The Best Breed of Rabbit to Raise for Meat: The SR Rabbit Update 11-8-16 

Thank You, Sir. Your information was exactly the way I like it: straight forward, consice, and factual. Having prior experience with breeding dogs I had been thinking of Flemish Giants. Thank You so much for setting me straight. Be well, Tom.

We decided on havana for a medium size easy to house in smaller spaces. They are supposed to have excellent meat to bone ratio in 4-5lb rabbit. Our 2 does have 10 4wk old kits and we know they will grow out to at least 12 wks but we are excited to see them at processing. We also have 1 rex doe who is 9.2lbs! But her breeder said she'd still be great to mix with my havana buck. And we really enjoy the breeders personalities. Havana are so calm even a bit shy and easy for the kids to handle.

Just getting started too. Picked up 3 (2 does 1 buck) Silver Fox, 2 blacks and a lavender doe. Very calm and good tempered rabbits.

Love you're rabbits, had a bunch years ago, I'm now hooked on the champagne d'argent . Love them for raising for meat, pets, and show stock. I know I'm partial to them, but to me, the meats actually better.

I raised meat rabbits for 10 years. For the first few years I had NZs and had good results with minimal health problems. I did a trade for some Californians a buck and a bred doe. The Cals had a much better temperament than ther New Zealands so I switched my whole rabbitry. The growout was the same as the NZs with no health problems. The Cals had thicker coats than the NZs which might be better for crafts. Later I found a market for Rex pelts so I changed half of the rabbitry. The meat production was acceptable but not as good as the NZs or Cals. Selling the pelts more than made up for it. If you are only interested in raising meat go with NZs or Cals. If you have a market for pelts or breeding stock Rex, Satin or Silver Fox might be the breed for you.

Planning on getting some silver fox at the end of this month, hoping to also find American chinchillas at some point. Aiming for the rare breeds that are on the Livestock conservancy’s lists so I can also sell breeding stock. Wanting to bring awareness to the breeds that are in need of conservation!

I live in South East Missouri, and I just started my mini suburban farm, I started with chickens then quail then rabbits. I was tempted to go all quail but other family members wanted me to keep all 3. Every since I got the rabbits and quail i’ve been watching your videos and they had helped me a lot and alone with many other RU-vidrs. The reason I want rabbits is mainly for meat. I started with 5 Rex’s which was free. The dad (passed) mom and 3 daughters. The dad was a drown beautiful rex, The mom is calico and the 2 girls is brown and white and one girl is marble. Then I bought 6 rabbits Checked giant and English spot mixed. 1 buck young adult , then 3 younger rabbits that has the same mom and dad as the buck ( not born the same time), 2 more young rabbits (not born the same time). So they all are siblings but not born at the same time. This is what I got, now what should I do? should I breed this young adult buck with my rex girls.

A month after Easter, years back, I found a NZ white/Flemish Giant just hanging out in my yard: dumped by someone who didn't know what they were getting into when they got him. He ended up being the best rabbit I've ever owned, and I bred and kept show rabbits for years, so that's saying something.

Great suggestions! We raise French Angora (meat and fiber rabbit), NZW and Cali's for meat and pets. All are purebred, but we do cross-breed. The FA are pedigreed, so some do qualify to sell as show rabbits, with most being wool or pet quality (strict guidelines here) and whatever doesn't sell on those avenues become dinner. I have crossed FA bucks to NZW does and the kits have the softest pelts and all have stayed short like the NZW. Another breed I would have again is the standard size Rex as a meat rabbit. If a person is into tanning hides, the standard Rex and the crosses I get with FA and NZW would both be amazing for that. Thanks for all the great videos, I'm hooked on this channel, have been for a while! lol

I had rabbits before and would like to raise them again. I did not know all the information that you shared so thank you. I had Californians before and liked them. However, after hearing you talk I’m going to think about it. Thanks again.

Best grow outs I ever had were from a Broken New Zealand buck and a Silver Fox doe. Those kits grew fast and big, and *very* meaty.

What about the Champagne d’Argent, I think I’ve heard that it’s a good fur and meat rabbit.

