Raising Rabbits for Meat
By
Crystal Miller
If you
are looking for a simple way to provide meat for your homestead you might want
to consider raising meat rabbits. Rabbit meat is tasty and very good for you.
It is all white meat, has lots of protein, and is lower in fat than chicken, or
beef or pork. Plus it is not, in my mind at least, as much of a challenge to
raise a rabbit as it is cows or pigs. Rabbits can be raised in your backyard,
even in the city!
Rabbits
are very efficient. I have read that they will produce 6lbs. of meat on the
very same feed that a cow will produce 1lb. of meat. The milk of mother rabbits
is very rich and helps the rabbits grow very quickly. You can have your rabbits
ready to butcher in 10 to 12 weeks, dressing out at 4 to 5 pounds of
meat.
Meat
rabbits are a certain breed. They are usually large rabbits that will be around
10+ pounds when mature. The most common breeds of meat rabbits are New Zealand
(Reds and Whites) and Californian. However these are not the only
breeds.
Feed for
rabbits usually consist of commercial pellets that are made of alfalfa and
grains such as oats, wheat, barley, etc. And a good quality hay such as timothy
or alfalfa. They also need fresh water at all times. Make sure to learn how
much to properly feed your rabbit. If you over-feed your rabbits they will have
problems kindling (giving birth).
Housing
for rabbits usually consists of cages or hutches that are up off the ground.
The rabbits need protection from wind and rain and possibly predators. They
will need adequate ventilation as well.
For
breeding, the doe needs to be about 5 to 6 months old and a buck 6 to 7 months
old. Fertilization takes place 8 to 10 hours after mating. Gestation is 31 to
32 days. You will want to keep records of when a doe is bred so you know when
they will kindle. A few days before she is due you will need to supply her with
a nest box. She will pull hair out from herself to fill the nest box up with as
her time approaches.
Ten to 12
weeks after the rabbits are born they will be ready for butchering. I know that
for many this would be the most difficult part. I would think that the best
view would to be to know that these animals are providing food for your family.
These are the realities of life. I think so many of us have grown up not seeing
this reality. I remember asking one of my children years ago where meat came
from and their answer to me was, “Albertsons” :). Part of wanting to homestead
for many people is more the thought of providing many of life’s needs for
themselves.
I know in
my home the butchering would be something done by my husband. If your husband
or father or uncle or friend is a hunter they may not mind helping with this
part. There are books, websites and articles galore on how to butcher a rabbit
and I will leave the research on this up to those who are interested in pursing
this and save any of you the details that you would rather not know!
:)
The
benefits of raising your own meat are that you know what type of food has gone
into them and you know exactly what you are eating. When you raise your own
meat you have more control over what you put on the table for your family.
Rabbits are an inexpensive way for even the small farmer to try his hand at
providing meat for the dinner table.
