The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Other => Topic started by: Jackie on March 08, 2010, 04:44:28 pm

Title: Which breed for meat rabbit?
Post by: Jackie on March 08, 2010, 04:44:28 pm: My new place has a rabbitry, that is 12 brick built rabbit houses so I am thinking of breeding rabbit to eat. Which breeds are the best please?
Title: Re: Which breed for meat rabbit?
Post by: little blue on March 08, 2010, 07:40:41 pm: Big ones! Like cali whites.

Or look here... http://www.mybunnyfarm.com/

Though my silver foxes are pretty small for a good meal...
Title: Re: Which breed for meat rabbit?
Post by: Wizard on March 08, 2010, 09:19:01 pm: Jackie New Zealand X Silver Fox was considered to be very good a few years ago.I hear the Bunny Huggers were demonstrating down High Gate Lane at the Rabbit Farm this afternoon.Cannot prove it but plod arrived and it was broken up with several arrests ??? :farmer:
Title: Re: Which breed for meat rabbit?
Post by: Jackie on March 09, 2010, 04:54:08 am: Thank you both for the info.

George is that High gate Lane near where Im going? If so it seems I may get my 2 does and a buck from there. ;D
Title: Re: Which breed for meat rabbit?
Post by: Wizard on March 09, 2010, 09:21:06 am: Its some 40/45 miles away (do you want some instruction?I can send you an Email if you do ) Find Market Rasen find A631 (west to Gainsborough) go to West Rasen straight on leaving the main road to Toft next Newton at the triangle go right You are now in High Gate Lane its about a mile or so on the right behind some high thorn hedge's You can easily miss it.Its :farmer: a big place though
Title: Re: Which breed for meat rabbit?
Post by: CameronS on March 09, 2010, 06:33:18 pm: New Zealand's, i don't have any experience with rearing meat bunnies myself but my uncle has around 50 of these,and the meat is pretty good. They also have a much broader spectrum of colours so look nicer.
My rabbits are purely for breeding,selling and show.
Title: Re: Which breed for meat rabbit?
Post by: Jackie on March 10, 2010, 05:15:24 am: Thanks George for the directions I wonder if they would sell me a few rabbits?

Carmeron if your uncle is not too far away would he sell a few of those new zealands?

I went to our local livestock market yesterday and there was only 2 pet breed rabbits then I went to the two pet shops and they only had lop ears and lion heads. :(

Ive googled NZ and Californians and cant find a supplier within 300 miles of me. :( I got asked if i coud get some German rabbits at our local pet shop though.lol

Is there a shortage of rabbits in the uk?
Title: Re: Which breed for meat rabbit?
Post by: Wizard on March 10, 2010, 08:08:00 am: If you are not at panic I will get Brian to call and see the man Brian lives at Toft.I am sure he will pop down and see him and see if he has some of the sort you require at the week end.Then I will report.
Title: Re: Which breed for meat rabbit?
Post by: Jackie on March 10, 2010, 12:12:52 pm: Not in any panic to get the animals yet as we sign for the new place on Friday so it will be a couple of weeks at least before we move in.
Thank you for that. ;D

BTW George you and your wife are welcome to come over anytime. :) Ill probably need your advice anyway. :D ;)
Title: Re: Which breed for meat rabbit?
Post by: langdon on March 19, 2010, 09:48:54 pm: george???
Title: Re: Which breed for meat rabbit?
Post by: smokingdragon on March 30, 2010, 09:17:19 pm: Hi Jackie

I've got a litter of New Zealand x Californians, they will be ready in about 3 weeks. Both parents are big rabbits. I'm near Neath in South Wales.

Cheers

Simon
Title: Re: Which breed for meat rabbit?
Post by: hot hog on May 01, 2010, 11:20:51 pm: i breed new\zealand whites for meat and they are so easy to breed and care for im from norfolk did not catch where your from.
Title: Re: Which breed for meat rabbit?
Post by: Budo1 on May 24, 2010, 10:28:36 am: We have a selection of pure breeds for meat, each has purpose
Californian - good sized rabbit, matures fast, great mothers and sizable litters.
New Zealand whites- excellent size fast maturing and big litters.
F1 hybrid of these - produces excellent stock and large litters.
F1 hybrid of Continental giant and Californian - slow maturing but very large litters and excellent mothers.
Finally we have F1 hybrids from 3 of our New Zealand and Californian does against a 'Rex du Poitou' buck ( renound for great flavoured meat, but smaller litters.) we are looking forward to the results of the three litters we have had, all now at weaning stage.