Raising Meat Rabbits

[nayeli]

Registered doesn't mean anything other than an animal meets MINIMUM qualifications to be considered a specific breed. It is supposed to be a determination that an animal is purebred, that is all.

 

[Bunnylady]

Wellll, it also means that the owner was willing to invest the time and money to get it done.

 

[nayeli]

True Bunnylady. I think its nice to have but it really doesn't prove anything about the rabbit other than breed... It doesn't share specific information about the rabbit's health, litters, etc. right? I'm relating it to what I know about dogs and many breeders, even puppy mills will have papers..

 

[misbhaven]

my husband is experimenting with a home made waterer for our rabbitts when it gets it finished and if it works ill post a pic here so all can see.... he bought 2 of the waterers that you plug in to keep from freezing but with the weather we have had they still freeze up and that means he wasted a total of 60 dollars on them and they work as good as swapping out the normal bottles... the one he is building will hold around 1 1/2 gallons of water

 

[Cowboy Alex]

Nayeli: I would recommend getting New Zealand White Rabbits and keeping them in all wire hutches. I would start with 4 rabbits ( two does and two bucks). If your worried about inbreeding than put each rabbit in a separate cage. With 4 rabbits you could have 9 completely unrelated litters. Inbreeding can actual be a good thing because you can keep the desired traits in one family. I wouldn't recommend dog crates for rabbits. I could go on and on about rabbits but I wouldn't want to bore you. Sorry, I forgot to explain some things but I have to go. Bye





Check out http://storey.com/search.php?s=Bob+Bennet&x=0&y=0 for more info.http://www.rudolphsrabbitranch.com/rrrbrdusa.htm has some breeders that raise meat rabbit rabbits.

 

[nayeli]

Your more than welcome to go on and on. I bought a wire cage that they sell but I think the hubs is getting comissioned to make some because I'm not impressed with the quality for the price. I will check out your link. I'm having a hard time finding local breeders that actually offer purebreds which I want for breeding.

 

[chiques chicks]

I bought stacked cages from a major manufacturer. They appear to be excellent quality, but not cheap.
I am getting two Californian does, a nz/ California cross Buck, and a pair of champagne d'argent.
I can get a California Buck when/if I decide to. I found several local breeders who show who are willing to sell me starter stock. I hope this gives me a decent start.
I had gotten a couple cages from a retailer, but the quality difference of those from Bass was amazing. Yes, not cheap to start, but I'm hoping this helps avoid discouragement. I can build cages, and have, but until I buy wire, pay for shipping, etc, I'm not sure it its worth it to start. For me, this seems a better way to start.

Jmo and where I am,not saying anything is right or wrong.

 

[Cowboy Alex]

It's hard to find local breeders. There is a few breeders that will ship rabbits. It's not too much extra for shipping.

If your going to sell the meat to other people ( besides your friends and family) make sure to get pedigreed rabbits. People want to know that they are getting a certain type of rabbit rather than a mix. Also make sure the breed has a white coat if your selling them commercial. Most butcher like to dye the fur a certain color and white rabbits make it much easier to do that.

I am more than happy to answer any of your questions.

 

[Cowboy Alex]

Just to let you know, if you have pedigreed rabbits, it shows if its been bred to another rabbit, litter size, if its been inbreed or not etc.

 

[nayeli]

@Cowboy Alex, any web pages you can direct me to for those who will ship? @Chique, thanks! I haven't been to bass. The cage I picked up that is sold commercially is okay but not great quality especially for the price, and since we can get cage wire locally my husband is just going to build the other cages.