The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Other => Rabbits => Topic started by: dizzy1pig on February 03, 2014, 01:23:55 pm

Title: breeding rabbits to eat
Post by: dizzy1pig on February 03, 2014, 01:23:55 pm
I have on behalf of a friend been asked to find out about breeding rabbits to eat..so....
1. what do I need, type of rabbits
2. any idea where I can source them from
thanks in advance
Title: Re: breeding rabbits to eat
Post by: chrismahon on February 05, 2014, 08:36:16 am
it's a really widespread practice in France. As far as I know you start with two trapped wild rabbits and they multiply from there. The only rabbits for sale here, from what I have seen, are decorative pets at crazy prices or the ones in the chillers at the supermarkets.
Title: Re: breeding rabbits to eat
Post by: Clansman on February 05, 2014, 12:29:57 pm
Hi Dizzy,

New Zealand Whites or Californians are the main domestic meat breeds, they are BIG rabbits, not quite hare size but getting there!

You need at least a buck and a doe in separate cages/hutches/runs etc and maybe another two places to keep the youngsters once they have been sexed.

I have New Zealand Whites in Ayrshire and Julie Wall has them up in the North East of Scotland but I had one hell of job finding any NZW above Birmingham when i started!

I have some unrelated stock, does at 9 weeks and a buck nearly 5 months if you were after some NZW's?

In fact i'll be in Broxburn outside Edinburgh on Sunday morning if you fancy a wee trip over the bridge?  ;D

(http://i40.tinypic.com/2i9p7bp.jpg)

(http://i43.tinypic.com/6oo8zl.jpg)

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