We have found that the age of 4-6 months is the best butcher age for our Rex line, costing us on average 32¢ per lb of meat. After age 6 months, the cost of feeding (especially the larger breeds) increases higher than your actual return on meat.
What is the best rabbit for meat?
The
new zealand rabbit breed
is by far the most common and the most popular best meat rabbit. It’s estimated that 90% of the rabbits raised for meat are New Zealand rabbits. One reason may be that this rabbit breed puts on weight quickly and has an exceptional meat-to-bone ratio.
Are
mini rex rabbits good
for meat?
Mini Rex are pet and hobby rabbits and don’t make very good meat rabbits Rex (sometimes incorrectly referred to as Standard Rex) is a meat and pelt breed and is a much larger breed than Mini Rex. There are five general body types in rabbits with variations within these types.
What are rex rabbits good for?
As of 2019, according to the American Rabbit Breeders Association,
rex rabbit fur
is an important breeding purpose for Rexes, although most of them bred in the US are used for meat.
Is raising rabbits for meat worth it?
In about 12 weeks you’ll have a large quantity of healthy, lean meat to feed yourself and your family A trio of rabbits can produce upwards of 600 pounds of meat in a year which is more than a dressed one year old steer. That’s pretty impressive.
Is raising rabbits for meat cost effective?
Meat Rabbits are Very Economical to Raise In addition to having low start up costs, the costs of raising rabbits for meat is also very economical. Once your start up supplies are taken care of, the cost of rabbits boils down to feeding them.
At what age do you butcher rabbits?
Although companion rabbits are capable of living 10 to 15 years, the vast majority of “meat” rabbits are killed at three months of age Referred to as “fryers,” these baby rabbits weigh only 1.5 – 3.5 pounds. A small percentage are slaughtered at 8 months old or 4 pounds; they are known in the industry as “roasters.”.
How long does it take to raise rabbits for meat?
Quick to Reach Harvest Date Rabbits can be harvested as early as 8 weeks of age, though many prefer to harvest them around 4 to 5 pounds. I prefer to harvest between 8 to 12 weeks , but no later than 12 weeks of age as the meat begins getting tough.
How many litters can a meat rabbit have in a year?
My advice would be to start out small. Let’s say you begin with two does and one buck, then expand your stock as needed. A realistic goal when raising meat rabbits that are from medium to larger breeds would be four or five litters a year Expect anywhere from three to maybe as many as 15 babies (kits) in each litter.
Can you eat rex rabbits?
Rex. Much like the New Zealand rabbits the Rex is a very popular breed to raise among those who raise rabbits for meat The Rex rabbit breed is easy to purchase throughout the US. It is and prized for their meat to bone ratio and velvety pelt.
Which rabbit is best for farming?
Breeds of Rabbit – suitable for farming in India (according to the weather) are
white giant
, Grey Giant, Flemish Giant, New Zealand White, New Zealand Red, Californian, Dutch and Soviet Chinchilla Methods of Rabbit Farming – Rabbits can be raised in any of the two systems, deep litter system or cage system.
How much meat do you get from a rabbit?
Butcher them as young as possible for the best meat. A
four-pound animal
produces about two pounds of meat Rabbit really tastes something like chicken, and it even gets cut into eight pieces like a frying chicken. However, the bones are smaller and the meat is all white.
What’s the difference between a rex and a mini rex rabbit?
The mini rex rabbit is a smaller version of the rex rabbit , a breed known for its plush, velvety fur. Where an adult rex rabbit weighs around 10 pounds, a mini rex only weighs around 4 pounds. The mini rex has a compact, rounded body and comes in many different colors.
Is my rabbit rex or mini rex?
Appearance. The Standard Rex can weigh up to 10 lbs, but the Mini Rex is much smaller Normally, these pets weigh less than 5lbs in weight, with the average being between 3 and 4.5 lbs. The Rex rabbit breed, whether standard or mini, is a well-proportioned rabbit.
How long do full size rex rabbits live?
Standard Rex rabbits are one of the largest non-giant breeds. Because of this, they have a shorter lifespan than other breeds. They typically live for 6 to 8 years.
How much does a Rex rabbit cost?
Stone cites that a male/female pair of Rex Rabbits could cost as much as $1500 in 1930 – the equivalent of almost 22 thousand dollars today, or over 10 thousand dollars per rabbit ! While even the most well pedigreed Rex will cost nothing close to this today, its heritage and title live on in its genes.
How do you clean a Rex rabbit?
Run a natural bristle comb or brush over your rabbit’s fur about once a week If your rabbit’s fur appears dirty or matted, use a damp cloth to gently wipe it clean. Do not let your Rex rabbit get wet and never bathe it. Rabbits are not only fond of water, but they may also develop hypothermia if they get too wet.
Why are Rex rabbits so soft?
Normal rabbit fur is made up of a shorter undercoat, interspersed with longer guard hairs. Rex fur is the result of a genetic mutation causing the hairs to be all the same length , giving a plush texture like velvet.
What months can you eat rabbits?
It’s unsafe to eat wild rabbits or hares before the first hard frost of the year If you eat a wild rabbit sooner, the meat will have parasites.
How do you slaughter a rabbit humanely?
