Urban Survival Livestock: Raising Rabbits Part 1
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- Опубліковано 15 жов 2024
- It is important for survivalists to be able to produce their own high-quality animal protein. Using his own rabbitry as an example, "Survival Doc" demonstrates how easy it is to raise your own rabbits for food, even if you don't have much space or live in a city.
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The first and still the best guide to raising rabbits for meat on YT.
For those "haters" these are not for pets, they are food, 8 week life span for most. This is a humane way of raising your own food.
Doc, keep up the good vid's!! I am soon to start producing my own rabbits, chicken, and fish!!
no
12 years. 12
I agree that an animal whether pet or food source should be treated with as much care as possible.. I believe some of you missed this guy's point tho. Essentially he is stealth farming... it's mostly for urban area preppers raising a self reliant food resource. He may have neighboors within 10 feet on either side of him as well as dogs, cats, etc.. so as not to advertise that he has food to the unprepared, this is a fairly common set up. I personally would set it up a little different but that's why we all have the freedom to govern our own lives and choices. I'm not biased to normality so I totally agree with this concept.
The thing is, you are not factoring in the animals who are being kept separated and in tiny horrific mesh-bottom cages when you say "we all have the freedom to govern our own lives and choices".
Your disclaimer at the top isn't true. Why say that and then be okay with the opposite?
The idea for dirt and earthworms to dispose of the droppings is brilliant.
I bought 1 rabbit for my pet and decided to get another one they are my two best friend I take care of them in the morning and night. They are well trained and very adorable. I am crazy over them
Nice, clean and simple ideas thanks. This is going to be my first time raising rabbits :)
Finally someone who gets to damn point!
Been reading all the comments below.... first I found this very informative and second... you do provide them a good hour lunch break and two 15 minute breaks a day I hope and I sure hope your providing them adequate health insurance before you skin and eat them..... Oh.... did I say thanks for the very informative video.... oh can you get right on that health insurance thing..... chop chop....
Thank you for this video. I was looking for this video after watching this 7 years ago... I still think this is the best video out here... I have moved to a small city sourrounded by farms and live on 2.2 acres in the city... I am so disappointed to learn I cannot legally have chickens or rabbits... so i am going to get ready for rabbits on the Down Low... thank you!
What about cotornix quail or bobwhite quail they are faster to turn around and very clean and quick to butcher and skin if you know how to do it properly and don't freeze them also doubt freeze rabbits it will make it much harder to skin them. You can watch Living Traditions Homestead what you need to know forgot what else the title is called but they have videos on quail and rabbits they raise their quail in their garage and the rabbits in cages in a shed. Best of luck.
This is one of the first video's I saw when I became interested in self sufficiency. That was over 3 years ago. I am now thinking about raising rabbits and your series is the one I came back to. Thanks for doing such a good job with this. It's very informative.
Janice
@OHPrepper7 Bassequipment period com Yes, the watering system freezes in the Winter. I water them in bowls when that happens (they lick the ice in the bowls for their water.) They make a circulating watering system that is heated so it won't freeze but of course that is a much more complicated and expensive system with a pump and heater.
ONE OF THE MOST INFORMATIVE "PREPPER" VIDEOS I'VE SEEN ON YOU-TUBE !
He addresses the important question - "What happens when the supermarkets close down?"
Your supply of stored food will soon be exhausted. If this "SHTF" event is MAJOR, you may have to be self-sufficient for a LONG time. That means raising rabbits or some other rapidly breeding animal for food. Hunting & fishing are OK, as long as you live in a productive area. But, others will ALSO be hunting. Domestic rabbits = reliable food.
Love the video! My wife has m building these. I have a few questions: 1- what material did you use on the board below the top pens covering the bottom pins? 2- Do you recomend that the board be approx. 1 to 2 inches wider than the width of your pen. We have California rabbits a little bigger - I am connecting my pen at the top and bottom of the pen. 3- How often do you clean or spray off the boards? Does this affect the manure in anyway?
wow i can tell u've researched alot on these bunnies great job, im trying to breed my sisters petstore bunny with my fathers barn rabbits that he got at a wild game market. The fur types are so diffrent and gorgeous im excited to see the new outcome
Great video. My wife and I are raising meat rabbits soon, and I'm putting the cages in my shop. I'm going to use this video as a guide for my cages.
