Farmers Broiler Rabbitry for Livelihood Security of Small Farmers

The present study has been undertaken to know the growth performance of broiler rabbits raised on different housing systems, to assess the correlation of growth performance of rabbit with their physiological and blood parameters, to observe the carcass characteristics of broiler rabbits at slaughter age (90 days) in relation to different housing systems, to recommend the most suitable broiler breed of rabbit under small scale rearing and to suggest the appropriate scientific housing systems to be followed for economically viable broiler rabbitry. The study reveals that outdoor floor system of housing is the best housing compared to indoor cage and hutch for rearing of broiler rabbits from weaning age (42 days) to market age (90 days) in terms of attaining highest body weight. Moreover, the animals kept in outdoor floor had access to extra green grasses in the form of the outdoor covered grazing area which minimizes the feed cost. In case of different broiler breeds of rabbit’s viz. Soviet Chinchilla (SC), New Zealand White (NZW) and Meghalaya Non-descripts (Local), Soviet Chinchilla is the most suitable breed than the other two breeds.

Dr. P.K. Pathak, Subject Matter Specialist/Scientist in KVK, ICAR Sikkim Centre, Gangtok under Ministry of Agriculture; is M.V.Sc. in LPM from C.V.Sc., Khanapara, Assam Agril. University; associated with four externally funded projects; recipient of many awards and published many papers in national and international repute.