I've been raising rabbits since 1969 and i like watching your videos, your very informative for the people and you have a dandy setup. Keep up the great videos. Rex here in North eastern Indiana
This was a very informative video compilation. Thank you so very much for sharing your gained knowledge from decades of hard work, trial and error. Keep up the great work (I subscribed to you because you shared this).
I shopping for NZ. Finding mutts at the pure breed price. Knowledge is power. So one can choose a mutt or a pure. So like a NZ with brown eyes. Is a mutt. I can get the price down if i really want her and put the effort into breeding her to NZ to get the gene of NZ pure. Which can take a long time. Your channel friend is a great, resorce of knowledge. I appreciate your channel. Thank you
If you really want her go for it. But if you are wanting purebred rabbits I reccomend starting with purebred rabbits from the beginning. Thank you for the kind words I'm glad you have found my channel helpful! Happy rabbit raising my friend!
Very informative for me. These videos are so helpful. I am considering raising rabbits for meat in Oklahoma. I’m currently binge watching videos to decide whether it is feasible.
Thank you! I learned some tips. 😊 Our rabbits are American Chinchillas, Champagne d’argent, Creme d’argent, and black and broken New Zealands. We also have one mixed breed buck which is what we started with bc at the time I couldn’t find purebreds, but he’s actually my favorite 🤩
Paul does a lot of videos. Don’t just watch. Like and subscribe too … that’s it . 80% of some people’s fans don’t even subscribe. Help out the guy who’s helping you. Thanks, Paul.
I am new to rabbits. I have my first 8 breeders waiting for them to age up to breeding age. I bought 36x30x18. I like the large cage because 1. It's the biggest at tractor supply & any bigger having lots of cages I would run out of room to put them!😅 2. These rabbits will spend their whole life in them. I dont like them because while taming my rabbits my arm is short & hard to reach them to pet them when they are in the corner. 2. Also I find it hard to pull the rabbit out if it's not wanting me to pick it up. All of my rabbits are pretty tame for petting. Now I'm working on pulling them out & holding each one. I have held 5 of my 8. My goal is to be able to pick them all up & out of the cage by the breeding age. I will continue to put Doe & Buck breeders in 36x30x18 but the cull h sell rabbits into 24x24x18. My potential breeders that I will grow out I'll put in 30x30 so I can continue to tame them. Once they are an official keeper I will move them into 36x30. I love all my rabbits. I feed & water twice a day & spend 5-10 minutes with each rabbit. They each have their own personality. I have 2 bucks that would make great pets. They are silly, friendly & playful. I would hate to break their spirit by putting them in smaller cages. My rabbits are livestock but they are also little spirit beings & I want to respect & honor their lives & their work to provide me with food & pelts. My goal is to use them as live stock & honor them with love & respect as much as I'm possibly capable of. My partner is a hunter & he will only do the dispatching but I will do everything else. Thank you for this detailed video series. My grandfather used to raise meat rabbits. It took me 3 years of contemplation before I jumped in. Tealstone Homestead videos helped to show me I can do this. Getting my Rabbitry going has actually been great for my mental heal in 2024. No Bill Gates poison food for me & my family!😅
That sounds like a very nice set up you have! Yes it just takes time and practice to get them out if the cages for sure. Best of luck in your rabbit raising endeavors! It sounds like you are off to a good start!
Thank you for making this compilation! Do you offer hay, or pellets only? How much do you feed your bucks and when do you switch them from free-feed to measured amount, if you do.
You are welcome! Thank you for watching! Bucks get about 1/2 cup of feed per day. Yes just pellets and hay. Rabbits are on full feed until about 16 weeks of age.
Hello Paul, thank you for a great video. Living in Spain, Europe, I have been given what I think is Flemish Giants as a neighbour who died had them. At what age would one start breeding Flemish Giants? Would they be re-bred at 21days after giving birth too? How often do you need to replace your breeders with the breeding schedule you talk of in this video? Many thanks for your answers!!! Have a good day.
Hello, so with Flemishs being a bigger breed I'd wait until about 7 to 8 months to start breeding to make sure they are mature. I'd re breed at 21 days, but monitor your does to make sure they are in good shape. Good luck on your rabbit raising endeavors! And thank you for watching! Much appreciated!
Thank you for the video. I was wondering what the hide quality was of the rex? I am getting back into meat rabbits, but want pelts. In my past experience tanning hides myself, the color pelts were thinner and easier to rip when scraping and stretching. I had Californian, new Zealand and some mixed rescues. The spotted pelts had thicker white skin but the colored spots would be thin.
@shannagorbet2281 you are welcome! Thank you for watching The Rex hide quality is good when they are prime. However they still do have the potential to tear like any rabbit hide.
You are welcome! I'm glad you found the video helpful! Best of luck on your rabbit raising endeavor! Be sure to check back for more rabbit videos. If you have a rabbit topic you want me to cover in a video let me know and I'll see what I can do!
This video is amazing! It seems you've covered all my questions about raising rabbits. My husband and I are in our mid seventies and need to raise a meat animal that is the least amount of work. In your opinion, is it easier to raise rabbits versus chickens? Thank you for this informative video. I subscribed & plan on watching many more. We live in East Texas & hardly ever have snow but it does get very very hot here so I need to learn more about keeping the rabbits cool.
