How to Raise Rabbits for Meat: Part 5 Rabbit Nutrition
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ส.ค. 2024
- Next up in our series about raising meat rabbits is all about nutrition and what to feed your rabbits. We discuss rabbit pellets, hay, fresh forage, sprouted grains, and fodder. We talk about pasture raising rabbits in moveable tractors and how to keep them healthy living on the ground. Also, we discuss the book "Beyond the Pellet: Feeding Rabbits Naturally" and highly recommend it!
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The rabbits are like " wait, what did she just say about tomorrow ?"
that they are being butchered
1
Please look up the nutritional benefits of sweet potato vines. They are high in protein and have lots of vitamins. The rabbits I raised this summer and fed a good portion of sweet potato vines grew faster than my winter babies. Thanks for the video!
My rabbits LOVE raspberry leaves, at the end of summer I dry a bunch so they can have them for treat during winter in case I run out of cabbage or carrots.
Hi Sarah. I just wanted to mention a really good thing my rabbits love is pumpkins in the winter, I've read it helps all your animals stay worm free too. I give it to my rabbits and chickens and they love it plus on super cold winter days it helps them stay hydrated. Love your videos, you are a great teacher!
It’s the pumpkin seeds that worm them 😊
4 did d and do
Sarah, I really appreciate you for maintaining perfect balance between the fact that the rabbits will eventually be processed for our food, yet you do everything so humanely and lovingly while they are growing so they live a normal, healthy happy rabbit’s life. Seeing them so healthy and playing in the tractor as you teach the class is really cool. I would not be able to manage the final step (processing) animals, but I definitely appreciate what you do and the amazing amount of information you both provide. PS Loved the freeze dryer episode!!! I bet even I could “process” eggs and veggies!!! Keep up the awesome presentations.
Don't know if others have said this or not but if you are planning to give your bunnies wood to chew on it is important to give them wood from trees that do not have pitted fruit on them. They can safely have apple, pear, or willow wood but cannot have cherry, plum, or peach wood.
Thanks so much for all the info. I am enjoying adding to my knowledge as I prepare to restart our meat rabbit herd.
No cedar, ever. It causes sinus infections. Rabbits a nasal breathers and sinus issues can and will kill them.
@@virgilbohall6665 what about oak?
@@Edendog I haven't heard about oak doing anything bad.
@@virgilbohall6665 thank you!!
@@Edendog well I looked into it and oak is a no go.
Kale. Grows through the Winter, and it is good for people and rabbits.
Also comfrey 👍
timothy hay is a type of Bermuda grass. grow your own. seed can be found at feed stores
I had no idea. I'll have to look around and see if I can find some seed.
I have Bermuda hay all year.
Comfrey is a great plant to feed lactating rabbits. It increases milk production.
Sarah, these are great videos, very instructive for us newbies. Can't wait to view all the others.
We buy our timothy hay at Tractor Supply #50 bake is about $27. We off set this with orchard grass that we grow in our orchard. Yes, the timothy bales are horse grade but the rabbits eat it will. We also supplement diet our rabbit breeder cages with "weeds" around our rabbits each morning during spring, summer and fall. We also grow our own black oil sunflowers for our chickens, angora and meat rabbits.
It gets down to minus 7 here sometimes, and in winter I just fill the cages with hay and they burrow into it to stay warm.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. You have helped me so much in my rabbit journey. I "inherited" 7 Rex rabbits three weeks ago and all are still thriving thanks to you.
+glenda smith Well, thank you very much! I am so glad that these videos have been helpful! One of my friends in AZ raised Rexes for a while and really enjoyed them. Good luck to you!
This channel has helped so much ! Can you make a tutorial on that moveable tracktor?
I was always told to NOT feed rabbits any lettuce because it gives them some sort of intestinal problems. Do you have any thoughts on that?
Everytime I see rabbits I remember two things lol, watership down & the best ever stew/casserole I've ever tested mmm 😁😁 rabbit stew !! Fantastic advice and information about meat rabbits !! Thanks for sharing
Thanks so much!
