Rabbit farming is a profitable business in meat and fur. We are drawing up a business plan for breeding rabbits at home

The most suitable activity for novice farmers would be raising pets in cages or burrows at home. Such a business can provide financial support and also provide the family with fresh meat. However, you should first draw up a detailed business plan with calculated initial investments, as well as columns for additional profit.

It is best to engage in such a business for a person who loves animals and is ready to pay attention to them and provide care. This process must be approached responsibly; it is advisable to decide for yourself whether there is a desire to engage in this business in a few years. If yes, you need to move on to drawing up a detailed business plan.

Construction of a rabbit farm

In order to start raising rabbits, you need to decide on the place where the construction will take place. We are talking about a personal plot of land or leased territory. The first option is preferable since you won’t have to pay rent. Before the actual construction of the building, you should clarify the requirements for the distance between farm buildings and residential buildings. Perhaps, if there are any buildings on the site, they can be converted into farmland.

The most favorable place to build a farm will be an area with the following characteristics:

• flat area on a hill;
• distance from highways and railways;
• absence of swamps and reservoirs with high humidity.

Building a rabbit farm

• lay asphalt;
• purchase the materials necessary for the manufacture of shed structures.

The animal housing can be made from galvanized mesh. When using such a design for raising pets, on one hundred square meters you can place both the cages themselves and third-party premises for solving other economic problems. Moreover, each of the additional buildings can also be used to raise rabbits for a total of up to 1000 each year.

The shed system, made using two-tier technology, allows you to place up to 60 cages measuring 1.3 * 0.7 * 0.55 square meters in one structure. m. For the manufacture of cages, galvanized mesh with small cells 18 x 18 mm, 20 x 20 mm or 16 x 48 mm is used. It is best to make the floor at an angle; for this, the back wall of the cages should be lowered by 20 cm in relation to the front. This will help make the cleaning process easier. The flooring should be selected with a double bottom.

Keeping pets in holes is less expensive, but in this case it will not be possible to breed pets for valuable fur pelts, since the fur will get dirty in the hole and become coarser. If you want to breed young animals to obtain dietary meat, it is recommended to use the earthen method of propagation. With this method, animals reproduce more often, feel better and their immunity is stronger, since in the burrows the rabbits are closer to their natural living conditions.

When breeding eared animals in pits, the farmer spends less money on feeding, since the food is poured into a common feeder.

It is more convenient to clean the hole, and you will not have to do it as often as in cages. The most important disadvantage of keeping and raising rabbits in burrows is the possible spread of diseases. If even one individual gets sick, the rest will immediately become infected. It is quite difficult to control this process.

Of the investments for pit housing, the farmer will only need to strengthen the walls in the main home of the pets; each rabbit will dig passages and holes for itself. The main condition for such maintenance is the absence of groundwater in the pit. If the soil allows, it is advisable for a novice farmer to try to breed pets using this method, since it is less expensive.

Choosing a rabbit breed

When choosing pets for raising, you should note the most popular and meat varieties of rabbits.

These rabbits are characterized by rapid weight gain, and at the age of 3 months their weight will be about 3.5 kg, and at 5 months the pets already weigh from 4 to 5 kg. Females of this species have a calm, friendly character. During one birth, a female rabbit brings up to 8 cubs.

This type of pet belongs to broilers. By 5 months, individuals weigh an average of 4.5 kg with a weight gain of 45 g every day. Meat-skinned breeds deserve special attention, since from an economic point of view they are more profitable.

Representatives of this species have a red color and a muscular body, but nevertheless their skin is not very highly valued by manufacturers of fur products, since their fur is not thick enough. A more suitable direction for breeding these animals is to obtain meat: the pets are quite massive. The weight of an adult male reaches 5.5 kg.

Females of this species have good fertility; one female rabbit gives birth to 12 cubs. At the age of 4 months, female rabbits can be mated with males to produce offspring.

A distinctive feature of the breed is its strong immune system. After slaughter, the output is up to 65% pure meat.

• Chinchilla rabbit.

This breed is the result of crossing a representative of the White Giant variety with an ordinary Chinchilla. Animals of this species not only have tasty and tender meat, but also soft skin that belongs to a high quality class, so it is quite expensive. These rabbits have excellent adaptive abilities, so they will feel good in the Russian climate.

Males in adulthood reach a weight of up to 5 kg. The fertility of females is at an average level: in one litter a female rabbit brings up to 8 cubs. Baby rabbits experience active development and growth, which by 4 months allows them to have a weight comparable to their age. Approximately 59% of the total weight of meat is obtained from one carcass.

The homeland of this breed of rabbits is England, where for a long time long-eared rabbits were considered decorative animals. The most striking feature of German Ram rabbits is their long ears. Adults reach a weight of 5.5 kg. They have good immunity and do not need to be carefully looked after.

The fertility of females of this breed is extremely low: from 3 to 6 cubs, but the young rabbits are characterized by active growth. This leads to the fact that at 3 months, animals weigh 3-4 kg. You should be careful when choosing pets for further cultivation, and do not buy them at markets. The best option is to purchase individuals in specialized stores or fairgrounds.

Performance of male and female

After selecting the breed, a male sire is determined. For him and several females, 15 cells should be allocated, combined into one. It is advisable to organize this space on the second tier. Groups of 7-8 rabbits are placed in the remaining cells.

Be sure to clean the cages from animal waste and dust. Female rabbits are able to become pregnant immediately after giving birth, but it is more effective to allow them access to a male 3 times a year (spring, summer and autumn), which is what most farmers do.

On average, 6 to 8 rabbits are born. They are nursed by the female for up to 3 months. If you keep 15 females in a shad, the output will be from 267 to 373 heads, and an enterprise consisting of 3 shads will bring up to 1000 rabbit carcasses.

In the central part of the cages between the dining area and the nest, it is necessary to place a manger made of a 35 x 35 or 25 x 35 mm mesh and fill it with dried grass. Feeders and drinking bowls should be installed under them.

Rabbit nutrition

The main food for rabbits is a concentrated mixture - compound feed. It should be stored in a separate room with a dry microclimate. In order to save money, you can make compound feed yourself, and it will be even better and healthier than purchased in a store. Depending on the season, rabbits need to be given other food: fresh grass and harvested hay. The diet of a female who is awaiting the birth of her cubs should be expanded with succulent food and various vitamin elements.

In order to prepare compound feed yourself, you should purchase special equipment: a grain crusher and an extruder for granulation.

To make inexpensive and healthy feed, you will need the following ingredients (dosage is indicated in percentage):

• a mixture of ground wheat and oats - 30;
• barley with the addition of corn grains - 45;
• cake - 12;
• crushed chalk - 0.5;
• salt - 0.5;
• bran mixture - 12.

Daily consumption per adult (in grams) is:

• forbs - up to 1500;
• bean hay - 1200;
• feed from crushed twigs - 600;
• carrots - 600;
• cabbage for feed - 600;
• fodder beet - 200;
• bran - 100.

In the first half of the day, rabbits should be given fresh grass or vegetables, and in the evening they should be fed with mixed feed or grain crops. The water in the drinking bowls must be changed 3 times a day.

