Tonight i decided was long enough to wait, so here are some pictures and a little but of the procedure. Raising pastured rabbits for meat covers some of the ups and downs of a rabbitraising startup, as well as the emotions and reallife mistakes tied to starting a farm. Raising rabbits on the homestead for beginners pampered. You dont need a large complement of breeders to provide your family with a steady supply of fresh meat. A good california white or new zealand white, two of the best breeds for meat production, can produce 6 litters per year with 610 kits per litter kits baby rabbits mature to butchering size in about ten weeks. Jun 22, 2017 kevin and sarah will walk you though the entire process of raising this sustainable meat source. A rex rabbit typically weighs about 10 pounds when mature. Like all pets, rabbits need a clean, healthy environment and the right. The most popular for pet purposes, he says, are the.
This french website has a lot of pictures of a pastured rabbit operation. Take 2 8 foot long sections of 30 to 36 inch wide rabbit cage floor wire and attach together using jclips and jclip plyers. Jul 17, 2016 benefits of raising rabbits for profit. The thought may have even occurred to you that you can make a lot of money raising rabbits. She originally worked with and then replicated joel salatins sons system of raising rabbits, but then created her own. Raising rabbits is a centralized source for purchasing nearly everything needed for your rabbits. Used for the zencart software and all of our websites. Dec 25, 2014 there are a few things i wish that i had known prior to jumping on board the meat rabbit bandwagon. Set up your rabbit s cage in a quiet part of the house or yard, and be sure that your rabbits wont be harassed by other animals. So if youre thinking of taking home a few rabbits of your own, then take a moment to read on.
We use a combination of cage tags and computer software to monitor what has happened, what needs to happen and what will be happening in our rabbitry. Rabbits are easy to keep and breed for even a beginner. This means you will need a larger breed so it will be a decent size by the 8week mark. Buck, to the best way to tell if your bunnies have actually bred, daniel salatin gives a whirlwind intro to his lifelong experience of rabbitraising in this 3minute snippet. I do love my rabbits and i love their meat, but rabbit pellets are invaluable.
Raisingrabbits is a centralized source for purchasing nearly everything needed for your rabbits. During spring, summer, and fall at my place, the rabbits live in wire cages right on the ground. We appreciate your letting them know that you heard about them from us or simply using our link to sign up. Inspired by daniel salatin, who has long been considered the pioneer in integrated rabbit farming, nichki carangelo proves that a viable pasturebased rabbitry is not only possible and userfriendly, its also profitable. Record keeping is an extremely important part of every rabbitry. Aug 31, 2002 on the second day of spring, joel salatin is down on his belly getting the antseye view of his farm. Rabbits are quiet, grow fast, have large litters and can be fed on produce from the garden, or by foraging safe weeds and other safe food sources, or just good quality hay they will grow faster on pellets or a balanced natural diet rabbits a great high protein, lowfat, white meat, that is great tasting. Considering this is the exception rather than the rule, well assume that, generally speaking, they are fun to raise. Mar 11, 2020 raising meat rabbits is one of the most space efficient means of growing livestock for meat. Polyface is a family farm established by william and lucille salatin. Daniel began raising rabbits in the late 1980s as a 4h project and has developed a linebred genetic base for meat rabbits that are hardy and can eat forage without getting diarrhea. The guide to raising and breeding rabbits for meat. Ive even seen rabbit pellets sold in jars at homesteading fairs before. Instead, once the infrastructure is in place for the coney garth, it.
When i brought home our american chinchilla breeding trio, i had researched raising meat rabbits extensively. Daniel salatin of polyface farm in virginia raises rabbits that he has bred himself over the last two decades, primarily by crossing new zealand white and california breeds. Two does and one buck should produce 180 pounds of meat per year. Raising chickens for meat and profit robert plamondons. Raising pastured rabbits for meat chelsea green publishing. This is partly due to the lack of available resources in the field of rabbit husbandry. The advantage of raising rabbits in a coney garth versus the hare pen is that the farmer does not have to invest in two types of infrastructure, that for pasture and cages for the does. Raising rabbits in cages is a simple and easy way to raise a meat animal. Rabbit has a lower percentage of fat than chicken, turkey, beef, or pork with unsaturated fatty acids at 63% of the total fatty acids. How to raise rabbits from a to z the survivalist blog. Oct 28, 2014 raising rabbits for meat introduction to commercial rabbit production.
