If you have decided that rabbit farming is right for you, then it is important to set yourself up for success at you begin to make purchases and invest in your new business. Whether you want to support yourself entirely on your rabbit farm or just want to run it as a side business, getting started right will determine the success of your business.
The start-up cost of a rabbit farm is relatively low compared to other farming ventures, and typically ranges from $5,000 to $10,000. This will vary greatly depending on what facilities you already have available, and how much building you are able to do yourself. However, it is possible to have an investment return of 45% in the first year if you are able to produce high quality rabbit meat.
Having the right breeding stock is extremely important to your rabbit farm. Low quality rabbits will produce low quality rabbits and your business will not have as high of a return as you could. Good breeding stock may cost anywhere from $50 – $1,000 for each rabbit, and you should always buy from breeders with a proven history of high quality rabbits. There are many different breeds to choose from that are all used for different purposes, so be sure you know what you are going to be raising your rabbits for before you start selecting stock.
The number of rabbits you will need depends on the size of your farm. A smaller backyard rabbit business may only need 2 to 3 does and one good buck, but a larger business will need many more. Be sure to always maintain a ratio of at least 1 buck for every 10 does. Each rabbit will need to be placed on a breeding schedule to track their breedings and litters. Careful documentation will help you allow the rabbits to rest so they can stay healthy, and will help you see when stock needs to be replaced.
The other part of a successful rabbit farm is the facilities. Rabbits need an area with plenty of air flow and that will not get too hot or too cold. If your area is subject to extreme temperatures, you will need to plan on heating and cooling your rabbit facilities. The cleanliness of your facilities as well as the air quality will help determine the overall health of your rabbits.
Although kits that are growing to be sold for meat can be housed together, each buck and each doe will need its own hutch. The size requirements will vary from breed to breed and from organization to organization. Each doe will need a nesting box, and every rabbit will need a feeder and a waterer. Although most rabbit farming facilities will use wire cages, this can be hard on their feet, so you may consider something better for your breeding stock.
Posted in rabbit farming by .
May 12
12
Simple Yet Great Rabbit Recipes
These rabbit recipes are simple, yet they taste great, and are sure to please even the pickiest eater. They were created specifically for the domestic fryer rabbit, which is a very tender white meat, more so than its wild cousin. In addition to finding recipes specifically for rabbit meat, you can usually use it in place of veal or poultry. You can find rabbit meat at some specialty or health food stores, as well as many farmer’s markets.
Breaded and Fried Rabbit requires 2 to 3 pounds (0.9 to 1.3 kilograms) of fryer rabbit meat in slices. Put about 3 tablespoons of milk in a shallow bowl, and about ¼ cup flour with some salt and pepper in another bowl. Dip the strips of meat into the milk and then the flour mixture, and then let them sit for 10 minutes. Using vegetable or canola oil, fill a big frying pan to about 1/3. Heat this until it reaches 360 degrees Fahrenheit (182 degrees Celsius). Prepare an egg mixture by lightly beating 1 egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Now, dip the strips into it, and then into the breadcrumbs. Carefully place the strips into the oil and cook for 20 minutes or until tender. Remove strips from oil and place on paper towels. Serves 4 to 6.
Sweet and Sour Rabbit requires 2 to 3 pounds (0.9 to 1.3 kilograms) of rabbit meat cut into small chunks. Using oil or butter, brown the meat over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add a dash of salt and pepper, ¼ cup vinegar, and 1 cup pineapple juice. Cover and cook over low heat for 34 minutes. Make a mixture of ½ cup of water, 1 ½ tablespoons of cornstarch, and ¼ cup sugar. Pour this mixture into the liquid portion of the pan, stirring carefully. Add 1 finely chopped medium-sized pepper and 1 cup of pineapple chunks. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the sauce is thick. Serves 4 to 6.
Domestic rabbit meat has a mild taste, which makes it great to use in any recipe. It is low in calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium while being high in protein, making it one of the most healthful meats you can eat. In typical rabbit recipes, the herbs that are commonly used are sage, sweet basil, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, and rosemary. But because of its great flavor, rabbit recipes can be tweaked for your own preferences.
