| Table 1. Principal activity of rabbit producers | |
Activity |
Percentage |
Domestic work |
23 |
Unwaged labour |
6 |
Handicrafts |
6 |
Agricultural activity |
35 |
Commerce |
18 |
Other |
12 |
| Livestock Research for Rural Development 11 (3) 1999 | Citation of this paper |
A questionnaire survey was applied to characterize the production system of rabbits in family households in the southeast of the metropolitan area of Mexico City. The study encompassed rabbit producers, weekly markets where the animals are traded as well as the tourist corridors where rabbit meat is sold in a range of meals. The mean number of rabbits found in the households was 9, though a range between 1 to 49 was encountered. The breeds preferred by the producers were: New Zealand (28%), California (21%), Giant (19%) and Criollo (19%), whilst Chinchilla and Rex, which are breeds valued for their pelt, were reared in 8% of the households. The feeding system included a wide range of products: fresh Lucerne, commercial feed, tortilla, maize, wheat bran, native grasses, household wastes among others. Household consumption was the most common reported objective of rabbit production, though 68% reported selling the animals, thus contributing to family income. The system is discussed in terms of the important role played by rabbit meat as a dish within the tourist corridor, which has stimulated production, as well as the characteristics of production and sale particular to urban agriculture, and contribution to sustainability.
The domestic rabbit is one of the animal species that has found a productive niche in the urban agriculture of Mexico City. Mexico possesses the greatest diversity of rabbit species of any country in the Americas. There exists two genus of rabbit (Romerolagus spp and Sylvilagus spp) in the geographical region of the Valley of Anahuac (pre-Hispanic name for the Valley of Mexico), which were a source of animal protein for the ancestral inhabitants of the area (Cervantes Reza 1993). The popularity of the rabbit in urban agriculture is a recent phenomenon. The causes of this recent growth are due to: (1) the market created by its inclusion as a regional dish in the ‘tourist corridors’ (2) the high fecundity, (3) the ease of maintenance of the rabbit which makes it suitable for the conditions of family households (Losada et al 1998). Despite the fact that rabbits are found in most parts of the city, the southeast of the metropolitan area presents ideal rearing conditions, being a cool temperate zone with a high availability of forage resources. This study examines, firstly, the system used by commercial producers to rear rabbits, and secondly, the aspects associated with the sale of rabbits in local markets and subsequent supply to the tourist corridors of the city. The objectives are to understand the production dynamics, and to propose subsequent alternatives to improve the efficiency of the system, within the concept of sustainability.
Information was obtained from rabbit producers by means of a static
questionnaire survey designed to capture data concerning the social, technological and
commercial conditions within which the production, sale and consumption of rabbits is
carried out. The questionnaire was initially tested in the field and modified before
extensive application (Casley and Kumar 1988). In the absence of reliable statistical
sources concerning the number of animals and producers in the area, questionnaires were
carried out with producers known to possess rabbits, on the basis of either direct
observation or through informants. In total, 35 questionnaires were applied, encompassing
a population of 2500 animals in three towns in the southeast of the city: Ozumba, Chalco
and Texcoco. In the second part of the study concerning marketing and the tourist
corridor, 46 questionnaires were applied in restaurants known to sell cooked rabbit meat.
Once collected, the data were analyzed using the programme Microsoft Pinpoint 3.1
and the results expressed using percentage frequency and measures of central tendency
(Daniels 1984).
The rearing of rabbits is carried out at family household level and as such has much in common with the majority of urban animal production systems in Mexico City, . The management of the animals is principally the task of women and children. The activity is associated with the presence of other animal species including pigs, cattle and poultry; in only one case the rabbits were the only animal reared. The objective of the production system was within the context of the family economy, directly contributing to income and complementing other activities. The other main activities of the producers were diverse including domestic work, commerce, non-wage labour, various handicrafts, and agriculture (Table 1). In accordance with previous findings in other animal production systems in the area (Losado et al 1997), 47% of producers had completed primary education, 29% had secondary education, and 24% were reported as being illiterate.
| Table 1. Principal activity of rabbit producers | |
Activity |
Percentage |
Domestic work |
23 |
Unwaged labour |
6 |
Handicrafts |
6 |
Agricultural activity |
35 |
Commerce |
18 |
Other |
12 |
The time dedicated to the management of rabbits in the majority of cases (94%) was one or two hours per day , whilst a small minority of producers (6%) reported spending as much as 3 hours.