New Sub Here. Long video so long comment... Please read my breeder's options at the end because it's 2 dream scenario (and they both completely blew my mind!). But first: To me this is a PERFECT video! I love the no BS approach that comes from experience! BRAVO! As a teen, living in the country. We had a few meat rabbits (American Sables from this breeder). Now in my fifties, I am getting back into it. I am moving from the suburbs of Montreal up in the north country... northern Quebec Canada (like Zone 2 - Alaska). I am presently building a 10 x 16 lean-to luxury rabbit shed. It will be set up like you but with a max of 14 large cages. It's insulated with electricity so I can heat for winter (5 months with a few days at -60F). I LOVE your watering system, the J Feeder insert is brilliant and I didn't know about those plastic pads. So I am all doing it! Thanks! This video helped me finalize my rabbit shed! Before all of this, I found my BREEDER. I want pure bread perfect genes and wasn't sure what would be best up north. OMG did I luck out! He turns out to be 30 minutes away from the house I grew up. I befriended this 66 y.o. farmer who's been in industrie 51 years. He's got +/- 500 rabbits. He's a walking encyclopedia! He likes my general knowledge / attitude and he's been helping me at every stage of my build. I am so lucky!!!. He's got breeds (pure) galore... NZ all colors, California, mini-Rex, American Chinchilla and American Sable (he as the sables breeding history going back 45 years!!!). He also as a few Crème d'argent as his personal rabbits. I want rabbits for meat and pelts. I had a rabbit blanket when I was a kid. I am dreaming of making a few of those. Not planning on selling any rabbits apart from friends and family. So my needs are a max of 4/5 does with 4/5 litters a year. My breeder wants to pass-on his knowledge and he told me that I was a perfect candidate. Also helps that he knew my dad and that the Sables that we had when I was a kid came from his Dad's farm. So here are the 2 scenarios he thinks would be great! I don't know what to do???? 1) The pure bread crème d'argent scenario: 3 does and 2 bucks from different bloodlines. WOW! But I am not planning to sell them. The litter size he says is 5 to 8. So breeding them 4-5 times a year would not me too much meat for me. He says they are the easiest rabbit for beginners and to the breeders knowledge he is the only one who has them in Canada. He got them from a reputable breeder in Minnesota. 2) The sable / California scenario: Now this comes from one of the most experienced breeders of Sables in Canada. he mostly sells these as pets. Few are propagating the Sable breed and he can see that I know that breed. This BLEW my mind! So, 3 American Sable does and 2 California Bucks. The correct way to conserve the Pure Breed Sables is by NOT breeding them together. If you breed two Purebloods together. You will get a small litter and you will get Award winning rabbits but the second generation will be like Hybrids with bad genetics (that's why most abandon this breed). So you breed California Bucks with Sable does. The kits will be +/- 50-50%. MEANING half will be California and half will be Sables. Both are Pure Breeds from the same doe. He was saying that the California's get to Fryer weight about 3 weeks quicker than the sable kits even if from the same doe. I know it sounds crazy but I saw litters myself. The Sable pelts are my preferred ones. I would get a great meat rabbit in the California's. He also said, that in the future, Breeding Sables with Chinchilla's is a great option for pelts but those 2 breeds mix. Nicer pelts from the mixed genetics. Gives a lot of options. So I am completely torn on both options. I like option 2. But Crème d'argent are rare and I don't think this opportunity will be there in the future since my breeder is retiring in a few years. His kids won't pick up after him. As he scales down, He will keep the crème d'argent but probably not the Sables. As an experience breeder do you have any thoughts? Do I keep the perfect Sable genetics that he developed over so many years or do I go for the prize that Crème d'argent seems to be? Sorry this was so long... You know your stuff and you are the only one that is set-up the way that I will be. I can't find anyone to give me a second advice. Here is a link to the breeders website. It's in french but it's a simple website. At the top next to the Facebook logo click on ''nos Lapin'' (our rabbits) or ''nos poules'' (our chickens) and you will see photos. BTW, Zibeline Americaine is the American Sable (His wife does the 15 Species of chicken and he doesn't show the Crème d'argent rabbits): www.manonpoule.com/
Thank you for the sub! Wow it sounds like you have an excellent opportunity here to work with this fella! If you are just starting out with rabbits again and learning the ropes again. Option one might be a better option just because of the simplicity of the breeding and not having to cross breed like option 2. Will you have the option to start with option 1 then move to option 2 later on? Not sure how helpful I was but whatever option you choose it will be a great experience. Happy rabbit raising my friend!
When I first started watching this I thought the cat was a rabbit that somehow got on top of the cages. lol. I started raising 4h rabbits in highschool. Years later and I'm always looking to learn more. I plan on expanding and slowly adding in better breeding stock rather than the rabbits I snagged at a feed store. I love colony style but inside and concrete flooring for growouts.
@BrokenArrowFarm307 currently Tamuks. i Iive in southwest Missouri on the Oklahoma Arkansas Missouri line, and found a breeder with good lines. Since it gets over 100° almost all July and August here.. I would like silver fox though
@@BrokenArrowFarm307 they're supposed to be very hear tolerant the breeder said unless it gets over 110° he doesn't really even worry about the heat or sterilization..
I think I may be a bit more of a clean freak, I pull the litter to the front right into a wheelbarrow and the bottom has tubs I dump in the wheelbarrow. cuts way down on the ammonia. I also give them water bowls, I'm in Norther BC Canada So I also give them snow, they like the snow more than the water. Your watering system would not work at -40c & personally I think they look dirty, I would be washing them all the time. But if I was in warmer area I might do what you do, as far as water is concerned.
I see you have some cats in there. The rabbits don't get stressed by having them around? Do the cats go in and out of the rabbit room/outside? Any problems with that?
I'm trying to figure this out on my own but asking here too in case you have a chance to answer. I just checked in on my 4 day old kits and one of them has a laceration on the hind area. the hair is a little wet but I don't see any active bleeding. Should I just use something like vetericyn and hope for the best or something else I should try to do? I tried to see if you had a video on common first aid stuff but didn't see one.
