I have a little more extreme cold then you up here in Canada, I chose my prefered breed the SilverFox as it is a known very cold hardy breed as well as great temperment and mothers. I love their coats as well.
Another great video. Timely answers to which breeds should be considered. Question, I searched your YT channel as well as your website but couldn't locate your method of dispatching. What is your preferred method? Thanks again!
Mine came from Tractor Supply Company. They are the DuMor brand and they have optional stacking frames and dropping pans, which I use. Other brands have similar choices, too.
I normally harvest my rabbits at 8 weeks (about 4 pounds). I harvest them at 8 weeks because there are only 2 people in my family, so we don't need a really big rabbit, and also because I like them tender when fried. I think you said that you harvest at 16 weeks. I have never tried letting mine go that long thinking that they would be a little tough. Do you find that they still make good friers at 16 weeks?
That makes a lot of sense for you. I do harvest at 16 weeks. I like the meat fried and do not find them to be tough. I'm sure there is some difference but from what I've read, I'd think of it more as firmness than tough. I've drenched chunked rabbit meat in flour and fried it in olive oil for nuggets and it's delicious, with good texture. Some of it may be slightly on the chewy side, but I really still wouldn't call it tough. Keep in mind, those are chunks from the whole rabbit so that includes legs, belly flaps, and all. I think I'd compare it most to large chicken breasts in texture. I've used only belly flaps from 16 week old rabbits for cutlets, and we were happy with the texture and flavor. I did just get a tenderizer attachment for my Kitchenaid mixer for Christmas and I suspect that will make for a nice, tender flap for things like this. Another favorite around here is Rabbit Marsala. Fried, but then simmered in broth and wine--delicious and nice and tender!
I tried raising silver fox, I couldn’t get them to breed, the buck was always will but my doe said no and the buck respected that and go to his corner, I sold them at a sell and the new owners said they are breeding fine. I feel some breeds that are becoming extinct is for the reason people found a better breed. Right now I have 2 white Tamuks. They was born March 5 & 17 I got them in April and they was huge.
My raising endangered breeds how does that help them if we are culling then to eat? Are we going someone else will want to buy a breeding pair from us?
Good question. Basically, yes, though there are a few ways it helps. We are not harvesting all of the rabbits -- you'll be keeping at least one breeding pair for production. With the potential for sales and promoting the breed, and hopefully others will follow suit. For both animals and plants and vegetables, we often get to choose from what commercial breeders preferred, but that doesn't mean there aren't are other truly excellent options.
I do to a certain extent. Probably the only thing I don't breed is sibling to sibling. I'm not entirely opposed, I just come from a dairy farm background and that was something we'd never have done with horses or cows, so I'm learning and adjusting! I follow the advice of Bob Bennett (Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits author) and some well experienced breeders I've spoken with (decades of experience): "Breed the best to the best and forget about the rest" (by which he means, don't worry about relation. If you've got good lines and good traits, why not?
Sure that's what we'd do for cattle. We went through many bulls over the years (and ate a few that had bad attitudes, like the one that wrapped my dad around a tree).@@buckreynolds7475
I'm in NH and just started with meat rabbits about a year ago. I absolutely love them! Great video 👍🏻
Me, too! They're addicting! I never would have seen it coming, but I'm such a rabbit geek now.
I'm just south of you, in central MA.
Nice job, raising Tamuk meat rabbits in Southeast Florida, after a 45 year hiatus. Currently have three dose one buck and five, two week old babies.
Really love that you got back into it! Just goes to show how easily you can get hooked on meat rabbits :)
I have a little more extreme cold then you up here in Canada, I chose my prefered breed the SilverFox as it is a known very cold hardy breed as well as great temperment and mothers. I love their coats as well.
Great feedback. Thanks!
Very interesting video. I enjoyed it.....
Thank You
I enjoyed your videos, I’m from South East Missouri.
I started 2020 my first rabbit just showed up she was a mix New Zealand / Californians
Another great video. Timely answers to which breeds should be considered. Question, I searched your YT channel as well as your website but couldn't locate your method of dispatching. What is your preferred method? Thanks again!
Thanks so much for the detailed info!
You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
Where did you get your cages. Or did you build them. Love the set up and the rabbits.❤
Mine came from Tractor Supply Company. They are the DuMor brand and they have optional stacking frames and dropping pans, which I use. Other brands have similar choices, too.
I normally harvest my rabbits at 8 weeks (about 4 pounds). I harvest them at 8 weeks because there are only 2 people in my family, so we don't need a really big rabbit, and also because I like them tender when fried. I think you said that you harvest at 16 weeks. I have never tried letting mine go that long thinking that they would be a little tough. Do you find that they still make good friers at 16 weeks?
That makes a lot of sense for you. I do harvest at 16 weeks. I like the meat fried and do not find them to be tough. I'm sure there is some difference but from what I've read, I'd think of it more as firmness than tough. I've drenched chunked rabbit meat in flour and fried it in olive oil for nuggets and it's delicious, with good texture. Some of it may be slightly on the chewy side, but I really still wouldn't call it tough. Keep in mind, those are chunks from the whole rabbit so that includes legs, belly flaps, and all. I think I'd compare it most to large chicken breasts in texture.
I've used only belly flaps from 16 week old rabbits for cutlets, and we were happy with the texture and flavor. I did just get a tenderizer attachment for my Kitchenaid mixer for Christmas and I suspect that will make for a nice, tender flap for things like this.
Another favorite around here is Rabbit Marsala. Fried, but then simmered in broth and wine--delicious and nice and tender!
I tried raising silver fox, I couldn’t get them to breed, the buck was always will but my doe said no and the buck respected that and go to his corner, I sold them at a sell and the new owners said they are breeding fine.
I feel some breeds that are becoming extinct is for the reason people found a better breed. Right now I have 2 white Tamuks. They was born March 5 & 17 I got them in April and they was huge.
My raising endangered breeds how does that help them if we are culling then to eat? Are we going someone else will want to buy a breeding pair from us?
Good question. Basically, yes, though there are a few ways it helps. We are not harvesting all of the rabbits -- you'll be keeping at least one breeding pair for production. With the potential for sales and promoting the breed, and hopefully others will follow suit. For both animals and plants and vegetables, we often get to choose from what commercial breeders preferred, but that doesn't mean there aren't are other truly excellent options.
And if you at least have a pair, that breed has not died out!
What kind of hay do you use to feed your rabbits
I use field hay from a local farm. Same as what I would feed to other livestock.
Thanks
Hello I was wondering if you sale rabbits and will you ship them thanks Gary
Where are you located?
I am looking for some California rabbits thanks
Hello! This article might help you find some rabbits:
meatrabbits.org/sourcing-meat-rabbits-where-can-you-buy-meat-rabbits/
I'm going to line breed
I do to a certain extent. Probably the only thing I don't breed is sibling to sibling. I'm not entirely opposed, I just come from a dairy farm background and that was something we'd never have done with horses or cows, so I'm learning and adjusting!
I follow the advice of Bob Bennett (Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits author) and some well experienced breeders I've spoken with (decades of experience): "Breed the best to the best and forget about the rest" (by which he means, don't worry about relation.
If you've got good lines and good traits, why not?
Well im 240 mommy cows and I just go buy good bulls
Sure that's what we'd do for cattle. We went through many bulls over the years (and ate a few that had bad attitudes, like the one that wrapped my dad around a tree).@@buckreynolds7475
Yikes.
I enjoyed your videos, I’m from South East Missouri.
I started 2020 my first rabbit just showed up she was a mix New Zealand / Californians