Thanks for the video!!
These cages are basically torture devices. It's sad that this video is being used by people as an example. :(
Great set up. Do you feel you have enough 'grow cages' for your litters? It looks as if you only have three additional cages to grow the litter before butchering. Thanks.
What are the most important medicines used for swelling of the intestines
Thanks for the video. I raised rabbits for many years this way and it is much more human than free ranging which is not really possible with rabbits unless it is highly maintained and protected. This is not doable for most people. Don't listen to the haters on here, they are clueless to real life. Factory farmed pigs, chickens and beef and in some cases dairy, is the real stronghold of animal cruelty. But "out of site and out of mind" is the domain of the stupid.
If it's not doable for you for whatever reason to treat animals with respect and not having them in torturous little mesh-bottom cages, then don't have them. It's pretty simple. There is NO good excuse for doing this to another being.
where did you buy the tubing and the little water nipple things for your watering system?
Always find myself seeking out your channel.
Easy going and informative
@MyRabbit66 A 50 lb bag of food pellets costs from $12 to $14 and lasts me about a month. During some months I feed my rabbits a lot of food from the garden and use less. I built these cages several years ago and don't remember the costs. I used 2 foot wide hardware cloth that comes in big rolls for little expense. Check with your hardware store. It isn't much and it lasts many years. For feeders, etc. I purchased from Bass Equipment which you can find online or order one of their catalogs.
I'm curious if the hardware cloth left any sharp edges when you cut it? I'm trying to do the same thing and that is exactly the problem I am having. I'm worried the rabbits will get hurt.
@thenewsurvivalist
I am curious doc, how would you keep your rabbits alive during the winter months? I would love to do a natural feed but the knowledge my great grandparents had is dead and I get so confused the more I read about it.
I also live in Springfield, Missouri so a lot of your thoughts would be beneficial for me.
could you elaborate more on your watering system and where you got your materials from.
two questions..can you keep all the rabbits together...and in a long term survival situation what would you feed them
Hey! I enjoy all of your videos and have used the information you have provided in various videos for myself. I was just wondering, where do you buy the "lickable" tips for the tube watering system you made. I have looked everywhere and cannot find them. Thank you for your time.
Awesome video. I have a question. I keep my rabbits in the garage and it is not insulated. We have cold winters here and how can I keep the rabbits warm during winter? Can I give them a nestbox, would the adult rabbits use it? I have same setup and breed new zealands.
Rabbits can tolerate the cold more than what some will give them credit for. It's the heat you have to worry about
Thanks , Do you have ideas or plans about how to change your project to be outdoor?
Just wondering if you're ever going to make updated video of the rabbit cages
Thanks for making these...your rabbit vids are some of the most informative on youtube.
I live in the Midwest. You don't have to worry about cold, as long as they are not in the wind or draft. You might have to worry about the heat in the Summer. If they are out of the sun, with plenty of air circulation (using a fan if necessary) and have plenty of water, then the heat will probably not be a problem either. On excessively hot days I have a spray bottle that I use a few times a day to spray their ears (their cooling radiators) with a mist, but this is probably not absolu necessary.
I love the idea of the composting, i'm sure the poop wouldn't smell but would the pee really stink? Also do you think that kind athign would work under OUTdoor cages?
I bought recently 4 rabbits (bunnies) and 3 already dead. I'm still figuring out what could be the culprits of their death. Could it fresh hay that cause diarrhea or the noise that irritates them or maybe overfeeding. How could you successfully raise rabbits in a garage? Don't you think the noise of your automobile and the gas fume are hazardous for them?
just as a note ... consider french angoras if you want a dual purpose breed. they produce wool and meat. yes you will get more wool from a "wool only" breed, and more meat from a short fur meat rabbit...
also, rabbit poo is FABULOUS for raising worms, so put the manure into a worm composter to get good fishing worms
@jjahnz You don't need to order the hardware cloth. Shipping will be too expensive and it isn't necessary because you can buy it at any hardware store.
Question: When you butcher the rabbits, is it a good idea to bury the guts & entrails, etc. near fruit tress and gardens to help fertilize the soil?
