Rabbit and Grasscutter Farming SS1 Livestock Farming Lesson Note

In our previous lessons, we looked at big animals like cattle and pigs. Today, we are looking at “Micro-livestock”—small animals that provide meat and money but don’t require much space. These are Rabbits and Grasscutters (also called Cane Rats).

Farming these animals is becoming very popular in Nigeria because you can even do it in your backyard while living in a city!

Why are they Important?

Why should a farmer bother with these small animals instead of a cow?

• Healthy Meat: Both rabbit and grasscutter meat is “white meat.” It is very low in cholesterol and fat, making it perfect for people who want to stay healthy or have heart issues.
• Fast Reproduction: Rabbits are the “kings” of multiplication. A single female rabbit can have 30 to 50 babies in one year!
• Low Cost: You don’t need a tractor or a big ranch. You can start with a wooden cage and grass from your surroundings.
• Manure: Their droppings are very dry and “cool.” You can put them directly on your vegetable garden without burning the plants.

Housing (The Hutch and the Pen)

Because these animals are small, they have many enemies (snakes, dogs, and thieves). Their house must be a “fortress.”

1. Rabbit Housing (The Hutch)

Rabbits are usually kept in wooden or wire cages called Hutches.

• Raised off the ground: Hutches should be on legs to keep them away from dampness and predators.
• Wire Mesh Floors: This allows their droppings to fall through so the rabbit stays clean.
• Nesting Box: Every female rabbit (Doe) needs a dark, quiet wooden box inside her cage where she can go to pluck her fur and have her babies.

1. Grasscutter Housing

Grasscutters are “wilder” than rabbits and are very strong.

• Concrete Pens: They can chew through wood easily! Their pens are usually built with blocks and cement.
• Dark Corners: Grasscutters are shy. They like having a dark corner in their pen to hide during the day.

Feeding Practices

The best part about these animals is that they don’t compete with humans for food (like maize).

• Forage (The Main Meal): They eat grasses and legumes.
  1. Rabbits love Tridax, Potato leaves, and Cabbage.
  2. Grasscutters love Elephant grass, Sugar cane, and the succulent part of oil palm fronds.
• Concentrates: To make them grow faster, you can give them small amounts of poultry feed or “pellets.”
• No “Cold” Grass: Important Rule: Never give rabbits grass that still has morning dew (water) on it. It can cause them to have a swollen stomach (Bloat) and die. Always dry the grass in the sun for a few hours first.
• Water: Even though they eat green grass, they still need clean drinking water every day.

Management Practices

To be a successful “Micro-livestock” farmer, you must master these tasks:

1. Handling: * Rabbits: Never pick a rabbit up by its ears! It is very painful and can damage them. Instead, pick them by the loose skin over the shoulders (the scruff) and support their bottom with your other hand.
   1. Grasscutters: Be careful! They have very sharp teeth and can bite. Most farmers use a long-handled net or a special cage to move them.
2. Breeding:
   1. A female rabbit is a Doe, and the male is a Buck. When you want them to mate, always carry the Doe to the Buck’s cage. If you bring the male to the female’s cage, she might fight him to protect her territory.
3. Sanitation: Clean the area under the cages every day. The smell of rabbit urine is very strong and can cause respiratory (breathing) problems for the animals if it’s not cleaned.

Summary: Rabbit vs. Grasscutter

Class Activity / Review

1. Safety Question: Why is it wrong to lift a rabbit by its ears?
2. Logic: If you want to make money every month, why is a rabbit farm better than a grasscutter farm?

Homework: Draw a simple sketch of a rabbit hutch. Label the roof, the wire floor, and the legs. Why should the legs be tall?