Answer: Two
medium-size breeds
, the New Zealand White (NZW) and the Californian , are the most important for meat production. They have white fur that is difficult to see if a few pieces are stuck to the carcass, and they have higher meat-to-bone ratios.
Can you raise rabbits for meat?
Meat rabbits—the specific breeds of rabbits that are large and produce a good meat-to-bone ratio—are a kind of livestock often raised on small-scale homesteads. Rabbits are easy to keep and can do well on the homestead, even with limited space dedicated to them.
Is raising meat rabbits worth it?
Backyard Meat Rabbits Are Prolific Producers 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.
What are meat rabbits called?
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 a rabbit for meat?
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 much space do meat rabbits need?
For meat rabbits, each cage should be about 3 feet square and 2 feet high to give the
animals plenty
of room to move around. The best material for cages is double-galvanized 14-gauge welded wire.
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 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.
How much does it cost to feed a meat rabbit per month?
Once your start up supplies are taken care of, the cost of rabbits boils down to feeding them. In other words, for less than $40 a month and probably much cheaper if you really wanted to, you are able to feed meat rabbits. I don’t know about you guys, but my dogs eat more than that in food costs each month.
How many rabbits should I start with?
A good number to start with is two full- grown fe
male rabbit
s and one full- grown male rabbit 52. With two females, you will get as many as 40 to 50 baby rabbits each year.
What do you feed meat rabbits?
You can also feed vetch, cow peas, and other rich hays You can give your rabbits dried scraps of bread and crusts; also any kind of vegetable parings and tops they’ll eat. You can feed them lawn trimmings and weeds.
How are meat rabbits killed?
Rabbits are killed by one of two methods. 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.
What months can you eat rabbit?
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.
Is eating rabbit meat healthy?
They have a light impact on the earth, and they’re healthy, all-white meat” Rich in highly-quality proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and minerals like calcium and potassium, rabbit meat is also lean and low in cholesterol. Of course, its lack of fat means you need to take caution when you prepare it.
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.
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 age can you breed meat rabbits?
Breeding Meat Rabbits – Age The general rule of thumb is to wait until a doe is 6 months old Some of the larger breeds can take longer to mature and you may need to wait until 9 months. You’ll hear about breeders starting early, they may even get kits.
Do meat rabbits need bedding?
The Basic No-no’s to Keeping Meat Rabbits Rabbits require bedding in the rabbit hole sections of their hutches This is where rabbits will sleep and have their babies. Do not use straw in these sections. Straw is a carrier of mites.
How much does it cost to feed a rabbit per year?
The choices for hay and vegetables can really cause your bunny food budget to vary, but a reasonable average will be around $40 per month Your most expensive routine medical procedure will be spaying or neutering your new rabbit. Once that’s done, you should consider taking your bunny for a checkup once a year.
What is the cost of raising meat rabbits?
The cost to raise a fryer (young meat rabbit) up to 5 pounds is $4.65-6.30 each , depending upon your cost of feed.
How many rabbits should you keep together?
Most owners house a pair of rabbits, but keeping three or four are also popular options Be sure that you have enough space to comfortably house all your rabbits, or else you’ll have to purchase multiple runs to create enough space.
How big does a meat rabbit get?
This breed is known as a gentle giant and can weigh between 9 to 15 pounds They have a poor meat to bone ratio and are very slow to grow out, for this very reason many choose to cross breed them with other breeds. A typical litter is between 5 to 10 kits.
Can you keep meat rabbits outside?
Hutches can be built to be used outdoors or put in any shed or outbuilding in your backyard as long as they are in a dry draft free environment You should construct hutches that will allow for easy feeding, watering, and cleaning.
Can rabbits free range with chickens?
The good news? Rabbits can free range with chickens quite well In the right conditions, they may even thrive. Together, rabbits and chickens offer mutual protection from predators, inhabit different niches in the garden, and provide more social interaction for the animals.
Why rabbit meat is not popular?
Rabbits have never had a purpose as farm animals , meaning they did not have the same opportunity to become a popular meat in American households. Since rabbits never became a popular meat from the agricultural industry, a stigma was attached to the meat itself.
Why is rabbit so expensive?
It also takes a fair amount of time, effort and expertise to raise rabbits for food , which makes it more expensive than other meats. They are not bred & raised in factory farming conditions, so there is higher marginal cost per pound.
Is rabbit meat 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.
Will a male rabbit mate with a
pregnant rabbit
?
Provide a nesting box towards the end of the pregnancy with fresh straw for bedding. Separate the pregnant female from the male, as he’ll often try to mate with her soon after giving birth and sometimes will even try to mate his female offspring.
Do rabbits get pregnant every time they mate?
Rabbits differ from other mammals because
female rabbits
ovulate after being mounted by a male, a process called induced ovulation. This is the only time a rabbit doe produces an egg. What this means is that once a rabbit gives birth, there’s a high chance she will become pregnant again if a male is still present.
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 much food does a meat rabbit eat per day?
Adult rabbits will eat about four ounces a day, and does with young need about eight ounces For a meat breed, about 1/2 to 1 cup a day (depending on each individual rabbit). For pregnant or nursing does, and any growing kits you should feed them as free feed another contriversial subject.
Can rabbits and chickens live together?
Rabbits and chickens can live together happily In the right circumstances, they won’t just survive, they’ll thrive. Despite being wholly different species of animals, they’ll often find common ground.
Sources
https://www.therusticelk.com/11-reasons-you-need-to-raise-backyard-meat-rabbits/
https://www.dartagnan.com/why-eat-rabbit-meat.html
https://attra.ncat.org/what-rabbit-breeds-are-best/
https://www.rabbitadvocacynetwork.org/rabbit-meat/
https://www.therusticelk.com/meat-rabbit-breeds/