So you are thinking of getting meat rabbits. Great choice! They are a healthy low-fat, low cholesterol source of protein. Any recipe recipe that requires chicken can be substituted with rabbit. They take minimal space or equipment. There is not a huge cash outlay to set up. And they are QUIET!
Things to consider before getting rabbits
Housing – Adequate space is required
if second hand cages disinfect well before use. Virkon S – is a multipurpose virucidal disinfectant
, Food, water, hay, etc all sorted
Right! A good starting point is two Does and one Buck.
Rabbit Breeds
When considering raising rabbits for meat the NZ white, or California offer a good feed to meat ratio.
Pure or Crossbreed? Crossbreeds have no guarantee of what you will get, how they will breed and meat may not be consistent.
New Zealand White |
White Californian |
Standard Chinchilla or Silver Fox |
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Flemish Giant |
Satin |
Standard Rex |
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What to ask when choosing a rabbit
What have they been fed? Quality pellets with 16-18% protein so they will grow to their full potential and produce the best young.
How have they been housed? Off the ground has less chance of parasites and diseases
Litter size – 4 kits or less is a trait could be passed on via the buck or the doe.
Are they Pure or Crossbreed?
Any deaths in the last 3 months.?
RHDV recently? Are they immunized? (It is standard to immunize breeding Bucks and Does, not the delicious offspring)
Photos of Rabbitry – May not be able to access due to RHDV but photos to see if the hutches are clean etc should be available.
Health Checklist
- Ears clean – no build up
- Feet clean – no sores or wounds
- Coat – no dandruff or mites
- Back – decent cover of meat
- Eye – clear
- Nose – clean and dry
- Inside front legs by feet – no wet or Crusty Build up
- Ass – clean – no sign of diarrhea
- Teeth – Meet up
- Pedigree/lineage
Once home
Quarantine new rabbits for a month away from other rabbits.
Feed high quality rabbit pallets at least 16% protein
Treat for worms and parasites (then every 3 months)
RHDV vaccinations are recommended in breeding pairs
Never use fresh hay – 3 month old hay as RHDV can live on hay. RHDV will kill within 24 hours (and not pleasantly)
Watering
Water bottles – refill regularly and check that ball bearing is not stuck
If cages are in a shed – consider running tubing lines from a large bucket. Clean water regularly
Food bowls
D cups are handy as they can be used in transport cages
Feed hoppers if cages are inside.
Place food in nesting box to keep it dry and kits will be able to start eating earlier.
Cooking
Any chicken recipe
Do not cook quickly as it toughens the meat. The older it is the longer/slower you cook it. Cook from room temp and wrap in foil or baste to avoid it drying out
Garlic, sage, rosemary, basil, lemongrass, coriander, bay, parsley, thyme.