The preferred method is dislocation of the neck The rabbit is held firmly by the rear legs and head; it is stretched full length. Then with a hard, sharp pull, the head is bent backward to dislocate the neck. The rabbit can also be struck a hard, quick blow to the skull behind the ears.
Is it safe to eat rabbit in the summer?
The reason most people dont eat rabbits or squirrels in the summer is because parasites breed like crazy during the warm months, and any animal killed in the summer is going to be infested with fleas, ticks, lice..etc. Same goes for parasites on the inside. The warm weather makes the animals great breeding grounds.
How much space do you need to raise meat rabbits?
The rabbits will need space to move comfortably. An individual pen should start around 30-inches by 36-inches by 18-inches The grow-out pen, for animals raised for meat, is more flexible in size but should be large enough that the young rabbits have room to spread out a bit.
Is rabbit red or white meat?
Meats are usually broadly categorized into red (i.e., beef, veal, pork, lamb, mutton, horse, or goat meat) or white (i.e., chicken, turkey, rabbit) meats, based on their heme iron content.
What is the meat of a rabbit called?
Unlike other animals like cows (beef) and pigs (pork) where there are other names to call them, rabbit meat is simply called “ rabbit meat ” all over the world. This is due to the fact that rabbit meat is uncommon and somewhat rare to be eaten, so there are no culinary terms for it. It’s just rabbit.
Can you eat any kind of rabbit?
Few game species can match the eastern cottontail for fine eating , but before you put that rabbit on the stove, take a minute to inspect it to make sure it’s healthy. Tularemia is a disease caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis.
Which country eats the most rabbit meat?
The country with the largest volume of rabbit meat consumption was China (925K tonnes), comprising approximately 62% of the total consumption. Moreover, rabbit meat consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the world’s second-largest consumer, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (154K tonnes), sixfold.
What to feed rabbits to fatten them up?
Give them treats of non-leafy vegetables and fruits such as apples as they have lots of calories and could boost appetite. Oats are good for weight gain. If your bunny or rabbit is elderly, it may need a different diet slightly, that is, higher in proteins for instance.
How do I sell rabbit fur?
Call yarn shops and ask if they’d like to buy pure angora hair for yarn Often, small yarn shops will purchase directly from pet owners and spin the hair into skeins of yarn to sell to customers. Make a listing on an online auction site and try to sell your rabbit hair to suppliers.
What is different about a Rex rabbit?
Fur. The word rex (with a lowercase ‘r’) refers to the unique characteristics of an animal’s “rexed” fur. The result of a specific genetic mutation that is now deliberately sought in the Rex rabbit breeds, rex fur lacks the longer guard hairs typical of the more common short-furred animal.
What are Mini Rex rabbits used for?
Mini Rex bunnies are a valuable commodity, thanks to their history of multipurpose use. From their purpose as pets, therapy rabbits, and their recent adoption as show animals , they are no surprise that they are sold for soaring prices.
How many litters can a Rex rabbit have?
Breeding. Rex rabbits may have between six to eight babies per litter Rabbits can be desexed for about $100 (roughly the same as cats) and this is recommended for pets. Otherwise, with more than one rabbit and only a rough idea of sex identification, one doe (female) could produce 50 kittens annually.
What is the most efficient meat to raise?
Beef cattle are generally the most profitable and easiest livestock to raise for profit. Beef cattle simply require good pasture, supplemental hay during the winter, fresh water, vaccinations and plenty of room to roam.
Is rabbit healthier than chicken?
Although rabbit and chicken meat are considered healthier than red meat, rabbit meat is more nutritious than chicken due to its higher protein, phosphorus, and calcium content. Rabbit, furthermore, has lower fat, sodium, and calorie composition than chicken.
How do I start a rabbit farm?
- Select a Space For Your Rabbitry
- Get a Mentor
- Know The Breeds of Rabbit
- Choose the Right cage size
- Feeding Of Rabbits
- Rabbits Need Fresh Water Daily
- Environmental Care
- Establish A Ready Market.
How many rabbits should I start with?
A good number to start with is two full- grown female rabbits and one full- grown male rabbit 52. With two females, you will get as many as 40 to 50 baby rabbits each year.
What does rabbit meat taste like?
The meat tastes a bit like chicken (though with a slightly stronger, meatier, earthier flavor) , and it can be prepared similarly to chicken. For example, you can sauté it in oil or butter with a sauce made by deglazing the pan or in the style of a fricassee—partially in fat and then simmered in a braising liquid.
How much meat do you get from a 5lb rabbit?
How much meat will you get? Each fryer will dress out at about 60% of live weight, when butchered at 5 pounds. This will get you 3.5 pounds of meat per fryer Remember that this is a very intensive breeding plan and will only give you these results if you can keep up with the needed nutrition and management.
How long is a meat rabbit pregnant for?
Breeding Meat Rabbits – Nests A rabbit’s pregnancy is about 31 days, some shorter, some a bit longer I do like the line the bottom with newspaper but she might pull it out. She will also pull fur from her chest and abdomen to provide a soft, warm place for her babies.
How many cages does a meat rabbit need?
A simple four-cage backyard rabbit system is a good place to start. One buck and two does, with one grow-out cage. You stagger the mating of the does by three weeks and wean the kits at six weeks. If your kits grow more slowly and need more time, then you can just add a fifth cage.