As our protein sources are being squeezed (and contaminated) with suspicious processing plants catching fire and millions of birds being culled because of “avian flu” now (a year later) some of us are thinking ahead to having to grow our own meat. Rabbits are practical and since they’re quiet, fast breeders and their pellets can be used for fertilizer. I’ve found a friend willing to kill them which was my biggest stumbling block. I figure if I get hungry enough I will eat them.
THE MANURE IS GREAT FOR GARDENING NO NEED TO WAIT TO DECOMPOSE CAN GO RIGHT ON GROUND NEXT TO PLANTS YOU CAN COVER THE MANURE WITH STRAW OR CRASS CLIPPING TO KEEP THE SMELLING OR DIG IT IN BEFORE YOU GROW
"they're cute" is a con for me. i do agree that rabbits are the best but man, getting meat from them, i think i'd have an easier time dispatching a chicken
Hi Tom, rabbits are cute. They actually used to be a big staple meat in the USA (and still are in many other countries) but the cute factor does deter people. It can definitely be hard for some people.
@@angrydwarfofdoom Good question, we process our own so I am not sure but I would assume that it is highly dependent on your location. I suggest asking others in your area or reaching out to butchers
*TOTALLY* worth it. I'm near 2 years in and it's finally a free food source. Ditch the pellets, folks - grow your own. Get a scythe and learn to put up hay. Totally free. Totally sustainable.
I grew up on rabbits growing up in Europe. Great fried, stewed or ground up in sausages. Mild tasting meat, pretty lean and cute. Easy for kids to get attached though. About the easiest animal i thought to raise. Good info.
Some things I you mentioned I would consider either a pro or con to pet rabbits. I would not raise meat rabbits indoors like an apartment because I would not want to bond with something I’m going to eat. Also why I don’t want to spend anymore time than necessary to feed and water them. I agree with the nail trimming. Only necessary for the breeders because the young won’t be around long. I’ve gotten scratched up pretty bad I’m the past
Thanks, Kenneth. I agree, ideally the rabbits wouldn't be inside but for urban homesteaders this could be the only option. Although I think it is the smell that would deter me haha
The pelts at 8-10 weeks are unfit for clothing since it is very weak. 6 months is a better age to get pelts to make stuff but the meat has got to be stewed at that age.
just got 3 new zealands for our home, wish more people did this i had to pay 50$ per rabbit! theres a serious market out there for jsut reselling as meat rabbit breeders.
What is the general lifespan of the meat rabbits? I had a rescue that I think was between 3 and 4 years and just died suddenly. I have been trying to look up this data and can not find it specifically for meat rabbits.
OH wow, good call Justin! With the winter brewing here I completely forgot but we are doing a whole new garden build and this is going to be perfect for it. I have also heard that a lot of people will even sell the poop for a profit which is such a great idea.
isn't caging a rabbit and not letting them be on the ground the best way to keep them disease free? Is just looking at the liver the best way to tell if a rabbit is safe for eating?
I think it's cool.. it shows they care for their meat.. life is a bitter/sweet balance... modern people are blind to this juxtaposition.. supermarkets do not help
One RU-vidr described it as a good life and one bad day. I have been thinking about raising rabbits for food. I know that the grandkids will ask what their names are. I will point at three and say, Nuggets, Deep Fried and Sunday Roast. BTW Chubs looks like he may have been the breeding buck. That's not quite as bad as naming food. Maybe. 🙄
How do you kill your rabbits? We raised rabbits when I was growing up and we would have up to 200 at any given time . Dad always shot the ones we ate. Lots of rabbit poop which is great garden fertilizer.
Lots of angry vegans in the comments. I think it’s great you handle and let them. At least in their life they are comforted and shown love before the purpose comes. I personally would do the same as I’m looking into meat rabbits for eating
Knowing where my food comes from and how it is raised is really important to me. But raising your own food can be added fear and stress for individuals. That being said, there are many places you can send your livestock to be butchered for you if it is a barrier to knowing more about your food sources.
I don't judge, but there's just something oddly depressing about slitting a rabbits throat over a chickens throat... maybe it's because I grew up watching bugs bunny cartoon
They are great! We prefer them as fryers and it is an all white meat animal. I suggest trying them out at a restaurant first to see if they you like the taste.
That's why I'm seriously thinking sheep for milk (cheese!) and wool. Once they start getting too old and arthritic, then maybe they can be mutton stew. then have chickens for eggs. Cows are big, and I'm thinking that cattle are where you really need more land, but my uncle does keep a few meat cows that he breeds for more meat cows, and he just has a big backyard. He says he doesn't buy extra hay or anything, just free range.
Its never worth it to slaughter terrified prey animals for your own benefit. Its slavery, these sentient creatures like so many, have no choice in their destiny. And isnt it adorable how the kids get to play with them then kill them? (Sarcasm, in case you dont know).
Wondering if it's practical or possible to set things up to make enough feed and water available so you can leave them without daily care several days? We live in a very rural area without near-by friends or relatives to help out once in a while when we go out of state to visit grandkids for 4-5 days.
Water we have figured out but food is def harder because our rabbits are not great at pacing out their food. I’d love to hear if you know of anything for food!
I used a dog kennel for free range my rabbits that also help save money on feed and at night i put them back in their cage for safety and while they are in the cage i move the kennel to fresh grass for the next day ...
the more you do it, the easier it gets to butcher them. I wouldn't ever recommend having a pet rabbit if you do this unless you're a psychopath. It's better to raise meat rabbits as meat rabbits, and it's a terrible idea to obtain pet rabbits to use as meat rabbits. Especially if the pets aren't one of the typical meat breeds
I agree. We raise New Zealand and Californian rabbits which are made to grow out fast and produce a large amount of meat. With pet rabbits it is a completely different ball game. Great notes, thanks!
I was hoping you wasn't going to say that they are prone to getting ill. I have chickens. Egg layers no problems but meat chickens are always getting ill (I'm in Thailand). I bet I lose 75% before they make it to the table. I was looking for some alternative.
@@splitarrowfarm Yeah… seems like it. For me there is no difference between dogs, cats, rabbits, cows… in my eyes all innocent and loving beings. Still your lifestyle seems healthy and in touch with nature. I hope everyone on your little farm lives a very happy life.
