So growing up I never realized how dirt poor we really were. We always had food on our plates. As I got older I realized that my dad's 4 does and 1 buck along with his 8 hens and 2 rosters and small garden were the reason we always had our food and my parents NEVER went on welfare. Guess how many rabbits and chickens I have 🙂 It really does make a difference folks.
Feeding yourself and your family is essential it is why we work for others or ourselves. If you raise your food you will never eat better or healthier. It is extremely cost effective.
For me they are therapeutic. I have colony rabbits in my backyard. I love to sit with them and feed them in the mornings and in the evenings. I watch their personalities, I watch the young ones grow up. I watch there hierarchy as it is being established. I watch how some of them like to have above ground nests while others like to dig and have their nest underground. My son has started a TH-cam channel called residential rabbits. Having rabbits has allowed me to show him that he can make a profit and have fun doing it. I will never forget the first time he got 50 bucks when he sold and delivered one rabbit. Nor will I forget the look on the lady’s face when she had a new companion to love and share time with. During these times when we are and have been stuck at home, people who don’t have anyone else with them benefit from having a pet. Like you I could go on and on but it makes me feel good to know that there’s a few extra dollars coming in and in a pinch my family is prepared when there’s no more meat on the shelf or when the cost to buy it is too high. By the way it already is.
Thanks for sharing. Rabbits are a joy to have on the property. That's for sure. I feel the same way about watching the chickens. It feels therapeutic to watch'em peck
Defiantly, want a pelts video. I am working on my 2nd attempt at growing meat rabbits, thanks for all that you do to provide us with this content. I just found you about 6 months ago and its great.
People say it tastes like chicken, but honestly I say it's like turkey. The vast majority of eastern European countries, Latvia, republic of Georgia Estonia all produce rabbit for meat and subsistence living. Check out the Booming rabbit industry in Uganda , Ghana, and many African nation's. Also the Philippines is a growing rabbit meat market. Rabbits will be on the menu all around the globe. Especially in developing countries and counties with minimal "grain stocks". Great video!!
Good video. I have 4 does and 1 buck. They give my hubby and I plenty of meat plus I sell them too which helps a lot with the feed. Easy easy keepers. Thanks.
Thanks again for another video. Especially appreciated the advice on selling rabbits and manure. We would love a video regarding the pelts, if you do that, too!
So, I made two of your cage enclosures, each with three holes (6 wire cages total). I bought 2 bucks NZ and 2 does Rex (in general, the Rex coat and temperament are great btw). My plan is to leave the other two cages for grow outs. It is as you said...easy, fun, and very rewarding! My herd should be old enough to start production around Sept and I can’t wait to see what kind of kits I get from a NZ Red and Rex Opal mix!!! Just thought I’d share...maybe you’ll get a kick out of knowing you’re helping a guy down in Alabama pick up a new hobby!!! Oh, and yes to the hides!!!
Thanks for the great videos! I am finishing up a 25'x25' vegie garden, next is my rabbitry, I'm getting a trio of Rex's for meat & pets. Your videos have helped so much during our setup process. Thanks!
@@TheRabbitryCenter Thanks! I brought my Rex's (2 months old) home last sunday, today I noticed the Doe sneezed when I picked it up, then later when my son picked it up. I have been watching her, she is eating, drinking, playing, normal defecation, clear eyes and nose. It could be heat stress, new home stress or the cedar wood in my 3 seasons room? The sneeze is a one-off, not a group of sneezes and hours apart. At what point do I take it to the vet? -OR- is it just a sneeze and not to worry, Thanks!
Another great video man, thanks for sharing! I know there are already alot of comments, but I just wanted to add another "yes, please!" for a pelt video.
I know this video is old, but we just started raising rabbits this past winter (2022/2023). And your videos are always so helpful & informative. I just wish we lived closer. Would love to have bought a rabbit or 2 from you & seen your set up up close.
Hi Bobby. Would love a video on tanning the hides. I just started rabbits, actually one of my does just kindled. My plan is the bunnies I don't sell for pets, will be going to freezer camp for myself family and friends. I want to respect the bunnies by using everything I can, hides included. Thanks for all the informative videos. Thoroughly enjoy them.
@@Plattyplaysyt I feel it's only right, they have their all for us. This is the first litter ever for my bunnies. I just hope when the time comes, I'll be able to do the processing. How do you keep your bunnies from tunneling under the fence ?
You are appreciated and We are blessed you pay it Forward. Thank you for teaching me how to pick up my Bunnies. You're no nonsense approach is Refreshing. God Bless You and Family.
You can add Czech Republic in Central Europe to your list. Many people keep rabbits for culinary purposes. I grew up eating roasted rabbit nearly every weekend. A rabbit fur collecting mini van drives round the villages every few weeks and buys them out from people. It definitely is less common nowadays as shops are fully stocked with a range of food all year round, but some 30yrs ago it was a completely common thing.
Thanks I would like to see the hide video please. And also everything mention is 100% true for me and my family with our rabbits. We use manure for the garden. We fertilize the flower beds with it. Plus the rabbit meat is nutritious and definitely delicious. Plus are rabbits that we breed are great pets and the rabbits that we've have sold as pets and meat have paid themselves back threefold. Thanks again for all the great ideas, and information.
I started with a male female and now I have 20. The rabbit stereotype is true. They are so cute. This will be my first harvesting for meat. Ugh. It’s gonna be hard. I have thought about selling some as pets. Your video has helped me with that decision. Thank you for your time.
Have you done a video on cages? Specific sizes, materials, tx. Great video. Hope to have some at the beginning of next year. Our vountry is just dealing with it's first RHV outbreak. Very sad. It was never here, now it is!
I’m sorry to hear that I did a video on space and cages. When you’re on TH-cam type in “the Rabbitry Center -----“ and fill in the blank and that should pop up our video covering that topic. Thanks for watching!
Bobby, I just subscribed to your channel and am so glad I did. I am preparing a place in my yard to raise meat Rabbits and appreciate all of your help from your videos!
So glad you enjoy them. If you type “The Rabbitry Center______” followed by the topic, you should find a detailed rabbit video. If you don’t please comment on any video and I’ll make you a video covering that topic. Thanks!
Yeah, definitely put a video out on how to do the hides. Appreciate this video love it. Definitely want to get into doing this for me and everything else you said thanks brother great video.
