Flemish Rabbit Giving Birth
I am not that great at making blog posts. But I wanted to share this video because people are always asking what it is like when a rabbit gives birth.
This blog is about raising meat rabbits, recipes, hunting, sausage making, urban farming, mushrooming, growing crops, and basically how to provide for your family and not destroy the world
Friday, April 27, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Rabbit Recipe from Fossil Farms
People view rabbits as household pets, or wild animals, but what they don’t know is rabbit is a very tasty meat. At one point in time rabbit was very popular. Rabbit is very beneficial to eat. It is all white meat. It tastes very sweet and does not have a gamey flavor. Rabbit contains low calories, cholesterol, fat, and sodium. Since it contains low qualities of calories, and fats it is very beneficial to eat while dieting. Rabbit also contains high protein which is perfect for someone trying to gain muscle.
Rabbit can be cooked in numerous ways. It can be cooked as a stew. It can be grilled. It can be baked, boiled and even fried. Instead of chicken nuggets you can enjoy rabbit nuggets. Instead of chicken stir fry you can have rabbit stir fry. Rabbit is definitely a great replacement of meat from chicken.
Below is one of our favorite recipes for Rabbit. You can find Rabbit at Fossil Farms!
Ingredients
2-4 lbs of rabbit
1.5 table spoons olive oil
4-6 red potatoes peeled and sliced into quarters
2 cups baby carrots
1 medium size red onion sliced
2 cups of beer
½ cup chili sauce
1 minced garlic clove
¼ cup of water
Salt and pepper
2 table spoons brown sugar
Gravy master
Flour
1.5 table spoons olive oil
4-6 red potatoes peeled and sliced into quarters
2 cups baby carrots
1 medium size red onion sliced
2 cups of beer
½ cup chili sauce
1 minced garlic clove
¼ cup of water
Salt and pepper
2 table spoons brown sugar
Gravy master
Flour
Cooking it all
1. Season your meat with salt and pepper
2. In a frying pan place some of your minced garlic, onions and oil and heat browning the garlic and onions (cook on low flames)
3. Add the rabbit meat and brown
4. In a crock pot add potatoes, carrots, onions, beer, chili sauce, sugar, garlic, and water
5. Stir this around
6. Add your meat and mix the ingredients around in the crock pot
7. Cover and cook on high for 3.5-4 hours
8. After it is done cooking take the meat out and place on the side
9. Take the liquid and make sauce
10. Place the liquid in a pot and had 1 tablespoon of gravy master
11. Place the pot on the stove top on high heat and now mix in 3 table spoons of flour continuously stirring
12. Slice the rabbit up and place in the gravy
13. Serve to your guests your rabbits in beer! Enjoy!
2. In a frying pan place some of your minced garlic, onions and oil and heat browning the garlic and onions (cook on low flames)
3. Add the rabbit meat and brown
4. In a crock pot add potatoes, carrots, onions, beer, chili sauce, sugar, garlic, and water
5. Stir this around
6. Add your meat and mix the ingredients around in the crock pot
7. Cover and cook on high for 3.5-4 hours
8. After it is done cooking take the meat out and place on the side
9. Take the liquid and make sauce
10. Place the liquid in a pot and had 1 tablespoon of gravy master
11. Place the pot on the stove top on high heat and now mix in 3 table spoons of flour continuously stirring
12. Slice the rabbit up and place in the gravy
13. Serve to your guests your rabbits in beer! Enjoy!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
TIPS FOR RAISING RABBITS IN THE HEAT
Great post from Rise and Shine Rabbitry
With summer heat on the way , raising rabbits can be very frustrating. Every year you hear of rabbit deaths due to heat. Many days in the summer there are temperatures approaching 80ºF to 95ºF+. For rabbits outside in a hutch (even in a shady area) this can be a death sentence. A rabbit’s optimal air temperature is between 50ºF and 70ºF. Here are some different ways to help keep rabbits cool and somewhat comfortable. As the temperatures rise, so do a rabbit’s chances of getting heatstroke.
