Are Meat Rabbits Right For My Farm?

Whether you consort a large vegetable operation or you ’re a minor - time sheepherder , raising meat rabbits could be a good burst for your farm . They take very small in the fashion of solid food and space , and can total a courteous bit of diverseness to your grocery offering — not to mention some overnice manure to your pastureland or garden . Although there are several things to look at before starting this new endeavor , rabbits are comparatively easy , tawdry and fun to keep . So even if you ’ve never thought about invoke hare before , we hope this article will change that .

1. Are You Organized?

Rabbits move chop-chop — both literally and figuratively — so it ’s important to have all the supplying you require and a management programme in place before you bring them home . The direction style and lapin breed you prefer will determine the type of hut or cage you ’ll use to put up your rabbits . Prepare yourself and your farm as much as possible before your rabbits arrive so your rabbit - raising experience can start off smoothly .

Because rabbit breed … well … like rabbits , and because expecting hare require their own pen , it ’s authoritative to keep good record as to which animals were breed and when . This can be done with a clipboard kept around the pens or hovel , or digitally on your computer or mobile equipment . On your chart or spreadsheet , keep path of the coupling , how many kit out a doe has and how she does as a parent , which will facilitate you decide whether to keep breed her .

depend on the lapin , pregnancy can be anywhere from 29 to 35 days , farm an norm of six to eight kits . nub lapin can be quick for harvesting as soon as 12 weeks from birth . You ’ll especially want to reap the dollar bill before they begin to utter their frowsty smell .

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There ’s a lot to keep track of : If organization is not your matter , cony might not be your beast .

2. Will You Be Pasturing or Penning?

No matter which you take , rabbits need elbow room to run . Some farmers kindle rabbits on pasture , let them to scrounge and fertilise as they go , while others build rabbit yards to allow for them to spiel . Either way of life , this exercise will make them healthier and tastier . count this element before you come out building .

If raising cony on pasture , you ’ll need to work up several mobile hutch , whereas if you ’re build up a yard , the hovel can all be stationary . The yard itself , however , should be rabbit - proof so they do n’t escape under a fence . An soft way to do this is by burying a modest amount of crybaby conducting wire several inches into the ground against the fence––anything that would keep rabbits out will also keep them in . Pasturing hare is worth the trouble it takes to get everything set up . Pasturing make for very hefty rabbit , improves the quality of the nation , involve less provender , and reduce your chances of disease or parasites by move them to fresh ground every 24-hour interval . According to theMaine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association , pasture can supply up to 40 percent of lapin ’ dietary needs . USDA /Flickr

3. Do You Know What Breeds You Want?

There are many unlike reasons to keep coney — for center , for fur , as pets or for manure — so verify essence rabbit is what you really require , as this will prescribe what breed to keep . If meat is what you ’re after , look for a breed that averages between 9 and 11 pounds , such as Champagne d’Argent , New Zealand , California or Creme d’Argent . These particular breeds also work well in the pasturing organization . If you ’re more concerned in pelt , there are several angora breeds to choose from , and if you ’re looking for pets , Lops , Dutch and Miniatures are a good breeds to begin with .

4. Is the Right Kind of Feed Available?

InThe Backyard Homestead Guide to Raising Farm Animals(Storey , 2011 ) , the source write , “ A wild lapin pick and chooses what it eats to get a balanced diet . Your caged rabbits calculate on you to get a balanced diet . ” This is an important point , because whether or not you pick out to ley , the rabbits will still have sure dietary needs , including protein , salt and hay . Look around at local feed computer storage and farms for non - GMO alfalfa ( sometimes referred to as non - circular - Up Ready ) . you could also buy commercial organic pellets for feed , though savvy gardeners can grow crops specifically for cony product and save themselves at least some disbursement . Feeding can be complicated , though , so learn up on the protein , fiberand fat needs of your specific breed before the animals arrive .

5. Do You Have a Nearby Processor?

Rabbit C.P.U. can be unmanageable for many farmers to find . The first place you should check is with local poultry processors , as rabbit meat is commonly regulated under poultry . you could also home - physical process rabbit in many states , up to a certain measure . Look into your local natural law , and search your area for small or mobile processors who will take on rabbit meat . If you ca n’t find anyone nearby and are n’t up to the chore yourself , rabbits might not be the best animal for you . Traveling too far to litigate them can sum up a plenty to the cost of production , and after the Mary Leontyne Price ticket for your customers .