Before we can even think about breeding our rabbits we must have a good foundation stock. I found my meat rabbits on the farm and garden section of craigslist, which is a good place to start your search, along with checking out bulletin boards at feed stores and local farm and garden publications. Raising rabbits on your homestead for meat is a great way to have a consistent supply of lean, healthy meat. Mixing your own feed is not recommended because it is difficult to get the right balance of essential nutrients. Rabbits are found in the different area of the earth, this are one of the small mammals in the world. From the group that provided the great slideshow on keyhole gardening, here is a great free pdf stepbystep guide on processing rabbits. Your complete guide to raising rabbits for meat, from setting up your rabbitry to selecting stock and slaughter. You can still raise rabbits for meat without using a thirdparty processor to humanely kill and process them.
Sadly, rabbit meat is being promoted as the new organic, sustainable and humane meat. This article will outline how to start a commercial rabbit farming business, and the rabbit farming business plan pdf, word and excel. During spring, summer, and fall at my place, the rabbits live in wire cages right on the ground. Meat rabbit update year one survival monkey forums. Dec 16, 2016 when people ask me why i raise rabbits they expect me to say meat, pets or fur. Colony raising rabbits isnt hard, but there are a few considerations that can make setting up a rabbit colony go more smoothly. State requirements by market for products of animal origin. Raising meat rabbits on pasture, aka your lawn daves garden. Know exactly what you need before you get started, how much it is going to cost you and what you can make yourself to keep more money in your own pocket. Oct 28, 2014 raising rabbits for meat introduction to commercial rabbit production.
Wellorganized and detailed, raising rabbits for meat is an excellent resource for anyone considering meat rabbits as a family food source or farm enterprise. Most people think of them as pets and dont want to put them on the dinner table. You already know that your meat rabbits will need a home. This publication is part of the living on the land series. These pellets are filled with protein and will help add the necessary weight to your rabbits in a short amount of time.
The fda has jurisdiction over the shipment of rabbit meat in interstate commerce. Rabbit compares very favorably to chicken, turkey, and some fish for its. Apr, 2014 2 the cost of feed is only an issue when you have 80100 rabbits. Raising rabbits for meat is a good solution for homesteaders with limited space looking for a way to raise their own food. Providing basic care feed commercially produced rabbit feed is formulated to meet rabbits dietary requirements. In the summer, it is wise to place frozen water bottles in the hutches with the rabbits to help keep them cool. Listen to the living on the land podcast series on itunesu. Domestic rabbits are highly valued for their low fat, low cholesterol, and high quality proteins. In the world of meat production, little attention is given to rabbits. Raising rabbits for meat is a lucrative business, providing income for millions of people, but there are some essential things you need to do before you venture into the rabbit farming business. Our family of 6 is taking what we have learned farming our 1 acre in wa, and will be building a brand new homestead from the ground up in idaho. This is a frighteningly cruel and unnecessary trend that impacts you and all animal lovers. Bucks and does are housed individually, and growing.
They are a great source of protein, are relatively easy keepers, and they breed like, well, like rabbits. But, there are several traits that make rabbit meat highly sought after in their growing market. How to raise rabbits for meat raise, feed, house, butcher. It can be used in most of the ways in which chicken is used. In ordinary times many of the small rabbit raisers dont bother to save the skins, but they do have some value. I finally called a friend who also raised rabbits and he told me it was our dog. Feeding rates depend on rabbit weight and maturity. If you work on a small homestead rabbits might be a great livestock option. If your hometown doesnt allow you to complete the rabbitrearing lifecycle on your homestead, dont despair. Raising and marketing rabbits is an ideal project for young people.
Heres a look at our rabbits and what you need to know. Meat rabbits backyardherds goats, horses, sheep, pigs. The benefits of raising meat rabbits raising meat rabbits is one of the most space efficient means of growing livestock for meat. I do love my rabbits and i love their meat, but rabbit pellets are invaluable. The second year we had meat rabbits, we got a dog, a beautiful black lab.
