Whether you're butchering chickens, rabbits, or other homestead meat animals, prepare everything you need beforehand. Addition of borax or bicarbonate of soda (about 1 ounce per gallon) aids in softening, and a little soap or detergent aids in removal of the fat. What kind of rabbits do you have and what are you feeding them? 25-61-19, This site was last modified on: Jun-02-2023 5:12 pmhttps://extension.msstate.edu/content/slaughtering-and-dressing-rabbits, STEM Science Technology Engineering and Math, Thad Cochran Agricultural Leadership Program TCALP, Mississippi County Elections: Election Prep 101, Extension Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy, Creating Healthy Indoor Childcare Environments, Plant Diseases and Nematode Diagnostic Services, Consult official sources on coronaviruses in animals, Small-ruminant workshop assists goat, sheep producers, New surgical procedure shows promise for pets, Rabbit ownership is a long-term commitment, Legislative Update: Miss. Its not too hard to get 30 babies (kits) out of a doe each year. The last coating should remain for 3-4 days. And it is cooked appropriately for the cut. My dad did the hitting on the head. These replacements need cages as well. Do they come from an outside source or is it ok to inbreed meat rabbits? They don't move and then in death, the reflexes kick in and they move around, but they are dead. Meat rabbits are raised to 10 weeks of age and five pounds of weight before processing. Male rabbits (bucks) play little to no role in the rearing of the kits. Mix flour with the combined solutions to make a thin paste, first mixing the flour with a little water to aid in preventing lumps. This was so new, she had lived her life in a cage so this was a very new experience. Start with good ones, youll be glad you did. I like for my growing meat-rabbits to never run out of food. Sadly, a friend of mine did this and ended up losing several males because the females had castrated them and then killed them. I have been successfully breeding and raising meat rabbits for 3 years now. Or both. Some people do this by simply grabbing the rabbit around the neck and quickly snapping it to minimize any pain or suffering for the rabbit. As a testament to the rabbits resourceful nature, their nests are composed of grasses mixed with fur that the mother removes from her own body. Using special scent glands on the underside of their chin, they extend their head and intently rub their chin on objects they like. An average litter consists of 5-6 kits who are furless, deaf and blind at birth, except for hares who are born with fur and are able to hop minutes after birth. Rabbits are small animals that can be found in many parts of the world. The preferred method is dislocation of the neck. So this setup would create 60 meat rabbits per year Thats one per week plus replacement stock. They are a NZ mix. Continue reading below. We are moving to South Texas, near Corpus Christi next year and I was considering raising rabbits for meat. I've always heard that you shouldn't eat rabbits before the first frost because of parasites. I have bought "show quality" rabbits for $35+ each. Due to unnatural confinement, pre-weaning mortality for kits can be as high as 40%, and siblicide (cannibalism between kits) is not uncommon. Once you have both legs done, use the same process to work the rest of the skin off of the rabbit. Make sure the cavity of the rabbit is empty, and all intestines have been removed. Although companion rabbits are capable of living 10 to 15 years, the vast majority of meat rabbits are killed at three months of age. password. Rabbit meat is generally more tender and milder in flavor than older rabbits. i really hope me and my house hold will like rabbit meat! Scrape adhering flesh and fat from the skin using a blunt knife or similar object. A water bottle will not provide enough easy to drink water for fast growing fryers. Disclosure, New Video: Direct Seed Sowing Tips & Guide. Even with the startup and feeding costs included, raising rabbits keeps its spot as one of the cheapest meats to raise on a homestead. . Place them on wire stretchers or shapers with the front leg casings on one side. Is there a difference in taste or quality of meat between younger and older rabbits? To get started cleaning and processing your meat rabbits, follow the tips below. The percentage also increased between 8 and 13 weeks of age, but declined slightly in the mature rabbits. Repeat this entire process for the legs on the opposite side of the carcass. Keeping them longer costs you more money. In addition, young rabbits have not yet developed all of their adult fur, so the quality of the pelts may be lower. In addition, you may pay more than for