Rabbits with thick or long coats of hair, overweight, and young or old are at an even greater risk. Temperature, humidity and air ventilation are all factors that contribute to heatstroke in a rabbit. Rabbits are individuals and could respond to these conditions somewhat differently. It is important to check your rabbits consistently to insure they are comfortable and do not overheat. Early detection of heatstroke and proper corrective steps could mean the difference between life and death for your rabbits.
Before we venture into prevention and treatment, let us look into the signs and symptoms that will help you recognize that your rabbit has or is beginning to get heat stroke.
-The rabbit is fully stretched out. The feet are sprawled apart and the tail is limp.
-Wetness around the nose area
-Eyes are half closed. The rabbit has a sleepy or dazed appearance.
-The rabbit’s tongue is hanging out. His breathing is rapid and possibly labored.
-Fast, shallow breathing
-The rabbit is reluctant to move.
-The rabbit refuses to eat or drink.
-Hot ears
-Wetness around the nose area
-Eyes are half closed. The rabbit has a sleepy or dazed appearance.
-The rabbit’s tongue is hanging out. His breathing is rapid and possibly labored.
-Fast, shallow breathing
-The rabbit is reluctant to move.
-The rabbit refuses to eat or drink.
-Hot ears
The summer heat can cause your rabbits stress and health problems.
-Bucks can go sterile for several months if they are kept in a too hot of environment it takes up to 3 months for them to get back to normal fertility.
-Rabbits can lose condition and eat less food.
-Many times your bucks will go into molts and temporarily lose most of their hair.
-Lastly when a rabbit gets too overheated they can die from heat stroke.
-Rabbits can lose condition and eat less food.
-Many times your bucks will go into molts and temporarily lose most of their hair.
-Lastly when a rabbit gets too overheated they can die from heat stroke.
Preventing heat stress is the key. Ways to help your rabbits survive the heat include.-Looking at the makeup of the common domestic rabbit, one sees that he is completely covered from head to toe in a thick fur coat. This leaves no way for the rabbit to perspire. There are virtually no means of which the rabbit can cool his body temperature other than their ears. The ears of a rabbit act as a temperature control mechanism, to warm themselves up or cool themselves down, they are able to do this because their ears are filled with blood vessels which run close to the surface of the ear. When the animal is too hot the blood vessels are able to cool the blood down from the cool air around the ear, the blood vessels are also able to warm the blood by the ears being in the sun, warming the ears and in turn the rabbit
Rabbits and heat are never a good combination, and heat stroke is one of the leading causes of death in rabbits. Fortunately it can easily be avoided, even if you do not have air conditioning.
Wild rabbits would spend the heat of the days in their burrows and go outside at night or early am when it is cooler. Here is a site That has housing ideas for hot areas – http://ressources.ciheam.org/om/pdf/c08/95605275.pdf
-Plenty of ventilation – Fans can be used but not best to have them blowing directly on rabbits. Place a cold, damp towel over a fan directed at your rabbit’s pen. As the water evaporates it will help keep your rabbit cool. Air flow is critical. Have a fan that is circulating the air. This not only makes the area cooler, but can help with the ammonia smell that can build up and increase in strength during hot days. And if possible, have the fan set up so that it is pulling the cool air in and not blowing against it.
-Plenty of shade- Keep them in the shade during the day. Ideally you would use trees to shade your rabbit building or hutches. I have grown sunflowers, pole beans on trellises to help shade my rabbits plus feed them! Natural shade is very helpful. If you have a shelter of some sort made of wood, which is then shaded by a tree, this is optimal. Being under a tree will make a big difference vs. being under a wood cover that is being hit directly by sunlight.
-Frozen ice cubes in a dish during hottest part of day
-Make sure there is enough space for them to stretch out to get cool.
-Ceramic tiles can be provided for them to lay on. If you place the tile in the refrigerator for an hour beforehand it will provide even greater relief
-Plenty of clean cool water. Cool water is important. Make sure they have cool water to drink to cool themselves down. If their water is hot, it not only causes them to drink less, but also keeps them from cooling down when needed. You may need to change their water 3 or 4 times a day during the hot months. And if you have an automatic watering system, make sure you have some way of flushing the system to get the hot water out of the lines and cool water in several times a day.