Posted in rabbit recipes by .
May 12
8
Simple Yet Great Rabbit Recipes
These rabbit recipes are simple, yet they taste great, and are sure to please even the pickiest eater. They were created specifically for the domestic fryer rabbit, which is a very tender white meat, more so than its wild cousin. In addition to finding recipes specifically for rabbit meat, you can usually use it in place of veal or poultry. You can find rabbit meat at some specialty or health food stores, as well as many farmer’s markets.
Breaded and Fried Rabbit requires 2 to 3 pounds (0.9 to 1.3 kilograms) of fryer rabbit meat in slices. Put about 3 tablespoons of milk in a shallow bowl, and about ¼ cup flour with some salt and pepper in another bowl. Dip the strips of meat into the milk and then the flour mixture, and then let them sit for 10 minutes. Using vegetable or canola oil, fill a big frying pan to about 1/3. Heat this until it reaches 360 degrees Fahrenheit (182 degrees Celsius). Prepare an egg mixture by lightly beating 1 egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Now, dip the strips into it, and then into the breadcrumbs. Carefully place the strips into the oil and cook for 20 minutes or until tender. Remove strips from oil and place on paper towels. Serves 4 to 6.
Sweet and Sour Rabbit requires 2 to 3 pounds (0.9 to 1.3 kilograms) of rabbit meat cut into small chunks. Using oil or butter, brown the meat over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add a dash of salt and pepper, ¼ cup vinegar, and 1 cup pineapple juice. Cover and cook over low heat for 34 minutes. Make a mixture of ½ cup of water, 1 ½ tablespoons of cornstarch, and ¼ cup sugar. Pour this mixture into the liquid portion of the pan, stirring carefully. Add 1 finely chopped medium-sized pepper and 1 cup of pineapple chunks. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the sauce is thick. Serves 4 to 6.
Domestic rabbit meat has a mild taste, which makes it great to use in any recipe. It is low in calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium while being high in protein, making it one of the most healthful meats you can eat. In typical rabbit recipes, the herbs that are commonly used are sage, sweet basil, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, and rosemary. But because of its great flavor, rabbit recipes can be tweaked for your own preferences.
Posted in rabbit recipes by .
Apr 12
27
The Best Meat Rabbits
There are about 17 different kinds of meat rabbits that are raised today out of 45 breeds of rabbit. These 17 breeds have certain characteristics that make them preferable for meat production. They have higher meat-to-bone ratios, naturally muscular bodies, good fur quality, they grow quickly, and they are easy to care for.
The most popular meat rabbit is the New Zealand. They come in three different colors: black, red, and white. The white is the most popular because it has a little more meat than the others. They are large rabbits, ranging from 8 to 12 pounds (3.6 to 5.4 kilograms) as adults. They have litters of 8 to 10 kits, and can be slaughtered as early as 2 months old. This rapid growth coupled with big litter size and meaty bodies is what makes this breed the most popular meat rabbit today.
The next most popular is the Californian, which come from the New Zealand white rabbits, along with Himalayans and Standard Chinchillas. They retained the look of the Himalayans, with white bodies and black ears, nose, feet, and tail. As adults, they weigh between 7 and 10 pounds (3.5 to 4.75 kilograms), and they usually have between 6 and 8 kits. Although they are a medium-sized rabbit, they have an excellent bone structure and meatiness that makes them so popular.
Another popular type of meat rabbit that is on the small end is the Florida white. True to their names, they are white rabbits, with thick fur that is well-textured. They are a dual-purpose breed, used not only for meat but also for laboratories. They typically reach between 4 to 6 pounds (1.8 to 2.7 kilograms), and their litter size is from 5 to 8 kits. Although this is smaller than the average meat rabbit, it is larger than most rabbits in that size range.
A less popular but still well-known meat rabbit breed is the Palomino. The Palomino can be found with two different coat colors: lynx or golden. The lynx rabbits are grey to silver in color. The golden are brown to orange in color. These large rabbits weigh between 8 and 11 pounds (3.6 to 5 kilograms) and will have between 6 to 12 kits, but usually have about 9. What makes these particular meat rabbits popular for meat production is that they are very fine-boned, which guarantees more meat per pound.