50 shades of green j
Great video of info. Thank you so much for sharing. We raise the Flemish Giant rabbits, and just love them. We sold all of the smaller rabbit, cause we wanted more meat on them, and this was the best way to go. They are big, and really quit lovable....A new journey compare to the others.
Sounds awesome, Deborha!
Thank you for sharing such great knowledge. It is much appreciated.
You are an excellent teacher. Love from South Africa.
I just placed a hold on this book at my library! Thank you!
Timothy grass (grab & go bags) in green 50 Lb bags you can buy at tractor supply stores as we live in Missouri as well.
Thanks for this video series. Very informative. I'd love to see more info on the pellets. Prices, where to buy, gmo vs non gmo, nutrional differences between maintenance vs breeding, etc.
Thanks! We are convinced that we will be starting our meat rabbit production on our homestead as one of our first animals. We appreciate your tips and videos.
Did you ever get rabbits?
@@PineRidgeHomestead Not yet. We're still building our house and that takes all of our time right now, but it's on our list. 🙂
@@HomesteadersDiscovery I completely understand.
Great stuff. Binge watching. Looking forward to the processing.
What a great job and life you and your family are doing...
Love your teamwork!
Love your series on Rabbits! Thank you.
Absolutely love the content in your videos!
i was thinking of seeding timothy and alfalfa between the raised beds and letting the rabbits pasture in there
I'm surprised your local hay growers don't grow pasture mixes with Timothy in it. It's a common grass in pasture mixes many places including here in VA, where it's known as rabbits foot timothy. We did on our farm. Love the info, I love rabbit meat wish you were closer.
That house so cool reminded me alot of things..thanks 💚
Sarah, I have watched all the videos in this series. I have raised meat rabbits before and a lot of the information confirms my experience and research. I was happy for the Boyd Craven book recommendation. I plan to get the book and read it. I have followed Boyd as well. I am not currently raising rabbits but have been looking into starting again in an urban environment. Thanks again. God Bless.
+Steve Borcherdt Thanks so much, Steve. I am so glad to know that I am sharing information which is consistent with other people's knowledge and experience. Gives me credibility and validity which I appreciate. We have a new video to the series coming out tomorrow about rabbit housing. Be sure to check it out!
Took the words right out of my mouth. Looking forward to it. I am interested in your Farmer's Market connection. What is it you sell?
We sell quite a few things at the farmer's market. Chicken meat, Rabbit meat, veggies, baked goods, handmade soap and salves. The farmer's market we attend is quite small so we don't sell a lot, but it does help us make contacts in our small community.
More great info, taking notes. Thanks for the video! God bless!!!!!
Good work!!! Thank you for all your work in educating us...
Glad to help!
I almost asked you about rabbit feed the other night, but I figured you would have a video coming out. And here it is just two days later.:)
Perfect timing! 😂
Thank you for this series! We are urban "veggie farmers" but very interested in trying to raise rabbits for meat. Do you ever feed them garden scraps or other veggies?
Great videos with insightful info! I was wondering what naturally grown foods can one use instead of pellets? Also how much food should each rabbit consume a day..from birth till processing? Thanks!
Recently subscribed, love your videos, very informative. We are in northern lower Michigan. We have about 1/2 acre so location for cages are at two options. Against one shed leaves them in sun most of the day. I can roof over this area for shade. The other area is under oak trees and a few pines and would be shaded 90% of the day. Very little sun would get through. Beyond that they would have to be in a shed all the time. We hope to start raising rabbits in late march or by mid April. Which area would you chose for the cages? Any other comments on my situation would be helpful and appreciated. Thank You. Chuck
Love all the info, It's help me at lest get an idea.
Appreciate the book recommendation -- ordered it through your link. Are there any books on other aspects of raising meat rabbits you recommend?