I used to have so much rabbit manure that my neighbor would come over twice a year and take 8 tractor buckets full of it for his garden. And i still would have 2 truck loads to take to my dads and put on his garden.
@@TheRabbitryCenter used to twice a year spring and fall. Those was not fun days i was lied to so i would get to the commercial level, come to the conclusion they lady lied to me so i would buy breeding stock off her. Now i only produce enough to feed my family and have enough manure to do my garden.
Bobby, you mention pelts. I did some research a few years ago when exploring rabbits as another homestead animal (I presently keep Red Wigglers and STILL want to do rabbits). It seems that the pelt is rather delicate unless it's at least 6 months old. At which point they are no longer fryers but have become stew meat. So it seems that the market makes it's way around the world. The biggest country involved is France. They raise BIG rabbits (Giants) and don't mind waiting the 6 months. They gladly stew the meat (It's still very good eating) and send the pelts to South Korea (mostly) where they are used to make chic clothing which coincidentally is mostly sold here in America. The pelts of those fryers is usually only good for decorations like under a lamp in the dining room or some other such use. NOT anything that will see "wear and tear". Still a market but secondary at best. Meat will always be the #1 product and rightfully so. It tastes like chicken BUT is much richer. Little known fact, the US Navy fed rabbit during WW2 since it is much richer so it went further . Six OZ of rabbit equaled over 8 ounces of chicken since it was much richer and filling. Love your vids and I'm sure I will be a Rabbit guy soon enough.
I really enjoyed reading your comment thank you for sharing I was speaking to a veteran/farmer and he mentioned that he ate rabbit when he was serving in the military
Great job man. You are awesome and so honestly talk about rabbits. You have a nice ranch and you are good at keeping homestad. Ive learned about rabbit manure.
Great video. Thank you. I especially liked when you said I gave my mother in Law a couple of bags of .....manure. lol that was funny. Very inspirational.
Just got two New Zealand brown doe’s and a NZ brown buck. I’m starting out this project for all the reasons you mentioned 🤗 Love your passion and willingness to share your knowledge freely, so had to subscribe 👍🤟
I was just at the farmers market on the weekend and asked one of the vendors there that was advertising rabbit meat if they had any. The person behind the counter said that they were looking for someone a supplier to supply them with rabbit meat. Having grown up on it and raised many many many litters with my parents, I was kicking myself thinking “if only”. We have strict rules in the city about the type of animals and how many you can on so raising them here is not legally possible, but if it were, I’d be into it so quickly.
We try to sell as pets as well its expensive starting up and supporting the show ones but we will eat out culls. Ate our first 2 as bunny tacos and the kids n grandkids thought it was great tasting! Like our meat chickens! We got our first meat breeders and look forward to that.
Yes, interested in the hides. Also, this video touched on some of my questions but I'd like to know more about how you make money on your rabbits. How many does and bucks do you keep. Do you only sell live rabbits. Can you sell the meat? (USDA regs) What age do you harvest the rabbits for meat? When do you separate the young rabbits from their mom?. I'm watching a lot of your videos so I may find some of these answers. Great channel and content!! Keep up the good work.
sure thing I'll try to get that video out . We are currently running 4 blood lines and californians as well. 12-16 weeks harvest I only sell live rabbits No meat sales wean at 6-8 weeks Thanks for watching
Just about to start raising rabbits, want to learn as much as possible. I want to make my own cages/hutches to save. My purposes are for rabbit manure, urine and of course, meat. In China my friend made rabbit burritos that were fantastic! This is the first video I’ve watched. Found you indirectly through DirtPatcheaven here on TH-cam, through one of her playlist links and that link led me to yours.
A year ago I started setting up our small backyard into a small homestead and I must agree rabbits are the best and my second farm animal I reccomend are quails
Quail are amazing, if you go that route i suggest the jumbo coturnix they are a dual purpose, i always replace my layers after a year of production and they make for some fantastic eating, also if you do farmers markets quail eggs sell like crazy at least in my area they do. Quail eggs have many health benefits, it may take a dozen to make an omelet but they are good eggs. My sister inlaw can not eat chicken eggs they cause her pain in the stomach and make her sick, but quail eggs she can eat with no issues so people that can not eat chicken eggs can eat quail eggs at least some of them anyhow. I have never had an issue selling quail or eggs for eating or hatching.
I am quite young (21 y/o) and when I get my home on the countryside, when I'm older, I really want to create a greenhouse (a big one) for winter (I'm from Canada) and basically I wanted to make it so there would be few animals in it, I also wanted to make a micro fish farm. You know, something that can produce enough meat, fish and vegetables for a small family of 5. Rabbit is my favorite meat because of how low fat and tasty it is and I really wanted to include them in the greenhouse, what I thought is that there would be few floors and each of these floors would be dedicated to something. I wanted the fish farm to be directly in the ground, covered with a plexiglass and the first floor would have few chickens and rabbit cages and then, the vegetables would be on the other floors. I really want to create a greenhouse that can support itself, by that I mean that I want rabbits to reproduces, use rabbit's detritus as fertilizer (and also rabbit meat), chickens for eggs & meat and yeah.. I know it's quite a big project and it's literally creating a micro eco system but this is one of my life goal and I was wondering if you had tricks & tips to give me :) you seems to know a lot about rabbits so it would be fun if you had tips for farming rabbits, thanks!
Sounds great. I’d say start small to get started and go from there. You wrote floors. I’d avoid stairs due to farming means hauling feed, water and supplies don’t go well with stairs. I wish you luck and I hope you build your dream eco system keep me posted on the progress. Just take it one step at a time and pretty soon you’ll have built something you can be proud of.
My wife and I have been raising rabbits for 2 years now and love it. We put an average of 30 pounds of meat a month in the freezer and that is only with 3 does
just started my rabbit enterprise, still need some cages and a longer rabbit shelter for the new cages. i probably will make the existing one into the weaning cages .... one for boys one for girls. then put my breeders in the new one with new cages.
We live in northern Minnesota - winter temps get as low as -40F not including windchill. All of our other animals seem to do fine with adequate (unheated) shelter. What does a winter set up look like for meat rabbits?