From farmer joel salatin s point of view, life in the 21 st century just aint normal. The amount of capital required when raising rabbits for meat depends on the scale of the project. The perfect butchering age is around 8 weeks of age. Rabbit farming business is a very profitable business, and many people are making money all over the world by raising rabbits for meat. Heres a look at our rabbits and what you need to know.
Free downloadableprintable doe record sheet which is perfect for keeping track of your does and their breeding record. These tips just might save you time, money, and a few headaches. See more ideas about meat rabbits, raising rabbits and rabbit farm. One female rabbit can bring forth an average of 8 kits each time. It is important to know that when raising rabbits for meat that the older the rabbit gets, the tougher the meat becomes. It takes me 15 seconds to move the rabbit tractor once a day to new grass. Cut your feed costs in half, and allow your animals to be happier and healthier by being safely pasture raised in small. This works best with deep bedding systems for chickens and hogs. From the proper mix of vitamins to food, to the etiquette of introducing ms. Still, i was a bit leery of the design, and even phoned into the the natures harmony podcast to ask about problems they experienced with rabbit.
The breeders live in hanging cages above the chickens and litter while the fryers range in rabbit tractors with wood slatted bottoms. A backyard meat rabbit operation can be a great idea for someone interested in producing their own healthful, drugfree meat. I went to a workshop that she held at the michael fields institute. Colony raising rabbits isnt hard, but there are a few considerations that can make setting up a rabbit colony go more smoothly. Compliments raising rabbits might be doing something right. Meat rabbits backyardherds goats, horses, sheep, pigs. From breeding, feeding, weaning, nutrition, pasturing, rabbit tractors, and much more. You can get a loan from the bank, or funding from investors, to use as capital to start your rabbit farming business. Apr 14, 2015 raising rabbits in cages is a simple and easy way to raise a meat animal. Salatin has many thoughts on what normal is and shares practical and philosophical ideas for. The guide to raising and breeding rabbits for meat mother.
Aug 09, 2019 raising rabbits is simple and economical. Rabbits are fun to raise except when you have to go out and take care of them at 10 below zero. Kevin and sarah will walk you though the entire process of raising this sustainable meat source. An allnatural approach to raising chickens and other fowl. In my little bit of experience, rabbit litter collects very quickly and it is difficult to keep a cage on or close to the ground. But, before you begin this journey, there are some important rabbitry issues that you need to consider first. Rabbits for self sufficiency rise and shine rabbitry.
Either raise them or move them to keep their cages clean. You can keep track of a single chicken or manage an entire flock of poultry. Easy howto on these light weight lawn tractors for rabbits and chickens. See more ideas about meat rabbits, raising rabbits and rabbit hutches. A primer on backyard meat rabbit raising practices. Animal management software for poultry, goats, rabbits, etc.
From az rabbits this youtube video on breeding rabbits was one of the first that i watched before breeding my own. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. 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. And here are some great rabbit sites that i have found very helpful. The comprehensive photographic guide to humane slaughtering and butchering. You will need money for constructing the rabbit hutches, buying the breeding stock, buying the feeds e. I love raising rabbits, mainly because of rabbit pellets also known as rabbit manure. After raising rabbits back at our shoreline house in suspended wire cages, i was keen on doing something different that could give them more space and allow them to forage for more of their food. Raising rabbits for meat introduction to commercial rabbit production. Salatin is the choreographer, and these 100 acres of springy shenandoah valley pasture comprise his verdant stage. New rabbit raisers often ask about raising the animals in colonies, much like the walled gardens of the romans we mentioned as being the first kept rabbits. Flemish giants this top meat rabbit breed can hit 20 pounds when fully mature.
An allnatural, humane, and profitable approach to production on a small scale kindle edition by carangelo, nichki. 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. Raising rabbits as pets from childhood, many of us have known bunnies primarily for their sterling qualities as pets cuddly, quiet and inquisitive. This software application is designed for the homesteader, hobbyist, or farmer whether large or small. Providing management assistance for rabbit and cavy breeders. In folks, this aint normal, he discusses how far removed we are from the simple, sustainable joy that comes from living close to the land and the people we love. The essentials of raising rabbits for profit step by. Instead, once the infrastructure is in place for the coney garth, it is relatively easy to scale between 8 does and 37 does. Joel salatin ebooks epub and pdf downloads ebookmall. You can use the pellets they produce as fertilizer, or you can compost it first.
