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 is central to rabbit farming as it allows farmers to manage reproduction in an organised and profitable manner.
Advantages of artificial insemination in rabbits.
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.