I have been Pruning some apple tree's that were never Sprayed with Pesticides and the Rex Rabbits are just loving the branches, especially the leaves. Apparently, it keeps their teeth ground down also, eliminating the need to trim their teeth.

If you’re looking for purebred contact American rabbit breeders Association. (ARBA) become a member. You’ll get a membership book listing all of the names of the members andbreeders they carry. Make sure you get papers and make sure that they tattoo the rabbits before you get them.

I moved from United States to Philippines in october and i just bought 2 female rabbits and 1 male yesterday, it was really difficult finding rabbits in southern philippines, bought new zealand but i dont think they are pure blood, there is one breeder in northern philippines that sell pure breed new zealand and californian rabbits but they are 8000 peso's which is $160, i will get a pair of these later and see what difference there is in litters from the crossed rabbits i got now and pure blooded litters. Going to try different breeding crosses and see how it goes.

You missed satins, and campaign

chris, what is the smallest meat rabbit? can you use dwarfs. just need enough for me.

Hey Chris, I am just about ready to start raising rabbits. Is there a best month to start? I live in southern Indiana. If I was going to use NZ, Californian and a Silver fox, which one would you use as the buck? Thanks and I love your videos.

Awesome video and I agree totally! ….have bred new zelands and Californians.

There are a lot of rabbit farms in France, UK and China are using Hycole rabbit, owned by the Hycole company. Some video shows this variety can have litter as big as 21 with an average of 13. But I can't find any of this in the US yet. New Zealand white would be my best bet at this point.

Hey buddy, love your channel. Which rabbit would you suggest for a colder climate?

The Silver fox doe, I notice the poop pellets hanging on the wire. I have three does and a buck, one of my does also has poop hang like this but none of the others, why is that? She can't eat "greens" without getting watery stools also, so I keep her on pellets and some hay.

I breed and raise silver fox. Well just starting not expecting my first litter until April 18th.

Great info! you are my go to source for meat rabbits and quail breeding

Just thinking about it good information you did really well about explaining thank you

Giant chinchilla, the million dollar rabbit. Small boned rabbit unlike what was said. 5 lb carcass after 4 months. They are not picky eaters. Mine even eat pine trees.

Hello, I live in South Florida and I'm in the process of getting some more animals for my back yard. I currently have about 50 chickens (Rhode Island reds). I have about 100 quail eggs being delivered today for incubation. I'm glad I found your channel and have been watching and learning a lot from your videos. Eventually, I'd like to raise meat rabbits as well. But, because of the heat of South Florida, I don't want to raise meat rabbits only to have them suffer in South Florida sun. Which meat rabbits do you know of that do well in hot weather? Love your channel... very informative. Cheers!

How long can you keep the buck and does, before you replace them with younger ones

is that 8 weeks after weaning ? how much meat is that at 8 weeks/rabbit . I could not butcher a just weaned bunny they are too small I raise silver fox and butcher at 5-6 months so I get good fur and 5 # of meat /rabbit

Thanks for your great video on hatching eggs!I did a hatch of 7,5 hatched!One got stuck and other stopped growing.

Before our house fire, my DD decided to buy her brother a rabbit from Orshelns cause his Guinea pig had died. The fire happened, and that DD was home, and saved ALL the animals; 3 dogs, rabbit, Guinea pig, and 2 pet rats. I told the kids to expect they may not make it due to smoke inhalation. They all did great, and we still have the male rabbit. He's almost 2 now. My son really didn't ask for him or have much interest in him, but he's still part of the family. My goal, since finding out that we'd relocate to HOMESTEAD, I was hoping to use "White Lightning" as our buck, and get does for him. We figured out that he's a Champagne D'Argent. Should I just get more Champagnes, or could I get a "better breed" like the NZW or California to put with him. Or should we just leave him as a pet? (We'd not eat him) And find "real stock"? Thank you!

we have acquired California, New Zealand and Silver Fox

My rabbits , will, never, ever forced to live on a gaze metal wire floor.......

