- Mar 9, 2010
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Most rabbit breeders will sell to meat producers. In fact many that that also show, also grow them for the table. We have meat buyers come to pick them up at some of the shows that pay $1.00 a pound for them. In fact most of the rabbit breeds recognized by the ARBA are meat breeds. I think you are getting them mixed up with those that breed them as pets, and would refuse a sale to someone wanting to use them for meat.
Its true that you can get a decent rabbit at an auction, as long as you are careful and watch what you are buying. Sometimes to get really good stock to start with, its best to buy from a good breeder. That way you see their pedigree(if they show their stock), the breeding stock, and the health of their herd.
I'd rather pay the $25 for a healthy rabbit and learn to identify diseases ect from a breeder(esp if you are a newbie), then take chances of coming home with something that has been 'treated' and 'cured' of an illness, or is sick.
It all really depends. There are many rabbit breeders around here who don't allow meat breeders or anything of the sort. You can still learn from breeders, most aren't going to shun others and not teach them anything simply because they didn't buy a rabbit from them. Here, the auction is actually very good about auctioning off healthy animals. I'm quite happy with the rabbits that I basically got for free (after selling two does for more than I paid for the group). To be honest, I have to say that I'd rather buy from someone dealing with meat rabbits only, not show. They'll be more inclined to work their lines towards fast, efficient meat producers, while show breeders have to keep an eye on all aspects. Personally, I'm not really concerned about my rabbits having enough black on their faces or the correct color on their points. All of those reasons, on top of getting them for dirt cheap, are why I went to a sale vs. a show breeder. Knowing what to look for can help prevent you from bringing home sick livestock. Granted, you should know this even if you're looking for rabbits from a "reputable" breeder. As for being cured from illness, IMO, I'm again not concerned, so long as they're healthy. I would definately not buy an older "breeding age" rabbit from the sale, because they may have been culled from the breeding program for being bad for reproduction. Anyways, it all goes back to, if you know what to look for, and you're not looking for show breeders, there's nothing wrong with getting meat breeders from an auction.
A lot of show breeders working with meat breeds also breed for production purposes too. That's what those breeds were originally developed for anyhow. You get pretty good animals that finish out with better meat quality to them from lines that are bred for show, because they are bred to well muscled and meaty. That's a trait we look for. Not just for color and points. A rabbit with good color and no flesh condition or body type won't do well. The best of these animals will have a high topline and lloin the length of your hand, or more.Those apply to most of the fancy looking breeds.
I agree that you can get decent rabbits from the sale. I have done it myself. Just have to be careful. I have seen plenty of sick rabbits at our auction. Some so severe they were ready to drop dead. It sounds like what you are dealing with are pet breeders that are just breeding for pets and nothing else. There are those around here too, but most that raise rabbits are show breeders/farmers that butcher their culls.
Also i do breed for show, and have had people tell me that they were some of the meatiest rabbits they have ever butchered.
Most rabbit breeders will sell to meat producers. In fact many that that also show, also grow them for the table. We have meat buyers come to pick them up at some of the shows that pay $1.00 a pound for them. In fact most of the rabbit breeds recognized by the ARBA are meat breeds. I think you are getting them mixed up with those that breed them as pets, and would refuse a sale to someone wanting to use them for meat.
Its true that you can get a decent rabbit at an auction, as long as you are careful and watch what you are buying. Sometimes to get really good stock to start with, its best to buy from a good breeder. That way you see their pedigree(if they show their stock), the breeding stock, and the health of their herd.
I'd rather pay the $25 for a healthy rabbit and learn to identify diseases ect from a breeder(esp if you are a newbie), then take chances of coming home with something that has been 'treated' and 'cured' of an illness, or is sick.
It all really depends. There are many rabbit breeders around here who don't allow meat breeders or anything of the sort. You can still learn from breeders, most aren't going to shun others and not teach them anything simply because they didn't buy a rabbit from them. Here, the auction is actually very good about auctioning off healthy animals. I'm quite happy with the rabbits that I basically got for free (after selling two does for more than I paid for the group). To be honest, I have to say that I'd rather buy from someone dealing with meat rabbits only, not show. They'll be more inclined to work their lines towards fast, efficient meat producers, while show breeders have to keep an eye on all aspects. Personally, I'm not really concerned about my rabbits having enough black on their faces or the correct color on their points. All of those reasons, on top of getting them for dirt cheap, are why I went to a sale vs. a show breeder. Knowing what to look for can help prevent you from bringing home sick livestock. Granted, you should know this even if you're looking for rabbits from a "reputable" breeder. As for being cured from illness, IMO, I'm again not concerned, so long as they're healthy. I would definately not buy an older "breeding age" rabbit from the sale, because they may have been culled from the breeding program for being bad for reproduction. Anyways, it all goes back to, if you know what to look for, and you're not looking for show breeders, there's nothing wrong with getting meat breeders from an auction.
A lot of show breeders working with meat breeds also breed for production purposes too. That's what those breeds were originally developed for anyhow. You get pretty good animals that finish out with better meat quality to them from lines that are bred for show, because they are bred to well muscled and meaty. That's a trait we look for. Not just for color and points. A rabbit with good color and no flesh condition or body type won't do well. The best of these animals will have a high topline and lloin the length of your hand, or more.Those apply to most of the fancy looking breeds.
Also i do breed for show, and have had people tell me that they were some of the meatiest rabbits they have ever butchered.
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