Rabbit And Grasscutter Production
Overview
Not every animal on a Nigerian farm is a cow, a goat or a chicken. Step into a backyard in Ibadan or a small enterprise on the edge of Enugu and you may find rows of wire hutches holding rabbits, or raised cages holding a stockier, greyish-brown rodent called a grasscutter. Both are non-traditional livestock: species farmers have only recently begun to rear deliberately, in place of hunting or ignoring them, because both convert cheap, simple feed into meat that sells at a premium.
In this lesson you will meet the breeds, housing, feeding and breeding routines of rabbit production, then do the same for grasscutter production, and finish able to explain the differences examiners like to test: one is a fully domesticated animal that breeds almost continuously, the other a semi-domesticated wild species that breeds far more slowly but commands a far higher price.
Objectives
- State the common breeds of rabbits reared in Nigeria
- Explain the management practices in rabbit production
- Explain the management practices in grasscutter production
- State the economic importance of rabbit and grasscutter production
- Distinguish between rabbit and grasscutter husbandry
Mind map
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Flashcards
Quick recall practice on the facts this topic is tested on.
Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Rabbit And Grasscutter Production. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which of the following rabbit breeds has a pure white coat and pink eyes, and is the commonest commercial breed kept in Nigeria? A. Dutch B. Chinchilla C. New Zealand White D. Californian Answer: C
- The rabbit's habit of re-ingesting soft night faeces directly from the body is called: A. Rumination B. Coprophagy C. Kindling D. Weaning Answer: B
- The gestation period of a rabbit is approximately: A. One week B. One month C. Three months D. Five months Answer: B
- The grasscutter is best described as: A. A fully domesticated exotic species B. A semi-domesticated species close to its wild ancestor C. A breed of rabbit D. A dairy animal Answer: B
- Grasscutters are housed in cages built mainly of metal mesh rather than wood chiefly because: A. Metal is cheaper than wood B. Grasscutters gnaw through wood C. Metal keeps the cage warmer D. Wood attracts predators Answer: B
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Revision Questions
Wondering what past questions for this topic looks like? Here are a number of questions about Rabbit And Grasscutter Production from previous years
Question 1 Report
(a) Give four reasons why farmers keep specimen E.
(b) Mention two products that could be obtained from specimen E.
(c) If specimen E was serviced on 12th May 2016 and conceived on the same day, calculate the expected kindling date.
(d) Sate two ways of controlling ear manage on specimen E.
(e) Mention two endoparasites and two ectoparasites that could infest specimen E.
Answer Details
Specimen E is a rabbit.
(a) Four reasons why farmers keep the rabbit
- It provides meat that is rich in protein and low in fat.
- It is a source of income to the farmer.
- It is prolific, matures early and has a short gestation period, so it multiplies rapidly.
- It provides raw materials such as fur/pelt and also droppings used as manure. (It is also kept as a pet and for research.)
(b) Two products obtained from the rabbit
- Meat.
- Pelt/skin (fur). (Bone and manure are also obtained.)
(c) Expected kindling date
The gestation period of a rabbit is about 31 days (30 to 32 days). Counting 31 days from the date of conception, 12th May 2016:
From 12th May to 31st May is 19 days; the remaining 12 days fall in June (19 + 12 = 31). Therefore the expected kindling date is 12th June 2016 (allowing 30 to 32 days, between 11th and 13th June 2016).
(d) Two ways of controlling ear mange on the rabbit
- Apply a recommended acaricide/miticide or sulphur ointment (or medicated oil) into the affected ears.
- Maintain good sanitation of the hutch, isolate affected animals and treat with a veterinary drug such as ivermectin.
(e) Endoparasites and ectoparasites that could infest the rabbit
- Two endoparasites: coccidia (Eimeria) and tapeworm (also roundworm and liver fluke).
- Two ectoparasites: mange mites (ear mites) and fleas (also lice and ticks).
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