Best Meat Rabbits??

[kcsunshine]

I just checked out BackyardHerds Forum. They've got a whole section dedicated to rabbits. Might want to check them out.

 

[CoopCrazy]

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Thanks I actually float back and forth form here to there... I dont post much over there but occasionally...

 

[Harmony]

I agree with New Zealands and Californians, you can't get a much better meat rabbit.

 

[protodon]

Oh great, I just talked myself out of starting with meat rabbits then this thread comes up.

So does anyone know anything about palominos?

 

[Buster52]

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When I say Polyface rabbit, I'm talking about one from a line developed by Danial Salatin on Polyface farm. It is not a breed. They were developed to be highly resistant to disease and parasites, especially cocci, and to forage well. That's why I want them.

Brazilians are a fairly new breed, developed as semi-feral European breeds mixed with wild rabbits in the Brazilian rain forests and re-domesticated by local farmers there. They are also highly resistant to disease and parasites. There are very few of them in the US and they are highly prized by a segment of the meat rabbit community.

 

[Bettacreek]

I've been debating hard on which breeds. I am not a fan of albinos, which is what the inexpensive NZ's are around here. I like the Calis, but, I also am in love with rexes. I plan to keep and tan the hides to make blankets out of, which is part of the reason I want rexes (may just be an excuse in my mind, since I like them so much). The albino NZ's would definately be easier for me to butcher though. I know, shame on me, easier to kill an animal simply because of its color.

Anyways, good luck with your decision, it's not an easy one!

 

[CoopCrazy]

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Good luck to you too... I am having a hard time deciding as well.. I think I may do the NZ and cali cross...

 

[chellebyerly]

okay, my post was kinda scrambled up there. LOL

one thing I will say, if I'm just breeding for meat, I have no problems. I do it during the day, anytime, just throw them in and its over in a heartbeat. seriously.

when I'm breeding for show, I am out there constantly putting them in, taking them out, before daylight, after dark, 15 minutes at a stretch, all day, praying, begging, threatining, you have only a small window of time to get them bred to be the right age for the show, so its just murphy working against you.

I went out a week later, had a doe I knew hadnt bred in the 4 days I was trying so hard, and bam- they bred right off. made me so mad I would have knocked them both in the head right there if it hadnt been for the fact that the doe was the most expensive one I had bought (100.00) and she is a great speciman.

 

[cubalaya]

san juans are the closest thing to a wild cottontail rabbit. we are crossing san juan males with cinnamon females and havana females to make a great meat rabbit. they make good pets too.

 

[anthonyjames]

I have been trying to search all of the forums on how to kill and process a rabbit. I am sure they don't go into cones like chickens. Can anyone out there point me in the right direction?