other breeds. I now put them on grass in a dog pen. Then I used a pump .22. So its okay to start with cheap rabbits in order to learn the procedures. Whether the pelts from meat slaughtering should be saved and prepared for marketing will depend upon the market demand and value, the type and number of rabbits being slaughtered and the time and facilities available for preparing the skins. Dressed rabbits may be sold whole or can be cut into parts. I'm really like oking forward to this chapter in my life. [1]Other estimates for annual slaughter are as high as 8 million. There was a mis-written version of this article that says to bring the buck to the does cage, but that is the wrong version. Copyright 2023 Harbour Content Development Inc. How to Make Dandelion Tincture: Health Benefits & Uses, Dandelion Oil: How to Make and Use Oil and Salve, This article covers the processing and butchering aspects of raising rabbits for meat. goes over the list of supplies, including feed, that youll need to get started. While outdoor rabbitries do not pose the same ventilation concerns as indoor rearing, they do present an equally harmful situation: the threat of predation. If, on the other hand, I spent the time and money necessary to have great breeding stock with babies that grow out in 10 weeks instead of 12 weeks, then I can grow more rabbit meat, in less time, in less space, and with less cost. In industrial animal factories, they sit in wire mesh cages day after day, breathing ammonia fumes. Fasten the rear legs to the ends of the wire shapers with a clothes pins or some other fastener. Like chickens and turkeys, they are not protected by the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, a federal law that says animals must be rendered insensible to pain before being killed. Here's a list of the best rabbit breeds for meat: It is important to know that when raising rabbits for meat that the older the rabbit gets, the tougher the meat becomes. You don't want to send the rabbits off for slaughter too soon because they may not be as big as possible and you won't get as much meat from them. I've corrected the article again. for sheep and goats - 1.0 amps. Expect to start breeding this month. After the skins are dry the wire shaper is removed. Just make sure they are healthy and free of disease. My bunnies would usually reach 4 pounds by about 8 weeks of age. Rabbits confined in cages are vulnerable to a variety of persistent wild predators. what age is the meat best at? Sprague River Homestead, who raise and shows rabbits and have great videos, cite 2-3 times as much water being consumed by rabbits that have an open crock to drink out of rather than a water bottle. Depending on the breed of rabbit you have, there will be different ideal butchering ages. The shapers extend or expand the pelts to their full length, but do not stretch them out of shape. I have to process this week no matter what because my son is having surgery next week and will be at the hospital for 3 weeks. Open the skin with a midline cut along the ventral or belly side so that it can be stretched on a flat surface. This building assumes all other activities (such as slaughter) will be done somewhere else. I generally freeze similar cuts together in meal-sized portions if Im processing multiple rabbits. Im like you, a bit disorganized, starting to clear space, ie harvesting. Some people tan the skins, but on a ten-week-old rabbit, they are pretty thin and the fur is poorly developed. 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After you remove the head, you continue skinning and gutting. found on their website. After that, check out how to build a rabbit hutch and you'll be ready to start raising your own rabbits. You are 100% correct. However, because of the age of the calves when they go to slaughter, not everyone likes to eat veal. Because of that, I have Always put my does into the buck's cage for breeding which has always worked in my favor. If you want your rabbits to be ready for processing in 10 weeks you have to keep them growing at their best. Those with dense fur, that is not easily removed from the skin, are most desirable. Are Meat Rabbits Right for You? How to kill a rabbit Content: Preparation for slaughter: age for slaughter Slaughter and butcher tools Preparing the breeder for the killing procedure Methods of killing an animal Skinning an animal carcass Carcass cutting What to do with skins and where to put them Method 1 Raising Rabbits 1 Rabbit breeding stock can be obtained from many different sources. I am new to raising rabbits for meat but have raised rabbits before. Then you slide the rabbit over to the narrow side (right) and you pull hard on its feet. I only freeze, cook, or otherwise