Meat Rabbits

[SnowPeeOstrichU]

Okay so I am new to this website, and I have never had meat animals or herds of any kind. All I had was four hens. Then three after one died, but we're going to get a chick in September!!! Anyways, every now and then I think about getting meat rabbits, but I don't really have any idea about them. So here are my questions.

A) Approx. how much space will one need?
B) How much time will it take for one to get from born to big enough to "harvest"?
C) If I get rabbits, I should get both genders so they reproduce, right?
D) Are meat rabbits friendly?
E) What breed would you recommend?

 

[shan777]

Okay so I am new to this website, and I have never had meat animals or herds of any kind. All I had was four hens. Then three after one died, but we're going to get a chick in September!!! Anyways, every now and then I think about getting meat rabbits, but I don't really have any idea about them. So here are my questions.

A) Approx. how much space will one need?
B) How much time will it take for one to get from born to big enough to "harvest"?
C) If I get rabbits, I should get both genders so they reproduce, right?
D) Are meat rabbits friendly?
E) What breed would you recommend?

I am reasonably new but I'll have a go at answering your questions;

A) Depends how big you want it. For my small set up, I can fit it into a garden shed ( 2 levels) They are one of the best animals to breed for meat as they take up very little space.
B) 10-12 weeks is the usual time to harvest. Some people wait longer. THe optimum weight to harvest is 4.5-5pounds.
C) Yes. And get a buck and doe from different blood lines.
D) Depends on what breed you choose to go for . New Zealand Whites and Californians ( the 2 most popular meat breeds) are usually quite friendly if handled enough.
E) see above.
Google suitable books to download or buy and that will give you the info you need. And watch heaps of Youtube meat breeder vids.

Here is my set up vid if it helps at all. Remember I'm an amateur.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w5ZoSODM8I

There is other vids on my youtube page too.

 

[SnowPeeOstrichU]

Thank You

 

[DianeS]

Welcome!

A - Each cage should be at least 30" x 36" if you are getting the typical large breed meat rabbits (like New Zealands or Californians). You will need one cage for each adult as a minimum. Some people also use one cage for each litter of rabbits that are finished nursing but not yet the age/size for butchering. (Others leave those rabbits in with their mother.) Cages should be off the ground so droppings and urine fall through, cages can be beside each other, or on top of each other if you have a pan to keep the top droppings/urine from falling on the bottom rabbit.

B - Yes, 10-12 weeks is typical.

C - Most people start with one male and two females - a "trio". That is enough to have the occasional rabbit for dinner. If you want rabbit all the time, you will want more does. One buck can handle many does, don't worry about getting more than one buck to start with.

D - Rabbits are as friendly as they are taught to be. If friendliness matters to you, get young ones and teach them to be friendly, or get adults that are already friendly. Don't count on making a scared or aggressive adult become friendly.

E- I'd recommend Californians or New Zealands. It is fine for the offspring to be crossbreeds (buck one breed, doe a different breed). The doe should be the same size as the buck or larger than the buck.

Definately keep reading here, you'll find a lot of good information.