Raising Meat Rabbits: The Ultimate Guide!
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- čas přidán 24. 07. 2024
- In this video Paul goes through several different tips and techniques on Raising Meat Rabbits, making this video a Meat Rabbit Master Class. A must watch for anyone raising or wanting to raise Meat Rabbits! Paul has been raising meat rabbits for 30 years!
Broken Arrow Farm is a small family farm, which practices Sustainable Small-Scale Agriculture practices to make an income on our farm. We want to share with you our tips and tricks and our journey along with the way of life on the farm.
TIME STAMPS
0:00 INTRO
1:03 MEAT RABBIT BASICS
12:43 RABBITRY TOUR
25:53 RABBIT CAGE SIZE
31:50 REX RABBITS
37:54 CALIFORNIAN RABBITS
45:30 NEW ZEALAND RABBITS
51:51 BREEDING MEAT RABBITS
1:03 HOW TO PALPATE A RABBIT
1:07 RABBIT NESTBOXES
1:11 RABBIT TEETH HEALTH
1:14 RABBIT CAGE MATS
1:16 HOW TO TREAT RABBIT EAR MITES
1:25 KINDLING RABBITS
1:37 WEANING RABBITS
1:53 HOW TO MAKE AN INCOME WITH MEAT RABBITS
Email:
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Very informative for me. These videos are so helpful. I am considering raising rabbits for meat in Oklahoma. I’m currently binge watching videos to decide whether it is feasible.
Thank you for the feedback and for watching, I'm glad it helped you out! Good luck on your rabbit research and getting started with rabbits. 🐇
Great video! You truly know your stuff. Thanks for all the information
Thank you! You are welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I've been raising rabbits since 1969 and i like watching your videos, your very informative for the people and you have a dandy setup. Keep up the great videos. Rex here in North eastern Indiana
Hello Rex! Thank you for the kind words! Very cool that you raise Rex.
This was a very informative video compilation. Thank you so very much for sharing your gained knowledge from decades of hard work, trial and error. Keep up the great work (I subscribed to you because you shared this).
@@BobbyLandires you are very welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the sub!
Paul does a lot of videos. Don’t just watch. Like and subscribe too … that’s it . 80% of some people’s fans don’t even subscribe. Help out the guy who’s helping you. Thanks, Paul.
Thank you!
Thanks for the information
You are welcome! Thank you for watching!
New Sub Here. Long video so long comment... Please read my breeder's options at the end because it's 2 dream scenario (and they both completely blew my mind!). But first: To me this is a PERFECT video! I love the no BS approach that comes from experience! BRAVO!
As a teen, living in the country. We had a few meat rabbits (American Sables from this breeder). Now in my fifties, I am getting back into it. I am moving from the suburbs of Montreal up in the north country... northern Quebec Canada (like Zone 2 - Alaska). I am presently building a 10 x 16 lean-to luxury rabbit shed. It will be set up like you but with a max of 14 large cages. It's insulated with electricity so I can heat for winter (5 months with a few days at -60F). I LOVE your watering system, the J Feeder insert is brilliant and I didn't know about those plastic pads. So I am all doing it! Thanks! This video helped me finalize my rabbit shed!
Before all of this, I found my BREEDER. I want pure bread perfect genes and wasn't sure what would be best up north. OMG did I luck out! He turns out to be 30 minutes away from the house I grew up. I befriended this 66 y.o. farmer who's been in industrie 51 years. He's got +/- 500 rabbits. He's a walking encyclopedia! He likes my general knowledge / attitude and he's been helping me at every stage of my build. I am so lucky!!!. He's got breeds (pure) galore... NZ all colors, California, mini-Rex, American Chinchilla and American Sable (he as the sables breeding history going back 45 years!!!). He also as a few Crème d'argent as his personal rabbits. I want rabbits for meat and pelts. I had a rabbit blanket when I was a kid. I am dreaming of making a few of those. Not planning on selling any rabbits apart from friends and family. So my needs are a max of 4/5 does with 4/5 litters a year.