To save money, wet mash is prepared independently.

Income

The main source of income is the sale of rabbit meat. After slaughter, an average of 2 kg of clean product, ready for sale, comes out per animal. A system of 3 sheds can provide up to 1000 copies, resulting in 2 tons at a cost of 1 kg from 250 to 300 rubles. If we take into account this price range, the total income from the sale of meat will be 400-500 thousand rubles.

From here expenses should be subtracted, the result will be a net profit of 360 thousand rubles. per year or 30 per month. Separately, once a year they receive 2000 from the sale of offal. As an example, additional profit can be obtained from selling skins in ateliers or clothing factories. These organizations buy skins for 30-40 rubles for unprocessed ones and up to 150 for dressed ones. Thus, by selling 1000 skins each, you can actually get another 150 thousand rubles.

Those starting out in the field of raising rabbits in order to obtain commercial profit need to have a well-thought-out business plan at hand. If you have it, you can make good money with minimal investment and high returns. Moreover, rabbit breeding is not so widespread now, and the niche for selling rabbit meat is practically free, unlike chicken or pork.

Types of registration of activities and required documents

In order to open a rabbit farm, you do not need to have a huge amount of money, since there is no need to purchase a large plot of land. To maintain a herd of up to 1000 heads, a standard plot of six acres is suitable.

The most important step in the process of becoming a rabbit breeder is choosing the best type of business registration. There are only two of them:

• personal type of subsidiary plot (LPH);
• status of an individual entrepreneur (IP).

The decision to obtain one or another type of registration should be made based on the chosen method of selling the final product. Before this, you need to study a detailed plan with calculations and think about what form of enterprise to open. Mini-rabbit farming has the most advantages through private household plots. If you want to engage in large-scale production of rabbit products, at a minimum you need to open an individual entrepreneur.

The most suitable option for small private farms is private household plots, and when choosing it, it is necessary to prepare and submit a package of documents consisting of the following certificates and papers:

• Certificate of ownership of the land plot. It can be obtained by contacting the local cadastral office of Rosreestr.
• Personal health book.
• Sanitary record of a vehicle used for transporting rabbits. This document must be presented only if the animals were transported in a personal vehicle.
• Certificates from a veterinary clinic doctor about the health status of animals.
• Examination results from a veterinary laboratory confirming the safety of meat.

To open an individual entrepreneur, for example, in the field of rabbit breeding, you will need to present the following documents:

• A certificate stating that the farm is engaged in breeding this particular type of animal.
• Certificate confirming the passage of phytosanitary control.
• Financial declaration drawn up in accordance with state standards.

Individual entrepreneur status will allow you to fully develop your business plan, but at the same time it will lead to a number of not very pleasant moments, namely:

• Increase in funds spent on organizing business activities.
• The need to obtain specialized permits.
• Mandatory payment of tax.

In turn, private household plots are not subject to tax obligations. Control over the activities of farmers who have registered their activities in this way is carried out by rural local authorities, and individual entrepreneurs are monitored by representatives of Rosselkhoznadzor. After registration, a special number will be assigned, which indicates the type of economic activity, namely “breeding rabbits and fur animals on a farm.” This combination also provides for an automatic ban on leather production from rabbits that have been hunted. You should register your activities as private household plots only after identifying the market for the products.

Like any other type of business, a rabbit farm has its own income and expense items. In this area, expenses are divided into two types: one-time and permanent expenses. Depending on the care and maintenance of individuals, income, like expenses, can either decrease or grow, so it is very important to approach such a business with full responsibility. If you started keeping rabbits in cages, but ran out of money to continue doing this, you can try to transfer the enterprise to earth keeping.

One-time expenses include:

• Purchasing rabbits. On average, they buy 45-50 heads of breeding young animals, which will cost about 13.5 thousand rubles.
• Payment for the services of Rosreestr representatives. For individuals the cost is 2 thousand rubles.
• Purchase of materials for the construction of sheds.

The list of fixed costs is slightly broader and includes costs for:

• visiting a veterinary clinic;
• nutrition;
• payment of electricity bills;
• purchase of hay.

Veterinarian services for a farm will cost 300 rubles for each individual, and this amount increases depending on the chosen organization. Thus, a doctor’s visit to service 3 shad with 15 females kept in each of them will cost over 12 thousand rubles. During each year, the female gives birth to an average of 24 rabbits. With proper care, there can be more young animals.

When breeding rabbits in natural conditions, in pits, females produce offspring more often and better. The cubs are weaned from their mother at 2 months and killed at 90 days of age. In order to provide proper nutrition to a rabbit mini-family (1 mother and babies), you need to prepare 340 kg of feed. On the market, the average price for 1 kg is 9 rubles. Thus, over the course of a year, it will take 3 thousand rubles to feed one family, and providing provisions for 3 shad will cost about 126 thousand rubles.

In the last decade, creating farms has become one of the popular options for starting a business. Producing food on a farm can bring in good income. The main thing is to choose the right direction of development. Breeding rabbits as a business can be such a good financial help.

Rabbit meat is highly valued as a dietary product, especially in the nutrition of children and people suffering from food allergies and metabolic disorders. In addition, rabbit meat is very tasty and easily digestible. Income from commercial rabbit keeping can be obtained from the sale of not only meat, but also animal skins.

Organizational and legal forms of doing business

Starting a rabbit farming business from scratch requires a relatively small initial investment. Thus, a rabbit farm with up to 1,000 animals can be located on an area smaller than a standard 6-acre summer cottage plot. And cages, feeders and drinking bowls made independently will significantly reduce the cost of keeping rabbits.

As in other types of business, before raising rabbits you need to decide on the form of farm registration. When creating a mini-farm, the most rational options for keeping rabbits are running a private farm or obtaining the status of an individual entrepreneur. The choice will depend on the possible marketing options for the product.

If you are sure that all the meat can be sold to friends or at agricultural fairs, then private farming will be an excellent option for doing business, since it allows you to avoid paying taxes. You can fully discover all the benefits of raising rabbits for sale by obtaining the status of an individual entrepreneur. The price for a significant expansion of product sales options will be an increase in the costs of organizing a business and obtaining the necessary permits.

Preferred way to keep rabbits

Among the various options for keeping rabbits, the shed system is capable of maximizing the automation of animal care processes. A shed usually consists of two batteries of cages united by a common roof. The frame of the shad is made of wood or metal, the passage between the cages and the floor under the lower tier of cages are covered with boards or poured with concrete. Placing cells in 2-3 tiers will allow you to make maximum use of the available space.

Construction of a mini-farm

Before you start building a shed, it would be a good idea to check with the local administration the requirements regarding the distance of an agricultural farm from the residential sector, so as not to subsequently run into an administrative fine and a requirement to demolish all buildings

It is preferable to choose a place for construction on the hills, so that in the spring when the snow melts and in the summer-autumn season during prolonged rains, the cages with rabbits do not become flooded. In general, rabbits do not like high humidity, so a farm should not be built in wetlands. It is advisable, if possible, to pave the entire territory of the rabbit farm and install a system for draining water from the area.

