Raising meat rabbits

[millytheterrier 12]

Does anyone raise there own meat rabbits? If so what breed would you recommend and what do you house yours in? Thanks.

[dymented 2,220]

 

 

giant rabbits would be ok i gess you can get them in the uk

[chimp 299]

ive seen some big dude rabbits for sale over at melton market , the rabbit farms over here use a new zealand breed

 

[forest of dean redneck 11,738]

new zealand whites or californians or cross between the two

as the whites are hard to get hold of due to the animal rights showing interest in breeders as they use them in testing labs.

the big breeds like the flemish/french lops etc are all bone and the meat to bone ratio is rubbish.

 

there was a tidy little book on raising poultry and backyard rabbits based on the ww2 era cant remember the name though.

also do a google as its been mentioned on several forums like river cottage ,self sufficientish and downsizer.

trouble is the housing,

one for the buck,

one for each doe ,

and then ideally two for the offspring so you can seperate the sexes.

but if you had a breeding trio you would be set up for decent supply of meat.

[patterdalejoel 669]

storeys guide to raising rabbits is an interesting read i have tried to raise my own meat rabbits before with pure californians and to be honest mate, it isnt worth the hassle and expense.

[scothunter 12,609]

the germans are very much into rearing rabbits for the table.

[millytheterrier 12]

Thanks for the replys guys, dont think im gonna bother although thanks anyways.

[gnipper 6,545]

http://www.map-of-uk.com/

 

I keep mine in this, its quite a good size and I never have to feed or water them or clean them out

[unlacedgecko 1,466]

Best breeds are New Zealand or California Whites. Good meat rabbits. Most of the continentals use wire cages for their meat rabbits, similar to battery chickens. It also makes cleaning out easiers as the waste just drops to the floor. Given enough food, a breeding trio would give you enough meat for a family of four. There was an old war time book called Raising Rabbits and Chickens on kitchen scraps. John Seymours books are also pretty good.

[moonlighter 1,164]

I knew a guy who breeds new Zealand whites for meat, about 5000 at a time. He made a pretty good living out of it, but now he sells some for animal testing and they pay him a small fortune.

[millytheterrier 12]

thanks for the replys.

[fieldsportsman 107]

my great granddad, used to before he died years back. he kept ducks, chickens, even had a goat at one stage. Led an interesting life, the old boy did, met the kaizer on the guard of honour in india, before ww1, then war broke out and found himself fightin the turks. came back and started a sort small holding, while been bare knuckle champion for the west kents, for money.

[Tiny 7 1,694]

Wouldnt just be easyer alround to go out and catch a brace when needed instead of raising your own..?

[Cold Ethyl 63]

Would have thought it would be expensive to do and a pain in the ass tbh then you have the cruelty mob chapping the door as well no doubt.Theres always one nosey git that cant help themselves but pick up the phone.My dad owned 2 goats for years and they ate grass cutting and veg scraps etc bread and anything that was going really didnt cost him a penny over the years.Good for the garden as well but can be a bit feisty lol