In addition, raising meat rabbits is a low cost way to provide food for your. Producer selling meat from the farm must be slaughtered and processed at a state or federally inspected facility that is equal to ic 15175. You can even sell the manure for fertilizer to other gardeners. It provides concise information on raising rabbits as a source of meat. Commercial rabbit food can be much more expensive than making your own. Raising rabbits for meat pdf sion to use the information in raising meat rabbits in. I learned, the hard way, that breeders dont generally sell a doe that is producing well. It will help you decide if raising meat rabbits is right for you, and how to manage every aspect of husbandry involved, including feeding, breeding, health, processing, and selling. Start up cost including a covered shed to house them was right around a thousand dollars, get used to building them if you want to sustain yourself with rabbit meat.
When i was a teenager, i had a girlfriend who had a pet rabbit. View animal photos of rabbit carcasses to see the importance of meat rabbit breeds, hybrid vigor, and growth ratios on rabbit meat quality. We actually tried that for a while but found it was too hard to control and keep up with the breeding. Sep 04, 2017 our family of 6 is taking what we have learned farming our 1 acre in wa, and will be building a brand new homestead from the ground up in idaho. Raising meat rabbits importance of your choice of rabbit breed. Topics include choosing which breed to raise and selecting your initial breeding stock.
In raising meat rabbits, there are so many ways to do this according to your preference. Breeding, raising, and processing meat rabbits youtube. Rabbit farming business is a very profitable business, and many people are making money all over the world by raising rabbits for meat. Almost 50 % of its population is in north america, some are in asia and other are in the rest of it. Raising rabbits for meat, fiber and more mother earth news. Mar 11, 2020 whether you live on a full blown many acre homestead, or on a town lot in the burbs, rabbits are a viable option in your selfsufficiency and survival planning. Rise and shine rabbitry raising meat rabbits to save the world. That summer we couldnt get our does to take care of their babies. I personally raise rabbits for a couple of reasons.
The lack of available and reliable information on rabbit production has contributed to some producers decisions to sell out because the rabbits backyard production of meat rabbits in texas steven d. But, before you begin this journey, there are some important rabbitry issues that you need to consider first. My family loves rabbit meat, and i raise a few meat rabbits for extended family members, too. Jul 30, 2015 rabbits are not compatible with all other animals. Apr 14, 2015 the basics of raising meat rabbits on pasture. The guide to raising and breeding rabbits for meat. However, to build a successful, sustainable commercial rabbit farming business, you require sufficient knowledge of how to efficiently raise the rabbits, good management skills, and a good rabbit farming business plan. Meat rabbits what you need to know about raising rabbits. Are you considering raising rabbits for meat commercially. Did you know that domestic rabbit meat is the exact same breed as a friendly, loving pet bunny. May 05, 2018 meat rabbits what you need to know about raising rabbits for meat. You probably are not going to find the rabbits you need at the pet store.
Raising rabbits can potentially bring in extra income if you sell the offspring or the meat you have left over. Pets, breeding stock, and show animals laboratory furhair angora rex meat largest rabbit market. What equipment you need to get started cages, nesting boxes, feeders and more. May 5, 2018 by debra ahrens leave a comment this post may contain affiliate links which wont change your price but will share some commission. I was ready to write up a post on raising rabbits on wire floors, but shiny satins rabbitry has a few great posts on this subject and i could not agree more with what they have written. Like other lean meat, poultry, and fish, rabbit meat is a good source of high quality protein. The breed or breeds you choose may determine the success of your enterprise. Or use the supplemental links below to listen to the. Jul 20, 2016 what type of rabbits are best for pasture. Youll just need help from an urban farm or community garden. When i brought home our american chinchilla breeding trio, i had researched raising meat rabbits extensively. Rabbit meat production and consumption around the world faostat, 2012. When raising rabbits for meat there are many options for food. There are so many rabbit information out there to plan.
Rabbit from farm to table fresh or frozen, rabbit meat is sold all year round. Rabbits are extremely hot natured so it is important to place their shelter in a shaded area. Use the button below to download this publication as a pdf. You may have been considering raising chickens, geese, ducks, goats, sheep or other small livestock for meat, but once you learn how easy it is to raise rabbits, youll never consider another animal for a primary meat source. Ford associate professor, department of animal and wildlife sciences.
This would be a great pdf to download and keep in your files. Plus, we also heard that it was easier for your meat rabbits to come in contact with cocci in this setup. If youre just starting out, id recommend starting with a trio 2 does and 1 buck. That guy was the king of the household, and often got lost in. You can obtain names of buyers from a rabbit magazine.
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