Hello,
I’m enjoying this series! I have a question about using the rabbit tractor in the winter, do you keep the butcher rabbits in the tractor on the ground? Or do you have to put them up off the ground? We are in Kansas and we’ve had 4 snows already this fall. Thanks for the information!
I just got the book today!
My parents had a rule back when we had rabbits, we had to go out and gather fresh greens for them almost every day and since we lived a mile from our grandmothers place…we would pull up tall wide blade grasses and white clover for them as we heading home after every visit.
Most of the fresh greens we gave them were picked from along the roads we we didn’t have much of a lawn on our property, it was half wetland and half rocky forest…
Hello Sarah and thanks for these great videos. Plsssssssss what is the best Rabbit to raise for meat on a commercial scale plsssssssss.
Just want to say that I thoroughly enjoy all of your videos. We are raising rabbits for meat also. We have never used a tracker. Do you leave your rabbits in the tracker overnight? Thanks, Jimmy
Just started watching your channel tonight so I apologize if you have answered this in another video. How much do you sell a rabbit for at the farmers market? Is it butchered or just discharged, skinned, and cleaned? Thank you so much for putting this video series up, great help.
i use rye as a cover crop and in the late spring i cut and bale it , and i use that as a feed
Brilliant!
Nixa Hardware has a winter Ryegrass that grows good during the colder months. I have used it in deer food plots. It might be something to consider for rabbits but I don't know if they would like it.
Nice video, nice series.
Sarah, have you had any escapee's from the tractors? I have a litter of 10 babies. I put them in the tractor with mom (to get all on the ground here in the hot 100 degree Texas) when they were 5 1/2 weeks. When moving the tractor 3 escaped from underneath the tractor (through the 2x4 slots). I did not notice this when it happened, and not until about 30 minutes later when I was back in that area of the property. Fortunately, mom was in the tractor and the babies, quick as they are, were all captured (with a fishing scoop net. LOL! Hey whatever works right) and returned to the tractor. I am now more careful when I move my tractors and simply slide them after, only a minimal lift. Thought I would share, my adventures for a little chuckle. I am a novice at raising meat rabbits, and gaining OJT fast. :) I can not thank you enough for the time and thoroughness of your videos. If you are interested in a requested topic for a video, I would love to have something on how to select new breeding stock or what to look for when choosing your next generation of meat rabbits for breeding. EX. Good nests, good mommas, heat resistant, lack of sore hocks, body shape, friendliness (non aggressive) good weight gain in babies. ETC. These are just a few things I can think of, and would LOVE to have suggestions and/or a video from your experience.
Thanks for sharing
My wife and I love your channel. I'm building our first chicken tractor.
My question is...... if I put both pellets and chicken feed in the tractor can the rabbits and broilers in the same tractor? FYI, it's a 10' X 12' chicken tractor
I'm enjoying your series! I'll order the book. My husband and I live in a city with a large garden area. We are seriously thinking of growing rabbits for meat. I'm reading and listening to others who are raising rabbits for meat, trying to learn before we jump in. I listened to another your tuber who feeds their rabbits comfrey. What is your opinion of that.......knowing about the cautions for humans taking comfrey internally. It grows abundantly here and would be a great supplement. Thanks for all the educational content you consistently put out! Blessings!
I believe comfrey has 59 different varieties.
From Wikipedia :
Comfrey contains mixed phytochemicals in varying amounts, including allantoin, mucilage, saponins, tannins, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and inulin, among others.[6] Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are responsible for comfrey's hepatotoxicity.[7] Liver toxicity is associated with consuming this plant or its extracts.[6] In modern herbalism, comfrey is most commonly used topically.[6][8][9]
In 2001, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued a ban of comfrey products marketed for internal use, and a warning label for those intended for external use. [10][11] Comfrey is particularly contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, in infants, and in people with liver, kidney, or vascular diseases.[6][12
Several varieties have been linked to cancer in mice and have therefore comfrey across the board apparently has been banned in many parts of the world, for human consumption or external use. In Australia we are still able to buy Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) for external use in humans. It does have the amazing ability to mend bones, heal bruises and heal superficial wounds... so would be useful as a compress on a damaged rabbit leg. As far as feeding is concerned, if they are meat rabbits destined for the freezer in under 12 weeks, I don't think the mouse cancer indicator would have time to develop, but to be sure, if I were you, I would try to find out what variety of comfrey I had, research it specifically and then if ok, only feed about 1 large leaf a day to each rabbit. I would worry however if your rabbit was a pet which you are hoping to keep for a long time, I would probably get a vet's opinion... as the info on google is often quite confusing and it is better to be safe than sorry. Hope this helped.
