Rabbit Meat Producers (ARaMP), Inc. recently called on Dr. Enrique P. Garzon, Jr., the Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary for Livestock and concurrent Director of the Bureau of Animal Industry, to present an overview of the current situation of the rabbit industry in the Philippines. The association hopes to consolidate the gains it has achieved since its registration in August 2015 and apprised Dr. Garzon of those milestones. It also sought support, calling for government participation in industry-related activities for its promotion and development.

In its paper entitled “Overview of the Rabbit Industry in the Philippines,” ARaMP, Inc. discussed the purposes for the formation of the association: to establish an organization that will promote the development of the rabbit Industry in the Philippines; to advocate [the] raising [of] rabbits as an alternative meat [source] to [help] improve [the diets and nutrition] of…Filipinos; to introduce and propagate rabbit farming as an additional source of income [for] farmers and [their] communities; and to strive for [the] adoption of [legislation], policies and other measures that will promote the rabbit industry as well as…the economic, social and general wellbeing of all [its] members.

ARaMP called on the DA to place more importance on rabbit production, adding that it must be part of the Philippines’ agricultural programs. The association asked that the industry be given the necessary boost for it to be able to play its role in the improvement of the country’s food sufficiency and become a source of needed additional revenue for rural and urban households.

ARaMP’s goals are to fill a niche and address the need for support of rabbit raisers advocating rabbit production for human consumption. It has undertaken awareness campaigns to overcome cultural and other restraints that limit the consumption of rabbit meat.

The activities it has undertaken to achieve these goals include the 1st Rabbit Festival at the Quezon City Memorial Circle in 2016, with the theme, “Rabbit Meat – Healthy To Eat.” Featuring seminars on rabbit production, care, and welfare as well as rabbit meat processing, these were conducted free to the public; quite a few participants came from other parts of the country. Rabbit cooking demonstrations and a rabbit meat food tasting were the highlights of the event.

The well-attended seminars, increase in member registration, and brisk sales of rabbit breeders showed that there is much interest in rabbit production. Interested would-be rabbit raisers also came to one-on-one consultations with ARaMP, Inc. members.

AraMP, Inc. is well aware that the purposes of the association can only be achieved through consolidated efforts and cooperation among its members. It is also aware of the fact that it needs the help and support of the government in order to succeed; thus, the organization is grateful that the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) is receptive and has been supportive of the association.

It was a guest at the 2016 BAI Anniversary Celebration, during which the organization’s officers were inducted and its president, Art Veneracion Jr., was asked to deliver a short talk. Seminars on rabbit production were also held at the BAI seminar hall. During the 1st Rabbit Festival, the BAI, through the National Swine and Poultry Research and Development Center (NSPRDC), dispersed initial stocks of purebred rabbits to ARaMP, Inc. with the purpose of upgrading local rabbit breeds.

The organization cooperates with the government to address the need for continuing education among its members; seminars on rabbit breeding and selection, forage management, and rabbit meat processing were conducted by resource persons from the BAI for its members, who are expected to share this information with those who inquire about rabbit raising. The Department of Agriculture Region 3 also conducted seminars on good animal husbandry practices and animal welfare for members.

There is a noticeable increase in the demand for rabbits, which has motivated the organization’s members to undertake expansion initiatives. Anticipating an increased production of rabbits by 2017, ARaMP, Inc. is now looking into the formation of a cooperative. As the organization is aware of the fact that not all rabbit raisers can butcher and process their produce, the cooperative should be able to absorb the production of members for processing and marketing. Facilities needed to process and market rabbit meat conforming to high sanitary standards must be prepared. Other byproducts like rabbit leather should also be developed.

ARaMP, Inc. pledged that it will continue to work for the establishment of a recognized rabbit industry and expressed its hope that the government will recognize rabbit production as a vital economic activity that can contribute to the nation’s growth.

This story appeared in Agriculture Monthly’s April 2017 issue.

Article Link: https://www.agriculture.com.ph/2017/11/21/an-overview-of-the-rabbit-industry-in-the-philippines/