How many do I need?

[dbunni]

Different breeds/bloodlines will develop a little differently. I put kits onto the grass the day their eyes open (day 10 - 12) and they start eating grass/hay then. I have had good luck weaning between weeks 4 and 5. I have sold rabbits at 6 weeks (which I later found is illegal in my state to sell before 8 weeks for any purpose besides experimental and agricultural purposes.) Granted I won't sell a 6-week-old to just anyone. The last 6-week one I sold to a veterinarian.

My fiance is a veterinarian, and when I was bottle-feeding a litter he thought I could wean on day 10 - 15. None of them lived past day 6 - bottle-feeding is rarely successful.

I've been either lucky or successful; I had 1 weaning death last year.

Selling before 8 weeks ... read ARBA rules. They also discourage it for obvious reasons.

Bottle feeding ... been there done that ... only lost one of the 22 i have done over the past couple years. Being a vet tech, just guess I'm lucky! Have had a couple NZ does that did not like being mothers (breeders that we brought in) ... the breed is not the most stable in temperment! They are long since gone, but the babies were fine. But I don't use a bottle ... have a homemade trick!

We free feed both mother and litter. Our kits have the opportunity to eat anything and everything mom does (pellet, seeds, hay and extras)... this way they are adjusted to the feed right from the beginning. This has worked for ... um ... 30 years ... not wanting to change now! I have a lower youth death rate then many angora breeders in my area. And in NZ did not loose one kit this past breeding season.

 

[Hooligan Farm]

Different breeds/bloodlines will develop a little differently. I put kits onto the grass the day their eyes open (day 10 - 12) and they start eating grass/hay then. I have had good luck weaning between weeks 4 and 5. I have sold rabbits at 6 weeks (which I later found is illegal in my state to sell before 8 weeks for any purpose besides experimental and agricultural purposes.) Granted I won't sell a 6-week-old to just anyone. The last 6-week one I sold to a veterinarian.

My fiance is a veterinarian, and when I was bottle-feeding a litter he thought I could wean on day 10 - 15. None of them lived past day 6 - bottle-feeding is rarely successful.

I've been either lucky or successful; I had 1 weaning death last year.

Selling before 8 weeks ... read ARBA rules. They also discourage it for obvious reasons.

Bottle feeding ... been there done that ... only lost one of the 22 i have done over the past couple years. Being a vet tech, just guess I'm lucky! Have had a couple NZ does that did not like being mothers (breeders that we brought in) ... the breed is not the most stable in temperment! They are long since gone, but the babies were fine. But I don't use a bottle ... have a homemade trick!

We free feed both mother and litter. Our kits have the opportunity to eat anything and everything mom does (pellet, seeds, hay and extras)... this way they are adjusted to the feed right from the beginning. This has worked for ... um ... 30 years ... not wanting to change now! I have a lower youth death rate then many angora breeders in my area. And in NZ did not loose one kit this past breeding season.

What kind of seeds are you feeding yours?

 

[dbunni]

The meats or the angoras? Meat gets a special mix of rolled barley, oats, cardinal bird seed and Calf Mann. Percentage of each depends on what I want from the animal. had an awsome mentor many moons ago when I was in 4-h ... old meat man ...

 

[Caprice_Acres]

I breed my does when their kits are 4 weeks old. The kits are weaned at 6 weeks, and they kindle when their last litter is 8 weeks old. This gives the does a 2 week break between litters. This is lower production than can be demanded of rabbits, but still keeps them in decent production.

I've heard of people breeding back at 3 weeks post kindling as you suggest, but I wouldn't personally do it. I also know of people who colony raise, whose rabbits are bred back within days of kindling. To each their own.

If you had 7 rabbbits and bred one per week, then you'd be breeding them back at 3 weeks after kindling. Can it be done? Yes, and it may work very well for you. I'd suggest keeping 8 rabbits and breeding one per week. Things may not go as planned, however, and you may end up with does that are poor mothers and you may loose kids. Hopefully all goes as planned. When a litter is lost, the kits can be frozen and sold for snake food, keep in mind.

My litters and moms are free-fed 18% pellet, and they get a handful of hay every day. If they waste lots, they get less - if they scarf down all the hay they get more the next feeding.

 

[Hooligan Farm]

The meats or the angoras? Meat gets a special mix of rolled barley, oats, cardinal bird seed and Calf Mann. Percentage of each depends on what I want from the animal. had an awsome mentor many moons ago when I was in 4-h ... old meat man ...

I wish I had a mentor :/ I'm going off good old fashion trial and error

 

[dbunni]

Who did you get your original meat rabbits from? You are located in S Ohio if I remember correctly. there are several meat breeders down there... from several breeds. Actually some of the best show/meat producers in the area. Are you coming to the NYE show in Wilmington?

 

[Hooligan Farm]

Who did you get your original meat rabbits from? You are located in S Ohio if I remember correctly. there are several meat breeders down there... from several breeds. Actually some of the best show/meat producers in the area. Are you coming to the NYE show in Wilmington?

I'm in NJ. I didn't get them from anybody special they're just for me and maybe sell off extras. I didn't find any breeders close to me

 

[dbunni]

Check with the national clubs ... NZ or Calis ... the secretary should know of a nice person who could help you. I have found that many good, oldtimers love to work with new individuals.

 

[Hooligan Farm]

Check with the national clubs ... NZ or Calis ... the secretary should know of a nice person who could help you. I have found that many good, oldtimers love to work with new individuals.

Will do, but around here I mention meat rabbits and people look at me cross eyed

 

[tortoise]

Check with the national clubs ... NZ or Calis ... the secretary should know of a nice person who could help you. I have found that many good, oldtimers love to work with new individuals.

Will do, but around here I mention meat rabbits and people look at me cross eyed

Nah, a lot, a lot of rabbits breeders butcher. It's the non rabbit breeders that freak out, lol. I was really tentative getting into angora beause I didn't think other people would butcher cute fluffy bunnies. I haven't met a breeder that doesn't ...