life span of rabbits

Question
"I breed meat rabbits and I have used the same buck for 3 years. I wanted to know if he will be good for another year or should I save a young buck to replace him?"

Answer
Hi Karen,

Barn rabbits generally live between 5 and 10 years if they are cared for properly.  Provided you don't have any genetic weaknesses or illnesses in your herd he should be fine to keep producing.  We have bucks that are 8 and 9 years old that are still producing large litters.  The does production will slow down after 4 or 5 years old but age doesn't seem to matter as much in the bucks.

I always suggest keeping a baby out of a litter to keep the lines but if you are breeding for meat and you don't show then it probably doesn't matter.  If he is a good producer I would hold on to him.  He is getting kind of old to use as meat.  I don't butcher mine but my friend who raises meat breeds says they are better if processed before they are a year old.  After that it is pretty much like eating an old cow.

I hope this has helped.  If you have any further questions please let me know.

Pam