However, for many others, they are an invaluable food source that’s relatively easy to raise and breed [1]. Straw makes excellent bedding. Rabbit farming for meat is an industry that can be surprisingly profitable, especially given the animal’s small size. They wean quickly and are mature enough to slaughter quickly as well. Raising rabbits can be a cost effective way to raise livestock. Rabbits are mainly kept due to their tasty and nutritious meat they produce. Exposed by Animal Liberation NSW in September 2016. In the wild, this is meant to save them from predators. The perfect time to do this is between 3 – 4 months. The females, called does, will deliver anywhere from 2-8 kids at a time. Let’s start with where and move on from there. To determine the right hutch set up for your rabbit farm, you will want to consider how many rabbits you are looking to raise. The nursing compartment allows for them to take care of their young away from the rest of the herd. Many people have taken on raising animals that can be used as a food source, including chickens, pigs, and even rabbits. However, it isn’t recommended to put them together until the males at least have reached one year old to ensure quality stock. You will want this area to be stocked with the knives and implements required for the process, as well as and tools you may want to use to take the processing further (i.e., sausages). Like any type of farming, meat rabbit farming requires a hands-on approach, but input is minimal. You can start small from your backyard and grow from there. However, you will need a place where you can break down the rabbits once slaughtered. This is so that you can keep the flies from laying eggs. It will also help you estimate the overall costs of this venture. From the hutch and enclosure and the rabbits themselves to the feed, you will be making an investment. They are very low maintenance. But the hutch, fencing, rabbit run, and some other things are mostly fixed costs. Once you have chosen the breed you want, be sure to do further research to ensure you are raising these animals with just the right care. You will not want to be loving all over the kits. You will also need feeding and water systems as well as a rabbit run. Here are the things you will need to have for a proper rabbit raising farm. He will return to normal in a few minutes. As we said above, many places allow you to have a rabbit a pet, but there may be rules about raising animals for food sources. Raising rabbits for meat is not something that is suited for everyone. These are all popular rabbit breeds for their productivity and relative ease in raising. This decision is one that will have you regret-free and saving money on your groceries. It helps to have a sink or some type of water source in this area. Plus, you’ll get a ton of them from your rabbit farm. Rabbit is consumed in several parts of the world, most notably France, Spain (the iconic and traditional Paella Valenciana uses rabbit meat), and Italy, though it is consumed all over the world. If you are looking to sell your extra meat and have processed it on-site, you can easily charge $5 – $7 per pound. You may want to build a new hutch so that when the babies are big enough, you can move them to their own space. Rabbit farming is done from long time ago all over the world. If you do not, then you will need the same qualities as the bedding for the run in the hutch. The type of bedding is up to you, but you will definitely want one that is easy to remove and is good at absorbing the waste from these bunnies. So, making sure your rabbits are protected from all sides, both ground level and above will help make your rabbit farm safer. One for each sex as well, so there is no fraternizing unless you want them to. There are a ton of different options [2]. Even if you get into the process of rabbit raising intending to gain a self-sustaining food source, you might be surprised at how attached you become to some bunnies. A more fitting intro for this piece on urban meat farming would be, “Space, the lack thereof is a CONSTANT challenge…” (still spoken in Leonard Nimoy’s voice, of course). According to RabbitBreeders.us, a single commercial doe can produce offspring to yield 300 # of meat per year! The feeds are readily available and you can even produce it yourself as rabbits feed on grasses, yam peels and other kitchen waste. There are a lot of things to consider when raising rabbits for meat though. This is key. There are pre-made hutches available. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Rabbit farming is forecast to grow rapidly, since rabbits are well known as a quick-breeding source of low-fat, high-protein meat. Well, if it was, then you can rest easy. Aside from the relative ease in caring for them, their meat is extremely nutritious and quite tasty. Building the Shelter. And along with the meat, you can also use their manure for excellent fertilizer. It’s like a chicken coop but smaller. We are farmers who believe that plants can be grown without the use of chemicals. Making sure to keep the males and females separate until you feel the time is right. In addition to rabbit showmanship, they can market their rabbit for meat, pelts, to breed, etc. The rest of that percentage should go to the protein-fiber pellets and fresh veggies like carrots and lettuce. Rabbits are kept in tiny, filthy wire cages suspended above piles of manure. OS. However, if you can build the hutches and enclosures yourself, you will save on the cost of buying them. For many people, rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are small, quiet, docile pets they give to their children to teach them responsibility. Install fly strips or rub everything down with vinegar. It’s humane, like the other three, but it has to be done so carefully and correctly so as not to cause the animal any suffering. You can still check them to make sure they have survived, just be cautious. They are a great source of income