Hare raising experience

[mooreorless]

Just wondering if anybody has experience raising meat rabbits? How long do you end up feeding them out before butchering? How many litters a year? How do they compare in taste to wild rabbits? I've seen some pretty stout pen raised bionic bunnies, but have never eaten them. Thought this might be a potential homestead project.

[patricimo54]

Great subject. The wife and I have been considering bunnies once again. Did it as very small scale project with some success about 20 years ago and we really enjoyed the meat. I like you would love to hear from rabbit raisers of all kinds.

[flyguy]

I did it on a very small scale, I raised New Zealands and Flemish Giants,Sold them when they hit 5 lbs,Nevered ate them just sold them.I use to get two litters per doe.Had three bucks and nine does and kept the biggest one and sold the rest after three years got new breeding stock.

[bigpat]

A book I have recommends breeding the does 3 times a year. Start by breeding on Jan.1. Litter born feb. 1. Weaned March 1. Breed doe again on May1. Litter butchered at 8 weeks, April 1.

[kyboy]

Ive raised rabbits for a while. Most san juans for training and such but its much the same. A doe will come in heat very regularly. though you shouldent over breed them. I think gestation is around 27 days? A good doe will often have 8-12 bunnies. You can tell if shes in heat by putting the buck in with her. then you can see if she took by doing the same a little later. She will raise cain if she took when the buck trys to breed again. Sexing small bunnies takes a trained eye. An older gentlemen taught me how. Its not hard after someone shows you.

[yotechaser]

Me and my kids raise californians for meat and they show them at 4-H. They are a great meat bred you can get 5 to 6 litters a year out of each doe but after about two years you need to get new brood does. The californians have a good rate of gain you can butcher at 3 to 4 months. I raised some new zealands when I was younger the problem with them was the new zealands have a lot heavier bone structure than the californians. Just my 2 cents hope it helps.