These are the types of videos I've been looking for. We have a decent sized no till garden and been wanting to do rabbits without battery cages and as little feed as possible. Make longer videos please!
Love it! It was my idea to my wife to try and raise meat rabbits since we already do chickens, goats and pigs. Since then we now have enough breeders to feed multiple families with anywhere from 20-40 babies constantly being cycled out for meat. We have dialed back on the meat chickens because of how expensive they are in comparison to the rabbits. One thing we learned was growing black oil sunflowers is another fantastic crop for rabbits and people with little water requirements. I wasn't prepared for how good rabbit tenderloin is.
I also use mulberry leaves from our mulberry trees. Mulberry Trees can easily be propagated from cuttings so I'm planning on developing an entire fenceline of mulberry trees that I will cut forage from.
Great video. Cheers bro. I've heard several people express how good rabbits are to include in your homestead, but seeing your video has me sold on it now. That is on my list now :D
This doesn't have enough likes. I appreciate the knowledge. I've been feeding mine a lot of curly dock, dandelion, chickweed, and thistle for several years as well. Along with most of the garden and flowerbed weeds. I usually only resort to store bought feed on days when its raining or I just don't have the time.
I've been doing meat rabbits for about a year now. I've got both hanging cages and most recently a small colony set up (in my garage). We've got a big old barn on our property though and this year I'm working on having a big colony set up extension added onto it for my rabbits. I absolutely love your videos and I cannot wait to give them a similar set up to yours. They all look so happy! I'm gonna be trying to grow my own food for them too over this next season, so thank you for all the help with this video!
Ran across your video and I liked your message! Been raising rabbits as the backbone of our protein source for decades. My oldest daughter chose animal husbandry as her career path because of her involvement in rabbit 4H. Rabbits were the backbone of our homestead. Keep getting the message out there. You have a new subscriber!
Exactly what I was looking for because I've got rexes and I'm tired of going to The Big Box store to get their food for some reason they've been rejecting the Timothy Hay too so I've been strictly on pellets and a few grasses that I pulled for them need to start growing more thank you
Have you considered getting a pellet making machine to make your own pellets to store the “hay” for winter? I’ve thought about it but I haven’t seen anyone doing it.
Can you put a guide on how to build a rabbit enclosure? I have three rabbits in a cage. I would love to put them in an enclosure but i am worried they will just dig under the enclosure.
They will - you’ll need to have the floor of the enclosure be some sort of wire (like chicken wire or pig fencing - something where they can get to the grass but not dig out). I used rabbit tractors and moved my rabbits every day. That worked fairly well
It’s pretty amazing just how much a few rabbits can eat! I pull handfuls of greens and tuck into rabbit cages - wow, they gnaw that stuff up in a few seconds! I’ve got to get a clover back lawn! My Bermuda grass has become a Dog Fennel forest….too bad as it’s not good food for my rabbits or chickens! 😱
Absolutely nothing will eat dog fennel. Only thing that uses it at all is some kind of moth and only the male during mating season. They get the oils from it on them as protection from predators. Which we can do also as a natural mosquito repellent. Other than that it's useless to people and animals Cut it low and let it start to sprout back really good to maybe 6 inches then spot spray it. Unfortunately chemical is the only way to get rid of it. You'll never dig it all out. It will come back. Get it before it spreads too bad. I spent a couple weeks on my property just walking and spot spraying before I got it all. Even then I have to keep an eye out for stragglers. Good luck.
A push lawn mower with a bagger is an effective way to gather rabbit 🐇 food from your lawn for almost free. A handful a day in the cage makes the rabbits happy
I imagine just me and my neighbour mowing our lawns with the bag will produce enough greens for a small colony. I have a lot of clover and dandelions in my lawn.
Have you thought about getting guinea pigs as well? It is a bit of an unusual meat in the western world, but they say its delicious meat. And they are apparently even easier to feed than rabbits.
@@sagesmokesurvivalGreetings Brother,How are u?Im writting u this message because i need help with getting that book. Ive been searching online to see if i can download it for free but it looks like there isnt anywhere. Im from Europe,so could u somehow turn that book into PDF or Epub and send it to me? Im 24,moved from the city,and id like to start a rabbit farm. Please help. How can i contact u further? Can i write u an e-mail? Thanks in advance.
