Sep 14, 2015 aaron webster is the author of three separate books on the subject of raising and breeding rabbits, including raising rabbits 101 4th edition, raising meat pen rabbits, and the hoppy pet rabbit guide. Storeys guide to raising rabbits is as essential to the owner of pet rabbits as it is to the farmer raising rabbits for meat or fur. How to choose the right rabbit for you the latest on housing, cle. Description of the book storeys guide to raising rabbits. If youre raising rabbits then youre most likely doing your fair share of gardening. Breeding meat rabbits 101 the imperfectly happy home. Breed selection, yearround care and feeding, safe housing, humane handling, and disease prevention and treatment are all addressed. Introduction the importance of the domestic rabbit as a supplier of meat for human consumption is widely recognised throughout the world. People get rabbits to be able to hold and cuddle them, yet what they dont realize is that rabbits are prey species and, as such, most are wired to be highstrung and skittish. Rabbits are easy to keep and breed for even a beginner. Whether you live on a full blown many acre homestead, or on a town lot in the burbs, rabbits are a viable option in your selfsufficiency and survival planning. The basics ill put the some of the most valuable bits ive learned into a list, because i like lists.
The majority of information found in that handbook was an adaptation and revision of commercial rabbit raising agriculture handbook no. Considering this is the exception rather than the rule, well assume that, generally speaking, they are fun to raise. According to the 2017 census of agriculture nass, more than. However, to build a successful, sustainable commercial rabbit farming business, you require sufficient knowledge of how to efficiently raise the rabbits, good management skills, and a good rabbit farming business plan. Most of the time, rabbit raising involves similar animal husbandry practices independent of the purposes those rabbits serve, whether meat, fur, fiber wool, or pet. Colony raising rabbits isnt hard, but there are a few considerations that can make setting up a rabbit colony go more. But there is actual ways to help insure a successful breeding. He currently operates the worlds largest rabbit breeders directory via and corresponding email newsletter. Our first set up was more of a blend of a cage and a colony and i could easily handle all the rabbits. To gain an understanding of the general information needed to raise a. You will learn how to raise and properly care for rabbits, in addition to finding answers to all your questions regarding. See more ideas about raising rabbits, meat rabbits and raising rabbits for meat. Be extra careful to not feed too many treats, no matter how much you love the rabbit.
Rabbits are typically lowmaintenance animals when it comes to health and vaccinations. The amount of capital required when raising rabbits for meat depends on the scale of the project. The guide to raising and breeding rabbits for meat. They dont take up much space, are very quiet, and when managed correctly can provide meat, pelts, and possibly fiber for your family. Rabbits are raised for meat, angora wool, breeding stock, and sometimes, for laboratory use.
They dont take up much space, are very quiet, and when managed correctly. Heres a look at our rabbits and what you need to know. Ffa students with a complete guide to successfully raising and showing meat pen bunnies and as more or less a sequel to my first book raising rabbits 101. Good pet for kids maybe, maybe not good starter pet not really rabbits are cuddly not necessarily common myths teeth require frequent. Raising rabbits on your homestead for meat is a great way to have a consistent supply of lean, healthy meat. My family loves rabbit meat, and i raise a few meat rabbits for extended family members, too. Unlike most other animals, rabbits do not have a regular heat cycle oestrus. When raising meat rabbits your largest expense is going to be feed. Fully onefourth of our storeypublished book, rabbit raising problem solver, is dedicated to rabbit health and identifying and eliminating rabbit disease. Director of equal opportunity, 101 north stevens hall. Although there is definitely a cost that goes into raising rabbits, there are also several additional benefits as well outside of meat production. Two does and one buck should produce 180 pounds of meat per year. Raising rabbits 101 pdf if you decide that raising rabbits is for you, keep this manual as a handy reference, and.
