Due to recent changes in our dietary beliefs, we no longer are keeping, processing or selling meat rabbits. This information is left in place for those who would have no problem with rabbit consumption to pass on this information. Copying and disseminating this information is permitted without restriction as long as it is not used for profit.
This picture was taken less than 5 minutes after birth. Yep, there's 13 in there!
This website is dedicated to the education of the public pertaining to rabbits and the breeding, nurturing and care of these incredible animals and to show those who might be interested what we are doing with them.
First let it be known that we are NOT in league with "Animal Rights" groups that seek to humanize these and other animals. These animals are cute, fuzzy, amazing little creatures, but they are also cattle. As such they are selectively bred to bring out the best in their particular breed. The individual rabbits that better their breed are kept and used as breeding stock for the betterment of future generations. The animals that show undesirable characteristics are culled.
Culling is a broad term that can mean anything from simply selling an animal (or keeping it) as a pet that will not be used for breeding, to the destruction of the animal outright, typically to be used as food.
Some of the animals raised here are specifically raised as a food product. The rabbits that are used here for this are typically American Chinchilla rabbits (although they are also used as our primary show breed) a breed that is known for fast, inexpensive meat production. Some other breeds are used for their fur fibers to be used in spinning and knitting (Angora rabbits) or just because we like the characteristics of the breed in general (American Chinchilla.)
Any of the breeds can be used for food. The smallest of the breeds we have raised are the Netherland Dwarves. Even those will yield some usable meat at adult weight.
Many of my friends, relatives and even occasional fellow breeders have expressed their disbelief at the fact that I can "kill one of those adorable little fuzzies" when I mention that some of our rabbits are raised specifically to be used for meat. Although some have been turned by a dinner invitation with a rabbit as the guest of honor, some have refused and can't overcome what I have called the "Cute Factor."
As a breeder of rabbits, I get to see them at their best and worst. The rabbit that comes up to the front of the cage every time you walk by and begs for attention (or sunflower seeds) is one that even for the hardest of hearts will find to be difficult to harvest, some will never be able to harvest a brood favorite, even once its "useful life" is past. Other animals that are less than friendly or even aggressive are almost easy even for those who are the more soft-hearted. I've said more than once, all it takes is one rabbit hanging from your arm by its teeth while you're trying to feed it, you'll find harvesting "that adorable little fuzzy" not so difficult at all!
So how do those who have difficulty "killing Thumper," force themselves to do so with minimal guilt? The answers are fairly simple, but not necessarily easy without some personal discipline.
1. Keep reminding yourself, your partner and particularly any youngsters that these are cattle. They are not pets to be held and fondled. They get fed, watered, their cages cleaned and put back to be left alone. They have each other and their mothers for company, they don't need you. Leave them alone.
2. I would advise for those who have a tendency for attachment to their animals to have a pet rabbit, even if it is kept outside in a cage with the other rabbits. When you need to cuddle with a rabbit, pull him out. Incidentally, it is usually best to have a male as a pet as long as you handle him often. Females can be "temperamental" at times due to hormones.
3. Start out your rabbit herd with rabbits that are not the cutest breeds. This seems like a simplistic answer, but it is often ignored. Get a meat breed like the New Zealand or Californian or, as we have done, the American Chinchilla, a rare breed that needs help to keep from becoming extinct. They are not a "cute" rabbit when they reach 10 week harvesting maturity. They are bred specifically to raise for meat and have a very fast growing rate with minimal cost for feed (for pellet feed, cost for these breeds is about 3 1/2 cents a day per rabbit after a 5 week weaning), there is little that brings out the cute in them past 7-8 weeks and just looking at them will remind you that they are for meat.
4. For those who want all the benefits of this wonderful meat but can't bring themselves to actually kill and butcher them, there is always the option of the local butcher. For someone who will be returning regularly to a local butcher, special prices under $2.50 can normally be worked out with the professional if you're willing to let him or her have the pelts to sell. That still leaves you with a 5 pound rabbit yielding about 2.5 pounds of usable meat that costs about five to six dollars. That's a bargain in anyone's book!
Be creative! You may even have a local hunter who has no problem processing them for no more than a "cut" of the meat afterward. Rabbit meat is the best of all worlds when it comes to the small or even larger homestead. The meat is flavorful, filling and the best of all commercially produced meats for you (see the next page "Why Rabbits" for specifics).
