The Weigh In

I just did a weigh in of my 8-week old meat rabbit kits. I would have been satisfied had they been a mere two to two-and-a-half pounds. They surprised me, though.  One of the kits, grabbed by accident, was a kit I was worried about last week because he wan't gaining weight the way he should. He's gained a considerable amount of muscle (meat) since then.


The two I weighed, out of a random selection, turned out to be a hefty THREE POUNDS each! That's amazing! It means they will likely be at least six pounds by the time they reach twelve weeks. I'm impressed. My breeding program seems to be working. I'll keep you all posted. :)

I though you would be interested in seeing a few photographs of my meat rabbit kits throughout the past month-and-a-half. We all could use a break to look at adorable bunnies, couldn't we?

No the brown one is not a "wild" rabbit, although he does look like one, doesn't he?


Unfortunately, although the photos were in order by date, they have since been scrambled. They're still cute, though.

NINE kits! This particular mother usually has five. Unfortunately, one of the kits didn't make it. It looked like it had been crushed while nursing. Sad. But there are still almost twice as many kits as usual. Makes up for her last litter dying of chill.

Dead kits and bunnies are just one of the hazards you have to worry about when you breed rabbits. Another is a dead mother rabbit. Yes, it happens. Especially when you don't know what you're doing. That's why you should consult a professional when breeding. A professional breeder or vet will help walk you through the breeding process and, maybe, give you tips to help save your rabbits' lives! One suggestion. Perhaps if you breed what the breeder wants, you could offer a bunny in return, barter style. You'd really be getting off cheap, since education is invaluable.

I'm not trying to discourage breeding rabbits. If you're responsible about it, I'd like to encourage you. We need more responsible breeders. Especially meat rabbit breeders.

Most rabbit meat in the US is imported. And you should see the places they're raised! EWWW! Disgusting! I'd like to think we're more humane and sanitary here! Those people are giving the rest of us a bad name. We need to counter that with our own breeders. I certainly hope we'd all do a much better job!

Two of Sapphire's kits are definitely white. There are seven total. It looks like a couple of black ones, too, but I'd have to take them out of the nesting box to be sure and (A) It wouldn't be healthy for them to be handled more than necessary at this stage. They're too susceptible to disease and too easily injured and (B) Sapphire's dangerously protective of her kits and will bite anyone who sticks their hand into her hutch. Even to feed her! Despite the fact that we have to do it more often since she had her kits, because she keeps dumping it.

I think the problem is that when she had her first litter, like a lot of first litters do, hers died. All of them. I think she probably blames us or something. 

The first litter was an accident, anyway. Like a lot of rookie rabbit breeders, I mis-sexed one of my young bunnies and decided I had two does in the hutch. I was wrong! Imagine my surprise when I saw she had bunnies! Unfortunately, we didn't know then what we know now. It was winter, which probably didn't help. The little ones had the deck stacked against them because they were a first litter. They died within three days. They seemed healthy at first, but they must not have been.

At least we're all more experienced (especially Sapphire!)

 P.S. They all have fur, now. The white ones should sell fast to people who are looking for meat rabbits. I think the black and gray coats would make lovely pelts.

Contrary to popular belief, meat rabbit breeders are not heartless.We don't like to kill our livestock any more than anyone else. We even may get attached to some of the rabbits. But you always need to distance yourself when dealing with livestock. You can think they're cute, but they're still meat. A cow and a chicken are cute, too. There is something seriously wrong with a person who likes to butcher an animal. 
 

My neighbor mentioned to me that he didn't like butchering animals. He said as time went on, he liked it less and less. I told him that was good. There is something seriously wrong with a person who likes to kill.

So, to those who think we're out to make a quick buck or enjoy killing, we don't. 

Ever.

Besides, if the rabbits you breed pay for their own keep, you're way ahead of the game.

    Sapphire's kits are four days old and-it's hard to believe-they're hopping already! They're like little jumping beans! So cute! A couple of them, even though they don't, yet, have a lot of fur, look like they'll be white. 

    On the treat front, we've come across a little barrier. There's a new law that says you can't make livestock or pet food at home in my state. Not without a license, anyway. We don't want to break the law, so the treats will probably have to wait.

     We're still researching other products to supplement our income. Toys, perhaps? Cages?

     We'll keep you updated.