The considered option for keeping rabbits with sheds will allow placing a complex of structures on an area of ​​1 hectare that will allow raising up to 1 thousand rabbits per year:

• 3 sheds 20 m long, 2.4 m high, 2.8 m wide;
• barn for storing feed and grain;
• the room where the inventory will be stored;
• slaughterhouse and refrigeration equipment;
• pit for storing manure.

In one shed, with a two-tier placement, you can install 60 cages (length - 1.3 m, width - 0.7 m, height - 0.55 m). The best material for making cages is considered to be galvanized welded mesh with cell sizes of 18*18, 20*20 and 16*48 mm. The back wall of the cage is built 15-20 cm lower than the front. This will make it possible to install a pitched floor in the cells of the second level to facilitate the cleaning process. The roof of the first tier will also serve as a tray for the excrement of animals living on the second tier. The lower cells also need to be equipped with a double floor.

The feeding and nesting compartments in the cages are separated by hay mangers, also constructed of mesh. The best cell sizes for these purposes are 35*35 mm or 25*50 mm. Feeders and drinkers are placed under the manger for a more compact keeping of rabbits.

A separate room must be allocated for the storage of concentrated feed - grain and mixed feed. Wholesale purchases of concentrates will cost less. Storage conditions must be created in the feed shop to maintain a certain humidity and prevent the formation of mold and spoilage of feed.

For convenience, the rabbit slaughterhouse is equipped with a blood supply and a special oven where slaughter waste can be burned. The installation of refrigerators for storing meat directly near the place where rabbits are slaughtered and butchered will help simplify the processing cycle of the resulting products and reduce time costs.

To collect and store manure obtained from rabbits in large quantities, a pit with a depth of at least 3 meters is constructed at a distance from the main production premises. The walls of the pit should be concreted and a canopy installed to protect from precipitation.

Organization of feeding and breeding

Separate cages are allocated for the brood rabbits and the breeding male, usually on the second tier of the shad. In other cages, young animals of 7-8 individuals are placed. Females are allowed to mate 3-4 times a year. The suckling period in rabbits for optimal development and maintenance of immunity should take at least 60 days. During one birth, 6-8 rabbits are born. Thus, if you keep 14 females in one shad, you can get 250-350 offspring per year. A rabbit farm of three sheds will, accordingly, allow you to grow about 800-1000 carcasses.

Breeding rabbits as a business involves rational costs for feeding the animals. The best way to raise rabbits on a small farm is to use mixed feed, in which all the components were selected by specialists taking into account the nutritional requirements of the diet. In summer, the feed is supplemented with grass that is properly harvested for green fodder (from proven pastures and well-dried), and in winter - with high-quality hay. For pregnant and lactating rabbits, the diet is made more varied, including succulent food and various vitamin and mineral supplements.

Sample business plan for organizing a rabbit farm

A business plan for breeding rabbits includes a breakdown of initial financial investments, ongoing expenses and annual income, as well as options for additional income. Since the range of prices in different regions of the country is quite wide, it is very difficult to give specific cost figures. Therefore, the final financial result from maintaining a mini-farm for raising rabbits may differ from the figures given in the business plan.

Initial Investment

• acquisition of a plot for construction. You can use existing summer cottages or rent them;
• costs for processing documentation for the farm;
• improvement of the site - installation of an entrance and storm drainage system;
• materials for the construction of sheds and cages - galvanized mesh, wooden bars, metal sheets and metal profiles, roofing materials;
• equipment and supplies necessary for keeping rabbits. It is cheaper to make feeders and drinking bowls yourself from scrap materials, but refrigeration equipment and equipment for preparing feed will have to be purchased in the store;
• purchase of rabbits for breeding purposes - about 45-50 heads.

When hiring workers to build a farm, costs must include their wages.

A business plan for breeding rabbits in terms of initial investments will differ depending on the available materials and their cost in a particular region.

Fixed expenses

Fixed costs of keeping rabbits include:

• veterinary services;
• stern.

A female with rabbits is usually taken as a production unit. One female rabbit produces an average of 24 little rabbits per year. Rabbits are slaughtered approximately 3 months after birth. One female with offspring requires 340 kg of feed per year. The average price of a kilogram of feed in Russia is 8-9 rubles. Thus, the cost of 1 production unit per year will be about 3 thousand rubles. You can prepare green fodder and hay yourself in order, firstly, to be confident in the selection of herbs, and, secondly, to reduce feed costs.

When keeping rabbits in 2 tiers of 15 cages (14 females) for three shads per year, you will need:

3,000 rubles * 14 females * 3 shad = 126,000 rubles – food costs;

14 females * 3 shad * 300 rubles = 12,600 rubles – costs for veterinary care

Total fixed costs: 126,000 + 12,600 = 138,600 rubles.

Regular income

A constant income from rabbit breeding with an established sales system will be income from the sale of meat. The average rabbit carcass weighs 2 kilograms. Three shads can produce up to 1,000 young rabbits per year. In total, we get 2,000 kilograms of rabbit meat, the cost of a kilogram of which varies between 250-300 rubles per kilo.

Annual revenue from the sale of rabbit meat will be:

2,000 heads * 250 rubles = 500,000 rubles.

Annual Income:

500,000 rubles – 138,600 rubles = 361,400 rubles or approximately 30,000 rubles per month

Additional income

A rabbit farming business plan is incomplete without mentioning the potential for additional income from raising rabbits for meat. The skin obtained from the slaughter of an animal can be sold, thereby increasing your income.

One skin without dressing can be sold to a fur studio or factory for 20-30 rubles, depending on the size and quality. The tanned skin costs 5-6 times more - 100-150 rubles. Having sold 1000 skins a year, we will receive about 100-150 thousand rubles of additional profit. The main thing is to find markets.

The main indicator of a rabbit breeding business is ultimately the profitability of production. In our case, without taking into account initial costs, it will be at least 300%. Agree - a good result for an enterprise working in the field of agriculture.

Commercial rabbit breeding in Russia is only gaining momentum. There are more and more lovers of dietary meat, and the sales market is growing steadily. However, in 2010-2015. Rabbit meat sold 80% less than beef.

The rapid growth of livestock is a good help for running a rural business. In addition to meat, the rabbit farm produces skins and fluff. Selective breeding is another resource for making a profit.

Rabbit products and sales market

The rabbit breeding business provides the market with dietary meat, inexpensive fur and down. Development in this direction requires careful selection of the breed.

Profitable meat rabbit breeds:

• gray and white giant;
• Belgian Flanders;
• Californian;
• German ram.

Breeds of downy rabbits:

• angora;
• arctic fox;
• Central Russian, etc.

Breeding work with rabbits is labor-intensive and requires a lot of attention and experience. Breeding of purebred animals in Russia is carried out at an amateur level, so they prefer to purchase producers in Europe.

To sell products, you will need certificates from the village council confirming that the animals belong to a personal subsidiary plot (LPH) and vaccination certificates from a veterinarian.

