BlueCoyote 0 Posted June 1, 2008 Report Share Posted June 1, 2008 got some bunnies i raised - born in early march - cant remember - but whats the usual age to butcher a bunny? or is that a matter of preference? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Netter 0 Posted June 1, 2008 Report Share Posted June 1, 2008 It's a case of when they're big enough they're old enough. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueCoyote 0 Posted June 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2008 would that be the size of a full grown rabbit then? i once mentioned to someone about letting them grow to their full size and they said they would be too old and tough... so whats the medium? the happy in between? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Netter 0 Posted June 1, 2008 Report Share Posted June 1, 2008 What sort of rabbits are you breeding? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueCoyote 0 Posted June 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 Californian i think.... i'm guessing..... this is them here.. the breeders, not the babes. the two grey ones are Flemish Giant/American Straight and American Strait... what ever that is. those two only cost me $5 so i didnt really care what their breeds were said to be... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Netter 0 Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 Californian rabbits weigh between 8 to 10lb as adults, but are slower growing than New Zealand Whites that can produce young ones with a live weight of 4.5 to 5lb in 9 to 10 weeks. Apparently the skin of the Californian is preferable to the New Zealand White because it's thicker and more substantial. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueCoyote 0 Posted June 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 thanks for that info. i figured most domesticated rabbit breeds grew about the same rate.... but what you said explains a lot. i thought i was just being impatient! those little ones are still little.. i havent got a scale to weight them on, but they're not much bigger than an 8 week old kitten. shouldnt they be bigger than that by now?? do i have a bunch of stunted rabbits for some reason? and yes the hide is nice and thick. but i'm not raising rabbits for their skins. its the meat i want. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Netter 0 Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 Next question, what are you feeding them? and how much? If your keeping them for meat, you can't go on feeding them forever with no gain at the end, Your not being impatient. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueCoyote 0 Posted June 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 (edited) i just been feeding rabbit pellets from the local feed store mixed with sweet feed. i also give them fresh grass when it gets cut... once a week. they get a cup of pellets for each bunny, and seem to have some left over - thats the little ones, not the adults. the bucks and does are doing great.... the two grey ones i had since they were old enough to ween from their parents. havent changed my routine much so i'm stumped. Also, how old should they be when its time to worm them? i'm just starting out in this and my husband keeps telling me that work and money thats gone into isnt worth it in the end. next weekend i'm hoping to build some more hutches for them, and probably another pen on the ground so they get some fresh grass. right now there are four young ones in a large hutch.. Edited June 2, 2008 by BlueCoyote Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Netter 0 Posted June 2, 2008 Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 A rabbit being a gnawing herbivore needs something to chew on as its front teeth are constantly growing, a small bark covered log stops it chewing up its house, A pet rabbit mix is usually around 13% protein, subsequently you will need to provide additional small amounts of potato peelings, bread garden greens and roots such as carrots, a balance of green food is better as just feeding one type can lead to digestive problems, Suitable green foods include cabbage, kale, chicory, clover, dandelions, yarrow, parsley and shepherds purse. You need to provide hay at all times for a good balance, pellets for commercial rabbits are usually 17% protein, adult rabbits will need around 4oz of pellets a day, younger rabbits eat proportionally less, feed half in a morning and the rest at night. Although this is the textbook way, you can successfully fatten rabbits on food that’s available free or very cheap. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueCoyote 0 Posted June 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2008 i was lead to believe that breads, starches, cabbage and too much dark leafy greens could be very bad for them? i'm not any better off now than i was when i asked lol not your fault, just saying there is so much contradictory advice out there it makes my head spin. no wonder most of you prefer to hunt rabbits than raising them yourself. pain in the @$$..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
masmiffy 82 Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 Coyote years ago my mate used to breed rabbits for the table and to sell. His were belgian hare old english cross. Meat was great better than wid rabbit but you have no problems with raising wild rabbit!! Cant remenber the 'age' he used to kill at but as someone said big enough old enough? We cant always tell the age of a wild rabbit before we shoot or catch it can we? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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