Raising Meat Rabbits

[nayeli]

I just got two new does. One of them was from my local feed store, I gave up on finding a grown proven doe since all I could find was ones around 8-12 weeks... the next day I found a 1 yr old doe that has given birth 3 times. He bred her again and I bought her! So 2 new rabbits! Hubby only knows about one LOL.

In 3 months I should have meat =)))

 

[juststruttin]

I just got two new does. One of them was from my local feed store, I gave up on finding a grown proven doe since all I could find was ones around 8-12 weeks... the next day I found a 1 yr old doe that has given birth 3 times. He bred her again and I bought her! So 2 new rabbits! Hubby only knows about one LOL.

In 3 months I should have meat =)))

Congrats. What breed(s) ?

 

[nayeli]

Congrats. What breed(s) ?

No idea. One is white and gray, I got her from the feed store. The other is a mix, she is pregnant (the 1 yr old). I think he said she is a NZ/Flemish.

 

[regcal966]

On of the does we just got is supposedly bred. She will be 30 days pregnant on Wednesday April 9th. I am crossing my fingers we get babies! We put the nest box in and all she has done so far is sit in it. She's not using it for her bathroom, I don't think. I'm trying not to disturb her to much except for feeding and watering.

 

[nayeli]

@regcal966 congrats! Ours has been a mommy before so I expect her litter will live (until we kill them for food of course).

 

[PatriotofFlorid]

Not hard at all to catch depending on your aim. If you leave them out in a fenced in area they will escape unless you have burred fence under ground. They love to tunnel.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,
I am new to meat rabbit raising. I want them just for meat. Will breed them just for meat.
What is the best hardy breed or crossbreed which will grow fast and fatten up nicely for the table.
Am not interested in preserving a rare breed, this is strictly practical. I live in western PA in
Planting zone 5B tho this last winter we had 2 polar vortexes come thru which took wind-chill
to minus 30 for 2 separate nights. Usual wind-chill lows in winter are about-10 in extremes.
Thanks so much for your help!
Best Regards,
Karen

 

[chiques chicks]

I live in eastern PA and had new Zealand, Californian, and champagne d'argent all outside in an unheated shed with the door open all winter. Other than water freezing, no issues. Even had a litter in the beginning of March.

New Zealand and crosses thereof are pretty standard meat rabbits.

 

[PatriotofFlorid]

I have New Zealand, California, & Flemish Giants. All have different traits. The California rabbits seem to have smaller bones. The New Zealand and the California rabbits are my preference for meat production. But I love the large back-straps off the Flemish Giants. Never the less I will be parting ways with my breeding pair of Flemish Giants because of the faster turn around on the New Zealand and California rabbits. I think they are trying to over fill my freezer at the present time. Litters are large and growing fast. It is a never ending cycle. Fresh white healthy meat. Note: to all the Automatic Water nipples I got off Ebay are a life saver.

 

[PatriotofFlorid]

By the way just give them shelter from the wind and a heat lamp for kits for the first week.