The number of individuals found in the households was between 1 and 49, while the most frequently reported figure was in the range of 1-18. The mean number of rabbits per producer was 9, which reflects the small variation in numbers of livestock maintained by urban producers (Losada et al 1998). Amongst the rabbits in each household, young growing rabbits were most common, followed by adult females and finally, males, reflecting the predominance of the activities of breeding and fattening as would be expected. Criollo (native) rabbits were found as well as a wide variety of specialised breeds such as New Zealand, California and Giant. The choice of breed appeared to depend on a range of factors including availability and the selection criteria of the producer.
| Table 2. Presence of different breeds among the producers | ||
Breed |
Number of producers |
Percentage |
New Zealand |
16 |
28 |
California |
12 |
21 |
Giant |
11 |
19 |
Criollo |
11 |
19 |
Chinchilla |
4 |
7 |
Rex |
4 |
7 |
Preference was for New Zealand and California as meat producers. The native "Criollo" rabbits were as popular as the Giant breed, possibly reflecting their high fecundity and hardiness characteristics. Breeds with good quality of fur appeared to be of minor importance.
Housing and hygieneThe rabbits were usually located in a specific part of the yard of the house, often in an area adjacent to the chicken hutch. Two types of construction were observed, which may be classified as rustic and specialised. The first takes the form of a simple rectangular construction with base and walls of wood or wire mesh, and a roof of cardboard, the animals remaining permanently in this accommodation. Feeders were made from recycled materials such as galvanised sheets, plastic containers or elements taken from old cooking stoves. As drinking-troughs, there was a wide use of cans, and glass or plastic containers. The specialised housing was usually some kind of structure made from recycled wood, open at the sides, in which cages of galvanized wire mesh were attached at a height of about 1m from the ground, to allow elimination of urine and faeces. In both types of housing the numbers of enclosures depended on the population of animals and their function (fattening, reproduction, lactation). The excreta was collected and used as organic fertilizer for application to crops or house plants. Some producers reported that they dried and ground the excreta for sale as an extra source of income. Flies and smells were dealt with by cleaning the outside of the hutch, often by the application of creosote.
The feeding system of the rabbits in the area studied had regional characteristics, and included a wide range of products. It is illustrated in Table 3.
| Table 3. Numbers of producers that reported use of specific ingredients as rabbit feed | ||
Component |
Number of producers |
Percentage |
Fresh alfalfa |
20 |
29.9 |
Balanced rabbit feed |
17 |
25 |
Stale tortilla* |
10 |
14.5 |
Maize |
5 |
7.2 |
Wheat bran |
4 |
5.8 |
Grasses |
3 |
4.3 |
Balanced chicken feed |
1 |
1.4 |
Balanced pig feed |
1 |
1.4 |
Vegetable wastes** |
3 |
1.4 |
Granulated soya |
1 |
1.4 |
Granulated sorghum |
1 |
1.4 |
Household waste |
1 |
1.4 |
Carrots |
1 |
1.4 |
Oats |
1 |
1.4 |
* Mexican
bread made of maize |
||
The dietary ingredients most frequently used were fresh alfalfa, commercial rabbit feeds, stale tortillas, maize and wheat bran. Using the available feed resources, there is a clear tendency towards the simplification of the dietary structure, using a small number of feed ingredients (Table 4).
| Table 4. Producer choice of feed ingredients | ||
No of ingredients |
Number of producers |
Percentage |
One |
10 |
29 |
Two |
11 |
31 |
Three |
10 |
29 |
Four |
4 |
11 |
Total |
35 |
100 |
The selection criteria for reproductive animals (males and females), reported by over 90% of the producers, were based on body form and size and/or live weight. Breed or colour was considered only by 10% of the producers. Animals were sold and/or culled based on economic need (60%), or small litter size which was associated with age (40%). The majority of producers reported obtaining replacement animals from their existing stock (71%), while the rest were found to acquire animals from other producers (26%) or large scale farms (3%).
Natural mating was used, isolating a male and a doe in a cage, and permitting an average of 1 or 2 copulations. Weaning took place within a wide age range (20 to 64 days). The majority of producers chose to carry out weaning in the range of 30-34 days (54%), with 12% in the range of 20 to 29 days, and 31% for 35 to 64 days. The practices associated with reproduction included the registration of births, revision of bedding and other simple practices.
Sanitary controlIncidence of ill-health showed a seasonal tendency and was associated with damp weather and low temperatures. The illnesses reported most frequently by producers included: scabies, diarrhea, catarrh (Table 5) which were treated with conventional medicines (54%). home remedies (21%) or not at all (25%). Most producers (80%) reported cleaning cages periodically as a means to prevent illness.
| Table 5. Types of illness in rabbits identified by producers. | ||
Disease and/or symptom |
Numbers of producers |
Percentage |
Scabies |
14 |
52 |
Diarrhea |
7 |
26 |
Catarrh |
3 |
11 |
Coccidiosis |
1 |
4 |
Chapped paws |
1 |
4 |
Death of young rabbits |
1 |
4 |
The vast majority of producers (79%) reported that they kept rabbits for home consumption. Some 48% of producers reported eating rabbits throughout the year; a substantial number (33%) reserved them for festivals. Of the producers that sold rabbits, this was done mostly through intermediaries (60%) and to a lesser extent in markets (22%).
