There is no doubt that the South African market for rabbit meat is growing . As diners ' palates become more internationalised and sophisticated , demand for rabbit meat from the restaurant trade is increasing , while a concerted effort by the government to encourage rabbit production and consumption among lower-income households could see this important and healthy source of protein go a long way towards improving the diets of the poor . While white , urbanised consumers are slowly discovering that rabbit meat has much the same texture , colour and taste as chicken , black rural consumers are already well versed in the eating of rabbit , having been hunters of wild hare for centuries . Now , however , the challenge is to develop a rabbit growing industry , both for domestic consumption , retail sales and even exports .
SMALL STOCK
The economics of a domestic rabbitry
A small rabbitry housed in a garden shed
Domestic rabbitries could be the answer to the food security on many South Africans , says East Rand breeder
Nutritionally , rabbit meat compares very favourably with that of other species . In terms of calories and protein content it compares most closely with white turkey meat , although it has a slightly higher fat content than the latter ( but nothing like the fat content of beef or pork ). But it is in the production , housing , feeding and management that rabbits come into their own .
Continued on page 15
13 www . sasmallholder . co . za