A new journey into homesteading "pic heavy"

[Lazy Gardener]

Rabbit manure is never too hot, is it?

 

[Chic Rustler]

Rabbit manure is never too hot, is it?

Nope. It has double the nitrogen of chicken manure but is time release.

I have mulched plants with it and not had any issues

 

[Lazy Gardener]

I keep toying with the idea of raising some rabbit. That may be a possibility for when hubby and I retire. He's so NOT-A farmer. So, if we did rabbits, it would be an other venture added to my plate. Not sure if I want to take that on any time soon. Sure would love those berries, though!

 

[Chic Rustler]

They are super easy.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

One thing that puts me off is: it appears that they each need separate cage to grow out? Then, there's the processing. I know that once the head is off, it's just meat, and I'm guessing that rabbit is easier to process than chicken. But, it would take me a bit of time to mentally move past the "Oh look at the cute widdle bunny." stage... to the "hurry up and get this meat processed so I can get it into the fridge or into the crock pot" stage. I've not tasted rabbit for more than 35 years. And that was when hubby shot a rabbit and it was FULL of bird shot. My memory fails me re: whether I enjoyed the flavor/texture. Of course, that rabbit was a bit crunchy! How's the feed conversion rate compare to chicken?

Aside from that, I think it would be great to raise meat rabbits. I might even get into tanning and using hides. I'd have to re-work my garden/chicken space areas, and most likely would want to put up an electric perimeter fence.

 

[Chic Rustler]

No. Only one grow out pen is needed because they are not mature at slaughter.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

WELL, now. That's a bit of a different game plan. So, tell me... what would a breeding and grow out set up look like for say 1 - 2 does and 1 buck. Do I have my terminology correct? And how often does a doe breed, once she starts? and what are the approx ages, and processing weights? And, what's a good breed of rabbit to raise?

 

[Chic Rustler]

Meat rabbits: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIzbqoQ9AHsQ48g76jdpg4XLEK2zZZziv


I did a bunch of videos on it. New Zealand white and calfornian are the best. They are mature at 6 months. Slaughter at 8-12 weeks.

 

[Chic Rustler]

Spring is near!

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Thanks for those videos. I watched the one about your cage set up, with the fans, and the one re: processing.