@@Revolusionist321 amazon germany has it also. Or the writer has a website with shorter articles on this. Otherwise use the search engine on yt for video's on this way of feeding.
I live in southeast Asia, tell me, how about moringa leaves? Can i feed rabbits with it? Would be great if i could have a list of good foods for them, i plan to start raising rabbits pretty soon
There is welded wire fencing laid out underneath the bedding of the whole enclosure. They've tried to dig out, but can't. It's pretty cheap and effective.
I am going to be raising meat rabbits much to the horror of my wife 😆. Nah, she's cool with it but doesn't want to eat the meat. Going to try Champagne D'Argent breed, they supposedly produce 9-10 lbs dressed.
Dude, comfrey is mutagenic and causes liver tumors in study rats. The pyrrolizidine alkaloids have made it illegal to consume in the US, I sure wouldn't be feeding my future meals comfrey. I've just begun studying what to grow for rabbits but even I know not to consume Comfrey, even by proxy.
This is what Chat GPT had to say on the subject: Comfrey (Symphytum spp.) contains compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which can be toxic to the liver and potentially harmful to the kidneys in high doses. Chronic consumption of comfrey containing high levels of PAs has been associated with liver damage and other health issues in humans and animals. While rabbits may naturally consume small amounts of comfrey in the wild, it's essential to exercise caution when feeding comfrey to domestic rabbits, particularly in large quantities or as a regular part of their diet. The mutagenic properties of PAs found in comfrey can indeed pose a risk to the liver and kidneys of rabbits over time. To mitigate the potential risks: Limit Intake: Offer comfrey as an occasional treat rather than a staple food in your rabbits' diet. Small amounts infrequently are less likely to cause harm. Choose Safe Varieties: Some varieties of comfrey contain lower levels of PAs than others. Selecting cultivars with reduced PA content can help minimize the risk. Monitor Health: Keep a close eye on your rabbits' health, including their liver and kidney function, if you include comfrey in their diet. Watch for any signs of distress or illness and consult a veterinarian if you have concerns. Diversify Diet: Provide a balanced and varied diet for your rabbits, incorporating a range of safe vegetables, herbs, and grasses to ensure they receive the necessary nutrients without overreliance on potentially harmful plants. Avoid Use in Pregnant or Nursing Rabbits: Pregnant or nursing rabbits may be more susceptible to the toxic effects of PAs, so it's best to avoid feeding comfrey to these rabbits altogether. Ultimately, while comfrey can be enjoyed by rabbits in moderation, it's crucial to be aware of the potential risks associated with its consumption and take appropriate precautions to safeguard the health of your rabbits. would feeding comfrey to your rabbit dried in the winter cut the risk of liver and kidney damage ChatGPT Feeding dried comfrey to rabbits in moderation might reduce the risk of liver and kidney damage compared to fresh comfrey, as some of the potentially harmful compounds, such as pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), can degrade during the drying process. However, it's essential to consider that drying may not eliminate all PAs completely, and the extent of PA reduction can vary depending on factors like drying temperature and duration. While drying comfrey could decrease the PA content to some extent, it's still important to exercise caution: Moderation: Even if dried, comfrey should still be offered in small amounts and only as an occasional treat to minimize the risk of toxicity. Variety: Avoid relying solely on comfrey as a dietary component. Offer a diverse range of safe vegetables, herbs, hay, and grasses to ensure your rabbit receives a balanced diet. Health Monitoring: Regularly monitor your rabbit's health, including liver and kidney function, especially if comfrey is part of their diet. Look out for any signs of distress, illness, or changes in behavior. Safe Harvesting: Ensure that comfrey used for drying is harvested from areas free of contamination, such as pesticides, herbicides, or pollution, to prevent additional health risks. Consult a Veterinarian: If you have any concerns about feeding comfrey or notice any adverse effects in your rabbit, consult with a veterinarian familiar with rabbit care for guidance and support. While dried comfrey may pose less risk than fresh comfrey, it's crucial to approach its inclusion in your rabbit's diet with caution and prioritize their health and well-being above all else
One of the signs of liver damage is dark circles under your eyes, I would get checked out by your doctor if y'all have been eating a lot of rabbits that have been eating a lot of comfrey. If the animals you're eating have a damaged liver, than those alkaloids might not be being filtered properly. Please stop telling people to do this, it's an unnecessary health risk and health care is too expensive and predatory to take on unnecessary health risks in the US. Sorry for the novel, but dam*.