Check out his winter rabbit play list its great...we have 40below winters in Ontario and our rabbits are fine as long as they can get out of the elements when they want to...i have mine in a shed or covered areas with tarps to block the wind
I’m 13 years old and I have 6 rabbits 3 males and 3 females and I breed them a few times a year and sell them for $20 a piece it’s fun and easy money I also have 38 chicks
I only have a half acre built a 10x26 leanto covered walls with hardware wire due to our predators dogs, coyotes,bobcat and hawk not to forget possum and raccoon I hang the cages rake leanto every couple days put right in garden plus rabbit taste great just like chicken breast they are quiet and easy to raise and process
Great video! Can you do a video on the whole breeding and keeping a pedigree. Plus, Im so unclear about how you the babies unrelated to eachother with a breeding trio?
Make ground tractors for your meat rabbits and move them everyday to a few days depending on size tractor and rabbits in it and you can actually feed them for free if you had to but it is an awesome way to cut your feed bill down 75percent.
What’s your estimate of a minimum rabbitry size that it becomes a commercial operation as opposed to a self-suffiency farm, or slightly larger and being a hobby farm. Do you know roughly how much area per rabbit in order to design farm land requirements?
You bet here's a video sharing space I say sqft but actually meant to say cuft You can also check arba space requirements. th-cam.com/video/_VayAwnzmPs/w-d-xo.html
The floors are 1/2" x 1" galvanized cage wire 16G they sleep in there hide boxes, on the cage floor or on their resting board. Mama Doe's sometimes sleep in their cage or sleep in their Tote. Here's a video showing a little more. th-cam.com/video/b_F7GZfjTG4/w-d-xo.html
@@TheRabbitryCenter I'm becoming a big fan. I share your videos with my friends who are seeing the current pandemic and realizing that rabbit farming can provide food security. This resource you have created can save lives and feed families. I'm grateful
@@TheRabbitryCenter had 8 kits this morning I've mixed a little oats in the feed. Would have been 9 but that's just how it goes. Thanks for the help again.
Venison must be well cooked, as deer use their nose to root around, just like pigs do. This can lead to parasites, in deer, and in pigs. A great way to prepare venison, is by canning. It will be incredibly moist, and fall apart. Delicious, and safe! 🙂
It's your venison and your body. I think you should eat the food the way it makes sense to you. My good friend is a canning machine and it does taste good but the look of it definitely doesn't. Thanks for commenting.
I would love a video on how you handle grow outs fighting. We separated ours because of fighting between 8 and 12 weeks, but that is taking too many cages and too much space.
Not enough cages and not enough space. That is one of the biggest Rabbitry challenges that never goes away. The bucks especially will start to battle like this around 10-12 weeks. They're establishing dominance. There'll always be a head rabbit in charge. Male and female. you'll get scratched up ears and manure in the fur from rabbits getting pinned. If your limited on cages you can always move the bucks out first and leave the does with mom or you can separate the really aggressive rabbits to their own cages and try to find a couple subordinate bucks that can be caged together a little longer. Does usually aren't a problem and you can comfortably keep 2 full size does in a cage together. You also harvest a little earlier as well. Very tender and delicious.
@@TheRabbitryCenter We harvested our first rabbit yesterday. It went well. I am letting the meat rest for 72 hours and plan on eating it Tuesday. Most likely going to roast in the oven. Thanks for all your videos. I love your channel.
Bobby, have you ever ground the meat and made any kind of sausages, etc? I make a ground chicken patty that I freeze and this might work. Mostly I planned on pressure canning my meat.
Jet fuel haha i like your vids and always waiting for the next video. :) I have a question? during winter in my region it gets bellow -30 degrees Celsius, will my rabbits (new Zealands) survive outside in there cages with just allot of hay in box ?
It's tough to say. A lot of straw would help for sure. That's pretty darn cold. Do you belong to any facebook rabbit groups? There's so many helpful people from all over the world on those and I bet you could get some good input.
@@247rug If your feeding your family than there's no need to keep the breeding purebred but if you want to sell your rabbits for more money than you can instantly make them worth more by selling purebred. I'd entertain the idea of picking a favorite breed and buying a buck and two does. You can sell or harvest the rabbits you have and restart with new and improved breeding stock. Keeping track of the genetics is more work but you'll benefit in the long run. Here's a video on different ways to profit with your Rabbitry. th-cam.com/video/cbaUEFHoYv0/w-d-xo.html
Hey thanks for the info. Just about completed my 3 bay hutch. All I'm lackining are the dividers. I am having a hard time finding good meat rabbits for breeding. Was wanting silver fox and or new Zealand. Where can I find? I'm in NC fayetteville area. Thanks. New update was able to find a breeding pair of Californian and New zealands! Found them on Craigslist and hoobly.
If you type in the search “the Rabbitry center ________” followed by the topic our videos will come up for you. Also if you’re looking for a video covering a topic we haven’t discussed we’ll make a video for you. Thanks. th-cam.com/video/LahJykEIkos/w-d-xo.htmlsi=XQAsbPJ5WPcJY1kM
I’ve recently become very interested in rabbits my sister bought me a start up kit including a single story hutch and a buck and a doe. I know I need to get separate housing for the doe but do you have any other tips for a beginner in this ? It would be appreciated thanks
Ive been wanting to raise rabbits for meat plus maybe a pig . especially now that i hear about all the covid positive workers at the meat plants. Kinda gross buying their meat. I wanna raise my own. My big big problem that i cant seem to overcome is killing them to butcher.
Well it's not for everyone. But I can tell you it gets easier after you process your first rabbit. You just have to prioritize the meat for your family first. And cute fluffy things to play with second. After a while, you get into a routine.
ton 2020 yeah, I've started my rabbitry about a year ago with blue beveren breeding trios,so far we sell all the kits. We have been butchering chicken and stuff but these bunbuns are something else. We are afraid to get traumatized afterwards. We'll be ready one day. For now, we just rehome all the kits.
@@kiras6241 thats pretty cool. I think will end up selling all the kits in the beginning too . but my ultimate goal is raising my own meat. So at some point i will have to overlook the cuteness i guess. Lol
great video. The only issue I would have is with the fat content. Rabbit meat is very lean and it can cause issues if you eat too much (look up rabbit fever). More fat is better! As most carnivores out there know we need as much fast as possible so yes eat rabbit meat, it is very nutritious and healthy, but you have to get some additional fat somewhere to compensate for the leanness. Cooking in butter helps, or maybe eat a bowl of ice cream for desert?!