and employment to farmers. Also, do not be worried if you lose a few of the kits. The rabbit known as "Micro-Livestock" can be a great source of food production. This tacked-on cost could make this venture a little too costly for some, but if you are not raising a big herd, it should be easily managed. All of our rabbits are raised using humane and all natural methods. It also should include an indoor shelter to protect them from the sun and the cold. There they’re often still alive and terrified as they’re torn apart by predators. Rabbits need small place for living and less food for surviving. Therefore, it’s essential to make sure you have protection around your open enclosure. You may look at that cute little bunny and think they are so small why bother? At least, that’s what it feels like when you’re not blessed with acreage and still want to grow some healthy food. It requires a concrete floor and a 4-5 inch deep litter husk lined with straw, hay, or wood shavings. Hold the Coney by its hind feet so the ears form a perfect V shape. This is a rarer breed, however, making it more difficult to acquire. They are not picky. That animal was killed peacefully and humanely, without its instinctive fear response stiffening up its muscles with adrenaline beforehand. The initial start-up cost of this venture can be quite an investment. Many children across the United States participate in 4-H and FFA. First impressions can be misleading, however. They also grow extremely quickly at little cost and their meat is very tasty and nutritious without any religious taboos attached to it. Meat rabbits can be harvested as fryers at three months of age, weighing between 1 ½ – 3 ½ pounds. Rabbit farming has emerged as a new business opportunity. At about three months old, the rabbit should weigh between one and a half to three and a half pounds and is labeled as a fryer. Everything You Need to Know About Pygmy Goats package id. Time to let bunnies do what bunnies do best — make more bunnies. Whatever your killing method, you can take comfort in the fact that they die far more humanely than in the wild. A couple of drops in each ear of each rabbit will help decrease the risk of mites being an issue for your herd. You should always take the doe to the buck’s pad. If you make sure to keep up on the cleaning and build a pen and hutch that is safe from their escape and the entrance of predators, there should be no noise and even less fuss. This is good because a lot of city ordinances only allow for this in their regulations. If you are breeding for meat you will want a good size rabbit but some of the largest are slower to mature so medium breeds are often the best compromise. The Advantages of Rabbit Farming. Now that you have the right permission, you can start the process of building out your farm. While a single rabbit is small, they have a tendency to breed very quickly. Raising rabbits for meat is a time-consuming feat with many levels of things you need to know. This is our favorite method because the rabbit will only feel maybe a half-second of it, if anything. After you are experienced at raising rabbits for meat, you may be ready to care for more of them. Rabbit farming is not capital intensive and management tasking, especially when compared to other meat rearing business like poultry and catfish farming. In addition, you may pay more than for other breeds. If done correctly, this should have the same effect as the broomstick method. This one isn’t highly recommended on the basis that it doesn’t always kill immediately. If you’ve ever had rabbit meat, how did it taste? Was it sweet and tender, sort of like chicken? Just like with the waste removal system, both pre-made, and DIY versions should have this as a feature. The rabbit hutch is the small wooden house where your rabbits will end up spending a lot of time. They’re very muscular and will be ready to butcher at about eight weeks old. The cost of rabbit meat is high compared to other commonly available meats in the supermarket, however, compare rabbit to specialty meats that are not factory farmed and rabbit meat is right in line, price wise. You may be able to have that little fluff ball as a pet, but when you are raising it as livestock, there are an entirely different set of rules. There are, of course, other things you can do or need to know about the mating process. One way to embrace a sustainable lifestyle is to grow and raise your own food sources. The first step of successful mating is already done. The new mother will have a few pregnancies before learning how to care for her kits properly. How can I download this fantastic guide? Rabbits, in general, are very sturdy and easy-to-take-care-of animal. I wish I had the heart but I would just keep them all as pets…. All of which in the end can be inexpensive. The fur is prized but not more than the meat. They can weigh in at up to 12 lbs when fully grown. It requires less investment and land. Now that you have an idea where you can begin your rabbit farm, you will be ready to figure out the set-up. Here are some things to consider when deciding on your hutch design: You will want to make sure that there is a place and a way for the poop and other waste to be removed easily from the hutch. This is optimal for raising larger numbers and is often used commercially. Best Farm Animals: How to Populate a Healthy Farm They should have a nice flat surface, be completely sanitary, and have some sort of refrigeration close at hand. The pellets will collect together in the bottom of the hutch, so gathering them is a breeze. This stuff is a great organic fertilizer — highly rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium — the essential building blocks of any successful garden. You cannot just pick up any rabbit for your rabbit farm if you are looking for a good meat source. However, you will be able to raise the rabbits to that point. You will want to let the hutch completely dry and air out before replacing the