raising meat rabbits your backyard

11 Reasons You Need to Raise Backyard Meat Rabbits

Meat Rabbits Don't Require Much Space. ...
They're an Inexpensive Investment. ...
Backyard Meat Rabbits Are Prolific Producers. ...
They'll Fertilize Your Garden For Free. ...
Backyard Meat Rabbits Don't Require Much Care. ...
They Don't Need Special Butchering Equipment. ...
You Can Feed Them for Free (or near free) ...
They're Quiet.

Is raising rabbits for meat worth it?

They're not worth the effort. If you're serious about keeping rabbits for meat, you need a breed built for the job. Meat rabbits are longer, fatter, and fluffier than your typical wild bunny. These are generally regarded as the best rabbits for eating – though some make good house pets as well.

Can I raise rabbits in my backyard?

Rabbits are a great choice of livestock for small and urban farms. They don't take up much space, are very quiet, and when managed correctly can provide meat, pelts, and possibly fiber for your family. ... There are two ways to raise rabbits. You can house them individually in hutches, or you can raise them in a group.

Can you raise wild rabbits for meat?

Raising rabbits is one of the simplest things you can do on your homestead. Not only do they require little attention, but they also provide a great amount of meat. ... Two does and one buck should produce 180 pounds of meat per year.

Is raising meat rabbits profitable?

Raising rabbits for meat is quite a simple production to start if you have the time and space. It can be highly lucrative, especially if you plan to raise your rabbits on grass and market your product as grass-fed rather than as raised in hutches.

Why is rabbit meat so expensive?

Rabbit meat is expensive because fryers are not able to be effectively fed in large groups, require a more expensive feed ration than most other livestock and processing costs are higher per pound of meat sold.

At what age do you butcher meat rabbits?

Although companion rabbits are capable of living 10 to 15 years, the vast majority of “meat” rabbits are killed at three months of age. Referred to as “fryers,” these baby rabbits weigh only 1.5 – 3.5 pounds. A small percentage are slaughtered at 8 months old or 4 pounds; they are known in the industry as “roasters.”

Is it cruel to keep a rabbit outside?

Rabbits can be kept outdoors all year round but ideally their resting area should be brought into a shed or unused garage with natural light and ventilation for the winter months or else protected with tarpaulin from bad weather. Also, an exercise run should always be available.

Is it bad to have rabbits in your yard?

Damage to Plants

The most common damage rabbits inflict on lawns and yard is the havoc they wreak among both ornamental and edible plants. Rabbits have a widely varied diet and eat almost any young, tender plant, including berries, vegetables, grasses, bulbs and perennial and annual flowers.

Will my rabbit run away if I let it outside?

Just so you know, rabbits don't run away. They will usually only go a few blocks from home or stay in the yard. My advice to you if you bunny ever escapes is to calm down and take a breath. Look around your home and decide where you think your rabbit might of went.

What is rabbit meat called?

Unlike beef, pork or venison, rabbit meat does not have a special name, it is simply called, "rabbit meat." Despite it being a rarity on many North American menus, it is a very popular dish across different parts of the world. Rabbit meat is unique from other meats in that it is entirely white meat.

How long does it take to raise rabbits for meat?

So week ten is the optimal time to slaughter a rabbit. The reason people raise California and New Zealand rabbits for meat is that they are very good at growing to five pounds in 10-11 weeks.

How do I fatten up my meat rabbit?

You can get alfalfa in hay bale form or in compressed chopped cubes in 50lb bags from the feed store. Also make sure your rabbits are on a pellet feed that's 16-18% protein. For a more au natural food you can load them down with some sweet potato vines. I've heard kudzu can be good in moderation as well.

Is there a demand for rabbit meat?

The amount of rabbit or hare meat consumed worldwide totalled 1.5 million tonnes in 2017, picking up by 2.9% against the previous year. ... Driven by increasing demand for rabbit meat worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade.

What are the disadvantages of rabbit production?

Now let's Look at 9 Disadvantages of Rabbit Farming

They Can Bite/Scratch.
Rabbit Diseases hard to Diagnose.
Must Be Protected from Predators.
Shed a lot of Hair.
Have an Odor.
Can be Aggressive when Breeding / Territorial.
Need to Protect them from Extreme Temperature.
Not Popular in some Markets / Grocery Stores etc.

What animal can you breed and make money?

What Is The Easiest Animal To Breed For Money? Chickens, rabbits, and mice are some of the largest propagators if you plan to raise animals for money. But, there are other rarer animals that are just as prolific such as shrimp, alpacas, iguanas, worms, and birds.

Why rabbit meat is not popular?

There's not much demand, possibly because rabbits are cute and people are superficial about their food animals. ... Not only is it more expensive, but it's a tougher meat to cook with and the amount of meat you get from a rabbit is pretty negligible compared to its size. It's difficult to get a big cut.

Do Rabbits eat their first litter?

Mother rabbits don't normally eat their babies, but it does happen sometimes. A young female rabbit may eat her young because she's afraid of the entire experience of birthing them and nursing them. Sometimes female rabbits don't make good mothers, they don't have a motherly instinct.

What does rabbit taste like?

In terms of essence, rabbit meat tastes almost like chicken, almost sweet with a gamey taste. That will change, though, depending on the recipe you're using. The right combination of spices and marination can either bring out the flavor of the rabbit or make it wilder!

How much meat can you get from rabbits?

A single doe will have multiple litters every year, and those litters will reach breeding age within months; that means a rabbit can produce six pounds of meat on the same amount of feed and water it takes a cow to produce just one pound.

How much is rabbit meat per pound?

Meat rabbit prices fluctuate, of course, but are more standard across the country than show or pet prices. A processor that buys live animals will usually pay $1.00 to $1.50 per pound. Dressed and processed rabbit meat currently goes for $6 to $7 per pound.

What is the fastest way to put weight on a rabbit?

One of the most common ways to help a rabbit gain weight is to give them unlimited pellets, and watch them fatten up that way.