11 new kits, with 6 more does building nests!

[gypsy2621]

Quote:
Honestly you really should be handling them from the first breath.
Reason being they will be much easier to handle when the time comes for freezer camp. So many cuts scratches and bites can be avoided just by picking them up and hanling them even for 2 minutes.
Of corse there are many breeders out there than never handle their rabbits as kits and then wonder why they are taking stitches, or have been btten.
Handling them keeps them from being basically feral in a domestic situation.
Flip side, I have had many rabbits hwo were handled from the first breath haul off and bite to the bone, kick and scratch to the point of stitches.
a lot of it comes down to temperment, if the parents are mean generally the kits will be mean also. sometimes no matter the amount of handling will cure the problems.

 

[Maidservant]

If I handle them, I might as well give up having meat in our freezer. I won't be able to do it if I become attatched, even in as little at 2 minutes per day. I only keep nice does, that always accept foster kits, that don't mind me checking the kits daily, that don't mind me handling those picked out for pets.

If an animal bites here, it's dead. If they scratch, they get forgiven for the first offence, second, it's dead. Rabbits learn extremely quickly. I have children that come over to see the animals, and most of my rabbits travel with me to local area schools for presentations. I cannot afford to keep a mean rabbit.

I know that to many butchering rabbits for meat is considered cruel, but this is one of the few forms of protein that my body doesn't reject. On a substitute teachers pay, I cannot afford $14 per pound at the supermarket (not like I would really buy any meat there anyway).

Emily in NC

 

[coffeemama]

I never really handled my meat rabbits much. Basically they didn't get handled until they needed to be butchered or go to the sales truck. I hadle my mini rex babies as much as I can because they are almost all sold as pets, show rabbits, or for breeding.