Posted in meat rabbits by .
Apr 12
19
Pros And Cons Of Rabbit Production
If you are considering getting into rabbit production by starting your very own rabbit farm, you will need to first weigh out the pros and cons to be sure that you are making the right choice for you.
There are many benefits to farming rabbits. There is diversity in what types of products you can get from them, which means you can switch markets if you’re not doing well in one. Rabbits are farmed mainly for meat and fur, but are also sold as pets, show animals, and laboratory animals. In addition, you can sell their poop as fertilizer, and the Angoras can be shaved and their fur is used like wool.
Rabbits are well-known for their ability to produce multiple kits, and often. That means you will get a quick return on your initial investment. Under the right conditions, a single doe can produce over 400 kits in one year when counting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Breeding is also simple, and will work well once you have a good schedule in place.
Another pro of rabbit farming is that the cost is relatively low, both start-up and maintenance. Rabbits do not take up a significant amount of space, so they can be raised even in some urban areas. Before you do begin raising rabbits in an urban area, be sure to check your city’s ordinances before purchasing equipment and rabbits.
There are also some cons to starting a rabbit farm. The biggest markets in rabbit farming are meat and fur, so if you are not comfortable slaughtering your own rabbits or sending them somewhere to be slaughtered, you will have a hard time making a profit. While you can still sell live rabbits as pets or to laboratories, these are smaller markets and you may find yourself with more rabbits than you can sell.
There is also a good deal of care that goes into raising rabbits if you want them to be as high quality and healthy as possible. They need high quality Alfalfa or Timothy hay, depending on their ages, a commercial pellet food that is high in protein, and fresh green vegetables ever day. Depending on the type of cage you have, you may need to clean it out daily or weekly, but removal of the waste can be difficult when you have numerous rabbits.
Before beginning rabbit production, be sure you have all the facts and that it is the right choice for you.
Posted in rabbit production by .
Apr 12
11
Why Choose Rabbit Farming
There are many reasons to choose rabbit farming as opposed to or in addition to other types of animal farming. If you are considering starting a rabbit farm, you can know that there are many benefits to raising rabbits.
First of all, the growth of rabbits is more rapid than many other animals that are raised for meat. Depending on the breed, most rabbits will reach maturity by 6 to 8 months, compared to the 2 years it takes for cattle. They are also very good at converting the protein that they take in into muscle. They turn about 20% of the protein they eat into meat, in contrast to pigs that only convert about 17% and cows that only convert about 10%.
Rabbits are known for being prolific reproducers, and this stereotype is very true. A doe will reach sexual maturity around 6 to 8 months of age, and can safely begin breeding immediately. She will then be able to produce anywhere from 3 to 7 litters every year, depending on her breed, health, and some environmental factors. Each litter will contain 5 to 9 kits. This also depends on her breed, health, environmental factors, as well as the conditions at the time of breeding. Therefore, a female rabbit can produce anywhere from 25 to 121 kits by the time she turns 2.
Most city, county, and state laws do not consider rabbits to be farm animals, which means even the person within city limits could start up a small rabbit farm in his home, though there may be restrictions on the number of animals a person is allowed to have. They are also quiet and do not take up a lot of space, which makes them versatile and able to be raised by anybody who has a little bit of space.
There are many uses for rabbits today which makes them great to sell in several markets. Most rabbit farmers use their rabbits for meat and fur, but you can also breed rabbits for laboratories or for pets. You can also sell meat rabbits as pets if there is something wrong with them or they are too small. Rabbit meat is in demand today as it is high in protein and low in fat. In is great as a healthy substitute for traditional red meats for people that want to eat healthy. That means that rabbit farming is a good market to get into today.
Posted in rabbit farming by .