@@TheRabbitryCenter Yes excellent video. I already knew this stuff, but now I have a great video to recommend to friends who aren't up to speed on this! My grandparents and parents raised rabbits, and we are getting back into it and your videos are great refreshers and getting me up to date since the 70s LOL. We also raise our own quail, chickens, goats, bees, and hopefully in the future pigs and cows. We buy our beef from a local farmer a few miles away and have it butchered privately so no store chemicals required. My wife is a pure carnivore due to health reasons, and I was on a keto diet for all its benefits, but am now almost exclusively carnivore as well with some fresh berries, fruits and honey from our own property as the exception. Our health has never been better. Keep up the good work, and if you find a way to get some fat/marbling in your rabbits let me know! :-) the market for it would be astronomical! We have rare (french bresse) chickens that have marbling in the meat and they are incredible (as they are expensive). If you have any videos on taste differences on different breeds that would be interesting indeed (I hear the D'argent are supposed to be the best , but that is from the biased D'argent breeders forum!)
So growing up I never realized how dirt poor we really were. We always had food on our plates. As I got older I realized that my dad's 4 does and 1 buck along with his 8 hens and 2 rosters and small garden were the reason we always had our food and my parents NEVER went on welfare. Guess how many rabbits and chickens I have 🙂 It really does make a difference folks.
If you didn't feel poor then technically were you poor? It just depends on your outlook. You sound like you lived well growing up.
And it's really THAT simple! (Simple as in just a handful of the right livestock can feed a family) 🙌🏾🙌🏾
Feeding yourself and your family is essential it is why we work for others or ourselves. If you raise your food you will never eat better or healthier. It is extremely cost effective.
@janinedear-barlow3159 yes, can be literally and metaphysical totally different places.
@@caiusmadison2996 agree. We were literally very poor but I never knew it because we never went without our basic needs. Wishing y'all well.
For me they are therapeutic. I have colony rabbits in my backyard. I love to sit with them and feed them in the mornings and in the evenings. I watch their personalities, I watch the young ones grow up. I watch there hierarchy as it is being established. I watch how some of them like to have above ground nests while others like to dig and have their nest underground. My son has started a TH-cam channel called residential rabbits. Having rabbits has allowed me to show him that he can make a profit and have fun doing it. I will never forget the first time he got 50 bucks when he sold and delivered one rabbit. Nor will I forget the look on the lady’s face when she had a new companion to love and share time with. During these times when we are and have been stuck at home, people who don’t have anyone else with them benefit from having a pet. Like you I could go on and on but it makes me feel good to know that there’s a few extra dollars coming in and in a pinch my family is prepared when there’s no more meat on the shelf or when the cost to buy it is too high. By the way it already is.
Thanks for sharing. Rabbits are a joy to have on the property. That's for sure. I feel the same way about watching the chickens. It feels therapeutic to watch'em peck
Defiantly, want a pelts video. I am working on my 2nd attempt at growing meat rabbits, thanks for all that you do to provide us with this content. I just found you about 6 months ago and its great.
Here you go! Thanks for watching th-cam.com/video/LahJykEIkos/w-d-xo.html
You gave your mother in law a bag of shit said happy mothers day and she thanked you. 😂🤣 you are my hero.
hahahaha🤣
People say it tastes like chicken, but honestly I say it's like turkey. The vast majority of eastern European countries, Latvia, republic of Georgia Estonia all produce rabbit for meat and subsistence living. Check out the Booming rabbit industry in Uganda , Ghana, and many African nation's. Also the Philippines is a growing rabbit meat market. Rabbits will be on the menu all around the globe. Especially in developing countries and counties with minimal "grain stocks". Great video!!
Good video. I have 4 does and 1 buck. They give my hubby and I plenty of meat plus I sell them too which helps a lot with the feed. Easy easy keepers. Thanks.
Thanks for watching. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. I agree. Rabbits are so worth the effort.
Hello Joyce how's the weather over there
Thanks again for another video. Especially appreciated the advice on selling rabbits and manure. We would love a video regarding the pelts, if you do that, too!
I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching. I'll try to get the pelt video out as quick as I can.
Hello Julie how's the weather over there
I second that!
So, I made two of your cage enclosures, each with three holes (6 wire cages total). I bought 2 bucks NZ and 2 does Rex (in general, the Rex coat and temperament are great btw). My plan is to leave the other two cages for grow outs. It is as you said...easy, fun, and very rewarding! My herd should be old enough to start production around Sept and I can’t wait to see what kind of kits I get from a NZ Red and Rex Opal mix!!! Just thought I’d share...maybe you’ll get a kick out of knowing you’re helping a guy down in Alabama pick up a new hobby!!! Oh, and yes to the hides!!!
How did they turn out?
That sounds like an interesting mix. I’m doing the same with Rex and NZ/Cal mixes. I’d think the Rex get too hot down in AL. How’re they doing now?
This is awesome! And yes please make a tanning video!
You bet. I'll make it as quick as I can. Thanks
th-cam.com/video/LahJykEIkos/w-d-xo.html
Thank you man. I bought my first
Home this year, just started my garden and I’m going to start raising 4 chickens and some rabbits soon. Thank you
Congratulations on your new property
Thanks for the great videos! I am finishing up a 25'x25' vegie garden, next is my rabbitry, I'm getting a trio of Rex's for meat & pets. Your videos have helped so much during our setup process. Thanks!
I'm glad you found them helpful. Sounds like a nice size garden you got going. I'm just stating to plant my warm weather veges. Thanks for watching.
@@TheRabbitryCenter Thanks! I brought my Rex's (2 months old) home last sunday, today I noticed the Doe sneezed when I picked it up, then later when my son picked it up. I have been watching her, she is eating, drinking, playing, normal defecation, clear eyes and nose. It could be heat stress, new home stress or the cedar wood in my 3 seasons room? The sneeze is a one-off, not a group of sneezes and hours apart. At what point do I take it to the vet? -OR- is it just a sneeze and not to worry, Thanks!
Another great video man, thanks for sharing! I know there are already alot of comments, but I just wanted to add another "yes, please!" for a pelt video.
You got it. Stay tuned for that. Thanks
Great info and video. I have been on the fence about starting a rabbitry. Now I am on board. Please keep the great content coming.
I’m glad you liked the video!
I know this video is old, but we just started raising rabbits this past winter (2022/2023).
And your videos are always so helpful & informative. I just wish we lived closer. Would love to have bought a rabbit or 2 from you & seen your set up up close.