Do you grow your own Timothy hay? Or outsource. Love the closed loop system. 🫶🏼. How do you estimate their carb/protein/fatty acid percentage? Thanks for sharing!!!
These are the types of videos I've been looking for. We have a decent sized no till garden and been wanting to do rabbits without battery cages and as little feed as possible. Make longer videos please!
Your channel has blown my mind. I never thought about farming rabbits until this video and now I have to add that to my homesteading dreamboard.
Love it! It was my idea to my wife to try and raise meat rabbits since we already do chickens, goats and pigs. Since then we now have enough breeders to feed multiple families with anywhere from 20-40 babies constantly being cycled out for meat. We have dialed back on the meat chickens because of how expensive they are in comparison to the rabbits. One thing we learned was growing black oil sunflowers is another fantastic crop for rabbits and people with little water requirements. I wasn't prepared for how good rabbit tenderloin is.
I also use mulberry leaves from our mulberry trees. Mulberry Trees can easily be propagated from cuttings so I'm planning on developing an entire fenceline of mulberry trees that I will cut forage from.
Excellent addition, thank you! I find mine get excited for a few leaves, but beyond that don’t eat much more at feedings…
I’m inspired. I failed with backyard meat rabbits before but this looks like a great system
Straight up info condensed into a understandable and well laid out lesson.
Bravo ✊
I've been researching raising meat rabbits. Tell us more.
Rabbits are super easy to skin.
Will do! Stick around for the videos I’ve got coming out on that!
Thank you. I'm about to start my families homestead journey. I think rabbits is gonna be my first livestock.
Man I really enjoy your videos bro! Short, to the point and super informative! 🙌🏻🔥🙌🏻
Great video. Cheers bro. I've heard several people express how good rabbits are to include in your homestead, but seeing your video has me sold on it now. That is on my list now :D
This doesn't have enough likes. I appreciate the knowledge. I've been feeding mine a lot of curly dock, dandelion, chickweed, and thistle for several years as well. Along with most of the garden and flowerbed weeds. I usually only resort to store bought feed on days when its raining or I just don't have the time.
Yo, I’m very intrigued. I like everything you post. I’m just not quite there yet. Thank you for sharing.
I've been doing meat rabbits for about a year now. I've got both hanging cages and most recently a small colony set up (in my garage). We've got a big old barn on our property though and this year I'm working on having a big colony set up extension added onto it for my rabbits. I absolutely love your videos and I cannot wait to give them a similar set up to yours. They all look so happy! I'm gonna be trying to grow my own food for them too over this next season, so thank you for all the help with this video!
Found you on FB and looking to get my first rabbits next spring!
Ran across your video and I liked your message!
Been raising rabbits as the backbone of our protein source for decades.
My oldest daughter chose animal husbandry as her career path because of her involvement in rabbit 4H.
Rabbits were the backbone of our homestead.
Keep getting the message out there. You have a new subscriber!
And, one more thing, would be great to have a video regarding good housing for them, and water system, proper lighting, keep up the good work
Those rabbits are getting more plant nutrients than most Americans!!!
well if everyone could eat weeds and grass....vegetables and fruots are a luxury for rabbits ,but they can as stated eat just about any plant
We can eat most of the weeds rabbits do, most humans just prefer to poison their yards instead of harvesting them for some reason. @bloodlove93
Exactly what I was looking for because I've got rexes and I'm tired of going to The Big Box store to get their food for some reason they've been rejecting the Timothy Hay too so I've been strictly on pellets and a few grasses that I pulled for them need to start growing more thank you
first one to like this video! your channel is awesome, love the content
Have you considered getting a pellet making machine to make your own pellets to store the “hay” for winter? I’ve thought about it but I haven’t seen anyone doing it.
Great video! I’d love to see more videos about this. Like how do you process your rabbits?
I’ll make a video on butchering when my next litter is ready
Thanks for the great info.
Can you put a guide on how to build a rabbit enclosure? I have three rabbits in a cage. I would love to put them in an enclosure but i am worried they will just dig under the enclosure.
