Help! Too many bunnies!

[Burns Homestead]

There's youtube videos or google thats where I watch and learn how to can something I dont know Today im making Strawberry Mango Jam and Chili

 

[Dutchgirl]

You said there were plenty of free pet rabbits in your area - but what about meat rabbits? Is anyone else selling those? Advertise on Craigslist and Hoobly. Try selling them to your local feed store or pet store. Post ads on every bulletin board around. Do you have any friends who want cheap meat? See if they'll buy them from you or even just take them! Can you afford a crock pot (slow cooker)? You could probably stick a whole rabbit in one of those!

So sorry about your predicament! Hope you find an answer.

 

[ChaoSS]

14 rabbits? 2 you should keep, as breeding stock. 3/4 of them go in the fridge, or is that broken as well? The rest I'd split in half and experiment with salting and canning. Maybe even try a little jerky.

 

[donrae]

Canning meat is pretty easy, but you do need a pressure canner. If you can, a Ball Blue Book is the standard for canning information here in the States---not sure what you'd have there? Anyway, here's a good like with info from the BBB

http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/canning-meat-the-right-way-zmaz83sozshe.aspx

I'd also second the selling as meat rabbits...could you sell them already processed? With such a small number I'm not sure how your regulations apply. You could also barter them. If you process them, do you have a market for the skins? That could be another source of income.

 

[squabels]

Canned meat is delicious but looks uber gross, basically youll have rabbit meat that will fall apart like tuna in the end. It works well for casserols. Orrrr you could smoke the meat an make jerky. Also easy but limited ways to use afterwords. Good luck with everything it all works out in the end.

 

[Dutchgirl]

Here in the U.S., we have a cannery in our county that's within 10 minutes driving distance from my house. Went to an open house there once. It looked like they were trying to make it as simple as possible for individuals to can their own food using professional (gigantic!) equipment. Not sure if you have anything like that in the U.K.

 

[newfoundland]

Rabbit meat is not popular in UK. My son-in-law shoots them for a neighbour when they overrun her garden and destroy her veggies. In his village there are about 2 people who he can give them to, that will clean and cook them. We live in the heart of farming country as well!

 

[Dutchgirl]

Rabbit meat is not popular in UK. My son-in-law shoots them for a neighbour when they overrun her garden and destroy her veggies. In his village there are about 2 people who he can give them to, that will clean and cook them. We live in the heart of farming country as well!

Oh dear. That makes things a lot harder, doesn't it? I know someone who was raising meat rabbits, but quit because the meat was too lean for them.

 

[newfoundland]

It is good lean meat but I think people have a fondness for bunnies. Also, because they are kept as children's pets, some feel it would be like eating the family pet.

 

[nayeli]

Yikes sorry GD91, I'm not really sure what your choices are since it seems you can't cook nor freeze them.