Raising rabbits for meat can be a sustainable method of farming protein. Image: Ewan-M/flickr
Just like raising chickens, one crucial decision needs to be made when raising rabbits: will the rabbits be food or will they be pets? It is very difficult, especially for children, to differentiate between food and pets. Naming rabbits something other than “Dinner” may seal the fate of the rabbit to being a pet so consider very carefully the consequences of naming and raising rabbits.
If the decision has been made to raise rabbits for food as part of a sustainable lifestyle, the next step is to set up a suitable rabbit habitat. Healthy rabbits need a clean and dry home with moderate temperatures. Rabbit hutches can be placed indoors or outdoors but if outdoors they should be sheltered from rain and direct sunlight.
Each adult rabbit needs its own cage and each cage should measure three square feet, enough space for a rabbit and its young to move around and be comfortable. Keeping the cages clean is essential to maintaining healthy animals. One of the best and easiest ways to ensure a clean cage is to have holes in the floor of the cage for dirt and droppings to fall through; make sure the holes are not too big otherwise the rabbits may hurt their feet and cause “hutch sores” and be more susceptible to infections. A board can also be placed inside the cage for the rabbit to sit on without harming its feet.
When cleaning the rabbit hutch area do not overlook the value of the rabbit pellets. They are high in phosphorus and are a fantastic fertilizer for flower, fruit, and vegetable gardens or as an additive to compost.
Good breeds to raise for meat include the New Zealand, Palomino, Cinnamon, Thriantas, California, Champagne D’Argent, and American Blue. These breeds will produce rabbits between 9 and 15 pounds and are generally considered to have good bone to meat ratios.
Start out with three rabbits, one male and two females. Within a year these three may produce as much as fifty more rabbits, enough to provide a consistent source of high protein and low fat meat for a small family.
The first litter of rabbits is the most difficult for first time mothers and she and her babies will certainly benefit by any assistance offered: including providing a clean and warm nest. Rabbits will also appreciate a piece of wood to chew on, frozen water bottles to cool them in the summer, and toys to play with. Allowing rabbits to roam outside their cages will also help keep rabbits healthy and strong.