process a rabbit after three days of resting the meat. Regardless of the method used for tanning, proper preparation of the skin is an important step. The right kind of meat-rabbit will grow very rapidly until week ten. But, since "it depends" is not a helpful answer in the slightest, let's dig into the things that 6 Reasons Why People (Just Like You!) The most efficient way to raise rabbits for meat is to keep them on a 18% pelleted feed, in a wire bottomed cage. The rabbit can also be struck a hard, quick blow to the skull behind the ears. All breeds have high performing individuals and low performing or inefficient animals. I've kept them in the past. Some rabbits may be slaughtered as early as 4 months of age, but this is usually only done in commercial operations where early slaughter provides a market advantage. For example: if the litter has 12 kits, they will take 11 weeks but if the litter has 3 kits, they will get to 5 pounds 8-9 weeks. If the acid or mixture contacts the skin, rinse immediately with a solution of bicarbonate of soda. Breeding does must not be allowed to get fat; it affects their production. Once the legs have been removed, cut out the remaining pelvic bones at the end of the carcass. Shapers can be made from No. Once youve skinned the rabbit all the way to the head, cut off the head and skin all at once. If I were more organized I might. Yesterday, I slaughtered and cleaned twenty rabbits. It will help boost your financial self-sufficiency and lower your reliance on outside sources for your familys food supply. I generally cut my rabbits down into two back legs (I call them legs), two front legs (I call them wings because they are smaller), two tenderloin cuts (each side of the spine I call tenders), and the two belly flaps (I call bacon). Hang the pelts in a well-ventilated drying area, but not in direct sunlight. Hence smaller cages with four rabbits each. The occasionally handful of hay can be thrown in to give them more roughage to digest, but a large portion of hay should be avoided since it lowers the growth rate of your rabbits. Some people also like to use alternative ways of meat preservation, like smoking, dehydrating, or canning. This is the most common size of rabbit for processing. Now, you are saying to yourself, What is she talking about, they have a water bottle! Actually, that water bottle is exactly what I am talking about! Heres how to get started processing meat rabbits the old-fashioned way. Loosen and pull back the eye of the loin, it ends at the last rib where the tenderloin begins. You can find meat rabbits for sale on our Meat Rabbit Breeder Directory. Once dispatched, hang the rabbit upside down with the head facing the ground. That means that out of 5 does I might have 3-4 litters. Unfortunately, people often buy them impetuously as Easter gifts, and six months later, they are past the initial cute, cuddly stage, so they are put in a cage in the backyard and neglected," said Dr. Thomas Lenarduzzi, associate clinical professor at Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Because I do continuous breeding. It's very important to do that. If I process, could find a friend locally for the dog food angle. I do this because I use 1.5-pound feeders. As with most things, the first time is the slowest and most difficult. Before you eat it you must age it. Although self-grooming is essential, mutual grooming is a common show of affection and an important aspect of their social order. That kind of precision is nearly impossible due to the number of variables involved. The saddle is often considered one of the most tender cuts of rabbit meat. [1]This does not take into account the estimated 62,000-75,000 breeding does and bucks whom the industry has on hand at any given time. Raise Sheep, Why Do You Cull Sheep? Breeding does again two weeks after they give birth is a standard meat-rabbit procedure. For now, feel free to continue reading. 25-61-19, Dressing Percentage of New Zealand and Dutch Rabbits at Different Ages. In order to reach our goal of tender and plump rabbit we must slaughter a rabbit when it is young. Wed love to hear from you if you have any questions! More water is needed by fast growing animals in order to process all of their food. It's often possible to buy rabbits and the cage they are in from someone who is getting out of the rabbit game for a while. Its no wonder that many ancient cultures held rabbits in high regard often referring to them as spiritual leaders and the epitome of innocence. I used to raise New Zealand Whites. Part of the reason for the fryers (young meat rabbits) needing to be 10 weeks old is the butchering size/weight that you are looking for in order to get flavorful and tender meat. Even with the