Thank u, n great vids One of the most informative. Hav you had other breeds like New Zealand or Cali? These tend to be 3-4 lbs at harvest. We are 3 and I expect to hav rabbit once a wk. Would you say a backyard op of 1 buck 2 does b right shall I go to 3 does? My thinking was for FLW 1 to 3 and for NZ/Cal 1 buck to 2 does. NZ/Cal hav larger litters. What is your take on grow out cages? When do you ween and do you harvest at 8wks or more closer to 12 wk. Thank u
I like your water system, but does it freeze where you are? Does the garage have heat?
I was thinking of making some cages, but bass equipment appears to only sell by the 100' roll...Is that how you ordered yours? Do you store any pellets for SHTF or just a small amount:?
@ramsesneilsoto I harvest at 12 weeks or later. I've only grown FL Whites due to space limitations. FL Whites most often have litters of 8. It sounds like you have a good plan. I use my extra hutches as grow out cages. You can make some larger grow out cages if you want.
The board is covered with plastic material to keep it from getting soaked with urine. This lasts several years. It is only about an inch or two wider. Every now and then I use a scraper to scrape manure off the board when it gets stuck to it.
Thank YOU! This information will be a life saver within the next couple of years.
I love the poop board idea. I hate cleaning pans, which is what I had to do as a kid. When I build my hutches I'll use this system. Thank you!
@thenewsurvivalist
Thank you kindly. I am curious what week do you harvest your kits? I was told 8 weeks = best price per food to pound ratio. I am also curious what is t he typical weight of the fryer once you take the bone and stuff out?
The cut edges are along the side and bottom corners and are not where the rabbits will cut themselves. I do remember at some point, perhaps with the baby saver wire, I have taken a file and smoothed down some sharp points. Not usually a problem.
Have you ever done rabbits on pasture or grass? Do you feed them a lot of greens? Thanks for posting!
What size cage would you recommend for californian/newzealands? I am trying to figure an outside setup for under a shade tree without spending a fortune.
I have a question, I have the same type cages as you but do you have to scrape the boards down or does the droppings roll off, i tried plastic panels and the droppings would stick and build up needing to be scraped down. Thanks
Does the rabbit dung box stink up your garage? I am thinking of doing a setup in my shed where I work.
Do you feed them carbs like grain and rice? they can fatter ALOT quicker, just as humans do on a high carb diet
@mikebius I did at one time, years ago. The initial set up is your major expense of course. After that all you have to pay for is the food. It is certainly more economical than buying meat at the store. You can save a lot of money. If you use kitchen scraps (corn husks, apple cores, etc.) and garden scraps and wild foods like plantains you can even cut your feed bill.
Great set-up! I used to raise Golden Palomino rabbits -- a meat breed, but larger that your Florida Whites. Heartily agree that all-wire cages are the way to go. Love your ingenious water system. Good luck with your urban rancho.
Do baby rabbits catch onto the water system quickly, or do they need to be taught how to use it?
hey i just saw the contraption you use to lock the cages... its like a stretchy string like you use to tie down luggage etc right? im so doing that for my chicken gates! thanks!
@bloodylover101 I don't know. Try to find out if other people are raising them. Check for any state rabbit associations or send your inquiry to the national association. Perhaps there are certain breeds that do better in hot weather. You can always build a pen and build them under ground homes. (See French movie "Jean de Florette.")
What kind and where did you get your j clip pliers? I need a good pair that smashes the circle all the way closed around the wires.
@DarrenRnerraD Yes, 1 in by 1 in would be fine for the sides but not the bottom. It needs to be 1/2 in. Same with the baby saving wire- 1/2 inch. They will fall through 1 inch. They must be separated before 8 weeks. Take males out after weening. Females can stay together for a while. Read the book I recommend in the video, available in most public libraries.
If I'm just starting with one buck and one doe, how many additional cages do I need for offspring?
Hello,
I am a beginner in rabbit farming, we are setting up a rabbit farm in Uzbekistan. Last year we experimented raising rabbit in a small room, they grew up very well until sometime, and we fed them on vegetables and grass. But for some reason they all died in 2 days, after eating fresh chinese cabbage leaves which is locally grown. What do you think the reason was? Do you have any help/tips for vaccinating rabbits, and what do you feed them on?
Thanks a lot for sharing your work with us!!!
not sure if you mentioned what gauge your wire is. but i have access to 16 gauge 1/2x1/2". would that be adequate for the bottoms?
