Raising our New Zealand Meat Rabbits *Start to finish - Birth to processing* Possible Graphic pics*

[Angelicisi]

Here's some of the damage done by the loose dogs before my dog and I chased them off. Because of the location of the breech (back of rabbitry and under cage line I didn't see this hole from the inside

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

One of our SP community members made us this wringer.


Being able to network with other people and share tools or trade info is awesome. Just saying

What do you think about bleeding the rabbits out as the method of dispatching them? I'm just curious to hear your opinion on the matter. I know that's a popular way of processing chickens and I know of a farm, Polyface and Joel Salatin, that bleeds their rabbits out (they just knock them out with a quick whack to the head before slicing the jugular). Proponents like this method because the organs are still functioning, so you get better drainage that way since the organs are pumping the blood still. Wanted to get your opinions because you have experience raising rabbits.

I don't have any operations underway yet, but I feel that a wringer would be easiest for me. Something about that whack to the skull just makes it seem very difficult, but if it's a good way of doing it I'd fight through my resistance.

 

[Crickett]

What do you think about bleeding the rabbits out as the method of dispatching them? I'm just curious to hear your opinion on the matter. I know that's a popular way of processing chickens and I know of a farm, Polyface and Joel Salatin, that bleeds their rabbits out (they just knock them out with a quick whack to the head before slicing the jugular). Proponents like this method because the organs are still functioning, so you get better drainage that way since the organs are pumping the blood still. Wanted to get your opinions because you have experience raising rabbits.

I don't have any operations underway yet, but I feel that a wringer would be easiest for me. Something about that whack to the skull just makes it seem very difficult, but if it's a good way of doing it I'd fight through my resistance.

That's how I do it. Bop them on the head with a stout stick, hung them by their hind feet, then slice the jugular. The bop on the head is usually a death blow, but the heart continues beating for a few minutes.

 

[Angelicisi]

I don't knock an individuals way of dispatching. I personally just want a quick non struggling way.
All ways effectively get you a carcass.

I've seen hammers used very effectively if hit correctly (im scared I'd need two hits :/ . I've seen heads simply sheared off then hung (not much actual blood in a rabbit). I've seen pellet guns to .22s used effectively (im a good shot but don't want to use lead or pay for ammo when technically no ammo needs to be wasted). I've seen them hung upsidedown and pulled taught by ears and a clean slice to be bled out too much like how we process our CX (the death throws if this way seemed drawn out so we chose not to, but its effective for the purpose, just pulled on my heart strings a bit much seeing it and it wasn't our rabbits lol).

I think it boils down to what YOU are comfortable doing and causing the death as soon as possible to keep it humane.

What do you think about bleeding the rabbits out as the method of dispatching them? I'm just curious to hear your opinion on the matter. I know that's a popular way of processing chickens and I know of a farm, Polyface and Joel Salatin, that bleeds their rabbits out (they just knock them out with a quick whack to the head before slicing the jugular). Proponents like this method because the organs are still functioning, so you get better drainage that way since the organs are pumping the blood still. Wanted to get your opinions because you have experience raising rabbits.

I don't have any operations underway yet, but I feel that a wringer would be easiest for me. Something about that whack to the skull just makes it seem very difficult, but if it's a good way of doing it I'd fight through my resistance.

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

I think it boils down to what YOU are comfortable doing and causing the death as soon as possible to keep it humane.

Yes, of course, completely agree. Thank you both for sharing your methods.

 

[Angelicisi]

My biggest request from 3 separate large customers, is that the rabbit is calm at death. All 3 people explained it a bit different for their own reasons but the same, calm death is better meat was the thought they share. I personally dunno either way but it makes ME feel better if I know they were processed quickly and humanely with care.
I had mentioned that to the 1st woman and she was insistent that the meats more tender. I didn't mention it to the other 2 people, I just let it be because we comply naturally already lol . didn't want any issues!

 

[kacklinkelly]

Yes, it could have been really bad! I had dogs tear up my wire cages where I used to live, and they killed almost all of my rabbits, plus they got into the chicken run and killed all my chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese! And this was all in one day! We had gone into town for a few hours and came back to total carnage! Still makes me angry, and it was over six years ago!

OMG I would be angry took.

 

[Angelicisi]

New girl...NZW, beautiful but Satan's spawn maybe a tipped halo only, she's warming up a bit!

 

[Angelicisi]

Picked up some Californians. 2 pairs. A black and supposed to be chocolate? But not liking the 'socks' on the chocolate buck...I'm thinking I really like the black tipped pair tho. The doe is waaaay overweight for my breeding size preference but she was 1st to eat in a 'colony' in a 3x3 cage too so she probably gorged knowing feeder would be empty for a 2nd try. Unless I was fibbed too and she's preggers! Hmmm She shared her space with 4 other does. Bucks were in another cage but 'accidents' happen lol

So I know I started this thread for NZWs, but after I condition them and give them some adjusting I will see what the 1st round of young look like from the 'Brown calis' I may decide meat only. If I do meat only I may use my NZW buck on the Brown tipped cali for hybrid vigor litters to fill meat orders. If I do that I'll track it well and chronicle those NZW/cali hybrids in a few posts here to see if there's a difference than in my pure NZW heard.

This is Daryl

Here's Rick

Michone & Maggie

Satan's spawn...when I arrived for her non of the 4 people there wanted to get her out of the cage...even backed up. Just walking towards her she started growling lol Daaaang. So I went in! In a tank top , slow and calm and gentle and got this as a welcome present upon trying to set her in HER OWN travel cage they were giving with her

She came from a 'unique' situation so I'll give her a few months to soften up (or eat her if she's just really Satan's spawn. They begged me to eat her lol poor girl), she's beautiful, I'm gonna try

 

[Crickett]

They are all beautiful! Wish I had some of those too! Do keep us in the loop as to how they do!