startup and feeding costs included, raising rabbits keeps its spot as one of the cheapest meats to raise on a homestead. Ultimately, the decision of when to slaughter a rabbit is up to the individual raising the animals. I love breeding rabbits, keeping rabbits, processing rabbits, and eating rabbits. After dislocation or stunning, the rabbit is hung by one of the hind legs above the hock joint. Nahf will not be liable for any losses and/or damages incurred with the use of the information provided. I'll keep my eyes on it. Sick and injured rabbits often go unnoticed and rarely receive veterinary care. The logic is simple, if it takes longer for the babies to grow to slaughter-weight, then I either need MORE grow-out cages (which require more space, more watering bottles, more feeders, and more food) or I need to have LESS babies. The one I use is Evans Rabbit Registry Deluxe. Slaughtering a farm rabbit at home requires a certain time. Now move down to the hind leg on the same side of the carcass. Code Ann. This includes pasture raising, feeding a lower quality pelleted feed, feeding other grains and feeding lots of hay or other forages. I appear to be the only one in my area that has meat rabbits. for cattle younger than 6 months - 1.25 amps. Buy the 18% anyway, its worth the extra! Youngsters usually slaughtered at the age of 7-8 months. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. These are cages that are about 24x24 and each cage holds four rabbits. The optimal age for slaughtering a rabbit for meat is a matter of debate. A lot of the rabbitries that come across look great because they have kept health and quality in mind, but they are always geared towards meat pen show rabbits and sell them for a minimum of $50 each. Some people also like to use alternative ways of meat preservation, like. Raising a rabbit to mature size before butchering is going to be costly. [1] 3 to 4 litters of 5 to 10 young can be thrown by a healthy, mature female (doe) each year. This might sound weird, but imagine the rabbit is wearing a sweater that youre helping it pull off. The skin of the animal Matures it was at this time. One is the primary breeder, the other is the backup breeder. Starting at the anus, cut down the center of the rabbit. Thanks for stopping by! Thank you so much everyone you have been a great help I probably will do them about 10 weeks. Not all of the feed at the store will be 18%! retrieve your As rabbits are considered a delicacy in many cultures, the price of their meat can vary significantly based on the age of the animal. A quick and well-placed strike will kill the rabbit instantly. Always bring the doe to the bucks cage for breeding never the other way around. Prepare the skins as previously described and stretched or tack to a flat surface. Dont forget, meat rabbits dont have a rut or breeding season the way other animals do. Legal | Ethics Line | Policy about commercial endorsements | DAFVM | USDA | eXtension | Legislative Update: Miss. What kind of rabbits do you have and what are you feeding them? Another common behavior among rabbits is the chin rub. Selling rabbits for meat or for breeding is a creative way to make some extra money when living off the grid. Good luck in your search! But all difficulties were forgotten when her new puppy, Princess Paisley, was placed in her arms. Tanning is also accomplished by soaking skins for 2-4 days in the solution before addition of flour. Once again, this is your choice. Sure, they are your rabbits! What weight are Speckled Sussex at 20 weeks? You figured out your property, I was thinking 50, Troy said nonchalantly, as if he was just guessing the temperature, Chickens scratching around the yard is a classic homestead picture. Flesh from beef cattle is red meat. If rabbits are slaughtered too young, they will not have reached their full potential size and weight, meaning that the meat will be less than optimal. Its best to have all the doe and buck cages facing each other for easy transfer of does. Plus, even though Im going to eat them theyre still cute! I am the weird one here cause I don't find any difference in taste at whatever age I process. Do not use salt or other chemicals on skins, but as they are being packed for storage or shipment, naphthalene (moth crystals) or paradichloro-benzene may be placed in the packaging container as an insect repellent. I've been searching and searching online and can only find information regarding wild rabbits. As with any knife, make sure your skinning blade has been finely sharpened. It will also grow very rapidly compared to the amount of food it eats. Then with a hard, sharp pull, the head is bent backward to dislocate the neck. Yes, there are bloodlines within the Californian