Thank you
We bought a good sized bag of Timothy hay for like 8.99 at tractor supply.
How do you grow out kits during the winter? Our first litter was born last night and I’m planning where to move them when they wean.
How long have you been raising geese???
They need kids swamping pool
I thInk they fun have them around
Ty for sharing. With us all tc gb
Thanks for the video
Enjoyed the video! Hey, I am thinking about getting a couple rabbits to use the poo for an endless supply of usable fertilizer. Can you give me any advise about this and also what kind of bunny should get if I may decide to breed them for 🥩 later if food prices go sky high. Can I keep two females in the same cage? Thank you for any advise.
Beautiful rabbit 🐰
You have a good information madam
Very useful information for you
Thank you so much
Truly Love you video's !! (Canada)
Hi, thank you for the vedios. Can you please give the measurements for cages and the best material.
Hi Sarah, thanks very much for the series. I just wanted to ask;-
- in a tractor, do u put baby bunnies of same sex or u can mix?
- the pellets are a comprise of what exactly, coz am in Tanzania and do not have access to them, am thinking of making my own.
Wonder if the breeding stock spend any time in those pasture cages, or are the wire cages their whole life until you are done with them?
What do you do about ticks and other pests with them on the grass like that?
hello. i'll be buying 7 1-month old rabbits tomorrow hehe just wondering what i should feed them in the tropics? i got lots of guinea grass, signal grass, lots of wild grasses and veggies and legumes hehe is it possible to feed them without pellets?
has a fodder system been thought of for your operation
great series! i'm thinking i need rabbits to go with the chickens....only i need to try it, for dinner i mean, before i invest. :-)
you talk about Timothy Hay would that be the same as timothy grass? I have a field of it, and I cut it every 2 weeks. can I feed that to the rabbits?
Asian greens grow through the winter. I have so much clover here, I could probably harvest it. Could we give them grass clippings in leu of hay?
Hi Sarah i wanted to ask how do I pasture raise the grow-outs if I’m worried that my grass has a lot of weeds that are poisonous to rabbits? For example we have tons of buttercup foilage and dandelions. Thanks in advance
I would like to know the amount of rations you give ? guessing free access to grow outs, but to maintain others is it different for pregnant and nonpregnant does? How much please tell
Great video
Hello again, was wondering what you do with rabbit tractor at night or during stormy weather? Thank you again for informative information on raising rabbits.
I've been looking into raising rabbits for meat and one of the most interesting things I've seen is whenpeople grow their own fodder. I'm mentioning this because you said Timothy hay is best. Would it be feasible for you ( time and effort wise) to grow that in a fodder to help suppliment they're diets?
In general, fodder is grown as an option for fresh feeding. It's a great supplement during the winter or in living arrangements where people don't have access to a lot of fresh plants. Timothy hay is the best option for dry hay. It would not be feasible to grow hay using a fodder system.
I live in Missouri, where can I find a breeder and rabbit tractors. I can’t build one diy, thank-you thouroughly enjoy your videos, very informative. Patty
Are your rabbit pellets organic and/or non-GMO? Where do you purchase the pellets?
Why don't you add a couple of wheels to one end of your rabbit tractors & handles on the other end to make them easier to move? Justin Rhodes has "chickshaws" that are just chicken tractors with wheels & handles. They're pretty cool!