We are in our 2nd year with rabbits and started with wooden/wire hutches, and now we are out growing that area. I now have a breeding trio of flemish, 4 mini rex and 5 Nz. All are young except the flemish. Im finding that my cages seem to be too small when the kits get to about 5 weeks. I'm starting to build racks and cages similar to yours in another area. Any recommendations on cage size? How do your NZ does handle being in that size cage with 10+ 6 week old kits? Any feedback would be appreciated, thank you.
I just got my first pair. The buck is a Dutch, the doe is a jet black mini-Rex. Should I just breed that line for size and pelt? Or try and get a New Zealand doe to throw in the mix? It’s meat I’m interested in primarily. I live in Thailand. No Californians. NZ is rare here. Thanks.
Hello, very cool! You can certainly raise those for meat, just be smaller in size when you process them. If your end goal in meat, I would look into getting a New Zealand doe to add to the mix as well.
Im thinking about raising angora rabbits for the wool, the price of it is through the roof here in europe. For meat I have few Vienna Blue, they are great and tasty... btw, do you preserve the skins for some clothes, etc?
I just had my first 2 litters, 3 and 4 kits, both first time moms and first time dad. You say you buy at $2/lb, is it just because you are buying from people who can't get rid of them themselves? I was looking in my area and can't really find any for sale with a couple hours drive. I drove 4 hours for mine and paid $60 each for the trio. I'm just trying to figure out if i'm gonna be way out in left field asking $30-$40. I was planning on just advertising the availability not necessarily as meat/pet/breeders but just the flat $30-40 and the buyer can do what they want with them. I am keeping records so I can continue the pedigrees I have. Thanks
I jumped the gun on the comment by a couple minutes because you mentioned your prices for breeders and whatnot after. Still, what are your thoughts on my pricing? I still need to track feed as best I can to get a better idea of cost to grow so I don't lose money but being my first litters I don't have that data from my own experience yet.
So a lot of the rabbits I buy for $2 / lb are from rabbit breeders to raise a lot of show rabbits and these are the ones they didn't show, couldn't show, and need somewhere to sell them to.
I sell my breeding stock rabbits for $60 each, these are 8 to 12 week old rabbits with pedigrees available. So you need to focus on you is your customer going to be? Will you be selling fryer rabbits, breeding stock, pets, ect? $30 - $40 is a good starting point. You will definitely want to figure out what it costs you to raise rabbits and then go from there. Thank you for watching, and happy rabbit raising!!
I’m looking into raising rabbits to feed my dog and sell the pelts. I’m in Alberta so if can get pretty hot and pretty cold. Right now I’m thinking of satin rabbits. Any other recommendations or warnings you suggest?
Satins are a great breed! I'd reccomend keeping them inside a building. We can as low as 40 below 0 Fahrenheit here in the Winter and as high as 110 Fahrenheit in the Summer. I'd imagine you have a similar climate.
@joshcaraway2492 processed, because they don't have the capacity to hold 100 + live rabbits at a time. So they go into a freezer and they feed them as needed.
What's up with that banging noise? And grumpy grunts? Why have one (sounds like one) or more of them started doing their equivalent of rattling a tin cup across the cage bars?
I raise TAMUK composites in SW Florida zone 10a. They do very well in the higher heat and humidity. Great temperament, fast growth and litter sizes. I feed 70% pellets, 30% organically grown banana and Moringa leaves. I give them Comfrey, carrots, pine cones and peach skins as healthy snacks. I have a food forest, more like a small jungle lol, and the banana and Moringa leaves reduce feed costs without compromising their nutritional needs. I believe anyone living in warmer climates will do well with TAMUKs. Best of luck. 🤠
@wirecook7042 you are welcome! Very cool you are in NZ raising NZ rabbits. So you can breed that way as "line breeding" I would use those kits as fryer rabbits. And not keep them back as replacements to the herd. I would reccomend getting another doe as well that's not related to the buck or doe to help build your herd as well. Happy rabbit raising!
I have some rabbits that are really rough on the drinking nipples. They will leak after 3 or so weeks. Have you found drinking nipples you would recommend?
Hello I was wondering if you sale rabbits and would you be able to ship them i am looking for California rabbits a breeding pair thanks Gary if so please let me know and the price
That can depend a lot, how many different tiers of cages, how far between cages, ect. But I'd say 30 to 50 producing does, with room for their kits and the breeding bucks.
Do you give the rabbits hay or grass? I don’t have meat rabbits only pets, I totally get people raising meat rabbits, my dogs and cats would be very happy if I did have some truthfully
Thank you so much for taking the time to teach so much valuable information! Our new rabbits are for 4-h and a safety net incase Kamala wins the election, we know we could starve without them.
@BrokenArrowFarm307 zone 9. Tamuks are one of the few breeds that have no issues with breeding and raising their kits in 100 degree weather. Developed by Texas A&M about 30 years ago.... I'm sure you already know that.
@@BrokenArrowFarm307 Not sure how far you are from Texas but my breeder has fresh stock every 6 weeks. I can give you her contact if you are interested. I just got a trio myself and they are not yet mature for breeding.
Higher priced doesn't mean better it sometimes is just greed. Maybe the cheeper price is cuz someone just doesn't like the fact that others have priced jacked, just cuz they can.