-Frozen liter bottles for them to lie against. Fill two to three one or two liter bottles about eighty percent full with water and freeze them. Take one out, wrap in paper towels or with a thin, clean rag that you won’t care to be chewed upon. Place this in your rabbit’s pen. This will last between four and eight hours before you will need to replace it with a new one. Place the thawed bottle back in the freezer so that you may use it again. Your rabbit will lay next to, or even on this bottle and get great relief from the heat.
-Evaporative systems like swamp coolers work in dryer climates. If barn is small enough to be closed an ac window unit can be used but again ventilation is stressed.
-Wet piece of carpet-Carpets cut into small pieces dunked in water will retain water throughout most of the day. You will have to watch for soiled pieces and change out for clean ones.
-Wet bricks – Soak them in a bucket of cold water. The bricks absorb the water and retain the coolness for hours.
-Feed in early morning or late in evening. Leave them alone during hottest part of day.
-I recommend spill proof crocks in the hottest part of summer over water bottles as the crockery holds the cool temperature of the water making it less likely that your rabbit will have to drink warm or even hot water
-Misters can be used also. If your aisles are 4’ to 5’ wide, place the mister down the middle. If you use “J” feeders, you may need to cover them to keep the feed dry. Do not let the water mist on the rabbits. Misters will lower the temperature 10-15 degrees in dryer climates.
-Outside hutches – Staple a burlap bag to the roof of the cage and have it drape over front of the cages. Place a soaker hose upside down close to the front of the roof edge. Set the hose on a timer or turn it on manually. The water will run over the burlap and act as a swamp cooler. The rabbits will lay closer to the fronts of their cages for the coolness.
-Avoid keeping multiple rabbits in the same cage. When you have multiple rabbits sharing a cage, their shared body heat contributes to a hotter living environment
When you are able to put most of these together; the cages being under a shelter which is under a tree, with cool water for them to drink, frozen 2 liter bottles in their cages, with air flow from a fan and a proper misting system, your rabbits can get through the scorching summer heat.
If you discover one of your rabbits are over heated there are a few things you can do to help, if caught in time
-Wet rabbit’s ears with a cool wet towel
-Place cold packs against the body moving around slowly but do not leave there.
-If they are alert water given orally is important
-As a last resort, dip your rabbit into cool water, taking care to keep her head and ears above the water. Most rabbits will not like this, and though it is effective, it will likely cause undue stress for your rabbit
If you breed during the summer months, you know how hard it is to keep those bucks from going sterile and keep those kits cool. Here are a few tips for those.
-Keep your bucks a close to the ground as possible. The cooler the better.
-Load the bucks up in carriers and bring them inside during the hottest part of the day.
- Bring the nest boxes inside to keep cool. Number or put the name of the doe on the boxes so you know where they go when returned. If the kits are likely to come out and explore while in the house, set them in your bathtub. If they are all the same color, you may want to number their ears so you know where they go later.
-If you need to breed your rabbits in the summer months I recommend that you use all wire nest boxes to help keep your newborn kits cool. Alternatively you can take your nest boxes indoors for the day and bring them back outside in the evening. If neither option works for you, simply be sure to keep your rabbits in a well shaded environment and maybe try running a sprinkler.
Remember- an ideal temperature for your rabbit is in the fifty to sixty degree Fahrenheit range. Any day above eighty degrees is a potential problem for your rabbit. With care and prevention your rabbits will enjoy many productive comfortable summers.
MAKING SOLAR FANS- I have had a lot of question on my solar fans i use in the rabbitry. I have made many different types some with batteries, and some that just work when the sun is shining. I Have 2 ventilation fans made from 2, 12 volt automotive fans one intake and one exhaust. These i have hooked up to a battery bank on a toggle switch. I am working on a timer to turn on for 15 minutes in 30 minute intervals this is a current project i am working on. I have a small wind powered charger i have made and solar trickle chargers to keep the battery bank charged. Also the lighting is 12 volt spotlights and i will be hooking up an inverter and even a 12volt car-radio and alarm (For rabbit thieves). For my outside hutches a have made smaller fans out of scrap items here is the information everyone has been waiting for!