My breeder wants to pass-on his knowledge and he told me that I was a perfect candidate. Also helps that he knew my dad and that the Sables that we had when I was a kid came from his Dad's farm. So here are the 2 scenarios he thinks would be great! I don't know what to do????
1) The pure bread crème d'argent scenario: 3 does and 2 bucks from different bloodlines. WOW! But I am not planning to sell them. The litter size he says is 5 to 8. So breeding them 4-5 times a year would not me too much meat for me. He says they are the easiest rabbit for beginners and to the breeders knowledge he is the only one who has them in Canada. He got them from a reputable breeder in Minnesota.
2) The sable / California scenario: Now this comes from one of the most experienced breeders of Sables in Canada. he mostly sells these as pets. Few are propagating the Sable breed and he can see that I know that breed. This BLEW my mind!
So, 3 American Sable does and 2 California Bucks. The correct way to conserve the Pure Breed Sables is by NOT breeding them together. If you breed two Purebloods together. You will get a small litter and you will get Award winning rabbits but the second generation will be like Hybrids with bad genetics (that's why most abandon this breed). So you breed California Bucks with Sable does. The kits will be +/- 50-50%. MEANING half will be California and half will be Sables. Both are Pure Breeds from the same doe. He was saying that the California's get to Fryer weight about 3 weeks quicker than the sable kits even if from the same doe. I know it sounds crazy but I saw litters myself. The Sable pelts are my preferred ones. I would get a great meat rabbit in the California's. He also said, that in the future, Breeding Sables with Chinchilla's is a great option for pelts but those 2 breeds mix. Nicer pelts from the mixed genetics. Gives a lot of options.
So I am completely torn on both options. I like option 2. But Crème d'argent are rare and I don't think this opportunity will be there in the future since my breeder is retiring in a few years. His kids won't pick up after him. As he scales down, He will keep the crème d'argent but probably not the Sables.
As an experience breeder do you have any thoughts? Do I keep the perfect Sable genetics that he developed over so many years or do I go for the prize that Crème d'argent seems to be?
Sorry this was so long... You know your stuff and you are the only one that is set-up the way that I will be. I can't find anyone to give me a second advice.
Here is a link to the breeders website. It's in french but it's a simple website. At the top next to the Facebook logo click on ''nos Lapin'' (our rabbits) or ''nos poules'' (our chickens) and you will see photos. BTW, Zibeline Americaine is the American Sable (His wife does the 15 Species of chicken and he doesn't show the Crème d'argent rabbits): www.manonpoule.com/
Thank you for the sub! Wow it sounds like you have an excellent opportunity here to work with this fella!
If you are just starting out with rabbits again and learning the ropes again. Option one might be a better option just because of the simplicity of the breeding and not having to cross breed like option 2.
Will you have the option to start with option 1 then move to option 2 later on?
Not sure how helpful I was but whatever option you choose it will be a great experience. Happy rabbit raising my friend!
Thank you for making this compilation!
Do you offer hay, or pellets only? How much do you feed your bucks and when do you switch them from free-feed to measured amount, if you do.
You are welcome! Thank you for watching! Bucks get about 1/2 cup of feed per day. Yes just pellets and hay. Rabbits are on full feed until about 16 weeks of age.
I shopping for NZ. Finding mutts at the pure breed price. Knowledge is power. So one can choose a mutt or a pure. So like a NZ with brown eyes. Is a mutt. I can get the price down if i really want her and put the effort into breeding her to NZ to get the gene of NZ pure. Which can take a long time.
Your channel friend is a great, resorce of knowledge.
I appreciate your channel.
Thank you
If you really want her go for it. But if you are wanting purebred rabbits I reccomend starting with purebred rabbits from the beginning.
Thank you for the kind words I'm glad you have found my channel helpful! Happy rabbit raising my friend!
Starting with good stock is worth the investment.
I have New Zealand red, blue broken, & not show chestnut. I also have black & brown silverfox. I am getting creme d'argent this fall. 😊
That's very a very cool assortment of meat rabbits you have!
Nice rabbit forming
Thank you!
Apart from different colours, are there any other material differences on the new zealand rabbits?