While I love your content Paul and I appreciate the hard work you do but it really bothers me when I see a dirty rabbitry. I think of all the dust on everything , smell, and overall health of the newborns are put at risk as well as a fire hazard. I saw lots of areas that must be fly infested and honestly I understand it’s a working farm. I raised 300 goats/kids every year and I understand time constraints but twice a year is simply not enough in my opinion. I raise rabbits (15 does and several Buck) as well and it’s cleaned every day. I also have 12 German short hair pointers that I breed as well as exercising them several times a day with their kennels and playrooms that need to be cleaned daily as well. Please try to do better.
I'm sorry to hear that. I try to be very responsive to all of my past customers who reach out to me. I want them to succeed in the rabbit raising endeavor just as I did.
@cebasmb8250 yeah that's not right. If they keep that up they will be out of business. I wish you the best in your rabbit raising endeavors, what breeds of rabbits are you raising?
If you get down to rabbit level and stick your head in one you will find it's a comfortable amount of space to hop and stretch. I've tried making double and triple size enclosures and mature rabbits don't even use the space. Pasture would be neat but droughts/frosts/heat/rain can make it not ideal for rabbits all the time, they need some way to stay clean and parasite free during those gaps instead of spreading disease in bedding or a dirt patch.
A lot of these videos were from when I had just started UA-cam, it's been a big learning curve. And I have came a long way. Shoot me a link to your UA-cam channel so that I can see how a professional produces videos.
@BrokenArrowFarm307 good for you brother, I actually appreciate this style. I'm actually trying to learn this so seeing you point stuff out is helpful. I'm not just trying to see cute rabbit videos, I want to learn this. They are cute tho...lol I'm getting ready to get into Rex.
I've been raising rabbits since 1969 and i like watching your videos, your very informative for the people and you have a dandy setup. Keep up the great videos. Rex here in North eastern Indiana
Hello Rex! Thank you for the kind words! Very cool that you raise Rex.
This was a very informative video compilation. Thank you so very much for sharing your gained knowledge from decades of hard work, trial and error. Keep up the great work (I subscribed to you because you shared this).
@@BobbyLandires you are very welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the sub!
Enjoying the part about weaning. It seems like you’re an expert weaner 😂
Yeah I guess you could say that I am.. 😃
I shopping for NZ. Finding mutts at the pure breed price. Knowledge is power. So one can choose a mutt or a pure. So like a NZ with brown eyes. Is a mutt. I can get the price down if i really want her and put the effort into breeding her to NZ to get the gene of NZ pure. Which can take a long time.
Your channel friend is a great, resorce of knowledge.
I appreciate your channel.
Thank you
If you really want her go for it. But if you are wanting purebred rabbits I reccomend starting with purebred rabbits from the beginning.
Thank you for the kind words I'm glad you have found my channel helpful! Happy rabbit raising my friend!
Starting with good stock is worth the investment.
I love the thoroughness of the information.
@mrzoukdotcomzouklambadaboo8212 thank you!
Very informative for me. These videos are so helpful. I am considering raising rabbits for meat in Oklahoma. I’m currently binge watching videos to decide whether it is feasible.
Thank you for the feedback and for watching, I'm glad it helped you out! Good luck on your rabbit research and getting started with rabbits. 🐇
Thank you! I learned some tips. 😊 Our rabbits are American Chinchillas, Champagne d’argent, Creme d’argent, and black and broken New Zealands. We also have one mixed breed buck which is what we started with bc at the time I couldn’t find purebreds, but he’s actually my favorite 🤩
Glad you learned something! Sounds like a nice herd you have there! Sometimes the mixed mutts do end up being the best!
Paul does a lot of videos. Don’t just watch. Like and subscribe too … that’s it . 80% of some people’s fans don’t even subscribe. Help out the guy who’s helping you. Thanks, Paul.
Thank you!
This post is the reason I subscribed
And why I wont subscribe
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. I have started with meat rabbits :)
You are welcome! Welcome to the world of meat rabbits!!!
I am new to rabbits. I have my first 8 breeders waiting for them to age up to breeding age. I bought 36x30x18. I like the large cage because 1. It's the biggest at tractor supply & any bigger having lots of cages I would run out of room to put them!😅 2. These rabbits will spend their whole life in them. I dont like them because while taming my rabbits my arm is short & hard to reach them to pet them when they are in the corner. 2. Also I find it hard to pull the rabbit out if it's not wanting me to pick it up.
All of my rabbits are pretty tame for petting. Now I'm working on pulling them out & holding each one. I have held 5 of my 8. My goal is to be able to pick them all up & out of the cage by the breeding age.
I will continue to put Doe & Buck breeders in 36x30x18 but the cull h sell rabbits into 24x24x18. My potential breeders that I will grow out I'll put in 30x30 so I can continue to tame them. Once they are an official keeper I will move them into 36x30.
I love all my rabbits. I feed & water twice a day & spend 5-10 minutes with each rabbit. They each have their own personality. I have 2 bucks that would make great pets. They are silly, friendly & playful. I would hate to break their spirit by putting them in smaller cages.
My rabbits are livestock but they are also little spirit beings & I want to respect & honor their lives & their work to provide me with food & pelts. My goal is to use them as live stock & honor them with love & respect as much as I'm possibly capable of. My partner is a hunter & he will only do the dispatching but I will do everything else.
Thank you for this detailed video series. My grandfather used to raise meat rabbits. It took me 3 years of contemplation before I jumped in. Tealstone Homestead videos helped to show me I can do this. Getting my Rabbitry going has actually been great for my mental heal in 2024. No Bill Gates poison food for me & my family!😅
That sounds like a very nice set up you have! Yes it just takes time and practice to get them out if the cages for sure.
Best of luck in your rabbit raising endeavors! It sounds like you are off to a good start!
Thank you for making this compilation!
