Status and Constraints in Farming of Domesticated Rabbits in Western and North Rift Kenya

P. C. Sergon; E. J. Chemoiwa; J. O. Wanga; A. Nandwa; H. Rachuonyo

doi:10.2022/ajest.v7i1.755

P. C. Sergon Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
E. J. Chemoiwa Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
J. O. Wanga Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
A. Nandwa Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
H. Rachuonyo Department of Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, University of Eldoret, P.O. Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2022/ajest.v7i1.755

Keywords: Domesticated Rabbit, Constraints, Farming

Abstract

Rabbit farming is recognised as an important enterprise. Domestic rabbits are raised mainly for meat in major parts of the world. Domesticated rabbit farming in Africa has a challenge of low meat production and mostly done by resource poor and low-income farmers. The study covered the Western and North Rift regions of Kenya using exploratory research design to generate the required information targeting 112 rabbit farmers. The study used both stratified and systematic sampling basing on different Agro Ecological Zones. Farmers were obtained through snow balling technique using structured questionnaires. Data collected was analysed using SPSS (version 20). Majority of the respondents (56.3%) were males aged below 36 years (96.4%) and had formal education. Main breeds for meat were New Zealand White 48 (43.6%) and Flemish giant 22 (20.0%), while palomino was least kept with a statistically significant difference (χ² = 84.24, d.f.=6, p<0.0001). Most rabbits were reared in cages 90(86.5%) (p< 0.0001) measuring 1.5m by 1.5m (68.3%) raised about a metre high serving as anti-predation tactics. Breeding stock were sourced from fellow farmers (85.5%). Rabbits aged three months were sold at an average price of Ksh.200 while those over five at 1200. A large proportion of farmers indicated they never cleaned rabbit houses 57 (50.9%). Main rabbit feed was vegetables from farms 68(60.7% rarely supplemented with Pellets 23(76.7%). Rabbits encountered diarrhoea and skin diseases 12(10.7%), predators 68(60.7%), thieves 14(14.3%), sudden deaths, and high costs of building materials with a significant difference (χ² = 121.818 with 4 d.f. P-Value = 0.0001) Rearing practices and challenges differed from each. The study concluded that more awareness be created on the need to keep rabbits for income. Research and training on rabbit management and marketing is needed to support the growth of rabbitry in the regions.

References

Abd El-Ghany, W. A. (2020). Coccidiosis: A Parasitic Disease of Significant Importance in Rabbits. World, 10(4), 499-507.

Branco, M., Ferrand, N., & Monnerot, M. (2000). Phylogeography of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in the Iberian Peninsula inferred from RFLP analysis of the cytochrome b gene. Heredity, 85(4), 307-317.

Carneiro, M., Rubin, C. J., Di Palma, F., Albert, F. W., Alföldi, J., Barrio, A. M., ... & Andersson, L. (2014). Rabbit genome analysis reveals a polygenic basis for phenotypic change during domestication. Science, 345(6200), 1074-1079.

Chah, J. M., Uddin, I. O., Nnodim, W. E., & Ezeibe, A. B. (2017). Housing and Feed Management Practices among Rabbit Keepers in Enugu State, Nigeria. International Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 7(4), 81-87.

Chebet, J., Waruiru, R. M., & Ogolla, K. O. (2018). Prevalence, control and risk factors associated with rabbit mange in Kiambu and Nyeri counties, Kenya. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 30(6).

Cherwon, A. K., Wanyoike, M. M., & Gachuiri, C. K. (2020). Rabbit production practices in Kiambu County, Kenya. International Journal of Livestock Production, 11(4), 114-121.

Cochran, K. (2019). Where All Good Rabbits Go. Original Works Publishing.

Courchamp, F., Langlais, M., & Sugihara, G. (2000). Rabbits killing birds: modelling the hyperpredation process. Journal of Animal Ecology, 69(1), 154-164.

Crist, E., Mora, C., & Engelman, R. (2017). The interaction of human population, food production, and biodiversity protection. Science, 356(6335), 260-264.