@MsTokies Not usually. But regardless I have put a small piece of plywood in each cage so they can rest on the wood if there prefer that over the cage floor.
Sir I have a question. When you raise rabbit in garage there is no light. Is it possible to raise them without light in garage?
Is it inadvisable to use the 1X1/2 in for the whole cage? no one seems to do this and we are wondering if there is a reason. Thank you!
nice video, I'm not sure about keeping them in with your car: seems the fumes would be a problem, about the watering system, you have no way to know how much water each rabbit drinks?
Does this cost a lot of money to get get started?Besides the cage and everything.
-Thanks
How do you keep the urine and feces separate? I heard if the urine mixes with the feces, it will not be good.
I don't know what you are "correcting." I didn't say rabbit manure was more potent. I simply said it was the best. One reason is because it can be added directly to the soil around live plants because it is NOT high enough in ammonia to damage them.
I'd love to raise rabbits for meat, but I'm concerned that a wire mesh floor will hurt a rabbits feet. I don't want my bunnies to be in pain. Is there anything else I could use?
I am wondering where you got your rabbits. I would like to buy a breeding trio. I have been looking online but they are mostly for show and I just want for meat production. I will be visiting the St. Louis area next month and would love to pick a trio up. Thanks for all of your videos and information!
Just a tip, use the all metal feeders with wire mesh bottoms so the dust from pellets falls through and then you never have to clean the feeders. I use the same system except I have water bottles instead. The baby saver is a great idea and I'll be using it.
Do you have a problem with their feet getting wire rot? What about Temps, here in the south they die in a hutch when it gets above 80 degrees or so. Do you have air in there for them?
also, do you give them anything to chew on, cause I know their teeth grow all the time...
Donna Wildcat Rabbits teeth should meet in front so there is no need to chew for dental health. A rabbit with an over-bite is genetically defective. Most breeders will not continue a line that throws overbite.
yokoshemp Actually, there teeth grow constantly. Just like rats and squirrels, that is why they must have something to chew and keep those teeth filed down. If left on just wire, they can and do develop wire rot on their feet. It's cruel and inhumane. I've raised them myself for both the meat and all the other benefits. I just keep happy rabbits, rather than pure livestock.
Donna Wildcat Rats and squirrels are rodents. Rabbits are Lagomorphs. Rabbits enjoy chewing on things but it is not at all necessary. Rabbits should not die from 80 degree heat or get foot rot. You should take notes on how the gentleman keeps his rabbits and perhaps you can avoid those problems.
yokoshemp 100% their teeth grow constantly. Yes they are Lagomorphs, although that changes nothing
Great vid, quick suggestion, if you go to the hardware store, you can easily pick up a toilet bowl fill valve for about $10-$15 (get one without the ballast). And that way you don't have to monitor the water levels and they have a constant supply of fresh water.
@mikebius I disagree because I know people who raise rabbits for profit. When I first started I did an analysis if I remember correctly, after the initial expenses, I was getting my meat for about 2 dollars per pound--not bad for organically grown, high-quality meat not raised in a factory farm. The only expenses is the feed, and you can even grow that yourself. Rabbit feed is $12 to $13 a bag and with my rabbitry a bag lasts a month. The fertilizer they make for my garden is almost worth that.
Survival Doc help! Does the compost bin under the cages help take the urine smell away, my setup is indoors and the smell is bothering the wife!
Im having a hard time finding the nozzles for the water mechinizim, Can you point me inthe right direction? Thanks.
thanks for the vids and answers survival doc. 1 more if you got time, i plan on putting my hutch about 20-30 feet away from pedestrian walk, totally out of sight and sheltered behind a solid brick fence, but im worried about the "barn" smell being noticeable. i don't want everyone knowing i have i have livestock. going to start with 2 rabbits and their litters. how far can you smell rabbits?
Have you ever considered Flemish giants? they get big I would think they produce a lot of meat. What do you do with the pelts?
Excellent videos about breeding rabbits. One thing that I think (maybe I missed the video, there are only 5??) is what do you feed them. For now I'm presuming that you buy them food from the local, but in an emergency and all the rabbit food has been looted, what do you feed them then? Serious question, you don't show in your videos what you feed your rabbits. You say you live in the city. I would just like to know what you feed Mopsy, Flopsy, Cotton Tail and Peter.
have a question my wife wants to know what do you do about the ticks and fleas and do you give the rabbits shots or do they need them before you can eat them just wondering thank you.
