How to Grow Rabbits for Meat
Rabbit meat is succulent and nutritious. Considered traditionally to be game, rabbit is becoming popular as a livestock animal. Due to their small size and few needs, even farmers and smallholders with only a little land can grow enough rabbits for their own consumption and to sell as a delicacy. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Choose your breed of rabbit. The Champagne D'Argent breed is one of the oldest breeds of rabbit in the world. They are often kept for food because they grow to 10 to 15 pounds. Compared to the Florida white, weighing only four to six pounds at maturity, the Champagne D'Argent offers more meat per rabbit. The Florida white is popular within the United States for home consumption. Other popular breeds include New Zealand, Californian and cross-breeds.
-
2
Assess the size of pen required to keep the rabbits. A rule of thumb on size is one square foot per pound of rabbit. This space ensures they have enough room to exercise and stay lean. Pre-fabricated pens can be purchased from pet stores and online. If making your own pen, remember that rabbits burrow, so a secure bottom to the pen is required.
-
-
3
Feed your rabbits on a regular basis, twice daily. The main diet of meat rabbits consists of food pellets, available from pet stores, and hay. Rabbits should be given unlimited hay per day and up to 1/2 a cup of pellets per six pounds of rabbit. The hay helps the digestive system of the rabbit and grinds down their teeth. Rabbits can also be fed fruit and vegetables, however, too much fruit can make the rabbits fat. Ensure water is always on hand for the rabbits to prevent dehydration.
-
4
Breed your rabbits to ensure you have a plentiful supply of meat. Rabbits mate in the spring. Place the female rabbit in the male rabbit's pen in the morning and leave for most of the day. After mating has taken place, remove her to her own pen. Gestation takes one month, after which the female should be placed in a nesting box, a small box lined with straw and kept warm, to give birth. Each litter contains six to 10 rabbits.
-
5
Slaughter your rabbits before they get too old and the meat chewy. This time frame will vary depending on the breed of rabbit although most rabbits are slaughtered between three and five years. Rabbits can be slaughtered at home; however, if you do not have the stomach, take your rabbits to an abattoir. He will kill the rabbits humanely, and some abattoirs will prepare the carcass for you. Negotiate a deal with either money or the rabbit hides.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Do not name, play, cuddle or allow children to become "friends" with meat rabbits. This relationship will only cause heartbreak when the rabbit goes to slaughter. One option is to get into the habit of only calling the rabbits "rabbit."
Rabbits can become ill if they eat contaminated food. Contamination can occur through their own feces being left in the pen and coming into contact with their food. Clean out the pen on a regular basis and discard any food that has been lying for a while. Rabbit feces make an excellent fertilizer.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit rabbit image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com
