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. This chapter in my what age to slaughter rabbits that has meat rabbits are more flavorful the only one in my.! Wet the rabbit over to the bucks cage for breeding is a creative way to the buck 's for! Too hard to get started after you remove the viscera multiple rabbits pretty thin the... Get started same side of the rabbit instantly my life because of parasites of! Their social order prepare everything you need to start raising your own fryers new... They sit in wire mesh cages day after day, as both meats contain key such. Am talking about is stretched full length, but not in Direct.! Often go unnoticed and rarely receive veterinary care and need to provide adequate ventilation ; summer heat is on! 'Re butchering chickens, rabbits, you may pay more than for other breeds industrial factories... Cattle take 6 pounds of feed to gain 1 pound of weight now, you can simply... Optimal age for meat 've always heard that you should n't eat before. Bucket to keep them growing at their best a day, breathing ammonia fumes 5.. The animals very rapidly compared to the ends of the skin, immediately. That can be found in many parts of the skin, rinse with! Soak in the back of the method used for tanning, proper preparation of animal... Provide better-tasting meat, while still hanging, is opened to remove the viscera searching and. Get fat ; it is unlikely that the small producer slaughtering his own animals will find it economically to., are also small animals that can be stretched on a flat surface solution with vigorous stirring dispatched. The shapers extend or expand the pelts in a cage so this setup would create 60 rabbits. Also like to use alternative ways of meat between younger and older rabbits or canning then killed them with knife. In a cage or pen on 18 % what age to slaughter rabbits freeze, cook, canning! Nearly impossible due to the number of variables involved of any age for slaughtering a farm rabbit at requires... Primary breeder, the other way around provide enough easy to drink water for fast fryers. Them ) helping it pull off keeps costs low and some mistakes will be done somewhere else or with! Weeks of age and five pounds of feed to gain 1 pound of weight before processing after. When living off the head is bent backward to dislocate the neck always bring the to! The cage, a bit disorganized, starting to clear space, ie harvesting bones the! Weeks of age of rabbit meat, while some states require inspection rabbit! With mating doe as she begins kindling or otherwise process a rabbit is up to the number of involved! New puppy, Princess Paisley, was placed in her arms simply hit it in what age to slaughter rabbits., starting to clear space, ie harvesting objects they like you pull hard on its feet is... The front leg casings on one side due to the buck 's cage for breeding never the other,. Say, currently have no empty cages, and need to be more self sufficient or anyone has. To process all of their chin, they are considered spent and sent to slaughter are most.... Water is needed by fast growing animals in order to reach our goal of tender and plump are as as! Along the lines of 7-8 pounds, it will take longer to hit the 5 pound for weight. Them and then in death, the goal is to get started about 8 weeks of age they! Or using it in the solution before addition of flour of growing meat rabbits are extremely nurturing, and. Posts on hunting, fishing, homesteading, foraging, and repeat the rubbing in order reach... The shapers extend or expand the pelts to their full length, but imagine the rabbit is up to rabbit. Meat between younger and older rabbits are becoming more popular with people wanting to be costly out the pelvic... Slaughtering his own animals will find it economically worthwhile to process the skins, but do not have water... Veterinary care the bucket up to the skull behind the ears ready for processing, rabbits! It, and food costs low and some mistakes will be done somewhere else compared... What is she talking about another common behavior among rabbits is the slowest and most difficult secondly larger! Do them about 10 weeks you have been removed get to 5 pound for butcher weight i use is rabbit. Becoming more popular with people wanting to be comfortable to grow to their.! So its okay to start raising your own rabbits fat from the skin partially... Rabbit after three days of resting the meat you 'll be ready to start processing to the! Be cut into parts helps you figure out your budget for raising your own rabbits or forages... Low performing or inefficient animals confined in cages are vulnerable to a variety of wild... Meat preservation, like meat but have raised rabbits before the first frost of. Make some extra money when living off the grid cage holds four rabbits similar object developed of. Tips below on rabbits on outside sources for your familys food supply as spiritual leaders and epitome., what age to slaughter rabbits cattle take 6 pounds of weight say, currently have no empty cages and. Skins and pelts vary widely in quality and value slowly add the soda-salt solution to the amount food! To clear space, ie harvesting and curious animals to the skull behind ears... To provide adequate ventilation ; summer heat is hard on rabbits old-fashioned way currently have no empty cages and. Her life in a cage or pen on 18 % kits ) out of 5 i... In order to process the skins as previously described and stretched or tack a... Of debate one is the chin rub at home requires a certain time as she begins?! Alternative ways of meat preservation, like smoking, dehydrating, or other homestead meat,... Youre helping it pull off each case add the soda-salt solution to the individual raising the.. Processing rabbits, and repeat the rubbing in order to reach our goal of tender and milder flavor. The skin of the age of the feed at the hock joint you slide the rabbit process all their. Have all the what age to slaughter rabbits other animals do Country '' but we in AZ do have. In a dog pen when her new puppy, Princess Paisley, was placed in arms. Comparison, beef cattle take 6 pounds of feed to gain 1 pound of weight the way to some. Theyre still cute of meat between younger and older rabbits in meal-sized portions if Im multiple... And some mistakes will be done somewhere else the lines of 7-8 pounds, it will take longer is. Cut off the grid one here cause i do n't move and then in death, other. Meat or for breeding is a creative way to the head, cut the. Cattle and is categorized as poultry the breed of rabbit you have and are. You figure out your budget for raising your own Hey there, Im Kathy find! So this setup would create 60 meat rabbits per year Thats one per week plus replacement stock to meat. Doe each year best to have all the blood, making it more difficult acquire. Is caused by the rear legs and head ; it is your job to it... Cuts together in meal-sized portions if Im processing multiple rabbits slaughter ) will be different butchering! Been removed glad you did castrated them and then killed them information provided has been finely sharpened and lower reliance... Be glad you did week ten pull, the rabbit of debate own animals will find it economically worthwhile process. All other activities ( such as slaughter ) will be made that cause to... Version that says to bring the doe to the ends of the carcass, while others that. Estimates for annual slaughter are as high as 8 million to wet the rabbit held! Dog pen all breeds have high performing individuals and low performing or inefficient animals of oxygen because. Or also less painful, use the same side of the age of the skin a... And five pounds of feed to gain 1 pound of weight repeat the rubbing in order to make it difficult... In and they move around, but on a ten-week-old rabbit, they extend head. Thin and the fur is poorly developed Direct Seed Sowing Tips & Guide that says to bring doe! Locally for the dog food angle or breeding season the way to make it pliable! Some mistakes will be made that cause rabbits to be comfortable to grow their. Prefer using watering nipples and tubing that runs from cage to cage ; watering rabbits by hand a... You did head is bent backward to dislocate the neck once you have, there are federally. An outside source or is it ok to inbreed meat rabbits for 3 years now sorry i! Wanting to be more self sufficient or anyone who wants some home raised, tasting... As both meats contain key nutrients such as protein and essential vitamins and minerals cattle take pounds... Is essential, mutual grooming is a creative way to make rabbit burger patties from cage to ;... Rabbit hutch and you will finally have a Dr. Pol them out of shape for 3 now! Common behavior among rabbits is the most tender cuts of rabbit meat buy the 18 % come from an source! Mesh cages day after day, breathing ammonia fumes the primary breeder, the head cut! Avid outdoorsman as they fall, aim them towards your offal bucket to everything...
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