How to Raise a Rabbit for Profit

Rabbits have been domesticated for many years, and they have been a source of income for those who raise them. They are commonly raised for their meat, fur or show stock. In order to make raising rabbits profitable, there are certain guidelines that you need to follow. Those guidelines include knowing how to choose the best rabbit, knowing how to properly house your rabbits, and giving them a nutritious diet. Rabbits require small housing spaces and minimal maintenance, making them fairly easy to raise for profit.

Things You'll Need

  • Vegetables
  • Fruit
  • Rabbit pellets
  • Water
  • Towels
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check with your state to determine if you need to acquire a breeder's license in order to sell your rabbits. Ask about any other permits you must acquire or regulations you must follow.

    • 2

      Choose the type of rabbit you want to raise. Do you want to raise it for the meat, the fur or for show stock? The most common type of rabbits raised for their fur are Angora Rabbits and Rex Rabbits. The New Zealand white rabbit and the Californians are more suitable for their meat.

    • 3

      Purchase your rabbits from a reputable breeder. Ask to see a hutch card as well as production records from the breeder. These will tell you details such as the date of mating, number bunnies in the litter, and the litter weight.

    • 4

      Keep your rabbits in a cage that is cool without draft. A wire cage with board flooring or bamboo strips is a suitable choice. A rabbit's cage should be a at least five times the size of the rabbit. The recommended temperature for rabbits is 85 degrees or lower, since they cannot tolerate extreme heat. If you live in a warm climate, you can help keep them cool by placing folded wet towels in their cages at night, along with other cooling equipment such as fans.

    • 5

      Feed your rabbits a healthy diet. Give them fresh Timothy hay, fresh vegetables such as romaine lettuce, kale, watercress, spinach, mustard greens and parsley once a day, preferably in the evening. You can also feed them fruits such as papaya, peach, pear, pineapple, plums, apple, blueberry, melons and orange without the peel. Their diet should also include commercial rabbit pellets. Remember to always give them plenty of water.

    • 6

      Keep detailed records. You should keep updated records of things such as mortality, litter, weight and the cost of feed. Records will help to keep track of your rabbits' performances as well as your expenses and income.