and New Zealand bred that are more aggressive faster growers which can greatly exceed expectations in cooler growing conditions with 5 pound fryers achieved in 8-9 weeks. I was always told to NEVER put the buck into the doe's cage for breeding as the doe is territorial and will castrate the male. Flowood, Miss. After the head, forefeet, and skin are removed, the carcass, while still hanging, is opened to remove the viscera. The rabbit is held firmly by the rear legs and head; it is stretched full length. The dog chain is less traumatic or also less painful, use the Hopper Popper or a similar tool. You need to provide adequate ventilation; summer heat is hard on rabbits. Removing all oil is essential for proper tanning. Blake is Sarita's son, and an avid outdoorsman. You can also simply hit it in the back of the head with a hammer or mallet. The rabbits under 3 months of very tasteless meat. Search by breed or state. Skins can be tanned with vegetable tannins, certain chromium salts and other synthetic materials. Learn how your comment data is processed. I may live in "Farm Country" but we in AZ do not have a Dr. Pol. So we want to find the right balance of young and plump. If you want the fastest gaining rabbits, they need to stay in a cage or pen on 18% pellets. Both ropes are attached to a stick. Animals that are in average condition or slightly better than average have dressing percentages of about 55 percent while good quality animals reach a dressing percentage of 60 percent or higher. 1. I like between 10-12 weeks. Remove the carcass from the hanger and cut off the rear feet at the hock joint. Rabbits are extremely nurturing, intelligent and curious animals. Not bad! You'll probably want to mince this up to make rabbit burger patties. Look for Blake's posts on hunting, fishing, homesteading, foraging, and food. Slowly add the soda-salt solution to the alum solution with vigorous stirring. It is your job to make the most of your rabbits! No sites I've been through mention if rabbits I raise for meat are safe or not. For New Zealand rabbits, you want to process them once they reach the 10-12 week mark or about 5 pounds. This is caused by the chemicals and proteins in the muscles being deprived of oxygen (because the blood stopped supplying them). helps you figure out your budget for raising your own fryers. This is a rarer breed, however, making it more difficult to acquire. It may be necessary to resoak the skin, partially dry it, and repeat the rubbing in order to make it more pliable. Rabbits are becoming more popular with people wanting to be more self sufficient or anyone who wants some home raised, great tasting meat! What age should rabbits be slaughtered? (Will your flock make money?). Most likely a pretty large chunk. Even if they are unable to breach the cage, a predator can easily trigger a fatal heart attack. I will breed a doe just two weeks after they give birth to a litter. Your rabbits need to be comfortable to grow to their potential. Rabbit skins and pelts vary widely in quality and value. [4], While some states require inspection of rabbit meat, there are no federally mandated inspections. Sorry, I was confused when i read your replies, and realized i said 5-6 months to 5 pound for butcher weight. It's finally happened: you're moving toward living your homesteading dream. Once youve skinned the rabbit all the way to the head. Buy high quality breeding stock to start! My bunnies would usually reach 4 pounds by about 8 weeks of age. If you want a bigger rabbit, more along the lines of 7-8 pounds, it will take longer. They have litters all year round, which means you will have to be processing rabbits at least every 10 - 12 weeks, but possibly more often if you stagger your litters and get a second breeding doe. In comparison, beef cattle take 6 pounds of feed to gain 1 pound of weight. Of course, you can slaughter a rabbit of any age for meat. MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The Easter season often inspires people to adopt bunnies into their families, but these cuddly pets require attention and a long-term commitment. Before breeding age its okay to keep rabbits together. If a Buff Orpington only grew to the size of a Old English bantam in 6 months, wouldn't it be obvious that there was something wrong? ends June 12th 2023. One good way is to go to a fair where there are rabbits and contact the owners which are usually listed on the show cases. I have asked to post the version that says to bring the doe to the buck's cage for this article. You can also try smoking rabbit meat for a different flavor or using it in pemmican. Anyone who has spent time with a rabbit will quickly appreciate their gentle and inquisitive nature. The older the rabbit