Salatin has dramatically improved the soil on his property. If youve been raising rabbits for a while as a hobby, the thought may have occurred to you that you could make a little money raising them. He invites me to join him, to have a look at the auspicious piles of worm castings, the clover leaves just breaking, and the two inches of fresh growth that one particular blade of grass has put on in the five days since this paddock was last grazed. Animal management software for poultry, goats, rabbits. She has always been a pet, and she will always be a pet. Butchering rabbits so about two weeks ago matt and i butchered several rabbits and we have been really busy here lately that i havent allotted an of my down time to blogging. Cut feed costs in half with a polyface farm style chicken. His book you can farm is a great read and would be very helpful if you have some acreage, however, for citydwellers, a search for salatin chicken tractor may yield more helpful results. Raising rabbits on pasture maine organic farmers and. A primer on backyard meat rabbit raising practices rudolphs. After all, two rabbits will be 200 in a short amount of time. Housed in elevated shelters above the chickens in a custommade building called the raken rabbitchicken house, the breeding stock receive unmedicated alfalfa.
Other farmers, including sustainable agriculture guru joel salatin, keep rabbit cages in chicken coops and pig barns. Julie engel in wisconsin has developed an entirely pastureraised rabbit system. Convenient online ordering of raw frozen rabbit as whole prey, partially processed, or ground, for feeding pets speciesappropriate meals. Housed in elevated shelters above the chickens in a custommade building called the raken rabbit chicken house, the breeding stock receive unmedicated alfalfa. It can be used for rabbits, goats, cows, horses, etc. Rabbit has the highest percentage of protein than the above listed animals. Raising rabbits on your homestead for meat is a great way to have a consistent supply of lean, healthy meat. Since i have raised rabbits for many years now i have found so many benefits to raising rabbits with a rabbit tractor. Every morning, each cage is moved one length down the yard to a new patch of grass. Jul 27, 2011 this software application is designed for the homesteader, hobbyist, or farmer whether large or small.
Try to keep your rabbit in a cool, lowhumidity environment, ideally between 6070 degrees fahrenheit 15. How to raise meat rabbits for free journey to sustainability. All wire rabbit tractor for safely pastured rabbits. Inspired by daniel salatin, who has long been considered the pioneer in integrated rabbit farming. Rabbit urine and droppings fall to the floor, where they mix with the bedding materials of the chickens or hogs.
The essentials of raising rabbits for profit step by step guide. Polyface receives a credit for referring folks to this site. It grows faster than the other animals and the meat productivity rate is also better. Located southwest of staunton, virginia, in the scenic shenandoah valley, the farm is currently operated by lucille salatin, son joel and his wife teresa, their daughter rachel, and their son daniel and his wife sheri. An allnatural, humane, and profitable approach to production. Joel salatin, the guru of poultry and rabbit tractors, has written extensively on the subject. Glen carr, past executive secretary of the american rabbit breeders association arba, says his association recognizes 47 distinct breeds. His current breeding stock coloration is not typical of any of these breeds. However, ive found a pile of good reasons to keep rabbits on pasture and ill share them here, along with the methods.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading raising pastured rabbits for meat. Are you considering raising rabbits for meat commercially. Joel salatin and the salatin family use creative business and agricultural practices to produce highquality beef, chicken, eggs and rabbit meat while growing soil and plant fertility on their land salatin familys polyface farms an overview. Rabbit farming requires short space as well as modest startup capital.
From farmer joel salatins point of view, life in the 21 st century just aint normal. Daniel salatin on raising rabbits salatin semester. It is specifically designed to assist with record keeping of animals. Raising pastured rabbits for meat is the first book to address the growing trend of ecological rabbit husbandry for the beginning to marketscale farmer. Joel salatin ebooks epub and pdf format joel salatin ebooks. Allow your new rabbit to acclimate to your home before. Overall its a well thought out introduction to pasturebased rabbit production for beginners. If you work on a small homestead rabbits might be a great. Apr 17, 2019 easy howto on these light weight lawn tractors for rabbits and chickens. She didnt like using the tractors either, so went for a colony approach. When people ask me why i raise rabbits they expect me to say meat, pets or fur. From childhood, many of us have known bunnies primarily for their sterling qualities as pets cuddly, quiet and inquisitive. Jun 30, 2017 joel salatin, the guru of poultry and rabbit tractors, has written extensively on the subject.
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