Are we happy to answer any questions you may have please let me know if you need anything. Thanks for watching!
@@TheRabbitryCenter Thanks, I'm sure I will after doing my first set of pelts like showed us. I can't imagine I'll get it right first go.
"I gave my mother-in-law rabbit manure" is my favorite quote of the video. 10:00
She loved it! ☺️
We started with rabbits a few months ago in South Africa. Have our first babies now. Thanks for the info.
Congratulations on your litter!
We LOVE our rabbits, and we love raising them! Agree 100% with all that you said! We’d definitely love to see the video on hides!
Rabbits are awesome. Thanks for watching. Here's the video on hides.
th-cam.com/video/LahJykEIkos/w-d-xo.html
@@TheRabbitryCenter Yay! Thank you!
@@wifemamateacher You're very welcome
Hi Bobby. Would love a video on tanning the hides. I just started rabbits, actually one of my does just kindled. My plan is the bunnies I don't sell for pets, will be going to freezer camp for myself family and friends. I want to respect the bunnies by using everything I can, hides included. Thanks for all the informative videos. Thoroughly enjoy them.
@@Plattyplaysyt I feel it's only right, they have their all for us. This is the first litter ever for my bunnies. I just hope when the time comes, I'll be able to do the processing. How do you keep your bunnies from tunneling under the fence ?
@@Plattyplaysyt thank you! I'll look into Premier one fencing and see if I can buget it in.
Hello Stacey how's the weather over there
@@steveanthony8653 hello. It's been in the low 90's during the day and high 50s at night. The monsoons are done for now I think.
@@Staceysue64 Oh that's nice where are you from? I'm from Dallas Texas
You are appreciated and We are blessed you pay it Forward.
Thank you for teaching me how to pick up my Bunnies.
You're no nonsense approach is Refreshing.
God Bless You and Family.
You're very welcome. Thanks for watching!
You can add Czech Republic in Central Europe to your list. Many people keep rabbits for culinary purposes. I grew up eating roasted rabbit nearly every weekend. A rabbit fur collecting mini van drives round the villages every few weeks and buys them out from people. It definitely is less common nowadays as shops are fully stocked with a range of food all year round, but some 30yrs ago it was a completely common thing.
Thanks for sharing
Hello, how's the weather over there?
Yes to the hide video. I would hate to waste those beautiful hides.
P.S. Love your videos!
You bet and Thanks
Thanks I would like to see the hide video please. And also everything mention is 100% true for me and my family with our rabbits. We use manure for the garden. We fertilize the flower beds with it. Plus the rabbit meat is nutritious and definitely delicious. Plus are rabbits that we breed are great pets and the rabbits that we've have sold as pets and meat have paid themselves back threefold. Thanks again for all the great ideas, and information.
Hello Shelby how's the weather over there
I started with a male female and now I have 20. The rabbit stereotype is true. They are so cute. This will be my first harvesting for meat. Ugh. It’s gonna be hard. I have thought about selling some as pets. Your video has helped me with that decision. Thank you for your time.
Your very welcome you may find this video helpful. th-cam.com/video/w6o-22gky-w/w-d-xo.html
Very useful video, rabbits seem like the perfect livestock for space/price efficiency.
They are! Thanks for watching.
Check this out when you get a free minute.
th-cam.com/video/jnkK4ih_riw/w-d-xo.html
Yes, love to see a video about the hides.
I'll try to get that out. thanks
absolutely want to see it!
A video on hides would be much appreciated
th-cam.com/video/LahJykEIkos/w-d-xo.html
Yes, Yes, Yes to the hides and what you do with them. Thanks... doing tons of research before I start.
Here you go! th-cam.com/video/LahJykEIkos/w-d-xo.html
Have you done a video on cages? Specific sizes, materials, tx. Great video. Hope to have some at the beginning of next year. Our vountry is just dealing with it's first RHV outbreak. Very sad. It was never here, now it is!
I’m sorry to hear that
I did a video on space and cages. When you’re on TH-cam type in “the Rabbitry Center -----“ and fill in the blank and that should pop up our video covering that topic. Thanks for watching!
Same here. A hide video and how to about it would be awesome.
Hello Gardening how's the weather over there
Bobby, I just subscribed to your channel and am so glad I did. I am preparing a place in my yard to raise meat Rabbits and appreciate all of your help from your videos!
I'm so glad you like the channel-please let me know if you need anything.
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for this very informative video. Short, quick videos covering a specific topic are great.
So glad you enjoy them. If you type “The Rabbitry Center______” followed by the topic, you should find a detailed rabbit video. If you don’t please comment on any video and I’ll make you a video covering that topic. Thanks!
I'll be starting commercial rabbit farming in the next 2 months. Thanx for educating us
Your very welcome good luck with everything.
Yeah, definitely put a video out on how to do the hides. Appreciate this video love it. Definitely want to get into doing this for me and everything else you said thanks brother great video.
Here you go! th-cam.com/video/LahJykEIkos/w-d-xo.htmlsi=LNbffqBilHDNmchF
@@TheRabbitryCenter thanks appreciate the video man. Great job.
I used to have so much rabbit manure that my neighbor would come over twice a year and take 8 tractor buckets full of it for his garden. And i still would have 2 truck loads to take to my dads and put on his garden.
Wow that’s a lot. How often do you collect it?
@@TheRabbitryCenter used to twice a year spring and fall. Those was not fun days i was lied to so i would get to the commercial level, come to the conclusion they lady lied to me so i would buy breeding stock off her. Now i only produce enough to feed my family and have enough manure to do my garden.
i started rabbitry last month and im so excited............ you help me alot as a beginner............ BTW NEW SUBSCRIBER
Thanks for subbing!
Rabbit is easy to digest. It’s great for those with digestion issues and seniors.
Hello Kanyon how's the weather over there
Bobby, you mention pelts. I did some research a few years ago when exploring rabbits as another homestead animal (I presently keep Red Wigglers and STILL want to do rabbits). It seems that the pelt is rather delicate unless it's at least 6 months old. At which point they are no longer fryers but have become stew meat. So it seems that the market makes it's way around the world. The biggest country involved is France. They raise BIG rabbits (Giants) and don't mind waiting the 6 months. They gladly stew the meat (It's still very good eating) and send the pelts to South Korea (mostly) where they are used to make chic clothing which coincidentally is mostly sold here in America. The pelts of those fryers is usually only good for decorations like under a lamp in the dining room or some other such use. NOT anything that will see "wear and tear". Still a market but secondary at best. Meat will always be the #1 product and rightfully so. It tastes like chicken BUT is much richer. Little known fact, the US Navy fed rabbit during WW2 since it is much richer so it went further . Six OZ of rabbit equaled over 8 ounces of chicken since it was much richer and filling. Love your vids and I'm sure I will be a Rabbit guy soon enough.