Do you offer hay, or pellets only? How much do you feed your bucks and when do you switch them from free-feed to measured amount, if you do.
You are welcome! Thank you for watching! Bucks get about 1/2 cup of feed per day. Yes just pellets and hay. Rabbits are on full feed until about 16 weeks of age.
Great show
Appreciate your knowledge
Thanks to you I'm definitely going to start breeding rabbits now
@@BrianAyandaKhwane thank you! That's great! Happy rabbit raising!!
Hello Paul, thank you for a great video. Living in Spain, Europe, I have been given what I think is Flemish Giants as a neighbour who died had them. At what age would one start breeding Flemish Giants?
Would they be re-bred at 21days after giving birth too?
How often do you need to replace your breeders with the breeding schedule you talk of in this video?
Many thanks for your answers!!! Have a good day.
Hello, so with Flemishs being a bigger breed I'd wait until about 7 to 8 months to start breeding to make sure they are mature. I'd re breed at 21 days, but monitor your does to make sure they are in good shape. Good luck on your rabbit raising endeavors! And thank you for watching! Much appreciated!
Thank you for the video. I was wondering what the hide quality was of the rex? I am getting back into meat rabbits, but want pelts. In my past experience tanning hides myself, the color pelts were thinner and easier to rip when scraping and stretching. I had Californian, new Zealand and some mixed rescues. The spotted pelts had thicker white skin but the colored spots would be thin.
@shannagorbet2281 you are welcome! Thank you for watching The Rex hide quality is good when they are prime. However they still do have the potential to tear like any rabbit hide.
Great video! You truly know your stuff. Thanks for all the information
Thank you! You are welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Ty for sharing i appreciate all the information. Im looking forward to getting into raising meat rabbits
You are welcome! I'm glad you found the video helpful! Best of luck on your rabbit raising endeavor! Be sure to check back for more rabbit videos. If you have a rabbit topic you want me to cover in a video let me know and I'll see what I can do!
Great video! I didn’t even notice when these 2 hours passed 😅. Great explanation and nice structured video (guide)
Thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
This video is amazing! It seems you've covered all my questions about raising rabbits. My husband and I are in our mid seventies and need to raise a meat animal that is the least amount of work. In your opinion, is it easier to raise rabbits versus chickens? Thank you for this informative video. I subscribed & plan on watching many more. We live in East Texas & hardly ever have snow but it does get very very hot here so I need to learn more about keeping the rabbits cool.
Thank you for watching and subscribing! As far as which one is easier to raise probably rabbits in my opinion.
New Sub Here. Long video so long comment... Please read my breeder's options at the end because it's 2 dream scenario (and they both completely blew my mind!). But first: To me this is a PERFECT video! I love the no BS approach that comes from experience! BRAVO!
As a teen, living in the country. We had a few meat rabbits (American Sables from this breeder). Now in my fifties, I am getting back into it. I am moving from the suburbs of Montreal up in the north country... northern Quebec Canada (like Zone 2 - Alaska). I am presently building a 10 x 16 lean-to luxury rabbit shed. It will be set up like you but with a max of 14 large cages. It's insulated with electricity so I can heat for winter (5 months with a few days at -60F). I LOVE your watering system, the J Feeder insert is brilliant and I didn't know about those plastic pads. So I am all doing it! Thanks! This video helped me finalize my rabbit shed!
Before all of this, I found my BREEDER. I want pure bread perfect genes and wasn't sure what would be best up north. OMG did I luck out! He turns out to be 30 minutes away from the house I grew up. I befriended this 66 y.o. farmer who's been in industrie 51 years. He's got +/- 500 rabbits. He's a walking encyclopedia! He likes my general knowledge / attitude and he's been helping me at every stage of my build. I am so lucky!!!. He's got breeds (pure) galore... NZ all colors, California, mini-Rex, American Chinchilla and American Sable (he as the sables breeding history going back 45 years!!!). He also as a few Crème d'argent as his personal rabbits. I want rabbits for meat and pelts. I had a rabbit blanket when I was a kid. I am dreaming of making a few of those. Not planning on selling any rabbits apart from friends and family. So my needs are a max of 4/5 does with 4/5 litters a year.
My breeder wants to pass-on his knowledge and he told me that I was a perfect candidate. Also helps that he knew my dad and that the Sables that we had when I was a kid came from his Dad's farm. So here are the 2 scenarios he thinks would be great! I don't know what to do????
1) The pure bread crème d'argent scenario: 3 does and 2 bucks from different bloodlines. WOW! But I am not planning to sell them. The litter size he says is 5 to 8. So breeding them 4-5 times a year would not me too much meat for me. He says they are the easiest rabbit for beginners and to the breeders knowledge he is the only one who has them in Canada. He got them from a reputable breeder in Minnesota.
2) The sable / California scenario: Now this comes from one of the most experienced breeders of Sables in Canada. he mostly sells these as pets. Few are propagating the Sable breed and he can see that I know that breed. This BLEW my mind!
So, 3 American Sable does and 2 California Bucks. The correct way to conserve the Pure Breed Sables is by NOT breeding them together. If you breed two Purebloods together. You will get a small litter and you will get Award winning rabbits but the second generation will be like Hybrids with bad genetics (that's why most abandon this breed). So you breed California Bucks with Sable does. The kits will be +/- 50-50%. MEANING half will be California and half will be Sables. Both are Pure Breeds from the same doe. He was saying that the California's get to Fryer weight about 3 weeks quicker than the sable kits even if from the same doe. I know it sounds crazy but I saw litters myself. The Sable pelts are my preferred ones. I would get a great meat rabbit in the California's. He also said, that in the future, Breeding Sables with Chinchilla's is a great option for pelts but those 2 breeds mix. Nicer pelts from the mixed genetics. Gives a lot of options.