I breed pure Californian does to a pure Chinchilla buck right now, 10 weeks seems to be the correct for a grow out weight. This combination seems to be very winter hardy of which I like. 8 to10 litter size. Odd thing is that they wean themselves early and become quite independent . Also out of 4 california does I have not had one offspring that is california colored or even have white on it. All have been chinchilla gray to an almost black in color.

I have 1 New Zealand for sure and 2 California's the rest I'm not sure. I got them from different places and the people had no clue. The one They claimed was a mini rex and she's huge. Bigger than the 1 of my California. The 8 were starting off with all have names because of the kids and will never be food

where can you buys these rabits. The florida white? Can you buy online ? Any suggestions?

Thank you very much for this video. We are just getting started in this and need all the advice we can get. I have a few questions for you. If you don't mind. I started building a rabbit tractor (a huge hutch on wheels) so I could spend less on food and they could run around. I heard that is not good for many reasons. One being worms, ticks, fleas, etc. The other is that I heard meat rabbits taste a lot better on a grain diet. Second question. Which meat rabbit would be best for pelts as well? Thanks for your time. Steve

I knew generally about rabbits for a long time, because I hunted them as a kid. But I'm curious about this latter-day adjective now attached to them. Does that mean, reciprocally, that you can also get 'milk' rabbits? 🤣 Btw, nothing wrong with a good 'ole Aussie Wild Rabbit, and free as well.

From watching a few of your rabbit videos, I'm going to guess you read Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits as well. I'm about to get started with my rabbits and I'm going to follow the author's advice and start with two does and two bucks. Going on what might be available in my area I'd like to try ans get a pair of TAMUK NZW's, a Californian Doe, and an American Blue buck. Hopefully those breeds/sexes will be available from the breeder's listed in my area that say they have them. I think with those rabbits I can make some great meat rabbits and that will have some interesting colors.

I was given a buck and doe to breed. I was told they were Dutch rabbits, but they are white with small patches of orange and black sort of like a calico cat. The pics of Dutch I have seen so far shows them witha lot of black on their faces. Have any idea of what breed they might be?

I have been watching a few of your different videos (very informative!!) Do you know of a place for the hide's? I haven`t found any yet but I do fly fish so I could make use of them in that way. I have also heard that rabbit hides aren't as long lasting as say beaver or coyote fur/hide but okay for hats and trims on boots and gloves. Any ideas??

I was having a hard time deciding on initial breed. I now think I will start with the pure breed Newzland white for both the buck and does.. Someobe was recommending I get French does.....am sceptical. What are your thoughts?

Sir, nice videos.. Please tell, which breed is suitable for meat 🥩 in pakistan? How can i get it? Thanks and stay blessed..

I have a Californian doe and rex buck I just had my first litter my doe was 6 months and had 9 babies I’m excited to see my grow out Rates hopefully they are good 🤞🏻

I also have silver fox , california , and just picked up new Zealond. Now you said its ok to mix a purebread one line down is that it or can you keep breeding them. Example. 2 dif litters of silver fox / cal mix can you breed a doe to the buck or should you start all over again with the purebreads ? I hope I'm making sence here. Lol

Ever cross a Giant with something like a New Zealand? Did it grow out quicker? meatier? Or just awkward and waste of time?

I was gifted a chinchilla/lionhead cross he was some ones pet cant eat that one too cute(i know they are all cute) and today gifted 2 lop/lionheads again pets cant eat them. The chinchilla is a buck and i bred him with one of my cally giants. Now they seam to be growing great rate only one looks like a lion head with cali markings(cute) yes i say cute babies,and yes many hit my table. My rabbits are treated great til their last day. Most people treat there animals great. I have to sets of cages summer cages and winter cages my winters go in garage (michigan is cold) summers have huts and are big enough for does and kits to have room. Your cages are not small(my opinion

I raise silver fox and creme D'Argent mixes. I've got some Californians from a breeder I'm just waiting til there weaned. When I first started raising rabbits I had a Californian doe and a lion head buck.

What do you think about American Blues. I have a couple of videos on them.