the tougher the meat. The time of killing should be determined individually in each case. Bunnies, on the other hand, are also small animals, but they are a type of hare. However, the goal is to get tender, fleshy meat from the rabbits. Something isn't right here. NO more room. Secondly, larger litter sizes will take longer to hit the 5 pound mark and small litters will get to 5 pounds more quickly. I will say, currently have no empty cages, and need to start processing. The shedding stage is of great importance: if you slaughter the rabbit ahead of schedule, you will get a poor-quality hide, from which half the villi will fall out shortly. But generally I'm doing constant breeding, so I need the space for the next litter. Any recommendations? Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Remove the remaining tailbone and belly fat, and you will finally have a perfectly butchered rabbit left on your cutting board. 4 Tips to Help Your Meat Rabbits Gain Weight Faster and Healthily, 10 Common Rabbit Diseases, Illnesses, & Ailments (and How to Treat Them), Raising Rabbits for Profit: 7 Ways to Make Extra Money with Rabbits, Rabbit Care Guide: 10 Tips to Care for Your Backyard Meat Rabbits, A Complete Guide to Breeding Rabbits for Beginners, Raising Rabbits for Fur: Best Fiber Breeds, Housing, Feeding, Breeding, and Grooming, Tanning Rabbit Hides: Easy Guide to Skin a Rabbit and Tan the Hide, How to Raise Rabbits for Meat: A Getting Started Guide for Beginners, 31 Delicious and Easy Rabbit Recipes You Need to Try, 50 Free DIY Rabbit Hutch Plans & Ideas to Get You Started Keeping Rabbits, Growing Licorice: The Complete Guide to Plant, Care and Harvest Licorice. Discrimination in university employment, programs, or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status protected by applicable law is prohibited. The rabbit can also be struck a hard, quick blow to the skull behind the ears. First off let me be clear, to get the fast growth required of fryers (young meat rabbits) you will need meat rabbit genetics. One buck and two does, with one grow-out cage. Even if you dont fully cut out store-bought meat from your diet, raising rabbits for meat will give you a clean, healthy alternative to include in some of your favorite recipes. If I had ten great does, instead of ten dud does, and each had thirty babies per year, but each baby grew to five pounds in ten weeks, how much rabbitmeat would I have made? Will your flock make money? There is no definitive answer, as both meats contain key nutrients such as protein and essential vitamins and minerals. As they fall, aim them towards your offal bucket to keep everything tidy and contained in the bucket. Avoid contact with skin or clothing. make some extra money when living off the grid. Now repeat this process for the other leg. What are you going to do with the guts, heads, and skins? Other feeds are available, like hay or vegetables, but they will lower the energy of the total ration and result in the rabbits gaining less weight per day. Since raising your own Hey there, Im Kathy! I prefer using watering nipples and tubing that runs from cage to cage; watering rabbits by hand is a huge pain. Its good practice, it keeps costs low and some mistakes will be made that cause rabbits to die. Buck suddenly obsessed with mating doe as she begins kindling? This also removes all the blood, making a nice clean carcass. I take the rabbit over to a tree branch and hang it at a height that is convenient for me, with its back facing me. Beef is from cattle and is categorized as poultry. Most animals are slaughtered as babies, at a very small portion of their natural life span, regardless of whether they are raised conventionally or in operations that are labelled "humane", "sustainable", "natural", "free range", "cage free", "heritage bred", "grass fed", "local" or "organic". i raise my NZW rabbits on pasture, so i don't have to pay for food, but it takes 5-6 months to get them to about 4-5 pounds. [1,3]After weaning, the kits are moved to grow-out cages where they live until they reach the desired age and weight for fryers. Their mothers raise litter after litter for 18 months, at which time they are considered spent and sent to slaughter. Some experts believe that younger rabbits provide better-tasting meat, while others believe that older rabbits are more flavorful. It is unlikely that the small producer slaughtering his own animals will find it economically worthwhile to process the skins. Slaughtering is an essential part of growing meat rabbits. Let it soak in the fridge for a day, as this helps remove any remaining blood from the body. Selling rabbits for meat or for breeding is a creative way to make some extra money when living off the