Rabbits??

[jenico]

I want to get some rabbits so bad and my son's friend raises them and will just give me some, but what do I need to know since I still live kind of in town?? How do I keep them calm and not get upset since cars will be going by house all of the time. There are no dogs , but there are some stray cats.
Just any kind of tips will help

Thank you in advance.

[DrSlippers]

I'd like to keep rabbits myself, but find it easier to barter a dozen eggs for a bunny that's ready for the pot, from an old chap in my club.
I have a bit more land now, so am considering raising a few myself, as they provide such a healthy as well as tasty source of protein.
I should imagine the main problem will be providing a secure habitat that they can't burrow out from; they would soon succumb to predation.
However, if they have security and a good diet, I'm sure the won't suffer from undue anxiety.

The best tip I can give you is to cook your rabbit with a little smoky bacon and garlic.

[contadino]

Build a secure hutch and they'll be fine. I saw our hunting dog go up and lick our buck yesterday, through the mesh. The rabbits were really timid when I first got them, but they soon realise they're safe from predators.

[jenico]

we have a small shed that we are only using half of right now so I was thinking to get some cages and set them in that up off the ground. Maybe 2-3 to start out. My friend can give me 2-3 rabbits. He said I should have 2 females and one male.

[contadino]

He said I should have 2 females and one male.

Yes, you'll need to build separate hutches for them.

2 does and 1 buck of a decent size should yield up to 90 kilos of meat per year. 4 hutches - 1 for the buck, one for each doe, and one to raise the kits in.

[red]

Contadino - what method of dispatch do you use?

I fancy keeping rabbits.. maybe Angora, now we are doing a bit of spinning.
Problem is himself reckons he does not like rabbit. but i think this is based on rabbit pie that comes with bones under teh pastry and lots of shot, does not have to come like that!

[contadino]

The old fella from next door comes up and shows me how. In time I'll do them myself, but I'm still at the learning stage.

[Feygan]

I've wanted to do this for a long time, however I only have a small backyard. What kind of space do they need hutchwise?

I know I could squeeze them in, but i'd rather not have them at all if I can't provide some kind of decent life.

The only way I can concieve is to stack the lot, thereby having four hutches around 7ft long and 2ft wide?

[contadino]

I'm not really an expert. My hutches are 2m wide x 1.7m deep x 1m high at the lowest point. I don't stack them as they have wire mesh for flooring, so the droppings fall through and I can collect and use them on the veg plot (it's not called Bunny Gold for no reason.)

They also have little wooden boxes within the hutches to give them extra shelter in winter, and for the does to kit in.

[red]

The old fella from next door comes up and shows me how. In time I'll do them myself, but I'm still at the learning stage.

ok.. understand that. I certainly watched a few chicken dispatches before attempting it myself. so er.. how does he do it? is it a ring their neck kind of thing?

[theabsinthefairy]

Sorry Red - but wringing their necks doesn't work - too big and bulky, particularly if they are fully grown adult males with goiters.

I tried the local way - which is a sharp knife to the side of the neck - but just couldn't do that as they (unlike chickens) are so warm and furry in my hands.

So - I tied them by the back legs and hung them - they go very still - and shot them under the chin - one pellet - instant death, and they bleed out well.

Absolutely recommend rabbit meat - very nice indeed and no fat at all. I have often put it into pies and have had people telling me they hate rabbit but eating the lot and not believing that they had just eaten rabbit meat. - Even asking me if I was sure? - how could I not be - if I had killed and skinned and baked it in a pie of course I know what meat I put in it !

[red]

thanks T-A-F

must admit they are cuddlier than chickens.. but you if you eat meat etc. can see shot to the head would be quick. air gun?

we dont actually possess a gun of any sort. but can see it could be the way to go.

[theabsinthefairy]

sorry - yes - just an airgun.

I have not had any reservations with the chickens, the ducks nor the geese - but held the bunny and just could not make myself do it by hand + knife - maybe it is the gun that gives some distance - but would still prefer to grow then kill my own - that way I am completely sure of the life and death my animals get. and we all enjoy eating that meat more than any other.

[red]

yup agree with you

[Feygan]

If you can actually hold the rabbit (as opposed to hunting) then I always found using a priet on them to be the best way, it's fast and causes no mess.