Solar panels convert energy from the sun using wafer-based silicon to produce electricity. Making a solar fan is ideal for cooling rabbits. You can customize the system as your needs grow to add more panels and a bigger fan (I am constantly updating and changing these as i perfect the setup). All the fan parts can be bought from your local electronics store or found from old computers. When i was taking apart an old computer i discovered a lot of very cool parts that i could use to make stuff. One of the cooler ones was a 12V dc cooling fan. I also got the capacitor off a circuit board (just unsoldered it) I decided upon making a solar powered fan out of it. It’s really pretty basic.
ITEMS NEEDED
- 6-watt, 12-volt solar panel (Instead of buying a solar panel i soldered solar panels from path lights together to get the voltage i needed)
- Circuit box or any enclosure
-12-volt, 0.25A computer fan
-Large 25-volt capacitor
-Wire
1. Connect the red (positive) wire on the 12-volt fan to the positive side on the capacitor and to the red (positive) wire on the panel by soldering each connection point.
ITEMS NEEDED
- 6-watt, 12-volt solar panel (Instead of buying a solar panel i soldered solar panels from path lights together to get the voltage i needed)
- Circuit box or any enclosure
-12-volt, 0.25A computer fan
-Large 25-volt capacitor
-Wire
1. Connect the red (positive) wire on the 12-volt fan to the positive side on the capacitor and to the red (positive) wire on the panel by soldering each connection point.
2 Connect the black (negative) wire on the 12-volt fan to the negative side on the capacitor and to the black (negative) wire on the panel by soldering each connection point. The solar panel will power the fan, and any extra power will be temporarily stored in the capacitor, like a small battery. When there is a shadow over the panel, the stored power in the capacitor keeps the fan going.
3 Cut a hole in the lid and base of the box with a hand or jig saw the size of the fan. Any enclosure can be used.
4 Align the fan in the opening, hot-glue it around all sides and then hot-glue the capacitor next to the fan.
You could also use batteries (AA batteries i got from the solar path lights) and use the solar power to charge the batteries and put the fan on a off/on switch. I took a battery holder (2 AA batteries) and wired it into a 1.5V to 12V step up circuit. Now that i had it outputting 12V i hooked it into the fan. Finally i hooked a PV cell into the circuit so that it would charge the batteries. This is a ongoing project i have been working on to perfect this setup
Questions i have been asked-
Is it mandatory to use capacitors in this project?
Yes it is absolutely mandatory to use a capacitor as the solar panel will power the fan, but if there is any extra power generated then it will be stored in the capacitor just like a small battery. In case there is a shadow over the solar panel then the stored power in a capacitor will keep the fan running.
Is it mandatory to use capacitors in this project?
Yes it is absolutely mandatory to use a capacitor as the solar panel will power the fan, but if there is any extra power generated then it will be stored in the capacitor just like a small battery. In case there is a shadow over the solar panel then the stored power in a capacitor will keep the fan running.
How can the output of a solar fan be enhanced?
To improve the power of your solar fan, just double the output of the solar panels. You can do this by using more solar panels and by connecting them in series-parallel.
To improve the power of your solar fan, just double the output of the solar panels. You can do this by using more solar panels and by connecting them in series-parallel.
Tips
1. Before connecting the various parts, make some holes on the box and then connect the various parts in such a way that the fan and solar panel will stay outside the box and rest will be inside it. Pass the wires through the holes on the box first and then connect.
2. You can customize your fan as your needs grow by using more panels and a bigger fan.
3. Check the connections using a multi-meter.
2. You can customize your fan as your needs grow by using more panels and a bigger fan.
3. Check the connections using a multi-meter.
I have also seen some solar fans on eBay i do not know how sturdy they are but they were very inexpensive and they also had larger more expensive ones .
Hope you all enjoyed this post! JOIN THE RABBIT REVOLUTION! Like Us On Facebook -Subscribe to the blog to get the updates as they are posted!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Update on Pasture Rabbits
Here are some videos I shot this weekend of my rabbits on pasture and a NZ doe giving birth to 11 kits.