I really enjoyed reading your comment thank you for sharing I was speaking to a veteran/farmer and he mentioned that he ate rabbit when he was serving in the military
Great job man. You are awesome and so honestly talk about rabbits. You have a nice ranch and you are good at keeping homestad. Ive learned about rabbit manure.
Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment, this time of year you just can’t have enough rabbit manure
In light of the worlds current affairs everyone needs to take some responsibility for their own food supply. Good work!
Thanks for watching
Great video. Thank you. I especially liked when you said I gave my mother in
Law a couple of bags of .....manure. lol that was funny. Very inspirational.
Hello Lois how's the weather over there
Just got two New Zealand brown doe’s and a NZ brown buck. I’m starting out this project for all the reasons you mentioned 🤗 Love your passion and willingness to share your knowledge freely, so had to subscribe 👍🤟
Best of luck with your production. Thanks for watching!
I love your videos!! I'm glad I found your channel. Thank you. You are very informative. I am new to rabbits you have been a big help.
Thank you For watching!
Hello Patricia how's the weather over there
I was just at the farmers market on the weekend and asked one of the vendors there that was advertising rabbit meat if they had any. The person behind the counter said that they were looking for someone a supplier to supply them with rabbit meat. Having grown up on it and raised many many many litters with my parents, I was kicking myself thinking “if only”. We have strict rules in the city about the type of animals and how many you can on so raising them here is not legally possible, but if it were, I’d be into it so quickly.
What about if you got an allotment?
Yes Bobby. Need to see the pelt Procedure
You bet. I have the hides soaking right now. Coming soon...
Great information. Puts it all into perspective.
I'm glad you like it. thanks for commenting.
Have been thinking about rabbit farming but with ur video am fully inspired to start asap. Will be contacting you for tips
Let me know if there's any thing you need! Thanks for watching!
We try to sell as pets as well its expensive starting up and supporting the show ones but we will eat out culls. Ate our first 2 as bunny tacos and the kids n grandkids thought it was great tasting! Like our meat chickens! We got our first meat breeders and look forward to that.
Am from Uganda _East Africa..and am inspired to keeping Rabbits
Thanks for watching!
I thoroughly enjoyed the history lesson 😀 🐰🐇
I'm so glad you like it
You just got a new subscriber. Thanks for all the information!
Thanks for watching!
Yes, interested in the hides. Also, this video touched on some of my questions but I'd like to know more about how you make money on your rabbits. How many does and bucks do you keep. Do you only sell live rabbits. Can you sell the meat? (USDA regs) What age do you harvest the rabbits for meat? When do you separate the young rabbits from their mom?. I'm watching a lot of your videos so I may find some of these answers. Great channel and content!! Keep up the good work.
sure thing I'll try to get that video out .
We are currently running 4 blood lines and californians as well.
12-16 weeks harvest
I only sell live rabbits
No meat sales
wean at 6-8 weeks
Thanks for watching
Just about to start raising rabbits, want to learn as much as possible. I want to make my own cages/hutches to save.
My purposes are for rabbit manure, urine and of course, meat. In China my friend made rabbit burritos that were fantastic!
This is the first video I’ve watched. Found you indirectly through DirtPatcheaven here on TH-cam, through one of her playlist links and that link led me to yours.
Just launched this cage build video it Shows in the description how much per foot of cage wire. Best of luck with your rabbits!
th-cam.com/video/LD7FKx9U5i4/w-d-xo.html
A year ago I started setting up our small backyard into a small homestead and I must agree rabbits are the best and my second farm animal I reccomend are quails
I've been thinking about it. What do you get from quail? Can you tell me a little more about keeping them?
Quail are amazing, if you go that route i suggest the jumbo coturnix they are a dual purpose, i always replace my layers after a year of production and they make for some fantastic eating, also if you do farmers markets quail eggs sell like crazy at least in my area they do. Quail eggs have many health benefits, it may take a dozen to make an omelet but they are good eggs. My sister inlaw can not eat chicken eggs they cause her pain in the stomach and make her sick, but quail eggs she can eat with no issues so people that can not eat chicken eggs can eat quail eggs at least some of them anyhow. I have never had an issue selling quail or eggs for eating or hatching.
Where do you buy them?
I am quite young (21 y/o) and when I get my home on the countryside, when I'm older, I really want to create a greenhouse (a big one) for winter (I'm from Canada) and basically I wanted to make it so there would be few animals in it, I also wanted to make a micro fish farm. You know, something that can produce enough meat, fish and vegetables for a small family of 5. Rabbit is my favorite meat because of how low fat and tasty it is and I really wanted to include them in the greenhouse, what I thought is that there would be few floors and each of these floors would be dedicated to something. I wanted the fish farm to be directly in the ground, covered with a plexiglass and the first floor would have few chickens and rabbit cages and then, the vegetables would be on the other floors. I really want to create a greenhouse that can support itself, by that I mean that I want rabbits to reproduces, use rabbit's detritus as fertilizer (and also rabbit meat), chickens for eggs & meat and yeah.. I know it's quite a big project and it's literally creating a micro eco system but this is one of my life goal and I was wondering if you had tricks & tips to give me :) you seems to know a lot about rabbits so it would be fun if you had tips for farming rabbits, thanks!
Sounds great. I’d say start small to get started and go from there. You wrote floors. I’d avoid stairs due to farming means hauling feed, water and supplies don’t go well with stairs.
I wish you luck and I hope you build your dream eco system keep me posted on the progress. Just take it one step at a time and pretty soon you’ll have built something you can be proud of.
My wife and I have been raising rabbits for 2 years now and love it. We put an average of 30 pounds of meat a month in the freezer and that is only with 3 does
That’s great! It’s rewarding to have an all natural chemical free production in your own back yard -Good job.
Yes,I like to see what you do with the rabbit hides!
Here it is. Thanks for watching.
th-cam.com/video/LahJykEIkos/w-d-xo.html&t
I would definitely be interested in a video about tanning hides. We are just getting started with rabbits!
