Those of you with Rabbits for meat... *Pics Page 4*

[Emzyyy]

Poor bunnies in the cages never get to feel grass through their toes... :'[

 

[Cara]

I agree, it's no more humane than keeping hens in battery cages.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Nice setup!

I just have two pet rabbits, but I always wondered about keeping meat rabbits. I've never tried the meat, but I would love to eventually.

I like how everything just falls through the cage to the floor, so there is no mess that the buns have to sit in. I have just regular hutches with inside parts, and as much as I would love for them to go to the bathroom outside, they always have to do it inside. Even if I put a board in the cage for them to get up off the wire, they still go on that.

I guess some people could be cruel, but I see hundreds of bunnies going through the auction every week and I would much rather see them killed and eaten than to suffer in a bad home. There are just so many rabbits up for adoption already, so I see nothing wrong with eating rabbits (Or any other animal for that matter, as long as it is not MY pet!)

 

[FarmGirl01]

Here is a pic of mine. Alot of people here have seen it. I really recomend it. It really works well.

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

Some people do actually "turn them out" now and then in a grass enclousure...
You have to keep in mind that these animals are for food and aren't going to live for years and years in those cages. From what I've heard most people butcher the rabbits around 12-14 weeks of age.

Again, if the thread bothers you, don't read it.

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

FarmGirl,
Are you cages hanging or are they bolted to the wall?

 

[FarmGirl01]

They are hanging from the barn rafters. Then they are bolted to 2x4's that are on the other side of the metal. This prevents them from swinging. The cages were bought at a local farm store. They are Havahart cages...the large ones.

 

[Cara]

Quote:
The concept of raising rabbits for meat does not bother me. However, if the rabbits are only going to be kept for 12-14 weeks, they are spending the entirety of their lives in cramped uncomfortable cages that do not allow them to express natural behaviours or even get the chance to run. The species is irrelevant to me, any animal raised for human consumption should be treated as humanely as possible. It makes no sense to free-range one speciesout of kindness and condemn another to a lifetime in a cage where it barely ever sees daylight.

 

[FarmGirl01]

What does the first paragraph say in the post?

 

[vicki2x2]

Quote:
I guess we will have to agree to disagree then, but I want to state my reasons like you did above.

I don't think you can compare wild anything with domestic, it has changed too much. Just like dogs aren't wolves. I have shown ARBA for years and NZ are considered large, at least by ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association), they are not considered a giant breed like Flemish, but are definitely not medium like a Florida White. Your doe won't sit around and get fat if they are fed a proper diet. I have had no problems at all. My books all indicate large breed rabbits should not be bred until they are 8-10 months.

I also disagree with the cat/dog comparison. Do they get pg? Yes, is it good for them? No. Studies have shown it puts too much stress on them, they have a higher incidence of c-sections, stillbirth, infant & mother mortality, poor mothering skills and can affect their overall growth. Same with children, yes they can get pregnant as soon as they start puberty, some as young as 9, but I don't think we should encourage them to have babies that young.

However, they are your rabbits, you do as you see fit, and I will continue to take care of mine as I see fit. I trust you will do what you feel is best for your animals, same as I do.