bedding and letting your rabbits back into the structure. This is the big one, the one every first-timer probably dreads. I did a quick search for rabbit meat for sale online and got Grande Premium Meats, the link is to the rabbit meat page. If you are in an area that experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, you will want to consider adding extra pieces for better climate control. You will want to build a place for your rabbits to stretch their legs and have a little hopping time. You will know that the deed is done when the male rabbit stiffens and falls off the female. The answer: Urban Meat Rabbit Farming. See our, What You Need to Raising Rabbits for Meat, Pros and Cons of Raising Rabbits for Food, Everything You Need to Know About Pygmy Goats, The Path to Sustainability: Gardens and Orchards, Raising Livestock is the Path to Sustainability, Privacy Policy, Disclosures and Affiliate Disclosure. New Zealand Reds – Mainly farmed for their pelts. Slice quickly through the jugular veins. The size of the run depends on the number of rabbits and the space you have available. We are a proud partner of the Certified SC Grown program. There are a few things regarding health that you need to be knowledgeable about to keep your herd as healthy as possible. Click here to view our affiliate disclosure. This will take time away from other areas of your life, and though it is not an all-consuming project, you will need a lot of time, up to several hours a week to maintain the set-up and take care of your herd. Very cool! Here are a few key things to keep in mind: Now that you have some idea of the entire process, we want to make sure you are not doing anything that will detract from all your hard work. Tips On How to Start Rabbit Farm in Ghana. This is when you either choose your pre-made set-up or build your own hutch and run. So, take the time to investigate where you can raise your rabbits and the rules you must follow to do so. Water is important, and your rabbits will need a lot of it. You’ll want a breed that is on the larger side and produces lean, muscular meat, and gives birth to larger litters. Females produce fairly large litters at a time and can breed a few times a year. Many counties or city ordinances will require you to file a copy for approval. You will want to be sure you have the means, including space, time, food, etc. With this cycle, you can have plenty of meat year-round for your family plus some. Everything happens fast with rabbits. Also, whatever method you choose, ensure that the blood is properly drained out before it is eaten. We participate in Affiliate programmes, some of the links mentioned above are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This means that you may lose the first few litters before being successful with breeding. Many doctors recommend white meat over others due to its lean nature, making it good for people with heart conditions. If you are dealing with a third-party processor, you may only be able to get $3 – $6 per pound. So, check out what not to do when raising rabbits for food. Commercially processed meat can have things pumped into the meat via the feed they feed their animals. Once you have bred, you will want a place they can go after giving birth. Once your herd is settling in, you will want to begin crafting the correct feed schedule for you and the rabbits. This means that this rabbit is great for frying. A rabbit is not a “bunny” but need to be viewed as a high protein, niche market product that offers opportunities for new farmers with limited access to land under intensive farming conditions. Instead of having individual hutches a colony usually consists of a large protected outdoor space — much like you would keep chickens. If you are someone who actively opposes overcrowding in pens and unsanitary conditions, then raising your own meat is a better ethical choice for you. Water containers in particular, need to be wiped down so they don’t get a slime buildup. Many people look to raising their own food source for a more sustainable lifestyle. 1.0. Rabbit Farming. Still, if you do it right, the Coney shouldn’t feel anything more than a sudden, heavy drowsy sensation before essentially going to sleep. If you decided on having more than one, make you may want to keep track of who your buck is breeding with so that you can keep a close eye on who the male has the best results with. Here is a breakdown of the steps to follow using the information above to help you along: This will play a key role in deciding how big your set-up needs to be. Rabbit meat is consumed all over the world. This one is only recommended for those who know precisely what they’re doing. This breed is known for having a good meat-to-bone ratio, meaning you will have more meat from it than some other breeds. That means attaching an enclosed pen to the hitches. Despite the name, these Rabbits originated in California. This is to ensure it meets all the standards set by the city itself regarding small livestock enclosures. When you are looking for the containers, you want ones that have a tight latticework frame or even a feeder that has a sifting capability. The world’s four biggest producers and consumers of rabbit meat are: China, Italy, Spain and France. There should be the availability of Breeding materials Raising Palomino rabbits for meat may well be the best choice for inner-city rabbit farming as they are quite docile. Baldivis Rabbits WA. They are small and easily picked off by anything from birds of prey, raccoons, bobcats, coyotes, and snakes. They can help build the rabbit hutch and be involved in the entire process. Meat rabbits are an excellent animal to teach you about a life of animal husbandry. As before, place it in front of a treat to distract it. Make sure they have a generous and clean source of fresh water and you’ll be good to go. Basics of Caring for Livestock, each animal has different requirements! Some farmers even enter them into contests.