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Register and participate in our forum discussions! November 14, 2008 During my term as Chairperson of the ARBA Commercial Department Committee, I compiled a short Q/A to be added to the website of the American Rabbit Breeders Association. American Rabbit Breeders Association
Other areas of interest are covered here: What about Flemish Giants for meat production? Many processors will not purchase fryers of Flemish Giant ancestry. Check with the processor before using Flemish Giant sires for your meat fryers. The fast growth of the Flemish have caused some breeders to mate Flemish bucks with New Zealand does. In many instances, this has not resulted in a quality fryer. Flemish Giants are a "semi-arch" type which is often referred to as "mandolin" type. What breeds are best for meat production? The commercial body type breeds are most suited for meat production. Most processors prefer rabbits with white pelts due to the more visually appealing look of the carcass. Many consumers believe it to be lighter than a carcass from a colored rabbit. Although the rumor persists that purchasing white rabbits has to do with the skins, there is very little market for rabbit pelts in the U.S. Breeds with the ideal meat type are: French, Giant and Satin Angoras, Champagne D'Argent, Californian, Cinnamon, American Chinchilla, Creme D'Argent, French Lop, Harlequin, Hotot, New Zealand, Palomino, Rex,American Sable, Satin, Silver Fox and Silver Marten Protein Level of Feed The amount of protein needed to maintain growth and other functions will depend largely on the quality of the protein. Protein quality is related to the make-up of the amino acids. Most meat producers find it advantageous to use from a 16 to 18 percent protein. Fiber Content of Feed Research indicates that rabbits do not use dietary fiber very well. When the fiber content of the ration increases, the digestible energy will decrease. This requires the rabbit to consume more feed. Most good quality feeds used by meat producers will contain from 14 to 20 percent fiber. Energy Content of Feed The amount of food energy a rabbit needs varies with stage of growth, gestation, location, temperature and body size. If the energy content of a feed is too low, a rabbit may not be able to consume enough to grow. If the diet is deficient in energy for the lactating doe, she will not be able to provide milk for her litter, maintain her body condition and rebreed on schedule. Energy content of feed is so important to production, rabbit health and welfare that feed companies should be required to have that data on the feed tag along with the other listed categories. Amount to Feed Feeding recommendations are usually noted on the feed tag. As a general rule, a Californian or New Zealand doe or buck requires from four to six ounces per day. Lactating does need considerably more and are usually fed free-choice. The amount of the ration to be fed is dependant upon several factors (as noted above). Do you need to use the guideline of one ounce of feed to one pound of rabbit weight? This translates to a 12 pound New Zealand buck consuming 12 ounces of pelleted feed. I (along with other professional and experienced breeders) do not agree with that recommendation. The bucks, juniors, and non-lactating does would rarely consume that much feed nor is it necessary. Overly conditioned (fat) rabbits are not good breeders. Fertility and kindling problems are often noted in these rabbits. Feed ratios and profitability Professional producers emphasize the importance of knowing the amount of feed required to produce a fryer. This is referred to as the feed to gain ratio. I maintain the monthly feed usage as well as the weight of fryers sold and any butchered for personal use. Divide the pounds of feed used by the pounds of fryers sold (including personal amounts). The result is expressed as 4:1 or 5:1 This means it take 4 or 5 pounds of feed to produce one pounds of fryer weight. We are not considering only the feed for the fryer. To be accurate, we must consider the feed for the does, bucks, fryers, junior breeding stock and any breeder not currently pulling their weight. To be profitable, we can’t fall into the trap of allowing cages filled with non-productive breeding stock. Are there other areas affecting the feed to gain ratio? Yes, there are several areas to consider. Establish a culling program to eliminate non-productive does and bucks. Maintaining does who consistently producer smaller litters contributes to an increase in feed ratios. She is producing fewer fryers to sell to help offset the feed consumed by the entire rabbitry. Watch for those "hard-to-breed" does and does who do not re-breed on schedule. Maintain a reasonable number of bucks. Having a buck for every 5 does is not in the best interest of reducing feed to gain ratios. However, it may be necessary due to the purpose of the business. Breeding a large number of does within a specific time frame might be necessary. Producers who supply meat pens for 4-H and FFA projects are faced with this dilemma. The increase in selling price for the fryer would justify the expense of maintaining a larger buck inventory. Many producers who raise only for the fryer market usually maintain one buck to every ten or fifteen does. If you live in an area affected by high summer temperatures, it is advantageous to have young bucks ready for work in the late spring. They are usually less affected by heat stress and will sire litters when the older buck has become sterile. Eliminate feed waste (scrabbling). If there are rabbits who persist with the scrabbling of feed, a 1" x 2" piece of cage wire can be lodged into the J-feeder tray. This will allow the rabbits to eat but eliminates the scrabbling of the feed with their feet. Feeds with excessive fines contribute to waste. Control rats and mice. While it may not seem significant at first glance, a female mouse and offspring can consume a lot of feed. An out of control rodent population can contribute to needless loss of feed and dollars! The selling weight is usually determined by our buyer so we have little control. As the fryer ages and gains more weight, the feed intake increases. More feed is required for maintenance instead of being used for gain. Selling fryers at 5.5 pounds and twelve weeks of age will increase the feed intake compared to selling fryers at 5 pounds and eight weeks of age. Having fryers ready to sell when the buyer needs them might require some experimentation especially if the buyer only purchases on specific dates on an established route. Although not specifically related to feed to gain ratio, other items to consider in the cost of gain would be water, electricity, supplements and any mileage incurred for feed and delivery of the fryers. What about cages, buildings and repairs needed to maintain them? I’ve seen suggestions that $.10 per pound be added to cover items not directly related to feed expense. Feed testing is an area to be considered. All rabbit rations are not created to be equal! Sometimes the use of a less expensive ration is not cost efficient. The use of a more expensive ration which allows the doe to lactate well and remain in top body condition in order to re-breed on schedule is often a "money-maker". Many times this increases production to the point of having a very profitable enterprise. Feed testing also allows us to compare the genetics of our breeders to determine the bucks producing feed efficient fryers and future breeding stock
Updated: 06/26/09 Texas Rabbit Connection © 2009 |
