Rabbit production practices among smallholder famers in Kenya

Rabbit production is gaining popularity in Kenya owing to its significant contribution to nutrition and income among smallholder households. Rabbit farming is a viable option because of their prolificacy, fast growth rate and maturity, high genetic potential and feed conversion efficiency and economical utilization of space. However, there is limited information on farmers’ practices among rabbit producers. Therefore this study documented rabbit production practices and their importance on food protein source and income generation among smallholder farmers of Elgeyo Marakwet and Kakamega counties, Kenya. Purposive sampling was done among farmers keeping rabbits and data were collected through a field survey, questionnaires and personal observations. Results showed that 3.2% of livestock keepers rear rabbits. Chinchilla (38.5 %) was the most common rabbit type kept. A majority of farmers (76.9%) obtain parent stock from fellow farmers. On average, smallholder farmers have kept rabbits for three to five years. Over 90% depend on seasonal green wild forage feed. The respondents valued rabbits as a source of food and income generating enterprise (46.2 % and 53.8 % respectively). Rabbit drops are perceived by farmers to improve soil fertility (92.3 %). Market access and skills on rabbit production were the outstanding challenges faced by farmers. It is recommended that technologies be developed on suitable rations to enhance rabbit production and improve nutrition and household income generation.