So I am completely torn on both options. I like option 2. But Crème d'argent are rare and I don't think this opportunity will be there in the future since my breeder is retiring in a few years. His kids won't pick up after him. As he scales down, He will keep the crème d'argent but probably not the Sables.
As an experience breeder do you have any thoughts? Do I keep the perfect Sable genetics that he developed over so many years or do I go for the prize that Crème d'argent seems to be?
Sorry this was so long... You know your stuff and you are the only one that is set-up the way that I will be. I can't find anyone to give me a second advice.
Here is a link to the breeders website. It's in french but it's a simple website. At the top next to the Facebook logo click on ''nos Lapin'' (our rabbits) or ''nos poules'' (our chickens) and you will see photos. BTW, Zibeline Americaine is the American Sable (His wife does the 15 Species of chicken and he doesn't show the Crème d'argent rabbits): www.manonpoule.com/
Thank you for the sub! Wow it sounds like you have an excellent opportunity here to work with this fella!
If you are just starting out with rabbits again and learning the ropes again. Option one might be a better option just because of the simplicity of the breeding and not having to cross breed like option 2.
Will you have the option to start with option 1 then move to option 2 later on?
Not sure how helpful I was but whatever option you choose it will be a great experience. Happy rabbit raising my friend!
What did you end up going with?
When I first started watching this I thought the cat was a rabbit that somehow got on top of the cages. lol. I started raising 4h rabbits in highschool. Years later and I'm always looking to learn more. I plan on expanding and slowly adding in better breeding stock rather than the rabbits I snagged at a feed store. I love colony style but inside and concrete flooring for growouts.
@sdollison91 ha ha!! Yeah that is Melvin the barn cat. Good luck on your rabbit raising endeavors!!
So much good information thank you paul.. I'm just starting having some breeding difficulties but hopfully it takes of soon.
@@Mid-Americabulldogs Thank you for watching! What breed of rabbits are you raising?
@BrokenArrowFarm307 currently Tamuks. i Iive in southwest Missouri on the Oklahoma Arkansas Missouri line, and found a breeder with good lines. Since it gets over 100° almost all July and August here.. I would like silver fox though
@Mid-Americabulldogs oh that's very cool! Tamuks do look like a cool breed.
@@BrokenArrowFarm307 they're supposed to be very hear tolerant the breeder said unless it gets over 110° he doesn't really even worry about the heat or sterilization..
@@Mid-Americabulldogs that's what I have heard, a very good breed for where you live!
Such helpful information as I consider staring my own rabbitry for dog food and fur to make blankets. Thank you!
@meredethYT I am glad you found it helpful! Good luck on your rabbit raising endeavors!
So if you can have a separate kindling area would that be better? Maybe with todays technology have 24/7 cameras on them?
Not sure if it would be better or not. I have thought about using cameras. As i have them in my brooder rooms.
I like your video a lot I grown some New Zealand rabbits but there is not buyers in India.
@prinsgreen6895 thank you! So you raise them for yourself to eat?
@@BrokenArrowFarm307 OK thanks
Would you do a little short vid on the carriers you use? I'm often using travel pens that's too tall.
That is a great idea I will work on one!
I think I may be a bit more of a clean freak, I pull the litter to the front right into a wheelbarrow and the bottom has tubs I dump in the wheelbarrow. cuts way down on the ammonia. I also give them water bowls, I'm in Norther BC Canada So I also give them snow, they like the snow more than the water. Your watering system would not work at -40c & personally I think they look dirty, I would be washing them all the time. But if I was in warmer area I might do what you do, as far as water is concerned.
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@@BrokenArrowFarm307 😂 Sorry lol
I have New Zealand red, blue broken, & not show chestnut. I also have black & brown silverfox. I am getting creme d'argent this fall. 😊
That's very a very cool assortment of meat rabbits you have!
Very informative, thank you sir.
You are welcome! Thank you for watching!
Outstanding video.
thank you
@@robertocatrone715 Thank you!
Thank you, Paul. This was so inspiring. I have learned a lot.
You are welcome. Thank you for watching I'm glad you learned something!
Thank you
@@godwinngwena743 you are welcome! Thank you for watching!
I see you have some cats in there. The rabbits don't get stressed by having them around? Do the cats go in and out of the rabbit room/outside? Any problems with that?
Hello, yes there are a few barn cats that go in and out of the rabbit barn. The rabbits are used to them.
I'm trying to figure this out on my own but asking here too in case you have a chance to answer. I just checked in on my 4 day old kits and one of them has a laceration on the hind area. the hair is a little wet but I don't see any active bleeding. Should I just use something like vetericyn and hope for the best or something else I should try to do? I tried to see if you had a video on common first aid stuff but didn't see one.
@ShilohHuite that's a good question, yes try vetramicine, or a first aid ointment.
We are in our 2nd year with rabbits and started with wooden/wire hutches, and now we are out growing that area. I now have a breeding trio of flemish, 4 mini rex and 5 Nz. All are young except the flemish. Im finding that my cages seem to be too small when the kits get to about 5 weeks. I'm starting to build racks and cages similar to yours in another area. Any recommendations on cage size? How do your NZ does handle being in that size cage with 10+ 6 week old kits? Any feedback would be appreciated, thank you.
Or even old for the flemish.
Very cool! I think the 30 x 36 inch cages are adequate for that.