They will - you’ll need to have the floor of the enclosure be some sort of wire (like chicken wire or pig fencing - something where they can get to the grass but not dig out). I used rabbit tractors and moved my rabbits every day. That worked fairly well
I'm interested as well
love this, straight to the point
You should try Sweet potatoes, it grows so fast, rabbits love its leaves , and the bonus is you'll get sweet potatoes after 3-4 months.
It’s pretty amazing just how much a few rabbits can eat! I pull handfuls of greens and tuck into rabbit cages - wow, they gnaw that stuff up in a few seconds! I’ve got to get a clover back lawn! My Bermuda grass has become a Dog Fennel forest….too bad as it’s not good food for my rabbits or chickens! 😱
Absolutely nothing will eat dog fennel. Only thing that uses it at all is some kind of moth and only the male during mating season. They get the oils from it on them as protection from predators. Which we can do also as a natural mosquito repellent. Other than that it's useless to people and animals
Cut it low and let it start to sprout back really good to maybe 6 inches then spot spray it. Unfortunately chemical is the only way to get rid of it. You'll never dig it all out. It will come back. Get it before it spreads too bad.
I spent a couple weeks on my property just walking and spot spraying before I got it all. Even then I have to keep an eye out for stragglers. Good luck.
A push lawn mower with a bagger is an effective way to gather rabbit 🐇 food from your lawn for almost free. A handful a day in the cage makes the rabbits happy
This was a great video! Thanks ❤
Thank you sooo much for this video!!🙏
this is a great information, awesome video
I am going to try to talk mom into this and yess we do have the land for it
I imagine just me and my neighbour mowing our lawns with the bag will produce enough greens for a small colony. I have a lot of clover and dandelions in my lawn.
Can i get a list of what plants would be good for rabbit feed. Really wanna start growing my own feed
same here
Well, "for free" is within my price range...
Great video 👍
What is your system for drying and storing those plants for winter?
Have you thought about getting guinea pigs as well? It is a bit of an unusual meat in the western world, but they say its delicious meat. And they are apparently even easier to feed than rabbits.
Nice one 👍 thanks man.
Thanks Seth great info, we are transitioning away from pellets.
Awesome! Be sure to get the book Beyond The Pellet. It’s cheap on Amazon. That was my guide for most of this
@@sagesmokesurvivalGreetings Brother,How are u?Im writting u this message because i need help with getting that book. Ive been searching online to see if i can download it for free but it looks like there isnt anywhere. Im from Europe,so could u somehow turn that book into PDF or Epub and send it to me? Im 24,moved from the city,and id like to start a rabbit farm.
Please help. How can i contact u further? Can i write u an e-mail?
Thanks in advance.
@@Revolusionist321 amazon germany has it also. Or the writer has a website with shorter articles on this. Otherwise use the search engine on yt for video's on this way of feeding.
@@Revolusionist321it's available in ebook form on Kindle
@@Revolusionist321bro u can’t afford book so u e beg
I live in southeast Asia, tell me, how about moringa leaves? Can i feed rabbits with it? Would be great if i could have a list of good foods for them, i plan to start raising rabbits pretty soon
Awesome content!
I would live a video on the setup. Like do they have a bottom? Do they dig out?
There is welded wire fencing laid out underneath the bedding of the whole enclosure. They've tried to dig out, but can't. It's pretty cheap and effective.
I have a field of giant ragweed where I live.
Do rabbits not dig under the fence and escape the yard?
Hows the set up for the rabbits built
What breed of rabbit do you suggest? I'm sure you have answered this before but I'm new.
How do you do the ending before they become stew?
This is awesome
Do you vaccinate your meat rabbit or do you raise them organic without vaccines?
I am going to be raising meat rabbits much to the horror of my wife 😆. Nah, she's cool with it but doesn't want to eat the meat. Going to try Champagne D'Argent breed, they supposedly produce 9-10 lbs dressed.
I was thinking green beans might be a good one especially because you can just buy a bag of pinto beans super cheap
What about burdock
No carrots??
Rabbit poop very good for compost!
What is your preferred method of dispatching? I am thinking the last method I saw was a .22 to the back of the head. Instant.
Stun & bleed tastes way better.
@@aryan1956 Why? If you use a .22, the rabbit's heart should continue to pump.
@@BaptistJoshua IDK. It's just been my experience.