Various means of slaughtering (for home consumption) the rabbits were found: breaking the neck (47%), a sharp blow to the head (20%) and by bleeding (33%). The majority of producers reported sacrificing the rabbits at an age of between two and three months (55%). The majority of producers discarded the fur and intestines in the garbage (73 and 71%, respectively). For those who retained the pelt, this was allowed to dry to be used for tanning or for sale or for use for craft items. The alternative use of the intestines was as a food for the household dog.
The three most important centres for marketing of rabbits were found in two of the towns in the study (Chalco and Ozumba) and in a third town (San Martin Texmelucan) in the State of Puebla, where there is an important livestock market. The results of the study are summarised in Table 6..
| Table 6. Characteristics of the markets for rabbits in the zone | |||||
| Weekly market | Weekly turnover of rabbits | Origin of animals: | Manner in which animals are sold | Slaughter- house at market: | Final destination of animals: |
| San Martín | 800-2000 | Households and large scale farms | Animal units or kg of live weight | Yes |
Supermarket, local market, restaurants in the Tourist Corridor |
| Chalco | 80-100 | Household | Animal units | No |
Tourist Corridor |
| Ozumba | 80-90 | Household | Animal units | No |
Tourist Corridor |
Rabbit buyers (intermediaries) travel a series of fixed routes in the
zone of rabbit production, buying rabbits directly from households. In some cases,
contracts had been established between producers and buyers, assuring sale of all animals
in the future at agreed prices.
According to the restaurant owners that were interviewed, the months of peak tourist trade
were April (Easter week), the period June-August (summer holidays) and October-December
(All Saints' Day, Christmas and New Year). The tourist corridors studied were Los
Reyes-Ozumba, and Cocotitlán-Amecameca, which form a part of the countryside adjacent to
the zone of Volcanoes. In the locations visited approximately 95% of the restaurants'
owners acquired the animals from producers or markets and only 5% reported raising their
own animals. The majority of animals are acquired alive, and slaughtered at the place of
business. The common forms in which rabbit was reported to be served were fried in oil, in
adobo (a marinating sauce) with chile, roasted, in mixiote (steamed in maguey leaf with
chile) and braised.
The information obtained in the present study shows that the raising of rabbits in this urban region is an activity of social and economic importance which serves to increase the biodiversity of the household activities, and in so doing satisfies several of the conditions considered important for sustainable development. Some interesting features that merit analysis are the choice of breeds, the feeding system, the objectives of the production system, and the recent appearance of the product in tourist corridors.
A factor to be considered in the prevalence of the various breeds is that most producers reported replacing stock using existing animals, such that the frequency of a particular breed in the area of study may well reflect the types of animals in the initial population of rabbits used in household production, there being little opportunity for each owner to make any selection between ecotypes . Nevertheless, since approximately one third of producers reported acquiring stock from other owners, there is room for discussion regarding the suitability of a particular breed
As was observed in other urban livestock production systems, where a particular breed of animal tends to prevail (Losada et al 1998), in the case of rabbits the New Zealand breed appears to be preferred by the producers. An explanation of this may be found in its adaptation to the rustic conditions of the household, as well as its good production and reproductive characteristics. This latter factor would explain the preference for this breed over "California", which despite being a breed selected for meat production, is much less prolific (Anon 1984; Bosch et al 1979). The limited presence of breeds noted for their pelt, such as Chinchilla and Rex, is to be expected as the majority of producers tend to discard the skin following sacrifice, suggesting that rabbit pelts have little economic or social value. As might be expected in a household system, there was a significant presence of native breeds (Criollo). This may be associated with their high fecundity, although their rate of growth is slower than that of specialised breeds. A further factor may be their adaptation to the rustic conditions and resistance to illnesses (Anon 1984, Bosch et al 1979).