Possible market for products:

• meat– city markets, supermarkets, shops, government procurement, public catering chains, meat processing plants, dumpling and sausage shops;
• skins– factories for sewing fur products, ateliers, private craftsmen, tanneries;
• live rabbits– other breeders, individuals, pet stores.

Breeding guinea fowl at home as a business: profitable or not? The answer is contained

Rabbits as a business: pros and cons

Advantages of commercial rabbit farming:

• lack of competitors;
• rapid growth of livestock;
• minimum investment at the first stage;
• government support for business;
• loyal taxation;
• payback period from 6 months to 1 year;
• due to fast turnover – high profits;
• low running costs.

Disadvantages of commercial rabbit farming:

• susceptibility of animals to infectious diseases and changes in maintenance regime;
• limited sales market;
• lack of breeding centers;
• high mortality among rabbits;
• lack of highly specialized veterinarians;
• strict sanitary requirements for maintenance.

Legal aspects: individual entrepreneur or private household plot?

The campaign to create a rabbit farm begins with the legal registration of rights to commercial activities. And this, at a minimum,

An individual entrepreneur is obliged to: income, pension, insurance contributions, etc. But an organization can participate in government procurement and sell products in bulk to institutions and stores.

A profitable option for individual entrepreneurs is the transition to the Unified Agricultural Tax system, when only 6% of profits are paid to the treasury. To register with the tax authority you will need: a passport, an application of a generally established form. A fee is paid to the treasury, and a receipt is presented when submitting an application. Then the same

The products of personal subsidiary plots are not subject to taxes, but it is not easy for a private owner to obtain support from the state. In addition, wholesale food companies and stores do not work with private household plots due to lack of documents.

But nothing will stop the owner of a private household plot from selling products at competitive prices to individuals and saving a monthly percentage of the profit for retirement.

Private household plots are registered in the village council, where all livestock numbers are registered as of the current date.

Breeding rabbits at home: where to start?

To create a rabbit farm you will need the following steps:

1. Studying the sales market and searching for potential buyers.
2. Purchasing a plot of land or a rural house with water and electricity.
3. Legal registration of individual entrepreneurs or private household plots.
4. Purchase or construction of cages for rabbits (sheds, mini-farms, enclosures, barn).
5. Creating a supply of dry food and hay.
6. Purchase of young animals.
7. Finding a veterinarian.
8. Ensuring sanitary requirements and living conditions for rabbits.

Possible difficulties

The difficulties that novice rabbit breeders face are creating living conditions and the right diet. Animals are shy, cannot tolerate drafts and react poorly to human interaction. Among rabbits, there are frequent cases of infectious diseases that are quickly transmitted from one individual to another and lead to mass death of the livestock.

A large rabbit farm employs a veterinarian, and small farms require examination and treatment conducted by a rural specialist.

Sanitary requirements for rabbit farms

Before starting work, familiarize yourself with the sanitary requirements for a rabbit farm. According to these rules, the cages should be clean, dry and relatively warm.

Required regular disinfection of premises. Sick animals and rabbits suspected of having an infectious disease are isolated in separate cages or an enclosure.

Project selection: rabbit sheds and mini-farms

On an industrial scale, rabbits are kept in sheds - metal cages installed one above the other in 2-3 tiers. Sheds for rabbits are installed under a canopy or in a large room with general lighting and heating. Requires daily cleaning and filling of feeders with food and water.

In private household plots, rabbits are kept in enclosures, homemade cages, pits, and sheds.

Breeding rabbits using the Mikhailov method

Mikhailov's mini-farms have become popular in recent years. With this method, accelerated rabbits live in groups in isolated cages, where there is everything necessary for the growth and development of animals. Breeding rabbits using the Mikhailov method is also suitable for industrial production.

Cage care is minimal - an automatic control system regulates the microclimate, water and food supply, lighting and ventilation. Despite the high costs of equipment, one mini-farm pays for itself in 1 year and generates income due to minimal livestock losses.

Purchase of stud rabbits

Buy hybrids obtained by crossing a valuable breed with an ordinary Russian rabbit. This will give a “start-up” business with livestock adapted to harsh climates and strong immunity. By breeding ordinary rabbits, a novice farmer will recoup part of the costs, gain experience and move on to breeding other breeds.

When buying rabbits, pay attention to the following points:

1. The ratio of females to males is 30:1.
2. Choose animals without signs of disease, with bright and uniform coat.
3. Buy adult animals from 8 months to 1 year - their offspring will already be adapted to the living conditions in the new place.
4. Do not buy rabbits at markets or pet stores.

Income calculation

1. Income from the sale of rabbit meat (based on the average carcass weight of 2.5 kg) – 750 rubles.

2. Income from the sale of skins (depending on the quality of the fur) – 300...1500 rubles.

Total income in the range: 1050...2250 rub.

Net profit from one rabbit is: 115...1315 rubles.

Net income for the first year from 10 mini-farms: 80500...920500 rub.

Profit in subsequent years: 290500...1130500 rub.

Taking into account depreciation of equipment, costing 45,000 rubles. per unit, a 10-cell rabbit farm will pay for itself in a maximum of 2 years, a minimum of 5 months.

Profitability of rabbit breeding

The breeder’s net profit is from 500 thousand rubles annually, taking into account all costs. An enterprising farmer establishes connections, expands the market, increases the number of animals, and improves the quality of animals.

Rabbit farms are only increasing their turnover every year, even taking into account the high mortality rate of young animals. Therefore, over time, business profitability tends to 80-90%. In the first stages of its formation, a rabbit farm brings the owner from 20 to 60% of the possible profit.

Rabbit breeding as a business: profitable or not? Today, China ranks first in the world in rabbit meat production (600 thousand tons per year). According to Rosstat, on the territory of the Russian Federation in 2010. In total, about 800 tons of dietary meat were produced, and 3000 tons were sold.

The market potential has only grown over 5 years, and the average annual growth rate was 80%. This suggests that there is a demand for the product; there are no domestic producers capable of competing with importers in terms of quality and quantity of meat.

Breeding rabbits at home: where to start and how to succeed? Watch the following video for recommendations:

Industrial cage, France. Photo: Ethique & Animaux L214

In recent years, the interest of farmers and large agricultural holdings in rabbit breeding has sharply increased. Dietary meat is increasingly in demand on the market, and experts predict a 3-fold increase in demand for rabbit meat. Its price reaches 450 rubles per kilogram, so rabbit breeding as a business has good prospects.

Rabbit meat production and demand for products

Rabbit meat cannot be classified as an exotic product, but it is rarely found in stores and does not linger on shelves. The Russian rabbit meat market is practically empty, while the demand for it, according to some experts, is about 300 thousand tons per year. Import supplies of products decreased sharply: from 4,300 tons in 2014 to 1,760 tons in 2016.

According to the analytical agency AB-Center, in 2015 the volume of rabbit meat consumption amounted to 17.5 thousand tons. Of these, 13.5 are products of small farms. Industrial rabbit breeding is underdeveloped in our country, but the situation is changing quickly. In the Northwestern Federal District, the construction of 3 large farms with a production cycle has begun, which intend to produce more than 7 thousand tons of rabbit meat per year.