@@aryan1956 Could be. How do you stun them?
@@BaptistJoshua smack em in the head with something.
Why can't you let them roam free in your yard?
UK WW2 staple food....
Keep the buck protein intake lower
Dude, comfrey is mutagenic and causes liver tumors in study rats. The pyrrolizidine alkaloids have made it illegal to consume in the US, I sure wouldn't be feeding my future meals comfrey. I've just begun studying what to grow for rabbits but even I know not to consume Comfrey, even by proxy.
The bees love it though...
This is what Chat GPT had to say on the subject: Comfrey (Symphytum spp.) contains compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which can be toxic to the liver and potentially harmful to the kidneys in high doses. Chronic consumption of comfrey containing high levels of PAs has been associated with liver damage and other health issues in humans and animals.
While rabbits may naturally consume small amounts of comfrey in the wild, it's essential to exercise caution when feeding comfrey to domestic rabbits, particularly in large quantities or as a regular part of their diet. The mutagenic properties of PAs found in comfrey can indeed pose a risk to the liver and kidneys of rabbits over time.
To mitigate the potential risks:
Limit Intake: Offer comfrey as an occasional treat rather than a staple food in your rabbits' diet. Small amounts infrequently are less likely to cause harm.
Choose Safe Varieties: Some varieties of comfrey contain lower levels of PAs than others. Selecting cultivars with reduced PA content can help minimize the risk.
Monitor Health: Keep a close eye on your rabbits' health, including their liver and kidney function, if you include comfrey in their diet. Watch for any signs of distress or illness and consult a veterinarian if you have concerns.
Diversify Diet: Provide a balanced and varied diet for your rabbits, incorporating a range of safe vegetables, herbs, and grasses to ensure they receive the necessary nutrients without overreliance on potentially harmful plants.
Avoid Use in Pregnant or Nursing Rabbits: Pregnant or nursing rabbits may be more susceptible to the toxic effects of PAs, so it's best to avoid feeding comfrey to these rabbits altogether.
Ultimately, while comfrey can be enjoyed by rabbits in moderation, it's crucial to be aware of the potential risks associated with its consumption and take appropriate precautions to safeguard the health of your rabbits.
would feeding comfrey to your rabbit dried in the winter cut the risk of liver and kidney damage
ChatGPT
Feeding dried comfrey to rabbits in moderation might reduce the risk of liver and kidney damage compared to fresh comfrey, as some of the potentially harmful compounds, such as pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), can degrade during the drying process. However, it's essential to consider that drying may not eliminate all PAs completely, and the extent of PA reduction can vary depending on factors like drying temperature and duration.
While drying comfrey could decrease the PA content to some extent, it's still important to exercise caution:
Moderation: Even if dried, comfrey should still be offered in small amounts and only as an occasional treat to minimize the risk of toxicity.
Variety: Avoid relying solely on comfrey as a dietary component. Offer a diverse range of safe vegetables, herbs, hay, and grasses to ensure your rabbit receives a balanced diet.
Health Monitoring: Regularly monitor your rabbit's health, including liver and kidney function, especially if comfrey is part of their diet. Look out for any signs of distress, illness, or changes in behavior.
Safe Harvesting: Ensure that comfrey used for drying is harvested from areas free of contamination, such as pesticides, herbicides, or pollution, to prevent additional health risks.
Consult a Veterinarian: If you have any concerns about feeding comfrey or notice any adverse effects in your rabbit, consult with a veterinarian familiar with rabbit care for guidance and support.
While dried comfrey may pose less risk than fresh comfrey, it's crucial to approach its inclusion in your rabbit's diet with caution and prioritize their health and well-being above all else
One of the signs of liver damage is dark circles under your eyes, I would get checked out by your doctor if y'all have been eating a lot of rabbits that have been eating a lot of comfrey. If the animals you're eating have a damaged liver, than those alkaloids might not be being filtered properly. Please stop telling people to do this, it's an unnecessary health risk and health care is too expensive and predatory to take on unnecessary health risks in the US. Sorry for the novel, but dam*.
Suscripto!!!!
Agriculture is my kink 🌱
Do you grow your own Timothy hay? Or outsource. Love the closed loop system. 🫶🏼. How do you estimate their carb/protein/fatty acid percentage? Thanks for sharing!!!