Foreword

Rabbits, known as ‘Micro-Livestock,” are part of food production. They are traditionally reared as pets. With commercialization, they are used for fur, wool, meat, and as laboratory animals in biomedical research. European countries lead the world in rabbit production, while in the Asian continent, its production is predominant in China and Korea. Economic attributes of rabbit farming include a rapid growth rate (40-45g/day), high reproductive potential (females capable of producing litter every 32 days, yielding up to 11 litters per year with an average litter size of 7), and their adaptability to both backyard and commercial farming. They can be raised on low-concentration rations including large quantities of forages and agricultural byproducts. Rabbit meat is palatable, nutritious, and easily digestible, containing a higher ratio of protein, energy, calcium, and vitamins compared to other types of animal meat. Rabbit meat is acceptable to all sections of society.

Comprehensive textbooks exclusively on rabbit farming are very few for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research. The book entitled “Handbook of Rabbit Production”, edited by Dr.Tanmoy Rana, encompasses information on anatomy and physiology, breeds and breeding of rabbits, reproductive management for commercial production, pet animal behavior, and rabbit farming.

This book provides guidelines related to rabbit housing and equipment, heat-stress management in rabbits under a cage system of housing during summer, and nutritional management strategies for different types of commercial production. Extensive coverage of chapters related to diseases, veterinary critical care, and zoonotic disease transmission makes this book valuable. Hygienic slaughter of rabbits to maintain international export quality standards, marketing rabbit products to generate income for farmers, preparation, transportation, prevention of cruelty to rabbits, and management during livestock shows are vital topics highlighted in this handbook.

Employment generation through rabbit farming for rural youth, Self Help Groups (SHGs), and women entrepreneurs without any damage to the ecosystem is generously financed by NABARD through commercial banks. This handbook serves as a reference manual focusing on key aspects of rabbit farming in a capsule, and farmers will greatly benefit from the scientific information it provides.

I appreciate the efforts of Dr.Tanmoy Rana and the contributing authors for sharing their expertise for the benefit of students, teachers, researchers, and farmers, and for the betterment of small and marginal sections of society.