I am trying to get better at HTML and writing better blog posts but for now I am just trying to get the info out there and I will make it look pretty later.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Recipe repost from http://www.raisingrabbitsebook.com/
Meat Rabbits News
Teaching you everything you need to know about raising rabbits to survive
reposted from http://www.raisingrabbitsebook.com/
Grilling rabbit is often one of the quickest and easiest ways of cooking rabbit. Young, tender meat rabbits are best for grilling, whereas older, larger rabbits are a bit tougher and should be used for braises instead. If you're not raising your own rabbits, ask some of your local butchers if they have rabbit meat available. You just might be pleasantly surprised.
This recipe combination from The Examiner is practical for couples or for those who have a couple rabbits available to throw on the grill but aren't sure what to do with all the meat. Making risotto can be a tedious task and you want to pay close attention to the rice. The liquid must be added slowly, then allowed to completely absorb into the rice before you add more liquid.
Grilled Rabbit with Rosemary & Thyme
Ingredients
* 1 whole young rabbit (2-3 pounds), cut into 6 pieces
* Salt & pepper, to taste
* 3/4 cup of olive oil
* 3 cloves garlic
* 3 short sprigs rosemary
* 3 short sprigs thyme
* more salt and pepper
* Wood chips for grilling, if desired
Directions
1. One hour before grilling, liberally salt and pepper rabbit pieces. Soak wood chips, if desired.
2. Heat grill. Meanwhile, prepare marinade by blending olive oil, garlic, herbs, and salt & pepper. Brush rabbit with olive oil marinade and sear on hot grill.
3. Reduce heat to 300 with the lid down and grill for about 1 hour, brushing with marinade and turning over every 15 minutes. Use probe thermometer and follow temp standards of doneness for beef. (It will appear to be done long before it actually is. )
Grilled Rabbit and Mushroom Risotto
Ingredients
Making your own stock:
* 3 cups vegetable broth
* 2 cups water
* rabbit meat pulled from two or three pieces
* bones from the rabbit
* 1 clove garlic, smashed
The Risotto
* 1 T butter
* 1 shallot, diced
* 1/2 cup mushrooms, chopped
* 1 1/2 cups arborio rice
* 1/2 cup dry red wine
* 10 dried cherries, diced
* 2 sprigs thyme
* shaved parmesan cheese
Directions
For the stock:
1. Pull rabbit meat from leftover carcass.
2. Pour vegetable stock and water into medium pot. Add bones and garlic. Bring to a boil, then turn down to low heat.
For the risotto:
1. Heat butter over medium heat in a large skillet and add shallots. Saute about 5 minutes, then add in the mushrooms. After a couple more minutes, push everything to the sides and add rice. Mix through and let the rice soak up some of those flavors, then add the red wine. Cook about 3 minutes. Add cherries.
2. Mix in the broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring it in over the course of 20-30 minutes.
3. After the rice cooks another 15-20 minutes, add 2 sprigs of thyme and the rabbit. Test the rice, and when it reaches the softness you like, remove the thyme. Serve with shaved paremesan and a pinch of grey salt or sea salt.
Happy eating!
Tiffany
Want more info on raising meat rabbits, sign up for the newsletter in the green box to the right
P.S. Looking for more recipes for rabbit meat? Get my recipe ebook What's for Dinner, Doc? absolutely free when you purchase the comprehensive ebook Raising Rabbits to Survive! for only $19.95. This ebook will teach you everything you need to know about raising meat rabbits from housing to butchering.
Teaching you everything you need to know about raising rabbits to survive
reposted from http://www.raisingrabbitsebook.com/
Grilling rabbit is often one of the quickest and easiest ways of cooking rabbit. Young, tender meat rabbits are best for grilling, whereas older, larger rabbits are a bit tougher and should be used for braises instead. If you're not raising your own rabbits, ask some of your local butchers if they have rabbit meat available. You just might be pleasantly surprised.
