March 2013 / Paperback / 314 Pages / 9781780640112

Main Description

This new edition of Rabbit Production is fully updated throughout. Mainly concerning rabbits bred for meat and fur, it also contains practical information on pet rabbits, show rabbits and rabbits used as laboratory animals. Core topics are covered, including rabbit genetics, reproduction, health and diseases, behaviour, welfare, fur and meat production, rabbit production in developing countries, slaughter and the marketing of rabbit products. Current areas of interest such as animal welfare and coat colour genetics are expanded in the new edition.

An important resource for all those involved in rabbit production, this book is also vital reading for students and researchers of animal science and meat production, as well as the keen amateur rabbit enthusiast.

Table of Contents:

• A: Preface
• 1: Introduction
• 2: Rabbit Production Worldwide
• 3: Rabbit Breeds
• 4: The Rabbitry and Its Equipment
• 5: Rabbit Management
• 6: Economics and Financial Management
• 7: Principles of Rabbit Nutrition
• 8: Feeds and Feeding
• 9: Toxins in Feeds
• 10: Rabbit Diseases and Health Problems
• 11: Rabbit Reproduction
• 12: Rabbit Behavior
• 13: Principles of Rabbit Genetics
• 14: Breeding Systems
• 15: Genetic Selection for Herd Improvement
• 16: Coat Color Genetics of Rabbits
• 17: Rabbit Shows
• 18: Pet Rabbits
• 19: Animal Welfare
• 20: Rabbits for Family and Small Farm Development
• 21: Rabbit Production in Developing Countries
• 22: Rex Fur Production
• 23: Angora Wool Production
• 24: Meat Production
• 25: Slaughtering and Preparation of Meat and Skins
• 26: Marketing Rabbits and Their Products

Author information:

Cheeke P. R. Cheeke has conducted rabbit nutrition research since 1969 and has published extensively in this area. In 1985 he was awarded the prestigious Mignini International Award for excellence in rabbit research.

Lukefahr S.D. Lukefahr operates his own rabbitry and has worked in over 20 developing countries, where he promoted village-level rabbit farming. He has made many significant contributions to our knowledge of rabbit breeding and genetics. He was President of the World Rabbit Science Association from 2004 to 2008 and General Secretary for Developing Countries from 2008 to 2016.

McNitt J. I. McNitt worked in Africa as a rabbit specialist and was the leader of a rabbit research program in Louisiana working to assist small, limited resource farmers with production problems. He retired in 2008 but remains active in writing and editing rabbit publications.

Patton N. M. Patton conducted rabbit disease research for 25 years. He has been a consultant to a large commercial rabbitry for the past 10 years, during which he experienced most of the problems encountered by rabbit raisers. He was President of the World Rabbit Science Association 1997. He retired from Oregon State University in 1996.