Cullere, M., & Dalle Zotte, A. (2018). Rabbit meat production and consumption: State of knowledge and future perspectives. Meat science, 143, 137-146.

Flisikowska, T., Kind, A., & Schnieke, A. (2014). Production of Transgenic Rabbits. In Transgenic Animal Technology (pp. 275-304). Elsevier.

Hungu, C. W. (2011). Production characteristics and constraints of rabbit farming in central, Nairobi and Rift valley provinces, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation).

King, C. M. (2019). Rabbits (1860–1900). In Invasive Predators in New Zealand (pp. 145-166). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.

Kumar, A. D. A., and Guleria, JS (2010) Problems and constraints of rabbitry in India: A study of Himachal Pradesh. Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, 10(8), 40-46.

Mailafia, S., Onakpa, M. M., & Owoleke, O. E. (2010). Problems and prospects of rabbit production in Nigeria-A review. Bayero Journal of pure and applied sciences, 3(2), 20-25.

Matics, Z. S., Nagy, I., Gerencsér, Z. S., Radnai, I., Gyovai, P., Donkó, T., ... & Szendrő, Z. S. (2014). Pannon breeding program in rabbit at Kaposvár University. World Rabbit Science, 22(4), 287-300.

Mbutu, E. (2013). Factors influencing rabbit farming: A case of rabbit production project in Abothuguchi West Division, Meru County, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).

Mfuko, A. (2017). Income Generation by Housewives through Rabbit Keeping Project at Mwanslugali Mtaa in Kibaha Town Council (Doctoral dissertation, The Open University of Tanzania).

Ogolla, K. O., Chebet, J., Gathumbi, P. K., Waruiru, R. M., Okumu, P. O., Munyua, W. K., ... & Hungu, J. M. (2017). Farmer practices that influence risk factors, prevalence and control strategies of rabbit coccidiosis in Central Kenya.
Livestock Research for Rural Development, 29(7).

Ogolla, K. O., Chebet, J., Gathumbi, P. K., Waruiru, R. M., Okumu, P. O., Munyua, W. K., ... & Hungu, J. M. (2017). Farmer practices that influence risk factors, prevalence and control strategies of rabbit coccidiosis in Central Kenya. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 29(7).

Olagunju, M., Adeniyi, A. E., & Oladele, T. O. (2018). Prediction of Rabbit Population with Computer Application using Biotechnology. International Journal of Computer Trends and Technology (IJCTT), 57(1), 11-18.

Oseni, S. O., & Lukefahr, S. D. (2014). Rabbit production in low-input systems in Africa: situation, knowledge and perspectives–A review. World Rabbit Science, 22(2), 147-160.

Pascaris, A. S., Schelly, C., Burnham, L., & Pearce, J. M. (2021). Integrating solar energy with agriculture: Industry perspectives on the market, community, and socio-political dimensions of agrivoltaics. Energy Research & Social Science, 75, 102023.

Samkol, P., & Lukefahr, S. D. (2008, June). A challenging role for organic rabbit production towards poverty alleviation in south east Asia. In Proc.:, 9th World Rabbit Congress, Verona, Italy (pp. 10-13).

Serem, J. K., Wanyoike, M. M., Gachuiri, C. K., Mailu, S. K., Gathumbi, P. K., Mwanza, R. N., & Borter, D. K. (2013). Characterization of rabbit production systems in Kenya. Journal of Agricultural Science and Applications, 2(3), 155-159.

Somerville, A. D., & Sugiyama, N. (2021). Why were new world rabbits not domesticated? Animal Frontiers, 11(3), 62-68.

Stebbins, R. A. (2001). Exploratory research in the social sciences (Vol. 48). Sage.

Szendrő, Z., Szendrő, K., & Dalle Zotte, A. (2012). Management of reproduction on small, medium and large rabbit farms: a review. Asian-Australasian journal of animal sciences, 25(5), 738.

Wambugu, S. G. (2015). Influence of selected factors on rabbit production among smallholder farmers in Subukia, Nakuru County, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, Egerton University