This recipe combination from The Examiner is practical for couples or for those who have a couple rabbits available to throw on the grill but aren't sure what to do with all the meat. Making risotto can be a tedious task and you want to pay close attention to the rice. The liquid must be added slowly, then allowed to completely absorb into the rice before you add more liquid.
Grilled Rabbit with Rosemary & Thyme
Ingredients
* 1 whole young rabbit (2-3 pounds), cut into 6 pieces
* Salt & pepper, to taste
* 3/4 cup of olive oil
* 3 cloves garlic
* 3 short sprigs rosemary
* 3 short sprigs thyme
* more salt and pepper
* Wood chips for grilling, if desired
Directions
1. One hour before grilling, liberally salt and pepper rabbit pieces. Soak wood chips, if desired.
2. Heat grill. Meanwhile, prepare marinade by blending olive oil, garlic, herbs, and salt & pepper. Brush rabbit with olive oil marinade and sear on hot grill.
3. Reduce heat to 300 with the lid down and grill for about 1 hour, brushing with marinade and turning over every 15 minutes. Use probe thermometer and follow temp standards of doneness for beef. (It will appear to be done long before it actually is. )
Grilled Rabbit and Mushroom Risotto
Ingredients
Making your own stock:
* 3 cups vegetable broth
* 2 cups water
* rabbit meat pulled from two or three pieces
* bones from the rabbit
* 1 clove garlic, smashed
The Risotto
* 1 T butter
* 1 shallot, diced
* 1/2 cup mushrooms, chopped
* 1 1/2 cups arborio rice
* 1/2 cup dry red wine
* 10 dried cherries, diced
* 2 sprigs thyme
* shaved parmesan cheese
Directions
For the stock:
1. Pull rabbit meat from leftover carcass.
2. Pour vegetable stock and water into medium pot. Add bones and garlic. Bring to a boil, then turn down to low heat.
For the risotto:
1. Heat butter over medium heat in a large skillet and add shallots. Saute about 5 minutes, then add in the mushrooms. After a couple more minutes, push everything to the sides and add rice. Mix through and let the rice soak up some of those flavors, then add the red wine. Cook about 3 minutes. Add cherries.
2. Mix in the broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring it in over the course of 20-30 minutes.
3. After the rice cooks another 15-20 minutes, add 2 sprigs of thyme and the rabbit. Test the rice, and when it reaches the softness you like, remove the thyme. Serve with shaved paremesan and a pinch of grey salt or sea salt.
Happy eating!
Tiffany
Want more info on raising meat rabbits, sign up for the newsletter in the green box to the right
P.S. Looking for more recipes for rabbit meat? Get my recipe ebook What's for Dinner, Doc? absolutely free when you purchase the comprehensive ebook Raising Rabbits to Survive! for only $19.95. This ebook will teach you everything you need to know about raising meat rabbits from housing to butchering.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Five Excellent Meat Rabbit Breeds to Start Your Rabbitry
Posted by Tiffany on http://www.raisingrabbitsformeat.com/
There are more than 45 breeds of rabbits in the world, but only about 17 have a “commercial” (large, chubby, meaty) body type which are preferable for meat production. Characteristics which make some commercial breeds better than others are a higher meat-to-bone ratio, quick growth, fur color and ease of care.
* Californian
Adult Size: Medium (7-10 pounds/ 3.5-4.75 kilograms)
Californian rabbits were developed in the USA in the 1920’s to provide good meat and fur production. Californians are a cross of Himalayan, Standard Chinchilla and New Zealand white rabbits and are currently the second most popular meat producing rabbits in the world. The body is plump but fine-boned. Californian rabbits look very similar to the Himalayan rabbit with a predominantly white body and black on the feet, nose, ears and tail. Their average litter size is 6-8 bunnies.
* New Zealand
Adult Size: Large (8-12 pounds/ 3.6-5.4 kilograms)
Despite the name, New Zealand rabbits were first bred in America in 1916 for meat and fur production and are currently the number one meat rabbit in the United States. They come in several different colors (black, red and white) but the white rabbits are the most popular for meat production because of their large, broad, and muscular bodies. When mature, bucks weigh from 8-10 pounds and females from 9-12 pounds. New Zealand rabbits are ready to slaughter as fryers after just 2 months. Their average litter size is 8-10 bunnies.
