Pastor Dave's Highlights

[Baymule]

I raised rabbits many years ago. When I found one out of the nest, I put it in my bra to warm it up. One night, on my midnight check, I found a whole litter out on the wire. I scooped them up, took them to the house and got in bed. I arranged them on my belly, took a nap, they woke me when they warmed up by wriggling around. I took them back outside, put them in the nestbox and the doe took over.

Don't you make summer sausage from your rabbit? Would you mind posting your recipe and how-to?

 

[Baymule]

Righty, Lefty, is one right or wrong? Too bad about the teachers discouraging use of either hand. I am right handed but can't shoot a rifle right handed. I shoot left handed.

 

[Pastor Dave]

Yah, Joe it is a little ironic to save a young farm animal knowing its fate if it thrives and matures to processing weight. With most species there is quite a gap in between infancy and maturity, but when you're in the "fastfood of the meat industry", it doesn't take long. Lol

@Baymule, I do make it into summer sausage. I haven't made a batch since last Fall, so will have to look up my recipe. I use a third rabbit, third pork, and third beef, so its not so concentrated as just rabbit. I'll get the recipe I use on here soon.

 

[Mike CHS]

It sounds like rabbits are another that looks for ways to not survive. Glad you brought it back to life.

 

[Pastor Dave]

I told @promiseacres yesterday that I am planning to scale back on production a little or actually by half. Currently I have 2 bucks and 4 does, and plan to go down to 1 buck and 2 does by winter. Our meat production is becoming just a bit more than can handle without giving it away.

I have to decide what to do with some senior does that still produce, but not as much. Much harder than the stock intended for processing. If conditions should change, it wouldn't take much effort to scale back up again. Or, if my boys get old enough to help out, it wouldn't be as much work for just me.

I am also considering an adventure in catering the rabbit meat rather than just selling it processed. I have had some buy it, then later say they didn't know how to prepare it. I believe I will offer it cooked a certain style with sides to be delivered hot for a fair price. I can take in consideration personal choice of eating habits and allergies, but mainly it will be offered one or two cooked styles. I will probably still sell sausage and summer sausage. Just all ideas right now.

 

[CntryBoy777]

Ya never know til ya try....but, if ya don't have the time for the tending of the rabbits and processing, how ya gonna add making meals too?....also, if it is to be a business venture, then older and unproductive or sporadic productive does should be culled for the younger more productive ones....ya have to think with the head and not the heart....as difficult as that can be.....sure hope it works out for ya...sounds interesting....

 

[Pastor Dave]

Yah, I could process them if need be. They're not suitable to be made pets. I believe it would be hard for anyone to tame them, and they shouldn't be passed onto someone unless they understood the limits of culls.

I figure having less animals is less cleanup work and less to process. Time saved could go to the occasional catered dinner. Also, less outdoor work saves my back just enough to do a little more domestic work. I enjoy cooking. Once upon a time considered culinary school.

It's all in the considering process. Except the scaling down. That's decided. I have 8 processed rabbits in the freezer, and adding 10 more. 2 were ordered out of the last batch, leaving 8. I have 16 in the garage to process as they get mature. The rate I have been getting orders, I only use up 1 or 2 from each butcher round. So, it is time to advertise a lot more or scale back. I think scaling back will be best for now. I plan to do more later, so not getting rid if cages or equipment.

 

[Hens and Roos]

I hear you on scaling down- we did that this summer too with both chickens(currently have 15) and rabbits(currently have 12). Hope this allows you more time for cooking!

 

[Pastor Dave]

Our 7 month old Boston Terrier female decided to come in the rabbit shed today to explore a little.

 

[Pastor Dave]

I am not sure if having too much meat in the freezer makes me feel successful and counters my feeling of defeat in wanting less cleaning and less processing. I generally don't shy away from work until Fall/Winter when the bronchitis and allergies get bad, or my back goes out. There is the sense of relief of looking at less mess and processing less often. I didn't really think I would care one way or the other. Guess I'll just have to update y'all as time goes on.