Can I raise meat rabbits in my backyard?

Since we’re pretty limited on space, backyard meat rabbits are the perfect solution. They only require a hutch for each rabbit and depending on the breed (and your personal preferences) those don’t have to be very big. If you’re limited on space or even just have a small urban lot, you can raise rabbits for meat.

Is it legal to breed rabbits for meat?

Farmed rabbits must be a recognised domestic breed or a hybrid of domestic breeds—they cannot be crossed with wild rabbits. myxomatosis is illegal. However, vaccinations can be used against rabbit calicivirus.

Can you farm rabbits for meat?

Raising rabbits is one of the simplest things you can do on your homestead. Not only do they require little attention, but they also provide a great amount of meat. Raising rabbits is simple and economical. Two does and one buck should produce 180 pounds of meat per year.

Is raising meat rabbits profitable?

Raising rabbits for meat is quite a simple production to start if you have the time and space. It can be highly lucrative, especially if you plan to raise your rabbits on grass and market your product as grass-fed rather than as raised in hutches.

What kind of rabbits do you raise for meat?

To successfully raise rabbits for their meat on your homestead, you need to make sure you choose the correct breed….The 10 best meat rabbit breeds to raise are:

1. New Zealand Rabbits.
2. 2. California Rabbits.
3. American Chinchilla Rabbits.
4. Champagne D’Argent.
5. Silver Fox Rabbits.
6. Satin Rabbits.
7. Cinnamon Rabbits.

What is the cheapest rabbit breed?

On average the least expensive pet rabbit breed is Mixed Breed Bunny. Those are followed closely by the affordable Dutch and Flemish Giant Rabbits.

Why is rabbit meat so expensive?

Rabbit meat is expensive because fryers are not able to be effectively fed in large groups, require a more expensive feed ration than most other livestock and processing costs are higher per pound of meat sold.

How much does rabbit meat sell for?

If you’re able to process your rabbit meat on-site, you can expect to get $5 to $7 per pound, depending on quality.

Is there money in rabbit farming?

Raising rabbits for profit can be hard work, and it is certainly not a “get-rich-quick” venture. But for a person with good stewardship skills who isn’t afraid of a little hard work, it can be a very rewarding, and yes, even profitable way to make a living.

Is rabbit white or red meat?

Meats are usually broadly categorized into red (i.e., beef, veal, pork, lamb, mutton, horse, or goat meat) or white (i.e., chicken, turkey, rabbit) meats, based on their heme iron content.

Which breed of rabbit is most child friendly?

Himalayan rabbits
Himalayan rabbits are one of the best choices, of the breeds available, for children. They are renowned for being laid-back, gentle, friendly and curious. They are beautiful in appearance and love to cuddle, rarely ever known to bite or scratch.

What is the friendliest breed of rabbit?

With this in mind, the friendliest breeds of rabbit that are ideal for any home include the following:

• Lionhead Rabbit.
• Californian Rabbit.
• Himalayan Rabbit.
• Sussex Rabbit.
• Havana Rabbit.
• Florida White Rabbit.
• Palomino Rabbit.
• Thrianta Rabbit.

Is it legal to raise meat rabbits in Texas?

The farming of domesticat- ed meat rabbits is not a tradi- tional agricultural activity in Texas, compared to beef cat- tle, goat, poultry, and swine production. To date, there is little practical information available to assist rabbit produc- ers. There are perhaps even more myths than facts about how to raise rabbits success- fully.

Is it legal to eat meat from rabbits?

The commercial farming of domes- ticated rabbits, however, has occurred only recently. The cultural acceptance of eating cottontail rabbit meat has set a favorable stage for the grow- ing popularity of raising domestic meat rabbits as a small-scale, backyard enter- prise.

When is the best time to breed rabbits in Texas?

the rabbitry is well managed, the family should be rewarded with wholesome and delicious meat at a reasonable cost. Contrary to popular opin- ion, rabbits can be bred to produce litters all year round, despite the high summer heat and humidity that characterize much of Texas.

What are the benefits of raising a rabbit?

Backyard rabbit raising offers many potential benefits. When planning your rabbit enterprise, identifying your goals and anticipated benefits is very important. For exam- ple, your primary goal might be to produce enough rabbits so that your family might con- sume meat from two fryers each week all year long.