Apr 12
3
The Most Common Meat Rabbits
Although you could farm any type of rabbit for meat, there are only about 17 of the 45 recognized breeds of rabbit that have the right body type for good meat production. Some of the characteristics of these breeds are rapid growth, ease of care, fur quality, and high meat-to-bone ratio.
The Californian is the second most popular type of meat rabbit in the world. They are considered a medium rabbit and will weigh 7 to 10 pounds (3.5 to 4.75 kilograms) when full grown. Their average litter size is 6 to 8 kits. Their size, big litters, and excellent meat-to-bone ratio is what makes them great meat rabbits. They came from crossing Himalayan, Standard Chinchilla, and New Zealand white rabbits, resulting in a mostly white rabbit with some black on its feet, nose, ears, and tail.
The New Zealand is the first most popular type of meat rabbit in the world today, and actually originated in America in the early 1900’s. At 8 to 12 pounds (3.6 to 5.4 kilograms), this rabbit is considered to be large, the females being the bigger of the two. The New Zealand comes in a few different colors: red, black, and white. The white are used most often because they have a meatier neck than the others. The New Zealands have become popular because they also have a large litter size of 8 to 10 kits, and are ready to be slaughtered as fryers at just 2 months old.
The Florida White is a small rabbit, only getting to about 4 to 6 pounds (1.8 to 2.7 kilograms). This rabbit originated in Florida, as its name suggests, as a meat rabbit as well as a laboratory animal. They have a very meaty body, and their litters are about 5 to 8 kits. This is less than the other meat rabbit breeds, but more than other rabbits that are about the same size. These rabbits have all white fur that is dense and a good texture for use in the fashion industry.
The Palomino is another large rabbit that reaches 8 to 11 pounds (3.6 to 5 kilograms) as an adult with the females being on the larger end of the scale. They come in two different colors called golden and lynx. The golden type is an orange or brown golden color, and the lynx is grey or silver. They have anywhere from 6 to 12 kits per litter but the larger numbers more common. The large size and excellent temperament make these meat rabbits preferred, as well as their much larger meat-to-bone ratio.
Posted in meat rabbits by .
Mar 12
26
Easy Crock Pot Rabbit Recipes
If you are trying to eat healthier or are just trying something different with rabbit meat, there are many rabbit recipes that are easy to make.
Easy Crock Pot Rabbit – This recipe can be used for any age rabbit, but is especially good for rabbits that may be older and have tougher meat. It requires about a half an hour of preparation time, 4 hours of cooking time, and serves 4.
Ingredients:
1 rabbit
4 to 5 white or yellow potatoes, cubed
3 large onions, diced
6 carrots, sliced
1 large bay leaf
1 tablespoon paprika
¼ teaspoon fresh oregano (or 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano)
1 dash salt and pepper
1 can of cream of mushroom soup (10 ounce can)
Directions:
1. Cut the rabbit meat into pieces into desired size and thickness.
2. Put the rabbit meat in the bottom of the crock pot.
3. Add the potatoes, onions, carrots, bay leaf, paprika, oregano, and salt and pepper.
4. Pour the can of mushroom soup over everything.
5. Cover. Cook on LOW for 4 hours. You may need to cook for more or less to cook the rabbit all the way through.
6. Serve. Goes well on or with rice.
Easy Crock Pot Rabbit Stew – This recipe is can be used with any age of rabbit. It requires about a half an hour of preparation and 6 to 8 hours of cook time, depending on the size of the rabbit. It serves 2.
Ingredients:
1 whole rabbit
1 cup fresh tomatoes, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
2 medium onions, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 cup red cooking wine (optional)
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon oregano
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ cup flour
1 cup water
Directions:
1. Put the pepper directly on the rabbit.
2. Place the rabbit in the crock pot.
3. Mix together the tomatoes, carrots, onions, celery, cooking wine, bay leaf, oregano, and ½ cup of water in a large mixing bowl.