I just got my first pair. The buck is a Dutch, the doe is a jet black mini-Rex. Should I just breed that line for size and pelt? Or try and get a New Zealand doe to throw in the mix? It’s meat I’m interested in primarily. I live in Thailand. No Californians. NZ is rare here. Thanks.
Hello, very cool! You can certainly raise those for meat, just be smaller in size when you process them. If your end goal in meat, I would look into getting a New Zealand doe to add to the mix as well.
Im thinking about raising angora rabbits for the wool, the price of it is through the roof here in europe. For meat I have few Vienna Blue, they are great and tasty... btw, do you preserve the skins for some clothes, etc?
I harvest most of my rabbits before they are prime. So I don't keep a lot of pelts.
I just had my first 2 litters, 3 and 4 kits, both first time moms and first time dad. You say you buy at $2/lb, is it just because you are buying from people who can't get rid of them themselves? I was looking in my area and can't really find any for sale with a couple hours drive. I drove 4 hours for mine and paid $60 each for the trio. I'm just trying to figure out if i'm gonna be way out in left field asking $30-$40. I was planning on just advertising the availability not necessarily as meat/pet/breeders but just the flat $30-40 and the buyer can do what they want with them. I am keeping records so I can continue the pedigrees I have. Thanks
I jumped the gun on the comment by a couple minutes because you mentioned your prices for breeders and whatnot after. Still, what are your thoughts on my pricing? I still need to track feed as best I can to get a better idea of cost to grow so I don't lose money but being my first litters I don't have that data from my own experience yet.
So a lot of the rabbits I buy for $2 / lb are from rabbit breeders to raise a lot of show rabbits and these are the ones they didn't show, couldn't show, and need somewhere to sell them to.
I sell my breeding stock rabbits for $60 each, these are 8 to 12 week old rabbits with pedigrees available. So you need to focus on you is your customer going to be? Will you be selling fryer rabbits, breeding stock, pets, ect? $30 - $40 is a good starting point. You will definitely want to figure out what it costs you to raise rabbits and then go from there. Thank you for watching, and happy rabbit raising!!
Thanks for the information
You are welcome! Thank you for watching!
With your outcrosses do the offspring get bigger than the purebreds of each breed?
They grow faster than than the purebreds yes.
@@BrokenArrowFarm307 thanks loving these videos never considered rabbits as a food source until recently and these vids have helped alot!
When you say Rex are also good for their fur, is that for spinning or as a pelt?
For their pelt
Apart from different colours, are there any other material differences on the new zealand rabbits?
No not really that I have observed.
I’m looking into raising rabbits to feed my dog and sell the pelts. I’m in Alberta so if can get pretty hot and pretty cold. Right now I’m thinking of satin rabbits. Any other recommendations or warnings you suggest?
Satins are a great breed! I'd reccomend keeping them inside a building. We can as low as 40 below 0 Fahrenheit here in the Winter and as high as 110 Fahrenheit in the Summer. I'd imagine you have a similar climate.
Do the reptile breeders prefer live, or processed rabbits?
@joshcaraway2492 processed, because they don't have the capacity to hold 100 + live rabbits at a time. So they go into a freezer and they feed them as needed.
What's up with that banging noise? And grumpy grunts? Why have one (sounds like one) or more of them started doing their equivalent of rattling a tin cup across the cage bars?
They are rattling the cage feeders. Was the sound when I was outside? It might be emus in the background.
How do you identify all of your does? Tag, bracelets...?
I use cage tags on the cages, and tattoos on the does
Nice rabbit forming
Thank you!
What r ur thoughts on the TAMUKs
I have never raised them I would like to try to, if I can find any. From what I hear they are very hardy and do well in the heat.
I raise TAMUK composites in SW Florida zone 10a. They do very well in the higher heat and humidity. Great temperament, fast growth and litter sizes. I feed 70% pellets, 30% organically grown banana and Moringa leaves. I give them Comfrey, carrots, pine cones and peach skins as healthy snacks. I have a food forest, more like a small jungle lol, and the banana and Moringa leaves reduce feed costs without compromising their nutritional needs. I believe anyone living in warmer climates will do well with TAMUKs. Best of luck. 🤠
Where is the best/cheapest place to get the 1/2" x 1" wire. I have been looking and it is hard to find a reasonable supplier
I use Klumbertanz
Thanks! Another question, where do you get your pellets from?
@Hunterman777 you are welcome. Hubbard brand , buy by the ton at local feed store.
I raised new Zealand whites when I was younger I raised cute bunnies then when I was older I raised Angora bunnies
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thanks dude im growin nz whites in nz i have a buck and doe can i breed between 2 litters
@wirecook7042 you are welcome! Very cool you are in NZ raising NZ rabbits. So you can breed that way as "line breeding" I would use those kits as fryer rabbits. And not keep them back as replacements to the herd. I would reccomend getting another doe as well that's not related to the buck or doe to help build your herd as well. Happy rabbit raising!
I have some rabbits that are really rough on the drinking nipples. They will leak after 3 or so weeks. Have you found drinking nipples you would recommend?
Yes I have check out Klubertanz Equipment Co
Hello I was wondering if you sale rabbits and would you be able to ship them i am looking for California rabbits a breeding pair thanks Gary if so please let me know and the price
Hello Gary, thank you for the inquiry. Unfortunately I am not able to ship rabbits.
How many rabbits could 16 by 40 fts structure hold sir?
That can depend a lot, how many different tiers of cages, how far between cages, ect. But I'd say 30 to 50 producing does, with room for their kits and the breeding bucks.
Why don’t they just make the bottom of cages with cage mat material?
@StaceyHelmick55 that is a good question, but probably because it wouldn't be as sturdy as the wire.