Rabbit meat is a white dietary meat, 90% digestible, low in fat and cholesterol. It is non-allergenic, suitable for the production of baby food, and can remove heavy metal salts from the body. Demand for it is driven by a trend toward healthy eating, but is held back by its high price and lack of a wide range of products in stores.

Rabbit breeding is very convenient for farms. The business does not require large initial investments; technologies for breeding and keeping rabbits, which have been developed over the years, allow you to do this business without special training. The simplest equipment is required; the farmer can make some of it himself. Animals are distinguished by high fertility and early maturity. One female rabbit is capable of 7–8 litters per year, which is about 140 kg of meat in live weight annually. Of all areas of animal husbandry, rabbit breeding is the most profitable in all respects, second only to. However, the market for poultry meat is close to saturation.

Comparison of production efficiency of different types of meat

* Research of the Kuban Agrarian University, Krasnodar, 2017 (Klimova N.V., Mozhegova V.D.).

Breeding and maintenance technologies

Rabbit farming is divided into meat and skin production; this is an almost waste-free agricultural production. Rabbits are most profitable for breeding for meat; finding a wholesale buyer for skins has become more difficult. Previously, they were purchased in large quantities for export to China, but since 2016, Rosselkhoznadzor banned the import of rabbit meat from the Middle Kingdom, and retaliatory difficulties arose.

The productivity of rabbit breeding depends 20–30% on the conditions of keeping, the rest comes from the breed (genetics) - up to 25% and adequate feeding - up to 55%. The microclimate is of great importance; queen rabbits are able to reproduce all year round, but with sudden temperature changes this advantage is not realized. In addition, cold weather has a bad effect on the growth and development of rabbits. Currently, three main technologies are used in rabbit breeding: keeping them outside in pits, cages (mini-farms) and in rooms with a controlled microclimate.

Requirements for conditions of detention are established:

• NTP-APK 1.10.06.002-00 Standards for technological design of small-capacity fur and rabbit farms.
• RD-APK 1.10.06.02-13 Methodological recommendations for the technological design of fur and rabbit farms of peasant (farmer) farms

Breeding in pits

Rabbits by nature are burrowing animals, so the traditional method of breeding them is very simple. Select a site on a hill, fence it off, deepening the base 50–60 cm into the ground so that animals do not dig under the ground. A canopy is made over the pits, and a door is installed in the fence for passage. Feeders and drinking bowls for rabbits are hung along it from the inside.

This method of rabbit breeding is quite accessible at home, as well as for beginning farmers. It does not require large material costs. The size of the plot should be such that the ratio is maintained: approximately 5 female rabbits and no more than 30 heads of growing young animals of 20 square meters. meters. These are conditions close to natural conditions, the animals feel calm and develop well.

Disadvantages of technology:

• expansion of production is inevitably associated with an increase in land area;
• it is impossible to control the fertilization of females, which leads to a decrease in profits;
• high consumption of feed due to consumption by mice, hamsters, rats, and birds;
• mortality of young animals in winter, decreased sexual activity of rabbits;
• Difficulties with preventive care, vaccination, risk of infections.

This rabbit breeding technology is still used at home, with all operations (feeding, watering, cleaning) carried out manually. However, the cost of production will be quite high. If a farmer wants to start breeding rabbits as a business, he needs to choose more productive ways to raise them.

Cellular content

Outdoor technology for breeding rabbits in cages has become most widespread. Compact single-tier or multi-tier cages are inexpensive and can be made at home. They take up little space, so a large plot of land is not required. All cage designs are similar, differing mainly in the system of organizing feeding and watering the animals, as well as the principle of cleaning the floors from manure.

Multi-tiered structures for rabbits are usually called a mini-farm. The most famous are the designs of Mikhailov and Titarenko, as well as Makrol, Rabbitax (their photos are below in the article). Cage housing makes it easier to care for the livestock and allows you to control the litter of females. Depending on the type of food (wet, dry), the cages are equipped with trough or hopper feeders and hay boxes.

The most difficult thing in such conditions for keeping rabbits is organizing a watering system. The best option is when water from the storage tank is supplied through pipes with built-in nipple drinkers. In winter, it is necessary to ensure their heating using a heating element. The cages are equipped with mesh floors with a cell size of 1.6×4.8 cm, and underneath there is an inclined bunker, which is periodically cleared of manure. The capacity of one mini-farm is small: usually no more than 4 families (a female rabbit with offspring) and up to about 35 animals per juvenile.

Disadvantages of keeping rabbits in outdoor cages:

• seasonal reproduction: at temperatures below –15 degrees they become sleepy and sexual activity is suspended;
• in the summer heat, the risk of disease and death of newborn rabbits increases;
• low productivity and fairly high cost of meat due to manual labor.

Modular sheds

Closed hangar-type or rectangular premises made of light metal structures take rabbit breeding to a qualitatively higher level. The module (rabbitry) is covered with cellular polycarbonate, and a fan is mounted in the roof. Inside there is a passage along which there are multi-tiered cages on both sides.

In the sheds, a system for keeping rabbits is implemented according to the principle “everything is empty - everything is occupied.” When combined with the technology of artificial insemination, offspring are obtained from each queen rabbit 7 times a year with a 49-day cycle and 8 times with a 42-day cycle. The main herd (males and females) is kept in isolated cages, the young animals are housed in groups of 5–7 animals, depending on the design of the house and the breed of animals (they differ in size). Industrial cages are equipped with spring lids, which facilitates the transplantation of rabbits, their treatment, and insemination. To remove manure, removable corner panels or trays are equipped.

In such a room, an automatic drinking system with nipple or float drinkers is installed. Hopper feeders are filled with dry granulated food approximately once a week. Optimal conditions for breeding rabbits are maintained using a heating system and forced ventilation. The cost of purchasing a closed rabbitry pays off quite quickly due to higher productivity of rabbits, safety of livestock, reduced labor costs, and, consequently, a reduction in the number of workers.

Types of cells and other equipment

There are a large number of designs of rabbit cages, varying in size and configuration. Most are made of wood, the doors are made of mesh, and the floors are lattice. Some models have a floor heating system in the queen cells and pipes for water supply. The most popular varieties of rabbit hutches are shown below.

The cost of cages for industrial keeping of rabbits depends on the dimensions, design, material, additional equipment (feeding system, heating, manure removal, type of drinking bowls). The cost of one Mikhailov mini-farm is approximately 15 thousand rubles, a block of 4 pieces will cost 60 thousand rubles. A set of 12 mini-farms for 1000 rabbits with bunker feeders, nipple drinkers, a heated queen cell and a polycarbonate canopy costs approximately 350 thousand rubles.

Closed industrial-type rabbitries are offered by the companies “Pankrol” (Krasnodar Territory), “ELKO” (Belarus, representative office in Kaluga). These are turnkey complexes, they include:

• cage equipment (broodstock and finishing);
• water supply, air conditioning systems;
• electrical wiring for lighting, automation;
• feeding-watering systems, manure removal;
• heating devices for floor and water.