What is your rotation pattern for moving your tracks everyday? Do you do anything for the patch of grass that you moved them from and when would you be able to move the tracks back to it?
We move them to a new patch every day and we don't move them to that same spot for 3 months or more.
You talk about the winter when it is -20 degrees-F how do you keep them alive? Also do you cut your own hay or buy it? Last question do you castrate the males or just separate them?
Can you do a video on why you chose cali /new zealand crosses im getting started with rabbits and was wondering
I checked out best suitable breeds for meat rabbits.
One aspect is the bone to meat ratio of breeds.
Another would be their size at 11 to 12 weeks, their time for slaughter.
The size of their usual litters should be a consideration.
Their choices seem to be in line with these factors.
Great job 👏
This music is fun and lively but when watching your videos over and over it gets a little bit hard on the ears. I'm trying to watch your meat rabbit series but every time a new video comes on I have to grab the remote to turn down the music and then when finally it's over I have to turn it back up to listen to your voice. If you could at least get the music the same volume level as your voice I think I would be very happy about that. We are very much enjoying the information and good teaching about rabbits that you're offering and we subscribed
I work in a kitchen and have lots of cabbage lettuce and potato. Will feeding them this substitute the rabbit tractors?
How do you keep your rabbits in the tractor my rabbit dig themselves out of the playpen? I don't have a tractor yet and since the playpen did not keep them in I have to leave them in the hutch. I do not like that but until I find something better that is what I have to do.
When your rabbits are in the tractors do you still offer hay, or is the fresh grass and pellets all they need? I gave mine hay and they used it as a litter box.
We do not give hay when they are in the tractors.
Hi Sarah can you discuss and rabbit diseases you may have encountered? I think we just got hit with listeriosis. I lost 2 males which were just about ready to be processed and a third remains questionable. We also lost a new litter of nine kits a day or two after being born. It happened so quickly all I could do is separate the suspected infected and monitor. I think we got some contaminated pellet feed because some of the rabbits were emptying the bins out without eating.
Are you raising in cages, in a colony, or in movable tractors? How about you email me so we can have better communication. info@livingtraditionshomestead.com
Do you have to separate the genders of siblings before placing them in the tractor cages to avoid any mating?
Obviously you couldn't save the manure when you have them in a tractor but do you save the manure from the ones in cages ? I've heard its great fertilizer. If so can you use it fresh ? But watching all the videos and they are really great and informative. Also how do you house them in the winter ?
Yes we save ALL the manure from the raised cages. We sell some at the farmers market but mostly we use it on our homestead. Yes, we use it fresh. Rabbit manure is a "cold" fertilizer that doesn't need to be composted first. We do try to move the tractors around the orchard when possible to fertilize there as well!
We move once aday, always... and an additional move for every 3 rabbits housed in the tractor. 3 rabbits or less? 2 moves - the once a day plus once for the 3. 4-6 rabbits? 3 moves a day. 7-9 rabbits? 4 moves.
Can't do more than 9 based on the size of our tractors. Gets too overcrowded plus who wants to head out there 12 times a day, right?
This formula cuts our feed usage by 75%-85% over Pellet only, depending on season and what's growing out in The Field.
How do you keep your rabbits warm in the winter?
what are the healthiest hay types, and what are their benefits?
You have mentioned that you give the breeders an all you can eat pellet diet. So if they become over weight. Do you put them on diet's . If so, what are the limits?
Can you do a video on how to deworm your meat rabbit?
I'm finally getting started with rabbits! Thought about doing them in a colony but! Fire ants are bad in East Texas! What about tractors being moved twice a day? I live in a pastor with grass type of hay! Thick and green as can be! Have y'all had trouble with fire ants?
Watched all 5 videos twice. Question - in winter, seems like a lot of work moving the tractors each day
Do you leave the young bucks and does together the whole eleven weeks or separate?
Mine really seem to like alfalfa cubes though I'm just starting and haven't experimented much
Thank you 💖🌺🦋🐇