RABBIT REARING 

Subject :Agricultural Science

Topic :TOPIC: LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION – RABBIT REARING

LEARNING AREA

1. Choice of rabbits

 

2. Housing and Hatches

 

3. Feeding and Drinking Equipments

 

4. Diseases and Pests Control

 

5. Record keeping

Class :Primary 6 /Basic 6

Term : Third Term

Week : Week 2

Instructional Materials : 

Charts and pictures of rabbits showing in the hutches. 

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Scheme of Work

 

9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum

 

Course Book – Basic Agriculture for Primary School. Book 6

 

All Relevant Material

 

Online Information and other relevant articles

Previous Knowledge :

Pupils have been taught how to take care of farm animals

Behavioural Objectives :  At the end of the lesson, the pupils should be able to

• Say ways of rearing animals
• Discos various rabbit housing
• Speak on the various feeding and drinking rabbit equipment say different types of rabbit diseases

Content :

Rabbits are small mammals that feed on fruits and vegetables. They love carrots a lot. They are referred to as small stock because of their sizes. When rabbits are kept are later sold, they are very good source of income to farmers.

Male rabbits are called bucks

Female rabbits are called doe

Baby rabbits are called kit

Reasons For Raising or Rearing Rabbits 

1. They are good source of income for farmers
2. They are also good source of meat or protein
3. Rabbits have the ability to grow very fast
4. Rabbits meal or feed can be sourced for locally
5. They have the ability to resist infections and diseases
6. They grow fast
7. Rabbits have the ability to give birth to many young ones at once

Housing For Rabbits 

Rabbits can be kept in cages. Maybe wooden cage or iron cage that is well ventilated and clean

Conditions To Consider When Making Houses For Rabbits 

1. Availability of local housing materials;

1. The condition of environment;

1. The size of the enterprise;

1. The amount of money the farmer has for the enterprise.

Feeding of Rabbits 

1. Hays

1. Grasses

1. Cereal grains

1. Leaf

1. Vegetables (carrots)

1. Dry bread

1. Pelleted ration

Kitchen waste

1. Mineral salt

1. Clean, cool water

1. Concentrates (groundnut, palm kernel, soybean and cotton seed

Farm Records

The following records are kept in respect of the rabbits that are the farm

1. The breed of rabbit kept;

1. The mating or breeding date;

1. Birth dates;

1. Number of litters at kindling;

1. Size of litter at weaning;

1. Number of rabbit sold.

DISEASE CONTROL

Rabbits suffer from the following diseases:

1. Sore back

1. Mange

1. Coccidiosis

1. Bloat

When any rabbit shows any symptom of disease, it is better to have a veterinary doctor to visit the farm

Presentation

The topic is presented step by step

Step 1: The class teacher revises the previous topics

Step 2. He introduces the new topic

Step 3: The class teacher allows the pupils to give their own examples and he corrects them when the needs arise

Evaluation :

1. Mention four qualities of rabbits that are good for Rearing
2. Mention four sources of meal or food for rabbits
3. Mention two common diseases of rabbits
4. Mention four farm records that must be kept when we are rearing rabbits

Conclusion :

The class teacher gives a brief note and he goes round to mark

Assignment :

Read about Poultry farming