4. Dump the mixture on top of the rabbit.
5. Cover. Cook on LOW for 5 ½ to 7 ½ hours, depending on the size of the rabbit.
6. Blend together flour and remaining ½ cup of water until it forms a smooth paste.
7. Stir flour and water paste thoroughly into pot.
8. Cover. Continue cooking on LOW for an additional ½ an hour.
9. If rabbit is not finished cooking, you may need to cook for additional time.
10. Allow to sit for about 15 minutes before serving.
11. Serve. The bones should all be at the bottom of the dish, but you should still eat with caution.
These are just two rabbit recipes that are easy to make in the crock pot.
Posted in rabbit recipes by .
Mar 12
18
Rabbit Production Made Easy
In today’s markets, rabbit production is becoming more popular than ever. That is for several reasons. First of all, rabbit meat is healthier than most other meats as it is high in protein and low in fat. Rabbits are also easier to farm than bigger animals, and reproduce rapidly. The start-up cost is relatively low and there is a lot of diversity in the types of products you can sell.
Being successful in rabbit farming can be easy if you simply follow a few basic guidelines. The four things that will determine your success or failure as a rabbit farmer are the type of housing you use, the diet of your rabbits, the overall health of your rabbits, and your breeding program.
The type of housing you use for your rabbits will be an important factor in determining the overall health of your rabbits. If you do house rabbits outside, they must be in covered shelters that protect them from the harsh rays of the sun, and the rain or snow. If housed indoors, they will need to have some airflow and their waste will have to be removed regularly to prevent breathing problems.
“You are what you eat.” It’s a popular quote, and it holds true when raising rabbits for meat. When they are fed a healthy, vitamin-rich, and well-balanced diet, the meat you get from them will reflect that and will sell at much higher prices. Rabbits need constant access to fresh water and hay. Younger rabbits require Alfalfa hay, and rabbits over 6 months require Timothy hay. There is an important difference between the two, and all hay is not the same. They will also need fresh greens every day, dark leafy greens such as spinach and carrot tops as opposed to iceburg lettuce which will make them sick. A commercial pellet food should also be given daily.
Housing and diet will play key roles in the overall health of your rabbits. Always do a thorough health check of does and bucks before breeding, and regularly check the growing kits for signs of illness or injuries. Always act sooner rather than later to prevent disease from spreading.
Rabbits rarely have problems with breeding and naturally are on a regular schedule that makes them the rapid reproducers that they are. The most important part of establishing a schedule for your rabbits is to make sure they have adequate rest time in between breedings, which will ensure that your rabbit production stays top-notch.
Posted in rabbit production by .
Mar 12
10
Starting Out In Rabbit Farming
If you are just starting out in rabbit farming or are thinking about it, there are a few things that you need to know before you even buy your first rabbits.
The first thing you need to do is decide what you will be farming your rabbits for. There are four different purposes that rabbits are bred for. Rabbits are sold for pets, for meat, for their fur, and for laboratory uses. It’s important to decide what you’re going to use your rabbits for so you can seek out the correct breeds of rabbits and know the standards you need to have for your facilities and feed.
The next thing you need to do is prepare the facilities for the rabbits. You will need to have plenty of space, as a female rabbit will have about 50 kits every year. You will need cages for bucks, for does, and for the kits. If you are selling them for meat, the areas for the kits needs to be fairly large so that they have room to grow until you either sell them, or butcher them yourself. If you are only planning on breeding one or two does a few times a year for pets, you will only need a few cages and may even be able to keep them in your house.
Rabbits can be sensitive to environmental factors, so it’s important to keep their environment as clean as possible. The temperature should be kept stable so they don’t get too hot or too cold. If there is too much build-up of fecal matter, this can make your rabbits sick. Keeping your rabbits as healthy and as stress-free as possible is important because healthy rabbits will be able to have more kits, and will ultimately make you more money.
Before you begin purchasing rabbits, it’s also important that you find a veterinarian in your area that can deal specifically with rabbits. If there are several in your area, get into contact with them in advance to ask questions about cost and emergency situations. They may even have tips for you as to where you can purchase your first rabbits.
When you are purchasing your first rabbits, it’s important to get the best rabbits that you can get. No matter what type of rabbit farming you are planning on doing, the breeding history and pedigree of each rabbit is going to determine how successful you are.
Posted in rabbit farming by .