Having a breeding plan is pivotal in successfully breeding and weaning your kits as this will let you know how many cages you are going to need. So, what is the best way to get the fastest growth in your rabbits. Never run out of meat again an introduction to raising. Raising rabbits for meat pdf sion to use the information in raising meat rabbits in. Tutorial of dewlaps in the various breeds of domestic. Trait averages from buck record card pdf or doe record form pdf can serve. You may have been considering raising chickens, geese, ducks, goats, sheep or other small livestock for meat, but once you learn how easy it is to raise rabbits, youll never consider another animal for a primary meat source. See more ideas about meat rabbits, raising rabbits, raising rabbits for meat. Raising meat rabbits is one of the most space efficient means of growing livestock for meat. The popularity of raising domestic meat rabbits as a smallscale backyard enterprise. Raising meat rabbits rabbits are a great choice of livestock for small and urban farms. What do rabbits eat veterinary recommendations for feeding your pet and house rabbits rabbit nutrition the technical among us including me might like to know exactly what are some nutritional needs of rabbits.
Youth programs raise and use rabbits in projects and curricula. There are no vaccinations that are recommended for rabbits, and just a few medications that are actually labeled for use on rabbits. Raising rabbits can potentially bring in extra income if you sell the offspring or the meat you have left over. Conceptions will be highest during the cool months of the year and lowest during the hot and humid months. It will help you recognize symptoms of rabbit disease and then show you how to cure or treat the problem cause. I personally raise rabbits for a couple of reasons. But only give lettuces and cabbages to adult rabbits alone. Types of rabbit production fanciers pets, breeding stock, and show animals laboratory furhair angora rex meat largest rabbit market. Bunny 101 learning to care for your rabbit companion, including housing, diet, litter box training, handling and more. Raising rabbits to survive appliance repair workshop. A complete handbook on backyard and commercial rabbit production replaces an earlier publication of the same name that was produced by the peace corps in 1982.
Show rabbits, pet rabbits, and livestock rabbits, breeders and pet owners alike. Raising rabbits for meat learn how to get started raising. What science shows us rabbits need from their environment. Rabbits were a staple of the diet of anatomically modern humans, the phoenicians too consumed rabbit meat, and traded rabbits across the mediterranean spano giammellaro, 1999. A backyard meat rabbit operation can be a great idea for someone interested in producing their own healthful, drugfree meat. If youre just starting out, id recommend starting with a trio 2 does and 1 buck. Almost 50 % of its population is in north america, some are in asia and other are in the rest of it. Sep 2, 2017 meat rabbits, raising meat rabbits, raising rabbits, rabbits, livestock, farm life, homesteading, animals on the farm. Thats nearly 100 rabbits every single year starting off with only 2 rabbits in a small hutch.
The rabbit care section serves all who have rabbits. You can get a loan from the bank, or funding from investors, to use as capital to start your rabbit farming business. Colony raising rabbits is a rewarding method of raising rabbits. In the summer, it is wise to place frozen water bottles in the hutches with the rabbits to help keep them cool.
Raising rabbits is a lower financial obligation to the students and may be less work. Before we can even think about breeding our rabbits we must have a good foundation stock. Rabbits are found in the different area of the earth, this are one of the small mammals in the world. Like all pets, rabbits need a clean, healthy environment and the right. Mar 11, 2020 raising meat rabbits is one of the most space efficient means of growing livestock for meat. When i brought home our american chinchilla breeding trio, i had researched raising meat rabbits extensively. Rabbits are extremely hot natured so it is important to place their shelter in a shaded area. Raising rabbits 101, written by famous rabbit raiser aaron webster, contains all the information that one needs to get started in the rabbit industry and have a successful experien. Raising rabbits 101 download a free copy of our best selling raising rabbits 101 4th edition ebook written by rabbit. Rabbit farming business is a very profitable business, and many people are making money all over the world by raising rabbits for meat. A beginners guide to raising rabbits, including a rabbit barn, pens, feeders and waterers, breeding stock, care and feeding, breeding, butchering, and meat sales. Basic background information about raising and caring for rabbits will assist in making your endeavor into rabbit ownership a success. I hope you guys have learned a little bit about raising rabbits. Rabbits are fun to raise except when you have to go out and take care of them at 10 below zero.
Never run out of meat again an introduction to raising meat. You will need money for constructing the rabbit hutches, buying the breeding stock, buying the feeds e. First of all, never put the buck in the does cage the reason is that a doe will become extremely protective of. Jul 10, 2014 when raising meat rabbits your largest expense is going to be feed. This means you will need a larger breed so it will be a decent size by the 8week mark. The cardboard box accommodations we provided the first few days were a heap less than. Rabbits need a balanced diet of unlimited grass hay timothy, orchard, oat, brome, limited pellets, and fresh greens.