You bet. I'll try to get that out as quick as I can.
I just sold my first rabbit from my rabbitry. I am in Southern California and around here they a New Zealand at 6 weeks goes for 50!!!
congrats. That's awesome.
just started my rabbit enterprise, still need some cages and a longer rabbit shelter for the new cages. i probably will make the existing one into the weaning cages .... one for boys one for girls. then put my breeders in the new one with new cages.
Good luck on your new Rabbitry. Way to go
Hello Lady how's the weather over there
We live in northern Minnesota - winter temps get as low as -40F not including windchill. All of our other animals seem to do fine with adequate (unheated) shelter. What does a winter set up look like for meat rabbits?
Check out his winter rabbit play list its great...we have 40below winters in Ontario and our rabbits are fine as long as they can get out of the elements when they want to...i have mine in a shed or covered areas with tarps to block the wind
Wild Edibles Thank you!
Great video Bobby! Thank you.
Would like to see the fur video.
You're so welcome
I’m 13 years old and I have 6 rabbits 3 males and 3 females and I breed them a few times a year and sell them for $20 a piece it’s fun and easy money I also have 38 chicks
I only have a half acre built a 10x26 leanto covered walls with hardware wire due to our predators dogs, coyotes,bobcat and hawk not to forget possum and raccoon I hang the cages rake leanto every couple days put right in garden plus rabbit taste great just like chicken breast they are quiet and easy to raise and process
Hello Danielle how's the weather over there
I LOVE your videos. Im just starting out and really appreciate all your help. Thank you SO MUCH!
That means a lot thanks for watching!!
Great video! Can you do a video on the whole breeding and keeping a pedigree. Plus, Im so unclear about how you the babies unrelated to eachother with a breeding trio?
Will do! Thanks for asking
Hello Kristen how's the weather over there
Make ground tractors for your meat rabbits and move them everyday to a few days depending on size tractor and rabbits in it and you can actually feed them for free if you had to but it is an awesome way to cut your feed bill down 75percent.
thanks for sharing
Me too, would love to see a video
I'll try to get it out asap
thanks for watching
thank you for the video, it really helped us in raising rabbits
I'm so glad to hear that. Please let me know if you need anything! Thanks for watching!
What’s your estimate of a minimum rabbitry size that it becomes a commercial operation as opposed to a self-suffiency farm, or slightly larger and being a hobby farm. Do you know roughly how much area per rabbit in order to design farm land requirements?
You bet here's a video sharing space
I say sqft but actually meant to say cuft
You can also check arba space requirements. th-cam.com/video/_VayAwnzmPs/w-d-xo.html
Can you do a tour of your cages to see what the floors are like. And what they sleep on.
The floors are 1/2" x 1" galvanized cage wire 16G they sleep in there hide boxes, on the cage floor or on their resting board. Mama Doe's sometimes sleep in their cage or sleep in their Tote. Here's a video showing a little more. th-cam.com/video/b_F7GZfjTG4/w-d-xo.html
I love your channel, man!!! Good stuff all around
I appreciate that!
Yes!!! Love the history lesson
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
@@TheRabbitryCenter I'm becoming a big fan. I share your videos with my friends who are seeing the current pandemic and realizing that rabbit farming can provide food security. This resource you have created can save lives and feed families. I'm grateful
@@TheRabbitryCenter had 8 kits this morning I've mixed a little oats in the feed. Would have been 9 but that's just how it goes. Thanks for the help again.
@@That_dude_who_knows_some_stuff congrats on the litter. Oats will help great job.
Love it Bobby! Keep up the great videos! Show us a little of your music jam added to the video! 🤘
You bet thanks for commenting
Thank you and would love to see a video on the pelts
Rabbit hides video has been uploaded
Great video, thanks for making it.
You're very welcome
Please put that video up
th-cam.com/video/LahJykEIkos/w-d-xo.html
Venison must be well cooked, as deer use their nose to root around, just like pigs do. This can lead to parasites, in deer, and in pigs. A great way to prepare venison, is by canning. It will be incredibly moist, and fall apart. Delicious, and safe! 🙂
It's your venison and your body. I think you should eat the food the way it makes sense to you. My good friend is a canning machine and it does taste good but the look of it definitely doesn't. Thanks for commenting.
Hello, how's the weather over there?
Not sure if there’s more detail in another video, but I would love to see how you sift the manure to remove the straw/hay? Thank you !
You bet here it is
th-cam.com/video/mzgcwD8xBCw/w-d-xo.html
Hello Kaycee how's the weather over there
I wonder if you have a video and plans for the rabbit hutch you show in this video! I would love one just like it. Thanks for your videos!
You bet here you go! th-cam.com/video/KUoOVswrpLs/w-d-xo.html
Wow!! Thank you!
If I tractor rabbits, is there anything I need to look out for? Nutritional concerns?
Heck yeah I’d love to see the hide video. I’m mostly raising meat rabbits, but I’m not sure if I should let them mature more for saving the hides.
great info! thanks
I Love your passion Buddy ✌🏾❤️👌🏻great stuff
I'm so glad you like the channel.
Thanks for watching!
I would love a video on how you handle grow outs fighting. We separated ours because of fighting between 8 and 12 weeks, but that is taking too many cages and too much space.
Not enough cages and not enough space. That is one of the biggest Rabbitry challenges that never goes away.
The bucks especially will start to battle like this around 10-12 weeks. They're establishing dominance. There'll always be a head rabbit in charge. Male and female. you'll get scratched up ears and manure in the fur from rabbits getting pinned. If your limited on cages you can always move the bucks out first and leave the does with mom or you can separate the really aggressive rabbits to their own cages and try to find a couple subordinate bucks that can be caged together a little longer. Does usually aren't a problem and you can comfortably keep 2 full size does in a cage together. You also harvest a little earlier as well. Very tender and delicious.
You bet, I'll put it on the list
@@TheRabbitryCenter We harvested our first rabbit yesterday. It went well. I am letting the meat rest for 72 hours and plan on eating it Tuesday. Most likely going to roast in the oven. Thanks for all your videos. I love your channel.
@@paulat5921 That's good to hear. Should be a great meal. Thanks for watching.
