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Barnyard Buddies:  Meat Rabbits for kids?  |
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 09:42:44 AM
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I have an 8 year old son who doesn't have "his own" animal, and hates taking care of the chickens, because for some reason he thinks they are his sister's. He is homeschooled, in 4H, and loves making things with his tools, and really is quite responsible, in an 8-yr old boy way.
I'm thinking about meat rabbits for him. He's talked about them in the past, as have my husband and I. We do raise meat chickens, and the butchering part is fine with our kids. It could be a birthday gift/project getting to make the hutches and then the rabbits and their care, etc.
Anyone raise meat rabbits and have a favorite book to use as a resource? We've read the Storey ones at the library, and have a few others, but would like to hear about your favorites.
Any advice or words of warning?
:) Thanks!
http://troutwife.blogspot.com/ |
Edited by - SheilaC on Jan 13 2011 10:34:22 AM |
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CasieD
Farmgirl in Training
34 Posts
Casie
Edgar
WI
USA
34 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 11:10:48 AM
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The Bob Bennett book, Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits was a really good source for me. I read as much as I could get my hands on from the library. I started with rabbits last spring. I would say look for someone local who has meat rabbits and get 2 proven does and a buck. Start small! I ended up with more than I really wanted or needed because there are so many different breeds out there I wanted one of each. Not the way to do it. Pick a breed and stay with it. New Zealands, Californians and standard Rex are all good meat breeds. I went with one of the breeds listed as critical in numbers. (http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/wtchlist.html#rabbits)There are quite a few American rabbit breeders in Wisconsin so it wasn't hard to get my breeding stock. Join the yahoo group for meat rabbits, they have great advice on raising them compared to most who raise for pets or showing. Also try to find the ARBA district group for your area. They will be a great help in finding your breeders locally.
Oh, and only name the breeders you are keeping... not the litter that will be going to freezer camp. ; ) |
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karla
True Blue Farmgirl
1308 Posts
karla
Pella
Iowa
USA
1308 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 11:27:18 AM
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We have New Zealand & they are a good sized meat rabbit. We have 3 does & 1 buck. Typically we have gotten 3-8 babies with each litter. I think it would be a great rpoject for him. He can also show them for 4H.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
http://rua2j-grammysheirlooms.blogspot.com/ |
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country roads
True Blue Farmgirl
443 Posts
Melissa
Shinglehouse
Pa
USA
443 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 5:24:46 PM
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We have also been talking about raising meat rabbits. I have never tasted rabbit before, so I guess my questions would be what does it taste like, how do you cook it and where would I get rabbit recipes?
Take care, Melissa.
Farmgirl # 352
~Think happy thoughts~ |
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amomfly
True Blue Farmgirl
658 Posts
Angie
LaGrange
IN
USA
658 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 5:31:45 PM
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I raised meat rabbits as a young child for 4-H.
I know that the 4-H group will teach him tons. So enjoy! I loved it, we did not eat our rabbits but sold a lot to friends and to butchers. Rabbit is a white light meat much like chicken.
We raised Palominos and New Zealands.
Enjoy!
God Bless
Angie-amomfly
#1038 |
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CasieD
Farmgirl in Training
34 Posts
Casie
Edgar
WI
USA
34 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 5:45:21 PM
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Well as they say... it tastes like chicken! lol
No really, pretty much any chicken recipe can be adapted to rabbit. Slow, moist cooking is really a great way to cook it so it doesn't dry out. |
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cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2011 : 8:28:36 PM
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Rabbits are a great 4-H project because you feel success pretty quickly.....30 days from breeding day babies(kits) will be born. Then, at 3 months they can be ready to eat or ready to show. I think your son will love raising them.
Blessings,
Catherine
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
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country roads
True Blue Farmgirl
443 Posts
Melissa
Shinglehouse
Pa
USA
443 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2011 : 4:46:58 PM
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Thanks girls! I asked DH about it again and he said we are definately getting rabbits in the spring. Now I just have to find out where to get the rabbits from in this area.
Take care, Melissa.
Farmgirl # 352
~Think happy thoughts~ |
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Cindy Lou
True Blue Farmgirl
2325 Posts
Susan
Lonsdale
MN
USA
2325 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2011 : 5:17:33 PM
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Just a thought. We raised and butchered chickens, no problem, but the rabbits my daughter raised seemed to be a lot more "pet" than "food". One thing for sure its really tough to eat something you give a name to!
A friend's son raised a meat rabbit for 4-H, won a state fair trip then found out that butchering his own rabbit was part of the judging. It was a tough lesson.
I will say though that rabbit meat is good, if its not a pet!
Susan
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
Mary Oliver |
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RedHoopWoman
True Blue Farmgirl
513 Posts
Kathryn
Yoder
Colorado
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2011 : 10:43:26 PM
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I raise Red and Black New Zealand,Californian and Champagne D' Argents,all as meat rabbits and occasional breeding stock sales.
My ten year old Daughter helps manage them and she's only gotten bothered by the butchering a few times.
I think its just important to make it clear that you relate to your breeding does and bucks as the ones you might name or relate to somewhat as pets and that the others will be for meat or sale,depending on your goals in rabbit raising.
The Bob Bennet book is about the best book out there as the other ones tend to be more about rabbits as pets or indoor animals than as meat animals and are vague about topics of breeding,litter care,butchering,etc...
I have been raising meat rabbits for about five years now,please let me know if I can help and answer any questions you may have.
"Today's Mighty Oak is just Yesterday's Nut" |
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2011 : 06:11:08 AM
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Thanks everyone :) I'm not concerned about the butchering part, the kids have had no problem making distinctions between the "pet" egg layers and the meat chickens and turkeys, so no tears when butchering comes along.
More info and input are appreciated!! Thanks so far!
http://troutwife.blogspot.com/ |
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Barnyard Buddies: Meat Rabbits for kids? |
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Meat Rabbits for kids?
