Abstract:
Rabbit meat can contribute to the sustainable development goal (SDG) for food and nutrition
security and poverty alleviation since there is an upsurged interest in rabbit farming in the
country. The study aimed at documenting the management practices of the emerging rabbit
producers in terms of housing, feeding, breeding, and health and disease management. The study
uses qualitative-descriptive research, which utilized in-depth semi-structured interviews with 33
rabbit producers, a snowball sampling technique was used to identify the respondent. Findings
revealed that in terms of housing practices the majority of the respondents use cages of different
sizes depending on the rabbit’s growth, mostly made of galvanized wire but some use local
materials such as bamboo and used wood. For feeding practices, the majority use a combination
of rabbit pellets & forages. While for breeding practices, they practice reproduction and care
management, and weaning of kits. For health and disease management, the most common
disease of the rabbit was diarrhea and skin disease, experienced by mostly young rabbits to
adults. Respondent has knowledge in curing diseases of rabbits and can identify symptoms. With
the increasing rabbit production, management practices currently utilized by rabbit farmers have
an impact on the rabbit performance, and it needs to determine and provide information to make
the venture profitable.
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