This Rabbit Insemination Centre was founded to produce high quality semen and to offer artificial insemination services to all of the island's rabbit farmers. The centre is located in Finca Data del Coronado, in the municipality of El Rosario, and is the first of its kind in the Canary Islands. It was opened on the 16th of October 2007 and is run by the Council of Tenerife's Technical Service for Livestock and Fishing.
The facility currently has 1000 Hyplus rabbits selected in France for their superior genetic qualities. Semen is collected from these bucks and used by farmers for their rabbits.
To guarantee the quality of the semen, the bucks are housed in special rooms with temperature control systems to ensure optimal moisture and ventilation.
Once the semen is collected, it is treated in a laboratory equipped with reproductive technology and samples of semen are prepared in under the best conditions.
The facilities and specialised staff comply with strict health and biosecurity standards which ensure that semen production, both within and outside the centre, is of the highest quality.
Artificial insemination
Artificial insemination is central to rabbit farming as it allows farmers to manage reproduction in an organised and profitable manner.
Advantages of artificial insemination in rabbits.
- Improves health management on farms by reducing health risks through avoiding physical contact between male and female rabbits, thereby reducing the transmission of diseases.
- Increases the number of reproduction places, thereby increasing production with the same number of cages. Saves on upkeep of bucks.
- Rapidly improves genetics with results that meet market demands.
- Synchronises farm activities by enabling different forms of management.
- A rabbit farmer that makes use of artificial insemination can manage 600 does every day.
This centre enables the island's rabbit farmers to obtain fresh samples of semen, avoiding previously problematic issues such as transportation from the mainland. Rabbit farmers interested in artificial insemination can place an order with the Insemination Centre. Staff from the Insemination Centre will then arrange a time to conduct the insemination procedure as from December.
Contact details and information
- Rabbit Insemination Centre
- Address: Finca Data del Colorado, El Rosario
- Telephone: 922 843 444 / 922 239 589 / 922 692 000
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