No not really that I have observed.
Hello I was wondering if you sale rabbits and would you be able to ship them i am looking for California rabbits a breeding pair thanks Gary if so please let me know and the price
Hello Gary, thank you for the inquiry. Unfortunately I am not able to ship rabbits.
I just got my first pair. The buck is a Dutch, the doe is a jet black mini-Rex. Should I just breed that line for size and pelt? Or try and get a New Zealand doe to throw in the mix? It’s meat I’m interested in primarily. I live in Thailand. No Californians. NZ is rare here. Thanks.
Hello, very cool! You can certainly raise those for meat, just be smaller in size when you process them. If your end goal in meat, I would look into getting a New Zealand doe to add to the mix as well.
How many rabbits could 16 by 40 fts structure hold sir?
That can depend a lot, how many different tiers of cages, how far between cages, ect. But I'd say 30 to 50 producing does, with room for their kits and the breeding bucks.
I raised new Zealand whites when I was younger I raised cute bunnies then when I was older I raised Angora bunnies
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We are in our 2nd year with rabbits and started with wooden/wire hutches, and now we are out growing that area. I now have a breeding trio of flemish, 4 mini rex and 5 Nz. All are young except the flemish. Im finding that my cages seem to be too small when the kits get to about 5 weeks. I'm starting to build racks and cages similar to yours in another area. Any recommendations on cage size? How do your NZ does handle being in that size cage with 10+ 6 week old kits? Any feedback would be appreciated, thank you.
Or even old for the flemish.
Very cool! I think the 30 x 36 inch cages are adequate for that.
thanks dude im growin nz whites in nz i have a buck and doe can i breed between 2 litters
@wirecook7042 you are welcome! Very cool you are in NZ raising NZ rabbits. So you can breed that way as "line breeding" I would use those kits as fryer rabbits. And not keep them back as replacements to the herd. I would reccomend getting another doe as well that's not related to the buck or doe to help build your herd as well. Happy rabbit raising!
With your outcrosses do the offspring get bigger than the purebreds of each breed?
They grow faster than than the purebreds yes.
@@BrokenArrowFarm307 thanks loving these videos never considered rabbits as a food source until recently and these vids have helped alot!
I am new to rabbits. I have my first 8 breeders waiting for them to age up to breeding age. I bought 36x30x18. I like the large cage because 1. It's the biggest at tractor supply & any bigger having lots of cages I would run out of room to put them!😅 2. These rabbits will spend their whole life in them. I dont like them because while taming my rabbits my arm is short & hard to reach them to pet them when they are in the corner. 2. Also I find it hard to pull the rabbit out if it's not wanting me to pick it up.
All of my rabbits are pretty tame for petting. Now I'm working on pulling them out & holding each one. I have held 5 of my 8. My goal is to be able to pick them all up & out of the cage by the breeding age.
I will continue to put Doe & Buck breeders in 36x30x18 but the cull h sell rabbits into 24x24x18. My potential breeders that I will grow out I'll put in 30x30 so I can continue to tame them. Once they are an official keeper I will move them into 36x30.
I love all my rabbits. I feed & water twice a day & spend 5-10 minutes with each rabbit. They each have their own personality. I have 2 bucks that would make great pets. They are silly, friendly & playful. I would hate to break their spirit by putting them in smaller cages.
My rabbits are livestock but they are also little spirit beings & I want to respect & honor their lives & their work to provide me with food & pelts. My goal is to use them as live stock & honor them with love & respect as much as I'm possibly capable of. My partner is a hunter & he will only do the dispatching but I will do everything else.
Thank you for this detailed video series. My grandfather used to raise meat rabbits. It took me 3 years of contemplation before I jumped in. Tealstone Homestead videos helped to show me I can do this. Getting my Rabbitry going has actually been great for my mental heal in 2024. No Bill Gates poison food for me & my family!😅
That sounds like a very nice set up you have! Yes it just takes time and practice to get them out if the cages for sure.
Best of luck in your rabbit raising endeavors! It sounds like you are off to a good start!