Rabbits are a popular project for younger 4h members or those members who do not have the facilities or space for a larger animal species. Finally help for deciphering your rabbits symptoms. In europe and the united states large scale commercial rabbit farming has been practised for many years and standards of husbandry raised. Its main benefit is that it guarantees a safe steady supply of healthy meat that doesnt taste too bad either. How to start a profitable rabbit farming business pdf. A beginners guide to raising rabbits mother earth news. Im using this book myself, and i thoroughly recommend that you look.
If youre consider starting your own rabbitry, a great source is a book called raising rabbits 101 that has nearly every piece of information you could ever want to know on the subject. Learning to care for your rabbit companion, including. Your program for feeding rabbits should be tailored to the rabbits needs, as their needs may vary somewhat. Jul 09, 20 raising rabbits 101 3rd edition has been labeled as being the ultimate guide to raising and breeding rabbits by many successful rabbit raisers from all around the world. Raising rabbits 101 4th edition by aaron g webster. People think that you just put the rabbits together and let them do what rabbits seem to do best. This 92page ebook covers the gamut of keeping your rabbits healthy. Im using this book myself, and i thoroughly recommend that you look into it as well. Keep your rabbits healthy ebook pdf raising rabbits.
Feeding commercial rabbits for rapid growth should be a top priority of every commercial rabbit producer or even a backyard producer who wants to be efficient with money, time and effort. A primer on backyard meat rabbit raising practices. Like all pets, rabbits need a clean, healthy environment and the right kind of food in order. Rabbits are quiet, clean and docile creatures which can even be raised in your home. If you are interested in joining 4h, contact your county. Breed selection, yearround care and feeding, safe housing, humane handling, and. Raising rabbits 101 3rd edition has been labeled as being the ultimate guide to raising and breeding rabbits by many successful rabbit raisers from all around the world.
Colony raising rabbits isnt hard, but there are a few considerations that can make setting up a rabbit colony go more smoothly. Then ill show some pictures of our set up, and talk a little bit more in depth about whats been working for us. It is important to know that when raising rabbits for meat that the older the rabbit gets, the tougher the meat becomes. The adult pet rabbit requires only maintenance rations. Kens idea sounds wonderful except for a couple of catches. You can even sell the manure for fertilizer to other gardeners. Raising rabbits 101, written by famous rabbit raiser aaron webster, contains all the information that one needs to get started in the rabbit industry and have a successful experience. North and south america rabbit production and consumption in the united states are concentrated primarily in the. Dec 12, 2015 raising rabbits on your homestead for meat is a great way to have a consistent supply of lean, healthy meat. Not only do you need to buy quality breeding rabbits but youll also need cages for each rabbit and extras.
The focus is on raising rabbits to add needed protein to family. I learned, the hard way, that breeders dont generally sell a doe that is producing well. Raising and marketing rabbits is an ideal project for young people. This page is applicable to all rabbit owners, breeders and managers.
Rabbits need a balanced diet of unlimited grass hay timothy, orchard, oat. When raising rabbits for meat there are many options for food. It also describes the living conditions that best ensure rabbit health. Im writing to respond to an article in the janfeb 03 issue about raising rabbits in colonies. Basics of raising rabbits raising rabbits can be a fun, rewarding experience that anyone can do with a little time and patience.
Aaron webster is the author of three separate books on the subject of raising and breeding rabbits, including raising rabbits 101 4th edition, raising meat pen rabbits, and the hoppy pet rabbit guide. Raising rabbits on the homestead for beginners pampered. Healthy rabbits have a normal temperature range of 101. A complete handbook on backy ard and commercial rabbit. Raising rabbits to survive is not hard to do, but there are some costs involved with basic setup. According to the 2017 census of agriculture nass, more than 4,000 farms sold almost 500,000 rabbits nationally. Rabbits alternative farming systems information center. Does can be bred for 4 to 5 litters per year, once they are kept in good condition.
1285 84 1084 1381 1197 986 1415 1467 466 267 1468 802 619 702 1372 107 868 650 1473 1195 626 11 1384 804 1446 625 218 333 169 331 1344 1031 326 777 84 669 504 1356 1071 99 1076