APPRAISAL OF RABBIT PRODUCTION IN CALABAR METROPOLIS OF CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

A survey of 105 farmers randomly selected from five zones in Calabar Metropolis of ~ Cross Rivers State using a structured questionnaire was conducted between June and
August, 1996. Most of the respondents were within the age range of 10 and 30 years
(76.1%) and adults above 30 years (23.81'51)T. he estimated rabbit population was 3,104 i comprising of 368 matured bucks, 651 matured does, 1,552 weaners and 433 kittens. The
commonest breeds of rabbits reared were Chinchilla (41.45%) and NewzeaIand white and
I black (5.72'/0). Majority of the respondents (61.91°/r~f)e d their rabbits with a combination
of forages and concentrate. Disease prevalence reported included skin diseases, (65.78U!),
I pneumonia (21.5%) and diarrhoea (7.8'51) while production constraints identified were
diseases (3261%), feeds and feeding (21.1t5/0)l,a ck of awareness (15.22'%1a)n d marketing
channels (10.86%). The result revealed significantly higher (P<0.05) mortality rates among
the kittens (56-8OC!Aa~n) d weaners (16-40'%1a)n d non significant (P>0.05) level in mortality
rate among the adult rabbits (3.70 - 6.25'16) across the different breeds studied. Based on
the production estimates and constraints more than half of the respondents (55.24'5~)
indicated that domestic rabbit production in Calabar Metropslis 'of Crass River State is
moderately practised.