Newbie meat Rabbit breed selection?

[kentuckychicks]

What animals do you have? Just the rabbits and deer? I'm betting you have more! Lol

 

[ChaudLapin]

4 months ago I had two dogs that I do obedience competitions with. Then I got three rabbits. Three turned to six, which I bred. Now I have two dogs, one muntjac, and 40+ rabbits

 

[kentuckychicks]

Very cool! We have one dog and two kids. They do count right?!?! My dog is so much better behaved !! But we have 30 chickens coming this spring and going to get three rabbits (of some sort sigh ) plus I'm leaning towards 6 guinea fowl.

 

[Bunnylady]

I have checked into the harlequin much not that I'm against that breed just haven't heard much about them. There are pretty much only four breeds (plus their crosses) that I've heard good things about .... Californian, New Zealand, Silver Fox and the American Chinchilla. They just seem to be everyone's favorite meat breeds.

If you read the breed standard, the Harlequin is supposed to be a roughly 6 - 9 pound rabbit with pretty much commercial type. The Harlie is a marked breed, meaning that there are very specific markings that you look for when considering an animal for show potential. A large number of the points at a show go to the markings, and only a few to things like type and coat. You get a lot of babies that don't make the grade, and very few really well marked ones. As a result, an awful lot of the Harlies that are out there have very poor type, which means that they don't do really well as meat animals. (I remember watching a judge who raised commercial rabbits judging Harlequins once. One of the rabbits that I had entered had only moderately good markings, but great type. When the judge got his hands on that rabbit, the surprise on his face was comical. He remarked that it had an amazing body for a Harlie. When he placed the class, he placed the rabbit appropriately for the standard scoring, but said, "if we were scoring them like we ought to be, it would have won.")

Some Harlequin breeders are working on type, so outcrosses to commercial breeds aren't uncommon. I have had quite a few REW's pop up in litters in a certain line; so an outcross to a NZW probably isn't too far back in their history. Depending on whose herd it comes from, a Harlie can be a pretty decent animal.

 

[kentuckychicks]

Thanks! That's a great run down on them! I don't plan on showing anytime soon but my kids might do 4-H as they get older but that's still awhile. I just want rabbit and dumplings!!!! I'm still going back and forth I think I really want American chinchillas but since they aren't as common ( like the silver foxes) I can find breeders north south east and west of here but about 3-4 hours any direction!

 

[gootziecat]

You also might consider the Champange deArgent. They have a good meat to bone ratio, grow well and have beautiful fur.

 

[kentuckychicks]

Thanks! I think I'm going to go try my luck at the Kentucky State Fair. That way I can check out the goats too

 

[Kelsykin]

I have for my meat rabbits

Does
New Zealand White
New Zealand Black
New Zealand / Flemish Giant
Harlequin
Flemish Giant

Bucks
New Zealand White
New Zealand Black
Beveren / Flemish Giant
Beveren / Flemish Giant
Harlequin

I may be getting another Harlequin pair in a week or so. We also have a breed pair of black Silver Fox and breed pair of blue Silver Fox reserved from a breeder that should be ready come January. We also have Silver Marten / New Zealand cross kits and 1/4 New Zealand 1/4 Flemish Giant 1/2 Silver Marten kits that we are growing out. Our only breeding age buck was a Silver Marten. He passed away a few months ago. His offspring are all gorgeous. We are evaluating the kits for keepers. Not that any of our current breeds are fur breeds. I know the Beveren have lovely fur. Also the Silver Fox breed is a meat and fur breed.

Look around and see what you can find. Unless it is a fully pedigreed proven rabbit with a ton of legs i would not pay more that 20 for them. My Silver Foxes will be 30 each, but they are all fully pedigreed.

 

[bird-brain]

Honestly, I think select crosses are probably your best bet for straight meat production. I have silver foxes in all colors and am very satisfied. Mine raise great on pasture and hay in the winter. Grass is free so I can afford to let them hit the ten week mark before butchering.

Whatever you choose, best of luck!

 

[kentuckychicks]

Thanks guys! Sorry been dealing with some tornado damage and haven't been on. I would love to have silver foxes but can't find a breeder anywhere close. That being said I will probably check around with the "old timers" at the flea market in the spring to pick up a few mixed rabbits so we can work out the kinks with them before deciding if I want to chase down a certain breed. I think I need more space on my farm period as I tend to fall for several breeds of any given animal! Lol