ALL-NATURAL, HUMANE, AND PROFITABLE APPROACH TO PRODUCTION ON A SMALL SCALE

Raising rabbits for meat should be considered a cornerstone of efficient and effective homesteading. Though never as popular as chickens, home-raised domestic rabbits were once a common meat source on the farm and in town. The popularity of rabbit as a food source, and thus as a type of livestock, has waned over the years as most folks turned away from producing their own food. With the recent resurgence of interest in quality, home-grown food, rabbit husbandry for meat production is primed for a comeback.

Meat rabbits the specific breeds of rabbits that are large and produce a good meat-to-bone ratio are a kind of livestock often raised on small-scale homesteads. Rabbits are easy to keep and can do well on the homestead, even with limited space dedicated to them. They reproduce quickly and go from birth to consumption or reproduction size in just a few months. Rabbit's white meat has a high-quality flavor that needs to be eaten to be believed, but even on a more objective measure nutritional value compared to other domestic meats like chicken, beef, and pork rabbits come out on top. Rabbit meat has a better protein-to-fat ratio, is low in cholesterol, and has high concentrations of important vitamins and minerals.

Once the decision to raise meat rabbits on the homestead has been made, the first step is to build a structure to house them: a rabbitry. The options for rabbitries can vary widely by the skills of the builder and the needs of the homestead. Rabbits can thrive in almost any climate as long as they are kept dry and have the ability to avoid cold direct winds, but have good ventilation. While colony keeping is an option, most keepers choose to keep each adult animal in an individual pen. Commercially available pens are usually a simple and versatile wire cage, available from most ag and feed stores, that can be used indoors or out, suspended, or placed on the ground or a shelf. These pens come individually or can be purchased and used in groups.

Other pre-made rabbitry structures can vary greatly in size and cost and can be made for indoor or outdoor use. If building your own, there are free plans available online, or you can build your own design, as long as some basic criteria are met. When locating the rabbitry, ensure a supply of electricity for lights and fans. A water source and food storage should be as close as possible as well. Rabbits also need a feeder, a waterer, and a nesting box for birthing and raising kits. The nesting box can be purchased or built and should correspond to the size of the rabbit breed.

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