* Florida White
Adult Size: Small (4-6 pounds/ 1.8-2.7 kilograms)
Although this rabbit is quite small, it was bred in Florida in the 1960’s as a meat rabbit which would also be functional for laboratory use. The fur is white with good density and texture, and they have a compact, meaty body, short neck, and small head.
* Palomino
Adult Size: Large (8-11 pounds/ 3.6-5 kilograms)
Palomino rabbits have a smaller bone structure than other meat rabbits which gives you a higher meat ratio. But they take a bit longer to grow. Bucks are 8-10 pounds and does usually range from 9-11 pounds. Litter size is usually 8 kits but can range from 6 to 12. Palominos come in two colors: Golden & Lynx. The Golden has an orange/brown golden color (as the name suggests) and the Lynx has a bit more grey or silver tone in the fur. They have a very docile and friendly temperament.
* Beveren
Adult Size: Medium (8-11 pounds/ 3.6-5 kilograms)
The Beveren is one of the oldest and largest breeds of fur rabbits, originating in Belgium. Their coats can be blue, white, black, brown and lilac. They are a rare breed but well tempered, clean, and smart. The fur is rather long (about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches), dense and glossy. The breed is hardy and well suited for meat production because of large litter size, the young grow fairly fast, and the does are typically docile and make good mothers.
There are more than 45 breeds of rabbits in the world, but only about 17 have a “commercial” (large, chubby, meaty) body type which are preferable for meat production. Characteristics which make some commercial breeds better than others are a higher meat-to-bone ratio, quick growth, fur color and ease of care.
* Californian
Adult Size: Medium (7-10 pounds/ 3.5-4.75 kilograms)
Californian rabbits were developed in the USA in the 1920’s to provide good meat and fur production. Californians are a cross of Himalayan, Standard Chinchilla and New Zealand white rabbits and are currently the second most popular meat producing rabbits in the world. The body is plump but fine-boned. Californian rabbits look very similar to the Himalayan rabbit with a predominantly white body and black on the feet, nose, ears and tail. Their average litter size is 6-8 bunnies.
* New Zealand
Adult Size: Large (8-12 pounds/ 3.6-5.4 kilograms)
Despite the name, New Zealand rabbits were first bred in America in 1916 for meat and fur production and are currently the number one meat rabbit in the United States. They come in several different colors (black, red and white) but the white rabbits are the most popular for meat production because of their large, broad, and muscular bodies. When mature, bucks weigh from 8-10 pounds and females from 9-12 pounds. New Zealand rabbits are ready to slaughter as fryers after just 2 months. Their average litter size is 8-10 bunnies.
* Florida White
Adult Size: Small (4-6 pounds/ 1.8-2.7 kilograms)
Although this rabbit is quite small, it was bred in Florida in the 1960’s as a meat rabbit which would also be functional for laboratory use. The fur is white with good density and texture, and they have a compact, meaty body, short neck, and small head.
* Palomino
Adult Size: Large (8-11 pounds/ 3.6-5 kilograms)
Palomino rabbits have a smaller bone structure than other meat rabbits which gives you a higher meat ratio. But they take a bit longer to grow. Bucks are 8-10 pounds and does usually range from 9-11 pounds. Litter size is usually 8 kits but can range from 6 to 12. Palominos come in two colors: Golden & Lynx. The Golden has an orange/brown golden color (as the name suggests) and the Lynx has a bit more grey or silver tone in the fur. They have a very docile and friendly temperament.
* Beveren
Adult Size: Medium (8-11 pounds/ 3.6-5 kilograms)
The Beveren is one of the oldest and largest breeds of fur rabbits, originating in Belgium. Their coats can be blue, white, black, brown and lilac. They are a rare breed but well tempered, clean, and smart. The fur is rather long (about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches), dense and glossy. The breed is hardy and well suited for meat production because of large litter size, the young grow fairly fast, and the does are typically docile and make good mothers.
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