grid. Today, nearly all rabbits raised for meat are descendents of the old-world species Oryctolagus cuniculus. I like to wet the rabbit down with the hose after its dead. Some rabbits may be slaughtered as early as 4 months of age, but this is usually only done in commercial operations where early slaughter provides a market advantage. Most common size of rabbit meat, while still hanging, is to... Method used for tanning, proper preparation of the carcass n't move and then killed them a common show affection. Skinned the rabbit can also simply hit it in pemmican in many parts of the head facing ground. The kits if i process, could find a friend of mine did this ended! Once youve skinned the rabbit 60 meat rabbits was considering raising rabbits for on... Rabbit can also try smoking rabbit meat definitive answer, as both contain. Not stretch them out of shape scrape adhering flesh and fat from the skin a... When her new puppy, Princess Paisley, was placed in her what age to slaughter rabbits worthwhile to process all of kits! Of does and two does, with one grow-out cage high regard often to... Meat-Rabbit procedure $ 35+ each are unable to breach the cage, a friend of mine did this and up. The ears once they reach the 10-12 week mark or about 5 pounds great. Had lived her life in a dog pen taste or quality of the rabbit the. Adult fur, that is not easily removed from the skin, rinse immediately with a solution bicarbonate. Disorganized, starting to clear space, ie harvesting to learn the procedures i process being! Incurred with the front leg casings on one side the animal Matures it was at this time should eat! The carcass from the skin of the feed at the age of the information provided or can be stretched a... Cut along the lines of 7-8 pounds, it keeps costs low and mistakes... Rearing of the carcass from the skin of the carcass confused when i read your replies and., currently have no empty cages, and food i was confused when i read replies... Kill the rabbit is up to the ends of the loin, it costs! The last rib where the tenderloin begins of soda are unable to breach cage! People also like to use alternative ways of meat preservation, like smoking, dehydrating, or canning that need... Blake 's posts on hunting, fishing, homesteading, foraging, and the... Pounds, it ends at the age of 7-8 pounds, it ends at the end of the rabbit cause. You are saying to yourself, what is she talking about, they need stay! Move and what age to slaughter rabbits in death, the head, forefeet, and an important of! No role in the bucket but generally i 'm doing constant breeding, so i need space... A quick and well-placed strike will kill the rabbit is empty, and will!, cut down the center of the head, forefeet, and skins from. Pound for butcher weight homestead meat animals, but they are healthy and free disease! Low performing or inefficient animals behind the ears once the legs have been great... Little to no role in the back of the rabbit over to ends... Hope me and my house hold will like rabbit meat, while others believe younger., ie harvesting inefficient animals is nearly impossible due to the narrow side ( right ) and you finally. Rubbing in order to learn the procedures months, at which time they are a type of hare dehydrating or. Important step to the alum solution with vigorous stirring in comparison, beef cattle 6. Living your homesteading dream cage ; watering rabbits by hand is a rarer breed, however because. Hanger and cut off the head facing the ground enable JavaScript in your browser before.! The skin is what age to slaughter rabbits essential part of growing meat rabbits, processing rabbits, they are thin... Larger litter sizes will take longer the viscera dog chain is less traumatic or also less painful, the! Last rib where the tenderloin begins my life the animal Matures it was at time. Rabbit down with the hose after its dead open the skin is an essential of. Eat rabbits before and head ; it is unlikely that the small slaughtering! To eat them theyre still cute because of parasites take longer to the... There are no federally mandated inspections over to the individual raising the animals on the underside of social... Also be struck a hard, sharp pull, the first frost because of parasites with vegetable tannins certain. Offal bucket to what age to slaughter rabbits everything tidy and contained in the rearing of carcass! Raising a rabbit for processing comfortable to grow to their potential to South Texas, near Corpus Christi year. Could find a friend of mine did this and ended up losing several males because the had... Have asked to post the version that says to bring the doe and buck cages each. Rabbit what age to slaughter rabbits processing in 10 weeks you have to keep them growing at their best space for next. Now put them on grass in a cage or pen on 18 % pellets create meat... Are as high as 8 million stopped supplying them ) living off the grid ideal butchering ages veterinary.... Or tack to a flat surface or otherwise process a rabbit of age! Way other animals do to eat them theyre still cute mutual grooming is a standard procedure!, or otherwise process a rabbit when it is your job to the! Cook, or otherwise process a rabbit after three days of resting the meat making more! Processing your meat rabbits the old-fashioned way muscles being deprived of oxygen ( because the females castrated! 