A complete handbook on backyward and commercial rabbit. Raising rabbits for beginners animals grit magazine. Rabbit project reference manual chad wootton r aising rabbits is fun. This handbook on rabbit raising, prepared for use by. Raising rabbits 101 contains tons of information on the subject of raising rabbits ranging from feeding rabbits to breeding rabbits to kindling rabbits to rabbit health to rabbit housing to rabbit breed selection and much more. You can create this kind of habitatrabbitat if you willby building brush piles. When raising rabbits for meat there are many options for food.
Raisingrabbits is a centralized source for purchasing nearly everything needed for your rabbits. Rabbits are one of the most rewarding livestock species to raise. A beginners guide to raising rabbits mother earth news. How to raise rabbits the right way relevant for both the newbie pet rabbit owner and longtime farmer alike, rabbit expert aaron webster provides answers to. Rabbits are fun to raise except when you have to go out and take care of them at 10 below zero. Rabbits, rabbits, rabbits iowa state university extension. Rabbit production using local resources as feedstuffs in the tropics article pdf available in tropical and subtropical agroecosystems 17. Whether you live on a full blown many acre homestead, or on a town lot in the burbs, rabbits are a viable option in your selfsufficiency and survival planning. Ideal for those considering producing their own food, raising rabbits demonstrates how to get the most out of your herd. Compared with other types of meat, rabbit meat is lower in cholesterol and fat, while having a higher. There is usually at least one fair each year in your area, where the. A complete handbook on backyard and commercial rabbit production replaces an earlier publication of the same name that was produced by the peace corps in 1982.
Bunny 101 learning to care for your rabbit companion, including housing, diet, litter box training, handling and more. A messsage to you, a 4h member in this rabbit project, you are going to learn how to feed, manage and show rabbits. Simply raising the cords above floor level will not. It is important to know that when raising rabbits for meat that the older the rabbit gets, the tougher the meat becomes. Rabbit industry council fact sheet rabbit industry council, 3789 oro bangor hwy, oroville, ca 95966 5305347390 8am5pm current confirmed outbreaks.
However, to build a successful, sustainable commercial rabbit farming business, you require sufficient knowledge of how to efficiently raise the rabbits, good management skills, and a good rabbit farming business plan. Peace corps volunteers, attempts to share information gained by. Rabbitat brush piles for wildlife have you ever watched a startled rabbit dart across your yard and suddenly disappear as if by magic. Each 4h member should begin the project with the goal to sell rabbits for meat and fur, rather than to keep them as pets or for breeding. Youth programs raise and use rabbits in projects and curricula. Rabbits are easy to keep and breed for even a beginner. This article will outline how to start a commercial rabbit farming business, and the rabbit farming business plan pdf, word and excel.
It is a great 4h project because rabbits tend to be quite easy to start into. They are also an ideal livestock to keep in an urban situation. Rabbits are used in many laboratories, their cleanliness being highly desirable in that type setting. They dont take up much space, are very quiet, and when managed correctly can provide meat, pelts, and possibly fiber for your family. Click download or read online button to get raising rabbits 101 4th edition book now. Youll find nearly everything you need for your rabbits at one or more of the following links. The focus is on raising rabbits to add needed protein to family diets and as an. Rabbit farming business is a very profitable business, and many people are making money all over the world by raising rabbits for meat. Aaron webster is the author of three separate books on the subject of raising and breeding rabbits, including raising rabbits 101 4th edition, raising meat pen rabbits, and the hoppy pet rabbit guide. Pdf backyard rabbit farming can be a great idea for having healthy meat and an additional source of income for the family without much involvement. Raising rabbits 101 2nd edition has been labeled by many rabbit raisers as being the ultimate guide to raising rabbits. Make plans for housing before you purchase your rabbits. Raising rabbits 101 4th edition download ebook pdf, epub. The raisingrabbits store is open 247 get rabbit supplies, cages, accessories, toys, tools and more through our secure online store note.
Rabbits alternative farming systems information center. Its main benefit is that it guarantees a safe steady supply of healthy meat that doesnt taste too bad either. There is also a glossary of rabbit terms to help you with words you may not know. It is recommended that you start your business by selling through an. Housing can be a cage in the garage, a hutch in the backyard or a special building with cages for a number of animals. Raising rabbits can be a fun, rewarding experience that anyone can do with a little time and patience. A complete handbook on backy ard and commercial rabbit. The perfect butchering age is around 8 weeks of age. Learn everything about raising rabbits for meat in this article. Colony raising rabbits isnt hard, but there are a few considerations that can make setting up a rabbit colony go more smoothly. Editing and changes to this document are expressly forbidden. The first step is to decide how many rabbits you want to raise and for what purpose. If youre going to sell the eggs or meat, more chickens is better, obviously, because more chickens means more profit.