The price of a modular shed "Pankrol" for industrial breeding of rabbits is (based on the number of mother rabbits and young animals kept):

• for 54/430 - 400 thousand rubles. (6x6 m);
• for 120/960 - 1 million rubles. (15x6 m);
• for 612/4900 - 4.8 million rubles (45 × 9.5 m).

Closed modular rabbitries with artificial microclimate.

Breeds of meat rabbits

In total, there are about 60 breeds of rabbits, which differ in the quality of the skin, weight, and slaughter yield of meat products. With age, the meatiness coefficient increases for all varieties, but if you buy rabbits for breeding for meat, you should pay attention to the following well-proven breeds.

• New Zealand white. The New Zealand rabbit breed was bred in the USA and is now widespread in Europe and Russia. Animals have a well-developed chest and sacrolumbar region. At 3 months of age, the rabbit weighs 2.7 kg. Slaughter yield is 55–65%, the proportion of meat in the carcass is 77–80%. Female rabbits are prolific, bringing up to 12 rabbits, which is why it is necessary to equalize the litters. The wool is white. Feed costs 3.5-5 units/kg gain.
• Silver. Originally from France, it was brought to us from Germany almost 100 years ago. A very large, fast growing rabbit. It is born black or smoky in color, after 3.5 months it gradually acquires a silver tint, and weighs about 4 kg. Adults are very large: 6–6.5 kg. With good care, the slaughter yield is about 62%. There are 8–10 rabbits in a litter. Valued for high-quality fur raw materials.
• Californian. American origin, obtained by crossing Russian ermine, chinchilla and New Zealand breeds. It has high early maturity and meatiness. Animals have thin and light, but at the same time strong bones. The California rabbit is called “broiler”; it reaches a marketable weight of 2.3 kg by the end of the second month of life. Like the New Zealand breed, it has strong, well-furred paws, which saves it from damage on a metal mesh floor, especially in winter. Slaughter yield 60%.
• White (gray) giant. This species was bred in the Poltava region in the 50s of the last century. The Flanders breed was crossed with a local variety of rabbits. From the former they inherited a powerful backbone and high meatiness, from the latter - fertility and precocity. The animals are unpretentious to living conditions, adapted to temperate climates and are successfully raised in the northern regions. They reach a weight of 1.7–1.9 kg at the age of 120 days. Slaughter yield 55%, weight fraction 85%.

On Agroserver you can buy a month-old rabbit for breeding at a price of 350-500 rubles per head, depending on the breed. An adult rabbit per breed costs from 1 thousand rubles. In addition to those listed above, in Russia there are such breeds as Flanders, Burgundy, and French sheep. Hybrids of the Hy-Plus type have also appeared, characterized by very rapid growth and good health. But you can only buy them in reproducers, since the appearance of these rabbits does not differ in their characteristic features (it’s easy to make a mistake). In this case, you will have to keep the broodstock, since hybrid characteristics are not transmitted to the offspring.

Feed requirements and diet

When raising rabbits, two feeding systems are used: dry (granulated) food and combined, when the animals are fed simultaneously with succulent feed, hay and concentrates.

Requirements for the quality of feed are established by GOST 32897-2014 Compound feed for fur-bearing animals, rabbits and nutria. General technical conditions.

Feeding rabbits only with complete granulated feed is impractical and reduces the profitability of production. At the same time, traditional feeds (corn, winter wheat, hay, sunflower cake) contain insufficient amounts of proteins necessary for intensive breeding of rabbits. When breeding rabbits for meat, the best option is a regular mixed diet with “Premix” type additives.

Maximum daily dose of feed for rabbits of different compositions (g)

About 40 kg of hay for the winter is prepared per adult animal and 15 kg per rabbit up to 4 months. During the fattening period of 120 days for one family (female, rabbit and 20 rabbits) it costs:

• concentrates - 340 kg;
• hay - 110 kg;
• root vegetables - 90 kg;
• green mass - 420 kg.

Rabbits must have constant access to food and water. The amount of daily growth significantly depends on the content of proteins in the diet; it is necessary to include supplements containing lysine, methionine, arginine, and cysteine. Bran, branches (roughage) are of great importance in regulating digestive processes, reducing the risks of intestinal disorders and infectious diseases.

Risks

Like any other farm animals, rabbits are susceptible to diseases, especially if breeding and maintenance conditions are violated. Therefore, compliance with the rules of veterinary care and vaccination is mandatory. Timely repair of cages and slatted floors protects animals from mechanical injuries, frostbite and overheating. Among the dangerous diseases that can lead to 70% mortality in livestock within a few days, the following can be noted.

Economic risks in rabbit farming are associated with typical problems characteristic of agriculture as a whole. These are difficulties with renting land plots and obtaining a loan for the construction of a rabbit farm, with the acquisition of high-quality breeding material; there are very few rabbit breeders in the country. Also, small farms are faced with the problem of establishing sales to a store chain due to the small volume of supplies.

Business investment and profitability

When drawing up a business plan for a rabbit farm, you need to focus on the average profitability in the industry and real examples of operating farms. Farm productivity and payback period depend on the technology for keeping rabbits, the availability of own funds and land, and the need for credit. Below are averages for a typical medium-sized commercial rabbit farm (indoors).

• Number of queen rabbits - 264;
• The selling price of meat is 207 rubles/kg.

The total amount of current expenses consists of the following:

• feed - 58%;
• veterinary drugs, vaccination - 35%;
• electricity (including heating) - 4%
• water consumption (sewage), disposal - 2%;
• other expenses - 1%.

Example. Farm of Kirill Sheshtanov, peasant farm "KroSh", Leningrad region.

• 2014 The initial investment in the business amounted to 1 million rubles. The money was spent on training, purchasing a computer, paying for a patent; 4 Mikhailov mini-farms, 8 breeding rabbits (gray and white giant) were purchased.
• 2015–2016 An application was submitted and a one-time grant in the amount of 5.5 million rubles was received. Added own funds 3 million rubles. 200 mini-farms were purchased, our own slaughterhouse was built, equipment for it was purchased, and accreditation was carried out. The annual turnover amounted to 800 thousand rubles.
• 2017 There are 250 mini-farms in total, 2,000 rabbits are kept. The farm is served by only 3 people: a livestock specialist, a worker, and a slaughterer. The turnover amounted to 1.2 million. There are plans to purchase a Ford Transit car with a refrigeration unit.

In the above example, a peasant farm organized external cage keeping of rabbits. The entrepreneur is going to develop production according to the European system, in closed sheds. You can learn more about its history on the website of the Food Industry News Portal.

Marketing routes and prices for meat

In small towns, markets and seasonal fairs are the main distribution channel for rabbit meat. Entrepreneurs note that rabbit carcasses weighing 1.5 kg are in greatest demand. The large mass of the animal raises suspicions regarding its age, and the cost of meat is quite high. Other sales channels:

• restaurants, farm produce stores;
• own points of sale in indoor markets;
• hospitals, baby food factories;
• intermediary wholesale organizations.

