WHY THE DIFFERENCE??!!

How Europeans Excel in Their Fryer Production and We Don't

An Ontario rabbit raiser considers it just about right to produce 50% of his total doe herd on a weekly basis. (That is - to produce 50 rabbits per week in a 100 doe herd.) Meanwhile, the European rabbit raiser would be disappointed to produce less than 150% of his total doe cages on a weekly basis. Why the difference? To appreciate this incongruity, let's look at some European management tactics.

The Typical European Rabbitry

The typical rabbitry in Europe runs at about 100 to 500 does. It's a Mom and Pop operation producing about 50 kits per doe per year. Using Artificial Insemination, they do not have to feed a host of breeding bucks. With a guaranteed market and price schedule, they are encouraged to expand and strengthen their operations. With membership in a Rabbit Syndicate, they are open to frequent contacts with other producers and tend to utilize the latest in production methods.

Superior Breeding Stock

European rabbit breeding lines have been developed with government assistance to the point where today, Specialty Breeding Enterprises provide excellent production does. Their entire function is the production of breeding does. The quality of the European meat rabbit working does are superior to ours. Years of patient research and record-keeping have resulted in something we could never produce in our singular barns alone.

Fryers per Cage

Europeans determine their production in fryers per cage. This method gauges the efficiency of the setup in terms of the yearly production of each cage. A vigorous breeding program ensures every kindling cage is occupied and results in about 100 kits born per cage per year from about 10 litters per cage per year. Actual kits weaned runs about 80 per cage per year. Actual fryers sold runs at about 70 per cage per year.

A Surplus of Does per Kindling Cages

Europeans maintain a 140 - 150% surplus of does. Does in their early stages of pregnancy are kept in smaller cages called "Gestation Cages," (about half a normal kindling cage -ie. 24" by 16".) Kindling cages are reserved for whelping/lactating does. Does are first bred at 16 weeks and are palpated at 12 days with a 7 day breed-back system.

How Can We Improve Our Production Rates ?

Reorganize along lines similar to beef and egg producers. Get serious, the market is out there!

Organize into Rabbit Syndicates or CoOps to obtain the same benefits that other farm producers enjoy.

Increase capacity of each rabbitry (where practical.)

Then - Obtain contracts with large grocery chains.

Maintain an Index system to rate does. Cull any poor performing does (about 125% turnover per year.)

Maximize production potential. Ensure all kindle boxes are filled with kits - all the time.

Improve knowledge of AI, vaccines, disease prevention, latest production methods, etc.

Improve conditions in your barn for winter production.

Increase your number of working does to 140% - 150% of available kindling cages - and

Utilize Gestation Cages to house does in early stages of pregnancy.

The Role Of Government We need action on the following items:

a Demonstration Rabbitry in eastern Ontario for research, etc.

Establishment and Distribution of Superior Breeding Stock.

an Advanced Rabbitry Course at KCAT to improve our knowledge & methods ,

Upgrade Provincial Inspection Standards to the Federal level to gain access to more markets.

Ads in French rabbit magazines showing their excellent hybrid breeding does for sale. Alas, we don't have a national meat-rabbit magazine in which to advertise our products or to get to see what is available in our field. It is obvious that we are "light years" behind the Europeans in organizing and promoting our industry.