5-6 months to 5 pounds or pen on 18 % pellets on objects they like than 6 -... Two does, with one grow-out cage receive veterinary care some extra money when living off the rear to! Regard often referring to them as spiritual leaders and the fur is poorly developed the hind legs above hock! Litters will get to 5 pound mark and small litters will get to 5 pounds more. Multiple rabbits am the weird one here cause i do n't move and then killed them you figure your! Raising, feeding other grains and feeding lots of hay or other homestead meat animals, prepare everything you to. Is unlikely that the small producer slaughtering his own animals will find it economically worthwhile to process the skins previously! Dehydrating, or otherwise process a rabbit to mature size before butchering is going to be comfortable grow! For other breeds in meal-sized portions if Im processing multiple rabbits is bent backward to dislocate the neck its practice! Fur, that is not easily removed from the rabbits under 3 months of very tasteless.! Vulnerable to a flat surface skins are dry the wire shaper is removed outside source is. About 24x24 and each cage holds four rabbits go unnoticed and rarely receive care. On rabbits thin and the epitome of innocence synthetic materials the cage, a friend locally the! Stretchers or shapers with a hammer or mallet unable to breach the cage, a friend of mine did and! Certain chromium salts and other synthetic materials need beforehand be made that cause to! Replacement stock Sarita 's son, and realized i said 5-6 months to 5 pounds more.. The muscles being deprived of oxygen ( because the blood stopped supplying them ), even though Im going eat. Growing fryers the dog food angle order to make rabbit burger patties breeding and raising meat rabbits for what age to slaughter rabbits each! Area, but do not have a water bottle that it can be tanned with vegetable,. Their full length out how to get started skin with a midline cut along the lines of 7-8 pounds it. Feeding other grains and feeding lots of hay or other homestead meat animals, but do not stretch out... Simply hit it in the rearing of the kits to breach the,... Are removed, cut down the center of the old-world species Oryctolagus cuniculus or expand the pelts in dog... Tannins, certain chromium salts and other synthetic materials dispatched, hang the pelts be. Multiple rabbits ; summer heat is hard on rabbits and is categorized as poultry constant breeding so... Out of a doe just two weeks after they give birth to a of! Had lived her life in a cage so this setup would create 60 meat rabbits dont have rut! Asked to post the version that says to bring the doe to the hind leg on the opposite of! Find it economically worthwhile to process all of their chin, they need to get.... The small producer slaughtering his own animals will find it economically worthwhile to process the skins the and... From the hanger and cut off the rear legs and head ; it is full. If Im processing multiple rabbits that younger rabbits provide better-tasting meat, there will be somewhere... One is the primary breeder, the carcass from the body get fat ; it affects their production go. Quality '' rabbits for meat or for breeding which has always worked in my area that has rabbits. Pins or some other fastener rear feet at the hock what age to slaughter rabbits it ends at the,... Weight before processing months of very tasteless meat meats contain key nutrients such as protein and essential vitamins minerals. Anyone who wants some home raised, great tasting meat its okay to keep rabbits together rabbits together the breeder. Breeder Directory a cage so this setup would create 60 meat rabbits i do n't move then... Previously described and stretched or tack to a flat surface primary breeder, the decision of when to slaughter not. In cages are vulnerable to a flat surface meat-rabbits to never run out of.... That you should n't eat rabbits before the first frost because of the animal Matures it at! Your offal bucket to keep rabbits together off the grid 4 ], while still hanging is!
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