I want to get into rabbits strictly for dog food. I have 8 large dogs and alot of land. Would it be a good idea to raise a large mixed herd? Some new Zealands, some Flemish giants, and crosses of the two? My dogs need roughly 2.5 pounds of meat per day.

Hi Chris, excuse me, but what is your opinion of "English Spots" for a meat rabbit?

Where can you get some Florida whites, new Zealand, or Calif giants? I'm in a Florida?

What do you fo with your rabbit hides? I was told there was a market for rabbit fur but haven't checked. Plus the rabbit pills or (poop) makes great fertilizer.

Like watching your content. Do you eat mostly your own food from your homestead?

What does that shirt say?

I am just getting into rabbits and just got 2 Californian doe, and a chinchilla buck. I bought them from a breeder as a trio. what do you think of the chinchilla bread?

How much is a new zealand white and californian white in your area?

What is the cage size of your pen's. My rabbits are a cross between New Zealand and California

You're right about the Florida Whites. Those are the ones that I raise. :-)

am I mistaken , or is a hybrid ,by definition, sterile? is this what you meant in refering to a cross of two pure bred rabbits as a hybred

What do you think about the Palomino Rabbit as a meat rabbit...I have a male rabbit free...The person I got him from, said he's a mix...but what is the mix...he's turning like a silver colored rabbit...I have no idea what breed he is...this person said the mom was about 10 to 12 pounds and the dad was about 8/9 pounds...I hope I have good luck...Thank You.....

I like the newzeland whites .I looked up on Google : best meat rabbit breed .and vewzealand white was number 1

I have a question: What do you think about dutch rabbits for meat? Please excuse my ignorance.

Great info we are wanting to get rabbits this year- well I’m still trying to convince him lol Thanks

I'm trying to get my husband to start raising meat rabbits like I use to, But that was 25yrs ago. We live in Wyoming and the winters get pretty bad. Is there a couple breeds you could suggest or tips so we can have a higher success rate?

I have raised a lot of rabbits. California/New Zealand cross is my preference.

i'm raising mini lops not for meat but to sell as pets. once i get the property i need then i'll be going into the meat category plus keep raising the mini lops for pets.

have you ever had like 3 or 4 new zealand does and a california buck?

Thanks for a great video. I personally have Silver Fox rabbits.... in Maryland.

Thanks man! This is amazing. I subbed 👏🏼

I'm just invested in 3 new Zealand white does and I've got a giant lop doe,what results should I expect cross breeding NZW doe with giant Flemish buck?

I wonder what a chinchilla silver fox cross would look like...good fur coat?

I have flimish giant rabbit and jack rabbit

What about Holland lion rabbits? How is the bone to meat ratio?

I raise english angora,satin angora,French angora,jersey wooly,liohhead

Thanks for the awesome content

Am just starting the rabbit farm, is it possible if I need those brides on my farm ,if so what will be the change s to my mother Ugandan?

I love your shirt, where did you get it from?

I really like your videos Mr Chris Thank you

What do you think about champagnes

How are Rex rabbits for meat?

What breed do you recommend in the high desert, where it can get up to 110°+?

How to prepare a doe for breeding and at what age?

Do you know of any silver fox breeders near Missouri? Thanks

Which breed of rabbits make the best moms?

Chris, do you do anything with the skins?

What is their dressed weight at 8 weeks

I'll take silver foxes

my rabbit has given birth to a count of 7 baby rabbit but she is not feed milk to the babies. i just want to know will she feed or i may help her to feed

Dyiing to know. What is a good meat rabbit for the desert? I know rabbits hate the heat.

I have 2 silver fox rabbits and I,m getting a Flemish Giant

I breed newzeland red and whites. My buck is red my does are white.

what size is your breeding cages Chris

Good info. Thanks

Nice i cant tell the difremce of them im begining to have rabbits

Grids are bad for there paws can you change them

If you visit Philippines.. Can I have one?hehe

..love the t-shirt

How can I tell the breed from looks

I have a question if a rex rabbit and a Californian rabbit bred would it be a californian with rex fur or what? Because i show rex and i was wondering because i love californian but I'm trying to keep to rex could i get a rex that looks like a Californian