This is why this manual, first published in 1984, is now being reissued. Backyard production of meat rabbits in texas oaktrust. When i brought home our american chinchilla breeding trio, i had researched raising meat rabbits extensively. The guide to raising and breeding rabbits for meat. Today they are raised for meat, research, pets, show, and pelts. Rabbit farming business is a very profitable business, and many people are making money all over the world by raising rabbits for meat. The essentials of raising rabbits for profit step by. Bob bennett is the author of six books on rabbit raising, including storeys guide to raising rabbits and rabbit housing, as well as numerous magazine and newspaper articles. Rabbit meat is widely popular meat throughout many different cultures of the. It is very easy to start breeding rabbits for meat. When raising rabbits for meat there are many options for food.
It is all white in colour and usually weighs 35 kg when mature. Pdf backyard rabbit farming can be a great idea for having healthy meat and an additional source of income for the family without much involvement. I feed an 18% protein, 18% fiber minimum and a low fat feed, actually 1. Raising rabbits in the pacific northwest basic rabbitry management for home or commercial meat, production, excellent resource.
Meat rabbits what you need to know about raising rabbits. Mixing your own feed is not recommended because it is difficult to get the right balance of essential nutrients. In nsw it is estimated that annual sales of meat rabbits is about 108 000 to 120 000 which would account for 4000 to 5000 breeding does. Their bodies are described as being commercial in type, that is, muscular or wellmuscled full of meat. How to start a profitable rabbit farming business pdf.
According to rabbit production cheeke, patton, lukefahr and mcnitt, 1987, pg 190, a weanling rabbit gains a. Rabbits alternative farming systems information center. Four less common but great meat rabbit breeds to start. Virginia department of agriculture and consumer services. They can be confined to hutches, and can be raised in urban as well as rural areas. Livestock production is a major component of farm economies in developing countries. In the summer, it is wise to place frozen water bottles in the hutches with the rabbits to help keep them cool. A simple cage like this works well to start out with. Methods for raising meat rabbits the green acre homestead.
Except for the chicken, there is no other domestic animal that can produce as much edible meat as the rabbit. A complete handbook on backyard and commercial rabbit production 11 overview whether you raise rabbits for meat and fur, wool, or laboratory uses, select the breeds best adapted to the purpose. Providing basic care feed commercially produced rabbit feed is formulated to meet rabbits dietary requirements. Rabbits are raised for show, fur, home or commercial meat production, laboratory animals, and breeding stock. But, there are several traits that make rabbit meat highly sought after in their growing market. Raising rabbits for profit all you need to know about. If youre not willing to embrace a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, the next best change you can make is resolving to eat only ethically raised meat. C547 raising rabbits kstate research and extension kansas. Th is is a feebased service and certain regulatory requirements must be met. It is important to know that when raising rabbits for meat that the older the rabbit gets, the tougher the meat becomes. Does can be bred for 4 to 5 litters per year, once they are kept in good condition. The skins are disposed and there has been a challenge to dispose them 12.
However, to build a successful, sustainable commercial rabbit farming business, you require sufficient knowledge of how to efficiently raise the rabbits, good management skills, and a good rabbit farming business plan. Raising rabbits also teaches responsibility, budgeting costs and returns, care and concern for animals, and the acceptance of livestock as a source of food for human beings. Raising meat rabbits is one of the most space efficient means of growing livestock for meat. Pdf rabbits are members of the leporidae family, indigenous throughout most parts of the world, and raised in smallholder and largescale, commercial. This means you will need a larger breed so it will be a decent size by the 8week mark. Rabbit meat is the cheapest meat that can be raised, not. Unlike most other animals, rabbits do not have a regular heat cycle oestrus. Rabbit project reference manual chad wootton r aising rabbits is fun. Feeding rates depend on rabbit weight and maturity.
The new zealand could easily be called the most popular of all meat rabbit breeds. As the doe andor the buck figures out what they are doing. Smallscale sustainable rabbit production attra ncat. As an occupation or hobbywhether for the young, the elderly, or any family memberraising rabbits can be an enjoyable and familyfocused activity. To create an awareness of the possibility of raising backyard rabbits for. Most people think of them as pets and dont want to put them on the dinner table. Colony raising rabbits isnt hard, but there are a few considerations that can make setting up a rabbit colony go more smoothly.
One doe, in one hutch can produce 70 to 95 pounds 32. Youth programs raise and use rabbits in projects and curricula. New zealand rabbits are a quintessential meattype rabbit. A primer on backyard meat rabbit raising practices. There are many species in the rabbit family but all domesticated rabbits are believed to have descended from a single species known as the european rabbit. There is some profit for those willing to make the necessary sacrifices. The perfect butchering age is around 8 weeks of age. Whether you live on a full blown many acre homestead, or on a town lot in the burbs, rabbits are a viable option in your selfsufficiency and survival planning. The farming of domesticated meat rabbits is not a traditional agricultural activity in texas, compared to beef cattle, goat, poultry, and swine production. But only give lettuces and cabbages to adult rabbits alone. According to the 2017 census of agriculture nass, more than. Meat rabbits have been bred over years with meat production in mind. How production affects income for years five litters per doe per year was the goal of most rabbit breeders. Raising rabbits for meat is a lucrative business, providing income for millions of people, but there are some essential things you need to do before you venture into the rabbit farming business.
The initial costs in settingup is small, rabbits breed quickly and frequently, they have large litters and grow to a good marketable size in a very short time. Two does and a buck is known as a trio, and is a good starting point. Rabbits are raised for meat, angora wool, breeding stock, and sometimes, for laboratory use. Whether you raise rabbits for meat and fur, wool, or laboratory uses, select the.
Table 11 lists common rabbit breeds and their predominant color, weight, and uses. At the same time, a 4h rabbit project can provide an important life skill learning experience. Breeding meat rabbits 101 the imperfectly happy home. Raising meat rabbit factsrabbits are very fast and heavy breeders. In rabbits raising rabbits is not a get rich quick business. This article will outline how to start a commercial rabbit farming business, and the rabbit farming business plan pdf, word and excel. Average breeding parameters of four breeds raised at the irapuato. On average, rabbits reach slaughter weights of about 3 kg liveweight or 1. A beginners guide to raising rabbits, including a rabbit barn, pens, feeders and waterers, breeding stock, care and feeding, breeding, butchering, and meat sales. He has served as the editor of rabbits magazine, has been a contributing editor to countryside magazine, and is the founder of domestic rabbits and a past director of the american rabbit breeders association. Conceptions will be highest during the cool months of the year and lowest during the hot and humid months.
A complete handbook on backy ard and commercial rabbit. During world war ii civilians were encouraged to include rabbits as a component of their victory gardens. Merck veterinary manual rabbits are listed under exotic and laboratory animals, has information on husbandry and disease. While ethical is an admittedly fuzzy standard when it comes to commercial meat production, few would argue that lovingly handraised rabbits arent ethical to. Not only do they require little attention, but they also provide a. In the world of meat production, little attention is given to rabbits. Types of rabbit production fanciers pets, breeding stock, and show animals laboratory furhair angora rex meat largest rabbit market. A beginners guide to raising rabbits mother earth news.
The guide to raising and breeding rabbits for meat raising rabbits is one of the simplest things you can do on your homestead. The cultural acceptance of eating cottontail rabbit meat has set a favorable stage for the grow ing popularity of raising domestic meat rabbits as a smallscale. Commercial rabbit production poultry science mississippi state. If you have a doe that is out for blood every time you try to breed her, you may need to consider table breeding.
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