An interesting aspect is the versatility shown by the producers in the choice of diet, representing a compromise between the requirements of the animal, the availability of local resources, and the economic constraints of the producer. In the case of other domesticated species in the urban zone such as ruminants, fowl and pigs, previous research has identified a tendency to give a different diet to young animals and those kept for fattening or production (Soriano et al 1992). There was no evidence to suggest that the rabbit producers made such a distinction, and the diets used appeared to consist of of a wide variety of local products (Table 3), but predominantly fresh alfalfa, commercial balanced concentrates and stale tortilla, offered in different combinations (see Table 4). Based on this data it seems that the producer feeds a mixture of forage and "quality" concentrates to obtain good animal performance with only limited use of wastes from the house and/or the market. Surprisingly, there was widespread use of a balanced concentrate (‘Conejina’). This would seem somewhat hard to explain for a household system, but it may be due to the relatively recent practice of rabbit rearing, as compared with other species, such that the period of ‘social learning’ required to find a diet that uses local resources, while being adequate for animal growth and health, had not yet been passed.
A further aspect of interest is related to the objectives of the production system, the products of which contribute to the provision of both food and income to the family and, as previously noted by Rivera et al (1993), for use in periods of economic emergency. Despite the mixed character of the production system, there was a tendency for production for self-consumption to have higher priority than for sale. This indicates that the traditional culture, which is against consumption of rabbit meat,. has been changed by the practice of producing rabbits for the tourist market. In the zone where the study was carried out, meat from rabbits - and also that from ducks (Perez and Morales 1994) - has been associated with the presence of a flavour termed locally as "xoquiac" (flavour of wetness), which presents a real cultural barrier to the domestic presence of rabbits. This explains the relatively recent development of rabbit production for human consumption in the metropolis, which began in the 1960’s and continues, oriented to satisfy the demands of specific markets (Arroyo et al 1989). From the results obtained in this study, it would appear that over time and with familiarity within the population of how to manage rabbits, the cultural barrier has been dissolving, as is reflected in the very high incidence of auto-consumption.
A factor associated with the decline of cultural barriers, and activation of rabbit rearing, is without doubt the increase in tourist corridors of Mexico City, within which rabbit meat has found a niche. As was reported earlier, the consumption of rabbit meat as a substitute for meat from other domestic species (principally sheep) may be considered the decisive factor activating its demand in the zone. In view of the fact that there are few "industrial" systems of rabbit rearing in the zone, the majority of animals absorbed in the tourist corridor are produced in the household, reaching the market through intermediaries who acquire the rabbits directly from the households. This model in which the household is linked with an informal market, and thence with the tourist corridor, gives a particular personality to urban agriculture, which is not found in the rural sector. This provides a more enlightened approach to the traditional view of urban regions in which they are considered as resource-consuming parasites and generators of rubbish.
The authors wish to thank: the students of the "Licenciatura en Producción Animal" for their participation in the fieldwork; the authorities of UAM-Iztapalapa for the facilities provided; and the rabbit producers in the study zone for their kind cooperation in providing information.
Anon 1998 Rabbits. Guide to buying and caring for pet rabbits. Fancy Publications Inc. California
Arroyo G M, Chauvet G, Escudero M, Flores y Lagos F 1989 La pérdida de la autosuficiencia alimentaria y el auge de la ganaderia en México. Plaza y Valdés Editores y Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Xochimilco
Bosch P, Bosch J y Coma de Bosch C 1979 Los Conejos. Cría moderna y rentable. Editorial De Vecchi S.A. Barcelona
Cervantes Reza F A 1993 Conejos y liebres silvestres de Mexico. Ciencia y Desarrollo Mayo/Junio. 110: 58-69
Daniels W 1984 Bioestadistica. Limasa. Mexico
Casley D J and Kumar K 1988 The collection, analysis and use of monitoring and evaluation data. The World Bank-Johns Hopkins University Press. Baltimore and London
Losada H, Martínez H, Vieyra J , Pealing R, Zavala R and Cortés J 1998 Urban agriculture in the metropolitan zone of México City: changes over time in urban, sub-urban and peri-urban areas. Environment and Urbanization. 10(2):37-54
Losada H, R Pealing, J Cortés and Vieyra J 1997 The keeping of poultry and pigs in the households of the urbanised areas of Iztapalapa (East of Mexico City) as a proposal for sustainable production. Livestock Research for Rural Development. 9 (3): http://www.cipav.org.co/lrrd/lrrd9/3/mex932.htm
Microsoft 1993 Pinpoint Version 3.10 Longman
Logotron
Perez R y Morales J 1994 Antropologa de la alimentacion en la
region de Xochimilco: una reconstruccion de la memoria colectiva. Primer Seminario
Internacional de Investigadores de Xochimilco, Tomo 1. Asociacion Internacional de
Investigadores de Xochimilco
Rivera J, Losada H, Soriano R and Cortes J 1993 Presencia de los huertos familiares en la región de Xochimilco. 1. Caracteristicas generales del modelo. Memories. Congreso Nacional Investigación en sistemas de Produción Agropecuarios. UAM-UAEM. Mexico. pp 169-169