Raising rabbits for meat...how many cages to expect?

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

Sure you could do that. We have a local livestock auction and alot of time towards the animals are going dirt cheap, there are people buying full size rabbits at 1 or 2 $ each. That would be a great deal if you just wanted rabbit to eat. The grow out time depends on the breed and how big you want them. Some rabbits will fight/ chew on each other others you can grow out together. I would have a cage per rabbit just to be on the safe side.

Steve in NC

 

[Overeasyplz]

If you can get meat rabbits full size at 2-3 dollars, that is. The cheapest meat rabbits I've seen locally are starting at $10.

 

[chinbunny]

Watch it when you buy livestock auction bunnies. You never know if those animals have been sick, or been on medications. Because of that its best to raise your own, or buy from someone you can trust.

Look to pay about $1 a pound or more for good meat rabbits. Live or dressed. in some ways its cheaper to raise your own. When you do, you are still going to have share of losses within the rabbitry. that is normal. If the doe loses her litter, rebreed her. Give her three tries. Most of the time they will get it right by the second time, and if they don't by the third, butcher them. You can buy a buck and two already proven breeding does to get you started.

Being that I show, I also raise my own. I have a lady that butchers them for me. I also feed some of them to my dog. Just thaw the carcass, cut itup, and give it to her.

If you end up with too many to butcher you can always sell them, or run them down to the auction barn. If you are lucky you may be able to find a meat rabbit buyer in your area that will buy them from you too. Last I heard most are still paying a $1 a pound for fryers and roasters.

 

[chinbunny]

per the comment above about one cage per bunny. You don't have to do that with fryers. They will tolerate each other right up till they are about 12 weeks old(butchering time). Just keep some extra cages, and put about 3-5 bunnies per cage, and let them grow out.

Sometimes you can find meat rabbit buyers doing pickups at rabbit shows too. check www.arba.net for the local one sin your area. And contact the show secretaries to see if they have anyone coming in to do a pick up. Some will pay you cash for them on the spot. Others will send you a check.

 

[EweSheep]

Good idea!!!!!

Most of the bunnies here are pet bunnies and more of them are the dwarf sizes. Sorry I do not eat dwarves. They just have enough meat worthwhile my time to raise them from start to finish.

 

[cassie]

Your best bet is to get Storey's Book on Raising Rabbits by Bob Bennet. It will tell you everything you need to know.

 

[chinbunny]

Or the guidebook to raising better rabbits and cavies published by the ARBA. www.arba.net