Yes tanning VIDEO and what kind of things you make with them
Hello Deborah how's the weather over there
Bobby, have you ever ground the meat and made any kind of sausages, etc? I make a ground chicken patty that I freeze and this might work. Mostly I planned on pressure canning my meat.
That's something I haven't tried. Please Let me know how it turns out.
Unless it's mothers day🤣🤣 this is the first year i am using rabbit manure. I am excited to see the results!
Hello Jennifer how's the weather over there
Awesome video i would like to see info on rabbit hides... i'm totally committed to raising rabbits
Thanks for sharing
Denis
You said it. You can't beat a backyard meat production
That buck looks like a good one
Someday I want a little farm. Rabbits. Meat. Fur. Manuor. For the Vegs flowers herbs. Ty about the chickens.
You’re very welcome!
Jet fuel haha
i like your vids and always waiting for the next video. :)
I have a question?
during winter in my region it gets bellow -30 degrees Celsius, will my rabbits (new Zealands) survive outside in there cages with just allot of hay in box ?
It's tough to say. A lot of straw would help for sure. That's pretty darn cold. Do you belong to any facebook rabbit groups? There's so many helpful people from all over the world on those and I bet you could get some good input.
@@TheRabbitryCenter thx for your comment .
Here in Missouri we have a hard time getting more than 10 a rabbit andgetting people to buy.
are they Purebred? How about a pedigree?
@@TheRabbitryCenter mostly New Zealand but not purebred or papered.
@@247rug If your feeding your family than there's no need to keep the breeding purebred but if you want to sell your rabbits for more money than you can instantly make them worth more by selling purebred.
I'd entertain the idea of picking a favorite breed and buying a buck and two does. You can sell or harvest the rabbits you have and restart with new and improved breeding stock. Keeping track of the genetics is more work but you'll benefit in the long run. Here's a video on different ways to profit with your Rabbitry.
th-cam.com/video/cbaUEFHoYv0/w-d-xo.html
Hello, how's the weather over there?
Hey thanks for the info. Just about completed my 3 bay hutch. All I'm lackining are the dividers. I am having a hard time finding good meat rabbits for breeding. Was wanting silver fox and or new Zealand. Where can I find? I'm in NC fayetteville area. Thanks. New update was able to find a breeding pair of Californian and New zealands! Found them on Craigslist and hoobly.
Check this out if you haven't already
th-cam.com/video/F3GyTnEmJb8/w-d-xo.html
Have you ever ran into any rabbits that had bumblefoot from the cage wire floor.
Thanks for the sharing the great videos.
Never had to deal with that
But it may be a situation where the rabbit is a bit too heavy
Let’s see some vids on pelts. Processing. Tanning. Best age of rabbit etc. thanks for your site!!!
If you type in the search “the Rabbitry center ________” followed by the topic our videos will come up for you. Also if you’re looking for a video covering a topic we haven’t discussed we’ll make a video for you. Thanks. th-cam.com/video/LahJykEIkos/w-d-xo.htmlsi=XQAsbPJ5WPcJY1kM
I’ve recently become very interested in rabbits my sister bought me a start up kit including a single story hutch and a buck and a doe. I know I need to get separate housing for the doe but do you have any other tips for a beginner in this ? It would be appreciated thanks
th-cam.com/video/KUoOVswrpLs/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/b_F7GZfjTG4/w-d-xo.html
My old mother in law was no gardener, but a bag of rabbit shit sounds like a fair gift for her. lol
I always look forward to comments like yours Thank you!
Very good information on rabbit history.❤❤
Glad you liked it
I subscribed immediately after hearing this guy say he gave his mother in law a bag of rabbit poop for Mother’s Day. 😂😂😂 love it! 👏🏾
Ive been wanting to raise rabbits for meat plus maybe a pig . especially now that i hear about all the covid positive workers at the meat plants. Kinda gross buying their meat. I wanna raise my own. My big big problem that i cant seem to overcome is killing them to butcher.
Well it's not for everyone. But I can tell you it gets easier after you process your first rabbit. You just have to prioritize the meat for your family first. And cute fluffy things to play with second. After a while, you get into a routine.
@@TheRabbitryCenter yea you are right. Thanks for your response
ton 2020 yeah, I've started my rabbitry about a year ago with blue beveren breeding trios,so far we sell all the kits.
We have been butchering chicken and stuff but these bunbuns are something else. We are afraid to get traumatized afterwards. We'll be ready one day.
For now, we just rehome all the kits.
@@kiras6241 thats pretty cool. I think will end up selling all the kits in the beginning too . but my ultimate goal is raising my own meat. So at some point i will have to overlook the cuteness i guess. Lol
@@tom-ss2mn 👍yes!!! I believe, with some time ,things will go easier.
great video. The only issue I would have is with the fat content. Rabbit meat is very lean and it can cause issues if you eat too much (look up rabbit fever). More fat is better! As most carnivores out there know we need as much fast as possible so yes eat rabbit meat, it is very nutritious and healthy, but you have to get some additional fat somewhere to compensate for the leanness. Cooking in butter helps, or maybe eat a bowl of ice cream for desert?!
thanks for sharing your advice i do appreciate it!
Here’s a video you may enjoy
Rabbit Meat Or Store Meat?
th-cam.com/video/AFM3hwuaRlo/w-d-xo.html
@@TheRabbitryCenter Yes excellent video. I already knew this stuff, but now I have a great video to recommend to friends who aren't up to speed on this! My grandparents and parents raised rabbits, and we are getting back into it and your videos are great refreshers and getting me up to date since the 70s LOL. We also raise our own quail, chickens, goats, bees, and hopefully in the future pigs and cows. We buy our beef from a local farmer a few miles away and have it butchered privately so no store chemicals required. My wife is a pure carnivore due to health reasons, and I was on a keto diet for all its benefits, but am now almost exclusively carnivore as well with some fresh berries, fruits and honey from our own property as the exception. Our health has never been better. Keep up the good work, and if you find a way to get some fat/marbling in your rabbits let me know! :-) the market for it would be astronomical! We have rare (french bresse) chickens that have marbling in the meat and they are incredible (as they are expensive). If you have any videos on taste differences on different breeds that would be interesting indeed (I hear the D'argent are supposed to be the best , but that is from the biased D'argent breeders forum!)
What kind of preventative maintenance as far as parasites and disease needs to be done and how often?
Rabbits are pretty hardy in general here's a video that shares more information
th-cam.com/video/XWdn06fZurU/w-d-xo.html