What r ur thoughts on the TAMUKs
I have never raised them I would like to try to, if I can find any. From what I hear they are very hardy and do well in the heat.
I raise TAMUK composites in SW Florida zone 10a. They do very well in the higher heat and humidity. Great temperament, fast growth and litter sizes. I feed 70% pellets, 30% organically grown banana and Moringa leaves. I give them Comfrey, carrots, pine cones and peach skins as healthy snacks. I have a food forest, more like a small jungle lol, and the banana and Moringa leaves reduce feed costs without compromising their nutritional needs. I believe anyone living in warmer climates will do well with TAMUKs. Best of luck. 🤠
Where is the best/cheapest place to get the 1/2" x 1" wire. I have been looking and it is hard to find a reasonable supplier
I use Klumbertanz
Thanks! Another question, where do you get your pellets from?
@Hunterman777 you are welcome. Hubbard brand , buy by the ton at local feed store.
I have some rabbits that are really rough on the drinking nipples. They will leak after 3 or so weeks. Have you found drinking nipples you would recommend?
Yes I have check out Klubertanz Equipment Co
Do you give the rabbits hay or grass? I don’t have meat rabbits only pets, I totally get people raising meat rabbits, my dogs and cats would be very happy if I did have some truthfully
@@alisoncarroll they do get grass hay
8 to 10
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do they taste the same
Taste the same as far as what?
What breeds of meat rabbits are you raising or looking into raising?
Tamuk
@PatientMoney very cool! What type of climate do you live in and how do they do? Thinking of adding a few of those to the herd.
@BrokenArrowFarm307 zone 9. Tamuks are one of the few breeds that have no issues with breeding and raising their kits in 100 degree weather. Developed by Texas A&M about 30 years ago.... I'm sure you already know that.
@PatientMoney that's awesome! I'm actually wanting to get a trio of them to raise. However it is a challenge to find them where I live.
@@BrokenArrowFarm307 Not sure how far you are from Texas but my breeder has fresh stock every 6 weeks. I can give you her contact if you are interested. I just got a trio myself and they are not yet mature for breeding.
I have rabbits and try to keep in contact with them. They don't give a damn they already got their money, which is sad
I'm sorry to hear that. I try to be very responsive to all of my past customers who reach out to me. I want them to succeed in the rabbit raising endeavor just as I did.
@BrokenArrowFarm307 and that's how it should be, but some people don't care after, so I just don't recommend them
@cebasmb8250 yeah that's not right. If they keep that up they will be out of business. I wish you the best in your rabbit raising endeavors, what breeds of rabbits are you raising?
My doe is pregnant over more than a month now why is she pregnant so long
@@user-mq1kp9nu5k how many days pregnant is she? If you are able to palpate her, can you feel kits?
@BrokenArrowFarm307 yes i feel a little ball inside her belly
Almost feels like marbles
@@user-mq1kp9nu5k ok, so is it possible she is only 12 to 16 days pregnant?
@BrokenArrowFarm307 waw it seem like 4ever lol but i heard that it's 30 to 31 days for pregnant rabbit to give birth
Do not use cardboard boxes yes people will tell u that you can but I’m not going to loose out on 160 dollars again
Yes that's a good point
I won't feed a doe that don't have 8 are more baby
That's a good practice to go by for sure. Do you feel her daughters also have larger litters as well?
I got 3 does I keep baby out of and 1 buck
Please clean the rabbitry more often for good atmosphere and to prevent mites, mice growth.
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She ain't died
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@@BrokenArrowFarm307 was not for you sorry
That's a very small cage
If you get down to rabbit level and stick your head in one you will find it's a comfortable amount of space to hop and stretch. I've tried making double and triple size enclosures and mature rabbits don't even use the space. Pasture would be neat but droughts/frosts/heat/rain can make it not ideal for rabbits all the time, they need some way to stay clean and parasite free during those gaps instead of spreading disease in bedding or a dirt patch.
I was in denial about cages for a few years but now I see they are necessary and more comfortable for the rabbits in the tougher seasons.
Nailed it! Very good points!