Rabbits can be a great little pet, but with proper protection of your feelings and those of your family, they can also be a great addition to your dinner table.
Take a look at the following pages and see some specifics on the breeds we are currently carrying.
First let it be known that we are NOT in league with "Animal Rights" groups that seek to humanize these and other animals. These animals are cute, fuzzy, amazing little creatures, but they are also cattle. As such they are selectively bred to bring out the best in their particular breed. The individual rabbits that better their breed are kept and used as breeding stock for the betterment of future generations. The animals that show undesirable characteristics are culled.
Culling is a broad term that can mean anything from simply selling an animal (or keeping it) as a pet that will not be used for breeding, to the destruction of the animal outright, typically to be used as food.
Some of the animals raised here are specifically raised as a food product. The rabbits that are used here for this are typically American Chinchilla rabbits (although they are also used as our primary show breed) a breed that is known for fast, inexpensive meat production. Some other breeds are used for their fur fibers to be used in spinning and knitting (Angora rabbits) or just because we like the characteristics of the breed in general (American Chinchilla.)
Any of the breeds can be used for food. The smallest of the breeds we have raised are the Netherland Dwarves. Even those will yield some usable meat at adult weight.
Many of my friends, relatives and even occasional fellow breeders have expressed their disbelief at the fact that I can "kill one of those adorable little fuzzies" when I mention that some of our rabbits are raised specifically to be used for meat. Although some have been turned by a dinner invitation with a rabbit as the guest of honor, some have refused and can't overcome what I have called the "Cute Factor."
As a breeder of rabbits, I get to see them at their best and worst. The rabbit that comes up to the front of the cage every time you walk by and begs for attention (or sunflower seeds) is one that even for the hardest of hearts will find to be difficult to harvest, some will never be able to harvest a brood favorite, even once its "useful life" is past. Other animals that are less than friendly or even aggressive are almost easy even for those who are the more soft-hearted. I've said more than once, all it takes is one rabbit hanging from your arm by its teeth while you're trying to feed it, you'll find harvesting "that adorable little fuzzy" not so difficult at all!
So how do those who have difficulty "killing Thumper," force themselves to do so with minimal guilt? The answers are fairly simple, but not necessarily easy without some personal discipline.
1. Keep reminding yourself, your partner and particularly any youngsters that these are cattle. They are not pets to be held and fondled. They get fed, watered, their cages cleaned and put back to be left alone. They have each other and their mothers for company, they don't need you. Leave them alone.
2. I would advise for those who have a tendency for attachment to their animals to have a pet rabbit, even if it is kept outside in a cage with the other rabbits. When you need to cuddle with a rabbit, pull him out. Incidentally, it is usually best to have a male as a pet as long as you handle him often. Females can be "temperamental" at times due to hormones.
3. Start out your rabbit herd with rabbits that are not the cutest breeds. This seems like a simplistic answer, but it is often ignored. Get a meat breed like the New Zealand or Californian or, as we have done, the American Chinchilla, a rare breed that needs help to keep from becoming extinct. They are not a "cute" rabbit when they reach 10 week harvesting maturity. They are bred specifically to raise for meat and have a very fast growing rate with minimal cost for feed (for pellet feed, cost for these breeds is about 3 1/2 cents a day per rabbit after a 5 week weaning), there is little that brings out the cute in them past 7-8 weeks and just looking at them will remind you that they are for meat.
4. For those who want all the benefits of this wonderful meat but can't bring themselves to actually kill and butcher them, there is always the option of the local butcher. For someone who will be returning regularly to a local butcher, special prices under $2.50 can normally be worked out with the professional if you're willing to let him or her have the pelts to sell. That still leaves you with a 5 pound rabbit yielding about 2.5 pounds of usable meat that costs about five to six dollars. That's a bargain in anyone's book!
Be creative! You may even have a local hunter who has no problem processing them for no more than a "cut" of the meat afterward. Rabbit meat is the best of all worlds when it comes to the small or even larger homestead. The meat is flavorful, filling and the best of all commercially produced meats for you (see the next page "Why Rabbits" for specifics).
Rabbits can be a great little pet, but with proper protection of your feelings and those of your family, they can also be a great addition to your dinner table.
Take a look at the following pages and see some specifics on the breeds we are currently carrying.