0:26 Bunny moving it's nose in morse code.
Ha ha yeah I guess so!
Do you also use their fur? I was considering rabbit farm
If they are prime when we harvest and process we do.
Do you give the rabbits hay or grass? I don’t have meat rabbits only pets, I totally get people raising meat rabbits, my dogs and cats would be very happy if I did have some truthfully
@@alisoncarroll they do get grass hay
Does the accumulated feces and urine make the room smelly? Is that not harmful for them to be breathing that in for so long?
@SnotRag05 its actually composting in the barn keeping the smell down. Adding shavings and worms to complete the process. Keeps the ammonia very low.
Thank you so much for taking the time to teach so much valuable information! Our new rabbits are for 4-h and a safety net incase Kamala wins the election, we know we could starve without them.
You are very welcome! Thank you for watching!! Yes a good safety net for sure!! 💯%!
Please clean the rabbitry more often for good atmosphere and to prevent mites, mice growth.
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Very informative thank you
You are welcome! I'm glad you found it informative! Thank you for watching!
Appreciate the knowledge but had to stop listening the bells sounds everytime there is text added wake up my baby!
Thank you! Well shoot! Have to turn back on when baby is up.
do they taste the same
Taste the same as far as what?
What breeds of meat rabbits are you raising or looking into raising?
Tamuk
@PatientMoney very cool! What type of climate do you live in and how do they do? Thinking of adding a few of those to the herd.
@BrokenArrowFarm307 zone 9. Tamuks are one of the few breeds that have no issues with breeding and raising their kits in 100 degree weather. Developed by Texas A&M about 30 years ago.... I'm sure you already know that.
@PatientMoney that's awesome! I'm actually wanting to get a trio of them to raise. However it is a challenge to find them where I live.
@@BrokenArrowFarm307 Not sure how far you are from Texas but my breeder has fresh stock every 6 weeks. I can give you her contact if you are interested. I just got a trio myself and they are not yet mature for breeding.
Higher priced doesn't mean better it sometimes is just greed. Maybe the cheeper price is cuz someone just doesn't like the fact that others have priced jacked, just cuz they can.
Very valid points for sure, I have seen all of those instances.
8 to 10
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While I love your content Paul and I appreciate the hard work you do but it really bothers me when I see a dirty rabbitry. I think of all the dust on everything , smell, and overall health of the newborns are put at risk as well as a fire hazard. I saw lots of areas that must be fly infested and honestly I understand it’s a working farm. I raised 300 goats/kids every year and I understand time constraints but twice a year is simply not enough in my opinion.
I raise rabbits (15 does and several Buck) as well and it’s cleaned every day. I also have 12 German short hair pointers that I breed as well as exercising them several times a day with their kennels and playrooms that need to be cleaned daily as well.
Please try to do better.
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My doe is pregnant over more than a month now why is she pregnant so long
@@RbStunna how many days pregnant is she? If you are able to palpate her, can you feel kits?
@BrokenArrowFarm307 yes i feel a little ball inside her belly
Almost feels like marbles
@@RbStunna ok, so is it possible she is only 12 to 16 days pregnant?
@BrokenArrowFarm307 waw it seem like 4ever lol but i heard that it's 30 to 31 days for pregnant rabbit to give birth
Hi sir plz watsap n I need some tip for keeping rabbit
Ok more details of what you want please
I have rabbits and try to keep in contact with them. They don't give a damn they already got their money, which is sad
I'm sorry to hear that. I try to be very responsive to all of my past customers who reach out to me. I want them to succeed in the rabbit raising endeavor just as I did.
@BrokenArrowFarm307 and that's how it should be, but some people don't care after, so I just don't recommend them
@cebasmb8250 yeah that's not right. If they keep that up they will be out of business. I wish you the best in your rabbit raising endeavors, what breeds of rabbits are you raising?
Do not use cardboard boxes yes people will tell u that you can but I’m not going to loose out on 160 dollars again
Yes that's a good point
I won't feed a doe that don't have 8 are more baby
That's a good practice to go by for sure. Do you feel her daughters also have larger litters as well?
I got 3 does I keep baby out of and 1 buck
Too many ads
The ads allow you to watch it for free.
7:30 "better" ... doesn't explain. thumbs down.
I agree crazy editing software..
She ain't died
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@@BrokenArrowFarm307 was not for you sorry
That's a very small cage
If you get down to rabbit level and stick your head in one you will find it's a comfortable amount of space to hop and stretch. I've tried making double and triple size enclosures and mature rabbits don't even use the space. Pasture would be neat but droughts/frosts/heat/rain can make it not ideal for rabbits all the time, they need some way to stay clean and parasite free during those gaps instead of spreading disease in bedding or a dirt patch.
I was in denial about cages for a few years but now I see they are necessary and more comfortable for the rabbits in the tougher seasons.
Nailed it! Very good points!
You could always narrate and actually use video time for rabbits instead of “YOU”😂😂
A lot of these videos were from when I had just started UA-cam, it's been a big learning curve. And I have came a long way. Shoot me a link to your UA-cam channel so that I can see how a professional produces videos.
@BrokenArrowFarm307 good for you brother, I actually appreciate this style. I'm actually trying to learn this so seeing you point stuff out is helpful. I'm not just trying to see cute rabbit videos, I want to learn this. They are cute tho...lol
I'm getting ready to get into Rex.
@TrentJ202007 thank you! Rex are one of my favorite rabbit breeds, good luck on your rabbit raising endeavors!
I turned the video off as soon as this guy started talking.
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Commenting probably told the algorithms that you liked it 😂
I turned the video off as soon as he was done talking 😂