Raising meat rabbits is getting to be exceptionally common. And it's easy to see why since raising other kinds of meat such as chicken, pork, and beef demand more space and more labor. In addition, domestic rabbits produce an all-white meat high in quality, low in fat, and easy to digest. In fact, many doctors recommend rabbit meat for people with digestive issues.
Everyone knows that rabbits can reproduce very quickly and with just a single pair of bunnies it's feasible to produce over 100 pounds of meat every year. One female can produce ten times her own body weight each year. And the remarkable thing is that she can produce it in an area less than 100 square feet. Rabbits can even be raised in a tiny apartment house or garage. With several pairs you can raise enough high quality meat to supply a small family while having lots left over for your friends and neighbors. Chickens are another great meat producer, but they need a greater amount of area and labor.
With a correctly constructed rabbit hutch the only work that is typically necessary is to examine their food and water every day, complete a visual health assessment, and keep a journal of breeding results for each individual animal. Cleaning the pens every several weeks is also a first-rate idea. Rabbits are very healthy and vigorous creatures and are generally able to sustain good health and productivity if kept in a clean hutch.
Unlike various other creatures, infant bunnies are completely provided for by their mother. She gives them all they need. They are weaned at 6 to 8 weeks of age which is also when they reach fryer size. This means that when it comes to raising rabbits they may very well need no assistance from you. The mother will do almost all of the work for you. The milk that a doe feeds her offspring is rich and nutritious and is all a tiny bunny rabbit needs.
Another advantage of growing bunnies is that the meat is low in fat and cholesterol, high in protein, and easier to digest than chicken, pork, and beef. In addition, there is no plucking necessary. After you've gathered some skill you'll be able to pull the hide off quickly and have your meat in the freezer in just 10 or 15 minutes. And if you like gardening you'll be pleased to know that rabbit droppings make fantastic manure. Fertilizer from many farm animals will burn your vegetation, but rabbit manure will not.
The best breed for meat production is arguably the white New Zealand. These animals are extremely large and will get up to 13 pounds at maturity. The majority of producers don't let them grow this large and will dress them as fryers at 8 weeks of age. The standard fryer weight is about 4 to 5 pounds and the average litter size for New Zealand does is from 8 to 10 bunnies.
Another great breed of meat rabbit is the white Californian. They grow to about 10 pounds at full maturity which is smaller than the New Zealand. Californian does also have a smaller litter than New Zealands which is 6 to 8 offspring. Commonly breeders will cross breed Californians and New Zealands as they will normally produce extremely hearty young. Successfully raising bunnies for meat can be a fun and worthwhile venture if done properly.