The cost of 1 kg of rabbit meat on the wholesale sales sites Agro.ru and Agroserver reaches 500 rubles, on average it varies in the range of 350–425 rubles. Depends on the quality of the meat, the nature of the cutting and packaging.

Small suppliers find it difficult to build relationships with large chain stores. Most often, they sell products to intermediaries at a price almost half the consumer price. At the same time, organizing your own slaughter and cutting shop significantly increases production efficiency. For example, if you offer shops and catering establishments cut up carcasses in vacuum packaging, in marinade weighing 0.5, 1, 1.5 kg. A cut rabbit with a light weight is much more affordable compared to a whole carcass.

Veterinary standards and GOSTs

• TR CU 034/2013 - Technical Regulations of the Customs Union. On the safety of meat and meat products.
• GOST 27747-2016 - Rabbit meat (rabbit carcasses, broiler rabbits and their parts). Technical conditions.

The rules for the circulation of unprocessed fresh meat and semi-finished meat products on the territory of Russia and other EurAsEC countries are regulated by the Regulations of the Customs Union. According to this document, product quality compliance with established requirements is confirmed by a veterinary certificate. It is issued by the relevant territorial service of Roselkhoznadzor after laboratory tests and veterinary and sanitary examination.

Control over the production and movement of fresh meat from the manufacturer to the wholesaler and retailer is carried out using the state information system GIS Mercury (Vetis). In this system, the manufacturer generates VSD (veterinary accompanying documents), which are transmitted along the chain to the final seller who sells the product to the consumer.

For packaged semi-finished meat products it is necessary to issue a declaration of conformity, and on a voluntary basis you can also obtain a certificate of conformity. The rules for the preparation of these documents are established by TR CU 021/2011 (Technical Regulations of the Customs Union. Food Safety).

Form of economic organization

In rabbit farming, any form of production organization is possible:, or. Peasant farming is more profitable in the sense that you can qualify for certain government support measures - preferential loans, subsidies, grants. When registering an enterprise, you need to select the following codes as the main activities (reference book “OK 029-2014 (KDEC Rev. 2):

• 01.49.2 - breeding rabbits and other fur-bearing animals;
• 01.49.21 - production of fine rabbit hair;

In addition, agricultural tax is the most favorable compared to other taxation regimes. It is 6% of income, and losses from previous periods can be written off as payment. Even one family member can organize a farm on his own behalf. If the rest are members of peasant farms, then they will have to pay contributions to pension insurance.

In conclusion, we note that fluctuations in market prices are unlikely to have a large impact on the cost of rabbit meat in the near future. Demand for it is growing, but the supply on the market is still small. At the same time as raising rabbits for meat, the farmer also receives by-products. It further increases the overall profit of the farm. Thus, wholesalers buy dried rabbit skins at a price of about 60 rubles/kg, and rabbit manure is suitable for application to fields even without preliminary biological treatment. It is readily accepted by local entrepreneurs involved in crop production, so it will not be difficult to find buyers.

Rabbit farm business plan

We present to you a free ready-made example of a business plan, on the basis of which you can draw up your own. This material contains all cost items and examples of calculations for rabbit farming.

• Introduction
• 1. Summary
• 2. Production plan
• 3. Market analysis
• 4. Analysis of product sales markets and raw material purchases
• 5. Project marketing strategy
• 6. Organizational plan
• 7. Financial plan

This example is suitable for both a farm and your household, since you can simply reduce the scale of your business.

useful links

• How it works: how much does a rabbit farm bring // RBC, interview with the owner of the Lelechi rabbit farm
• Faster than rabbits: how a top-class biathlete became a livestock breeder // RBC, interview with figures

Rabbit farming as a business is one of the most promising types of livestock farming. To open your own business, you will need to resolve a number of organizational issues (individual entrepreneur or peasant farm, selection of land for rent), arrange the site in accordance with the tasks of rabbit breeding, select and purchase the appropriate breed/breeds of rabbits, establish sales channels, slaughter and waste-free production.

A carefully drawn up business plan will eliminate mistakes and unforeseen expenses that arise during the purchase of equipment and landscaping.

• Worth reading:

State and characteristic problems of rabbit breeding in Russia

Rabbit breeding is a promising part of livestock farming in the Russian Federation. In accordance with the draft target program “Development and increase in rabbit production in the Russian Federation for 2014-2020,” it is necessary to increase meat production to 50 thousand tons per year, as well as increase the livestock to 750 thousand heads. According to experts, the unmet demand for rabbit meat is over 300 thousand tons per year.

According to information from the State Statistics Committee for 2010, the total consumption of all types of meat per year per capita is 71 kg, with rabbit meat accounting for 6-8%, which corresponds to approximately 2-3 kg per person. However, the current production (10-15 thousand tons) allows us to provide only 70 grams per capita per year.

The main suppliers of rabbit meat are private small farmsteads, which are not able to adequately meet the needs of the Russian market. As a result, the share of imports into the Russian Federation is almost 85%. The main importers of Russia are China, as well as Hungary (27%) and the Czech Republic (3%).

Mechanized rabbit farm: features of production technology

When using modular complexes for raising rabbits, it allows you to place up to 1-2 thousand queen rabbits in each building. Production is year-round continuous due to the maintenance of a given temperature (16-25 degrees) and humidity (60-70%) in modular complexes. Feeding is carried out with granulated feed based on grass meal.

When drawing up a business plan, there are 2 reproduction schemes:

• 6 week cycle;
• 7 week cycle.

With a 6-week cycle, slaughter is performed on days 75-77. According to the business plan, the live weight of rabbits is 2.5-2.6 kg, and the carcass weight is up to 1.45 kg. With such a system, the exploitation of queen rabbits does not exceed 1 year.

With a 7-week cycle, rabbits are slaughtered at 89-91 days. By this period, live weight is 2.7-2.8 kg, and carcass weight is up to 1.7 kg. This scheme assumes the operation of queen rabbits for 1 year and 3 months.

The fertility of female rabbits is approximately 80-85%. If we take into account the number of rabbits born (9.5 units), the number of those surviving on the third day (about 8.1), then we get 7.7 heads per female, which is 20% of natural mortality.

Since rabbits quickly get used to a certain feeding regimen, they should choose and stick to a specific regimen. There are 2 types of feeding used on a rabbit farm:

• combined;
• granulated.

The business plan takes into account not only the prices of feed and hay, but also their possible fluctuations for the specified billing period.

An example of organizing a mechanized rabbit farm

You can start a rabbit farming business with a small financial investment. With an investment of up to 5 million rubles, you can count on 121 mother rabbits. This quantity is typical for small rabbit farms with no automation. For a mechanized farm, you can use a standard business plan designed for 1000 rabbits with an investment of 35 million rubles and a payback of 4-5 years. In this case, a hybrid French breed of rabbits is bred.

What can you expect from such production?

With a population of 1,000 rabbits, the production of finished products per year is about 80 tons. At the same time, the cost of production is 170 rubles, and the retail price is at least 320 rubles. It should be taken into account that the production of rabbits is practically waste-free - rabbits can be raised to sell not only meat, but also skins and offal. This is all spelled out in the business plan.