That shouldn't be a problem. The 1x1/2 might be harder to keep clean because dirt doesn't pass through it as easily. It is good for the floor.
this will be my first summer with meat rabbits. but im worried about fleas. how would i go about treating them and safely eat them? i wouldnt eat them with fleas
They have plenty of room. They can hop around and even run around in circles when they feel energetic. They can also stand on their hind quarters and stretch upward and they never touch the top. In the summer they can stretch out as long as they can and still not touch any walls.
The cage hurts their feet, there should be a plastic covering like in most dog cages
I am very interested in raising rabbits myself, as they are high in protein, low fat, and extremely tasty. What was the title of the book that you mention in one of your replies?
Nice setup. How much edible meat do you get out of an average Florida White?
@thenewsurvivalist
I am curious where did you buy that water fitting and what exactly is it called? Thanks for your videos and I hope they all answer my many questions. By chance do you have a email or perhaps a good forum to ask starter questions? I plan to do what you did but I want to make sure I know what I am doing first.
where did you find your brass water feeder fittings, and the clips to keep the tubes off the cage
I have a small shed with tools and stuff. But what would I need I want to them to have a bit more space than what you have in this video.i am a beginner of breeding them for meet would i need to buy them from a pet shop or catch them from the wilderness.
I am trying to breed my Californian rabbits but not having much success. The bucks are doing their thing but of the three does, none have been receptive and won't raise up to accomadate the buck... What AM I doing wrong. Both the bucks and the does are aproximately 6 months old, so they should be ready. Any thoughts would be helpful.
Leave the rabbits together
@YourLoveLetter I live in central MO and we have very cold winters. My rabbitry is not heated and it is not located next to a heated building so there is absolutely no heat in it. I have never lost any rabbits due to the cold (except for newborns born outside the nest box because they are born without fur.) They can handle almost any cold, as long as it is draft-free. They can't handle wind or drafts when it is extremely cold. I suspect that your building was not completed shielded from drafts.
Can you put rabbit droppings on your garden without fertilizer? Will it still work?
@thenewsurvivalist Hello, I was wondering about how much does it cost a month to feed 15 3 pound rabbits?
this video series is by far the best I've seen when it comes to information from building cages to butchering the rabbits! Thanks for this! Side note- the broken blue glass at the beginning of your videos always reminds me of Breaking Bad
I would like to ask you how much food a rabbit needs to get it from the moment they are born to the table. I mean alfalfa pellets and other rabbits foods are kind of expensive. Are you really saving money this way?
@mrdonaldscott I've never had problem with their feet. Some people say they have. Some people put a little board or other material in for them to rest on. Critically Important: When you assemble the cage, be sure to put the smooth side of the wire toward the rabbits. Their main food is hard pellets which gives them something to chew on. They like to chew on hard or crunchy thinks like hard bread, etc. It isn't necessary to give them hard things to chew on.
I’ve got a few questions.
1) What is the difference between livestock rabbits and those kept as pets or companions?
2) Are there laws distinguishing the keep and care between the two?
3) What do rabbits taste like?
4) Ounce for ounce which is cheaper to raise, chickens or rabbits?
5) Is it more traumatizing slaughtering them because they are so darn cute and cuddly?
where did you buy the fitting for the water system thanks for the vid great information
I have watched parts 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 of Urban Survival Livestock: Raisin Rabbits and they were all great videos, keep up the good work! It would be good if you could post some more livestock videos. I like your work
Hi I am interested very much in raising my own livestock, and since I am unable to raise chickens due to city ordinance problems, Im looking at rabbits. Im wondering though, if I felt that I could not slaughter them myself, where could I take them to be slaughtered for my own uses (not selling them to butcher shops etc).
It's against my HOA to have rabbits but how would they know?
I will be making the wire nesting box it look's simple. I was worried about the wood boxes and as for the wire hurting the bunny i dont think after she makes it fluffy with her fur and with alot of hay the bunny and mother will be unconfortable they should be quiet comfy and it will be easier to see the progress there making. Ido have a question about the watering where do i get the brass device?asked at lowes they looked at me like i had horns growing out my head lol thanks i love your video!