Domestic rabbits: a new industry for New Zealand?

Authors: Lifton JM
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 28, Issue 11, pp 221, Nov 1980
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: General, Rabbit
Subject Terms: Animal industries, Veterinary profession
Article class: General Article

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Abstract: A very large sum of money has been invested in the newly-fledged rabbit industry over the last year, and the time has come for a critical assessment to be made of the prospects for New Zealand. Protagonists have suggested that there is a great opportunity for a meat and fur industry to be established and developed here, and without doubt, the potential of the specialised breeds of meat rabbit is enormous. There are few animals that can match it! It is possible for a doe of 4 kg to produce 50 young in a year. These will reach a market weight of 2.25 kg at 8 weeks of age. With a 52% kill-out, this means that one doe can produce 14 times her own body weight in rabbit meat in one year! The potential sources of income from rabbits are varied, and depend to a large degree on the resourcefulness of the rabbit keeper in taking advantage of every commercial opportunity…

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