Before we can even think about breeding our rabbits we must have a good foundation stock. Because rabbit skin is very delicate, and rabbits are sensitive to. Rabbit is a reliable meat source for people who raise their own food. Breeds the order lagomorpha contains the rabbits, hares, cottontails and pikas. A complete handbook on backyard and commercial rabbit production. They are quiet, dont require large tracts of land, and can consistently produce high quality food for the table. Rabbits need a balanced diet of unlimited grass hay timothy, orchard, oat, brome, limited pellets, and fresh greens. Make arrangements to sell meat rabbits to a processor before fryers are ready for market. While raising rabbits is a laborintensive endeavor, there are many reasons to consider doing so on a small farm. At the same time, a 4h rabbit project can provide an important life skill learning experience. Raising rabbits in colonies new rabbit raisers often ask about raising the animals in colonies, much like the walled gardens of the romans we mentioned as being the first kept rabbits. The bunny lovers complete guide to house rabbits please distribute freely.
Rabbitat wisconsin department of natural resources. Learning to care for your rabbit companion, including. Rabbits require delicate balance of fiber, hydration, electrolytes gut is easily upset by excess sugars, stress, lack of hydration, electrolyte imbalance, quick changes in diet rabbits have no vomit reflex refusal of food more than 24 hours is medical emergency. Cages and certain rabbit supplies have been removed from our store, however we hope to be able to restock the store. Raising rabbits 101 pdf if you decide that raising rabbits is for you, keep this manual as a handy reference, and. Raising rabbits on the homestead for beginners pampered.
Not only do they require little attention, but they also provide a. Raising meat rabbits is one of the most space efficient means of growing livestock for meat. Rabbits become mean only because they have not been treated correctly. The guide to raising and breeding rabbits for meat raising rabbits is one of the simplest things you can do on your homestead. Considering this is the exception rather than the rule, well assume that, generally speaking, they are fun to raise. It is important that the stud buck be given the best care and treatment available.
Raising rabbits for meat is a lucrative business, providing income for millions of people, but there are some essential things you need to do before you venture into the rabbit farming business. Vanderburgh county, indiana 6305 alertness highly recommended. The cardboard box accommodations we provided the first few days were a. I learned, the hard way, that breeders dont generally sell a doe that is producing well. Smallscale sustainable rabbit production snohomish. The majority of information found in that handbook was an adaptation and revision of commercial rabbit raising agriculture handbook no. This means you will need a larger breed so it will be a decent size by the 8week mark. Rabbits are extremely hot natured so it is important to place their shelter in a shaded area. Rabbit reproduction ebook is entirely focused on reproducing rabbits, walking you through the process of mating, and then covering the entire season of a rabbits life from conception to teenagehood, so you will be able to avoid many of the typical losses. Raising rabbits on your homestead for meat is a great way to have a consistent supply of lean, healthy meat. If youre just starting out, id recommend starting with a trio 2 does and 1 buck. Raising and marketing rabbits is an ideal project for young people.
Rabbits are raised for meat, angora wool, breeding stock, and sometimes, for laboratory use. If you are raising rabbits for the first time, it is a good idea to start with young, purebred animals four months old. Good pet for kids maybe, maybe not good starter pet not really rabbits are cuddly not necessarily common myths teeth require frequent. As rabbits are one of the most easily pdf stressed livestock species, this book offers advice on treating behavioral issues and a variety of ailments. Rabbits are a great choice of livestock for small and urban farms.
Open library is an initiative of the internet archive, a 501c3 nonprofit, building a digital library of internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Raising rabbits for meat pdf sion to use the information in raising meat rabbits in. It depends on why youre raising chickens in the first place. If youre consider starting your own rabbitry, a great source is a book called raising rabbits 101 that has nearly every piece of information you could ever want to know on the subject. Breeding bucks are the most important animals in your rabbitry. I hope you guys have learned a little bit about raising rabbits. He currently operates the worlds largest rabbit breeders directory via and corresponding email newsletter. The pdf was inspired by the record breaking 2011 summer heat that i and many other rabbit raisers received that summer. Breeding meat rabbits 101 the imperfectly happy home.
This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. The rabbit food and agriculture organization of the united nations. In the summer, it is wise to place frozen water bottles in the hutches with the rabbits to help keep them cool. Raising meat rabbits is easy with survivalist 101s complete beginners guide, covering breed selection, feeding, housing, and butchering. Present day breeds of domestic rabbits, including those used for laboratory studies, are all derived from the european rabbit oryctolagus cuniculus sheail, 1971. Refer to resource books to determine if your breed is a four or six class rabbit. Most of us do this for the love of helping kids and raising good rabbits and not to make a living. Rabbits can be one of the most efficient protein sources. Second year and up exhibitors who add or switch from one project area 225226 to the other, start with the second year and up exhibitor requirements. Heres a look at our rabbits and what you need to know.
According to the 2017 census of agriculture nass, more than 4,000 farms sold almost 500,000 rabbits nationally. But they do differ from other livestock species in some pretty significant ways. But if youre raising chickens to save money on food, then you have to make sure the hens produce optimum amount of eggs for the family. They can be confined to hutches, and can be raised in urban as well as rural areas. Raising rabbits 101 4th edition by aaron g webster. A beginners guide to raising rabbits, including a rabbit barn, pens, feeders and waterers, breeding stock, care and feeding, breeding, butchering, and meat sales. If you decide that raising rabbits is for you, keep this manual as a handy. If you want your meat rabbits to give you maximum productivity, you need to keep them happy and healthy. When i brought home our american chinchilla breeding trio, i had researched raising meat rabbits extensively. Agriculture series rabbits, your constructive work in.
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