Special equipment on a mechanized farm is cage equipment with automation of feeding, drinking water supply, manure removal and climate control. Only 2 people will be required to service one modular complex for 1000 rabbits. As a result, the business of breeding rabbits is not so complicated and labor-intensive.

• Read also:

Mini-farms: features of rabbit breeding according to Mikhailov’s method

Rabbit breeding as a business does not necessarily have to be on an industrial scale (from 1000 queen rabbits). Mikhailov’s technique in special mini-farms, feeding without growth-stimulating additives.

On average, one mini-farm can accommodate up to 30 rabbits (on average 12-13 heads). At the same time, the mini-farm itself occupies an area of ​​1.4 square meters. m. As a result, a small rabbit breeding farm, consisting of 16 mini-farms, occupies an area of ​​​​about 1 hundred square meters.

Heating will be required in the cold season - at air temperatures less than +10 degrees (constant heating - at temperatures below +8 degrees). When developing a business plan, heating costs are taken into account, as well as water supply to mini-farms for breeding rabbits.

Selecting and equipping a farm site

The plot for rabbit breeding should be located at a distance from residential buildings. A plot of land can be either purchased or rented.

Initially, it is necessary to calculate the number of cells on the site, determine their location, and also provide for the construction of a room (sheds) in which mini-farms will be located. Naturally, it is necessary to maintain a certain temperature and humidity conditions in the premises all year round. And this will require the installation of ventilation and heating systems, as well as climate control systems.

The next thing that needs to be included in the business plan is the maintenance of the cells themselves. When organizing a small-scale rabbit breeding business, 1 person can handle shed maintenance. At the same time, farm automation systems should be considered, including systems for supplying water, feed, and manure removal.

To store food you will need to equip a special room. However, for storing equipment and building materials, it is also worth considering the construction of a small hangar on the site. To slaughter rabbits, you need to set up a slaughterhouse with a meat compartment and a refrigerator.

Rabbit farming as a business is practically waste-free production. Rabbit manure can also bring profit (good fertilizer), so it is necessary to equip a pit on the site for its storage.

The choice of cells is the main task that will need to be solved before or immediately after renting/purchasing a plot . If you are drawing up a business plan for a small farm for breeding rabbits, you can make your own cages according to freely available drawings, or purchase ready-made solutions.

Among the most popular mini-farms, Rabbitax should be highlighted. This is a system for rabbit breeding with automation of excrement collection, elimination of fumes and odors, protection from insects, predators, rodents, drafts, and dampness. There is heated water in drinking bowls and nesting boxes. The Rabbitax-4 module for 4 compartments (248 kg) in the standard version of queen cells will cost 21-22 thousand rubles.

Choosing a rabbit breed for breeding

In total, over 200 breeds of rabbits are known, of which no more than 15 are suitable for breeding for the purpose of selling meat and skins. There are 3 types of breeds that can be bred:

• meat-skin;
• downy;
• meat.

You should start a rabbit breeding business with meat-skin breeds.

Large meat-skinned breed. Live weight is 5-6 kg, fertility is about 8 heads in one litter. Slaughter yield up to 54%.

Large breed. The live weight of adults is 5-5.5 kg, and the fertility is 7-8 young rabbits. Slaughter yield - up to 58%.

A breed of rabbits of heterogeneous color, the average weight of which is 5 kg. Fertility - 7-8 rabbits. Slaughter yield up to 63%.

Black-brown

Also refers to large meat-hide breeds with an average weight of 5 kg. Fertility is 8 or more rabbits per litter. Slaughter yield is 58% (for 4-month-old young animals - 69.3%).

Californian and White New Zealand

They belong to fur breeds. Mainly used for the production of broiler rabbits. Live weight - 4 kg, in a litter of up to 4 rabbits. Slaughter yield - up to 60%.

Naturally, these are not all breeds suitable for breeding. A profitable rabbit business can also be organized with the cultivation of other breeds (for example, White Downy, Butterfly, Vienna Blue, etc.).

Financial plan: expenses and income when organizing rabbit breeding

The cost items of the business plan, without taking into account the arrangement of a plot for breeding rabbits, include:

• plot rental;
• purchase of cells (mini-farms);
• purchasing rabbits;
• feed costs;
• maintenance costs;
• employee salaries.

Initial conditions and costs

A business plan for breeding meat rabbits will look like this:

1. Mini-farm "Rabbitax-4" - 22 thousand rubles, rabbits of the Gray Giant breed (1 individual) - 650-1000 rubles (~825 rubles).
2. Production conditions: 96 rabbits (4 female rabbits) per year with 3 litters.
3. Feed costs. For 4 rabbits, the weight of the feed is 180 kg, taking into account 96 young rabbits - 1440 kg. Total: 1440 kg x 7.5-9 rubles = 10.8-12.9 thousand rubles. (~11.85 thousand rubles).
4. Costs for hay. For breeding rabbits - 90 kg, including young animals - 810 kg. Expenses - 810 kg x 3.5 rubles = 2835 rubles.
5. Water costs. On average, water consumption will be 7.5 thousand liters.
6. Electricity costs (heating at air temperatures less than +8 degrees) - 0.5 kW/h.
7. Labor costs. It will take 10 minutes to maintain 1 mini-farm. In the morning and in the evening. Total - 20 min. per day.

Total expenses excluding labor costs, electricity consumption and water consumption according to the business plan average: 11.85 thousand rubles + 2.84 thousand rubles = 14.69 thousand rubles.

Estimated income from rabbit farming

The rabbit breeding business with the specified initial data generates income from the proceeds:

• Meat. 90 pcs x 2.5 kg = 225 kg. The minimum wholesale price is 210 rubles (average retail price ~360-370 rubles/kg). Total: 47.25 thousand rubles.
• Liver. 96 pcs x 80 g = 7.7 kg. The average price of rabbit liver is 350-400 rubles/kg. Total - 7.7 x 360 = 2.77 thousand rubles.
• Fur. On average, a rabbit skin costs 100 rubles/piece. Total = 96 pcs x 100 rubles = 9.6 thousand rubles.
• Fat. Rabbit fat is used in perfumery and medicine. The cost is about 150 rubles/kg. Total: 96 pcs x 0.07 kg x 150 rubles = 1 thousand rubles.
• Fertilizers. Rabbit manure is a good fertilizer that can be sold to farms. Income - 2500 kg x 0.4 rubles = 1000 rubles.

Total income for the year will be (thousand rubles): 47,25 + 2,77 + 9,6 + 1 + 1 = 61.62 thousand rubles.

Total costs(thousand rubles): 22 (mini-farm) + 3.3 (4 breeding individuals) + 14.69 (maintenance) = 39.99 thousand rubles.

Net profit(excluding costs for maintaining mini-farms, electricity and water): 61.62-39.99 = 21.63 thousand rubles. This is income from 1 mini-farm “Rabbitax-4”, taking into account the cost of equipment and breeding rabbits.

By increasing the mini-farm for breeding rabbits, the business will generate significantly more income. It all depends on the selected breeds, the number of mini-farms and the reproduction cycle.