gnipper 5,966 Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Does anyone on here breed their own meat rabbits? If so what breeds do you keep and feed etc? Cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
forest of dean redneck 11,190 Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Nz supposed to be one of the best, the French lop is a French meat breed but supposed to have not that good a meat to bone ratio , same with the continental giant they eat way to much ,and have too much bone. I was talking to someone once in a prepping forum and he was breeding a line of mini lops which he said was comparable to a wild rabbit.for amount of meat. I'm sure You an get growers pellets for rabbits Allen & page I think . 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gnipper 5,966 Posted June 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 My mate has got nz and californian on the go at the moment, the crosses are meant to be the best for eating apparently. I got a californian doe for the kids off him which I might take a litter off in a couple of months. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vfr400boy 3,120 Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 I keept nz and Californan they was good eating I fed them hay veg and a breeder grower pellet I had 6 does and 2 bucks , I had to get rid when I moved out , do miss having them tho , I got my stock of a bloke that still has a farm he sends them to France , I remember I payed £28 each for them as the bloke sed it's a pound a year he has spent improveing the strain lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
forest of dean redneck 11,190 Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 I forgot the Californians ,and they do get crossed a lot with the Nz .couple years ago I considered the mini lop had a buck an doe here mated the doe, something happened think the garden flooded so moved her hutch ,while later,she gave birth,an she killed the young when they was born,or they was stillborn. Does gone now but still got the buck as a pet as he is friendly chap makes funny movies when I go the hutch, Have you seen where people farm guinea pigs,they are an incas delicacy ,only trouble with them is got to make sure they get vitamin c,and they can keel with colds. Etc.but some people been rearing them to eat as they take less space up.one person had them free roaming their back yard. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gnipper 5,966 Posted June 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Can you remember what age yours were ready for butchering at mate? Everything I read says 8 weeks but these californians are not at that age so is it the strain? One of his new Zealand does came pregnant and these kits are massive in comparison but the father is a mystery. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gnipper 5,966 Posted June 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 These are on breeder pellets, hay ad-lib and plenty of vegetables too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
forest of dean redneck 11,190 Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Most usa forums say 70 days or 3lb killing weight. I suppose that's for profit as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
terryd 8,045 Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 surprising quite a few people keep them for meat. I am a member of a group on facebook called Homemade Rabbit Recipes its got over 3500 members. Some cracking recipes come up and it looks loverly. Looks a completely different beast to cook than you wild one. Obviously much more tender and softer meat i guess being farmed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gnipper 5,966 Posted June 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 I'm yet to try a captive one but I'm interested to see/taste the difference. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gnipper 5,966 Posted June 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 Most usa forums say 70 days or 3lb killing weight. I suppose that's for profit as well. The pellets are about 7.50 for 25kg so not too expensive but yeah there's no point running them on too long is there eating loads of grub. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
forest of dean redneck 11,190 Posted June 7, 2016 Report Share Posted June 7, 2016 I found this interesting ,apperently the meat loses quality after 9 weeks? http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1434956/what-age-weight-to-process-rabbits 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vfr400boy 3,120 Posted June 8, 2016 Report Share Posted June 8, 2016 The meat is quite different to wild rabbit I just killed the biggest in the litter at about 8 weeks then one a week after that I only let them rear 6 kits , I sold loads as pets too Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gnipper 5,966 Posted June 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2016 I've got an oven ready nz in the freezer to try so I'll try it soon. Would you say 7 1/2 pound is small for an adult californian buck? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
forest of dean redneck 11,190 Posted June 14, 2016 Report Share Posted June 14, 2016 They used to be 10 pound? We had a French lop doe heavier than that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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