The Education of Ben

[Beekissed]

Yes! Finally! It's nice to have him not eating eggs and feed...I found some of his poo from last week and it had egg shells and oats in it.

Snared a large squirrel, but didn't recover it until the next day, so Ben got a squirrel meal. He has a voracious appetite but am hoping that will slow down a little now that he's not eating raw eggs every single day. Will continue to try and snare squirrel this winter for him to eat. This will save my apple crop and give him raw meat to consume.

I'm thinking about getting a few rabbits in the spring and using the offspring for our meat and also for the dogs to have fresh, raw meat more often. It's healthier for them and it will save us on dog food. We do give them a lot of raw meat during hunting season and beyond, as I freeze deer scraps to feed them later, but it's not the same as having a warm kill to eat and rabbits can be consumed easily, every little bit is gobbled.

 

[Baymule]

A trio should give you all the rabbit you want. What breed would you get?

 

[Beekissed]

Most likely New Zealands, but if I can find another likely meat breed on the cheap, I'll take them as well. I'm more familiar with the NZ, so like to work with them.

 

[BlessedWithGoats]

Flemish Giants are another bigger breed if you're interested, mine are Flemish Giant crosses. I haven't tried their meat yet, I do have one that I need to butcher though.

 

[Hens and Roos]

Most likely New Zealands, but if I can find another likely meat breed on the cheap, I'll take them as well. I'm more familiar with the NZ, so like to work with them.

we have Californian- they work well for us.

 

[goatgurl]

i have nz/Californian crosses and like them really well. so glad ben isn't getting into the hen house any more. love it when a plan comes together.

 

[Beekissed]

Flemish Giants are another bigger breed if you're interested, mine are Flemish Giant crosses. I haven't tried their meat yet, I do have one that I need to butcher though.

Are they thrifty on feed? How long does it take to grow one out for butchering? I like how they look but I'm thinking a standard cage wouldn't be big enough to keep them comfy.

If I do this thing I'll likely build a tractor frame wherein I can place several standard cages that can be joined or separated as I see fit and keep a pair of does and one buck for breeding, with two adjoined cages for grow outs and just stagger my litters so that only one litter at a time will need the grow out cage.

Then that tractor will be moved to fresh graze over my best forage throughout the day in three seasons, then they can be moved across the green beds in the garden in the winter months, putting their manure where it can do the most good. They would likely have a mix of kale, beets, spinach, etc. in those beds.

The tractor would likely be on a lightweight PVC frame with high wheels for easy moving or even just a skid design...I like the skid design the best, much more maneuverable.

 

[Ferguson K]

Rabbits don't take much. When I raised Californians we had... Ten or twelve? Breeders and it took about a week to go through 50lbs. I don't remember if that was kits included or not.

When I dropped down to three it took an eternity to feed through a bag.

 

[Beekissed]

I'm thinking of getting away from bagged feeds altogether. Most likely be doing hay, whole grains and forage, with mineral supplements as needed.

 

[BlessedWithGoats]

Are they thrifty on feed? How long does it take to grow one out for butchering? I like how they look but I'm thinking a standard cage wouldn't be big enough to keep them comfy.

If I do this thing I'll likely build a tractor frame wherein I can place several standard cages that can be joined or separated as I see fit and keep a pair of does and one buck for breeding, with two adjoined cages for grow outs and just stagger my litters so that only one litter at a time will need the grow out cage.

Then that tractor will be moved to fresh graze over my best forage throughout the day in three seasons, then they can be moved across the green beds in the garden in the winter months, putting their manure where it can do the most good. They would likely have a mix of kale, beets, spinach, etc. in those beds.

The tractor would likely be on a lightweight PVC frame with high wheels for easy moving or even just a skid design...I like the skid design the best, much more maneuverable.

I have about 7 that I'm feeding right now, and I use a 50 lb bag about every two or three weeks. I think a lot of people probably go by age, they can be processed at a couple months I think, but not sure. I haven't processed any yet, but I have one that is about 6 months old that I need to process. I think some people would do it earlier though. Sorry I'm not really any help.
Here's one website that mentions butchering them at about 3 months... http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/meatrabbits.htm