I’m considering raising some meat rabbits in runs similar to chicken tractors during the summer.
Does this risk them getting worms from the dirt/grass?
Any advice from meat rabbit raisers?
Is it okay to raise meat rabbits like this?
Previous post: Reading Bunny Rabbit
Next post: Itchy Bunny Has A Snack (Relax and Watch a Wild Rabbit)
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree…That’s just EVIL!!!!!!!!!!!!
cruel person!
poor rabbits
The rabbits should be wormed if the meat is for human consumption.
I am a vegetarian,and I highly hate your question ! ! ! Why don’t you go cook your dog,or your cat while your cooking those bunnies !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you cook your horse,the meat will last all winter,have you ever thought about that???
Rabbits for meat is a good idea -some folks do it in tractors. Consider integrating them into your garden.
Be very sure to move them often and be careful about predators – a perimeter electronet fence might be necessary.
Here is one blog with info – probably a good resource: http://onestraw.wordpress.com/sub-acre-ag/sub-acre-ranching-chickenrabbit-tractors/
They can be raised in the tractors as a colony as meat rabbits are usually butchered at 10 weeks.
You could also consider flooring the tractor with rabbit floor wire, that way they will be off the ground and not eating the grass where they can pick up internal parasites. If you do plan on worming them before butchering you have to remember there is a with drawl time. that means they have to be left drug free for a certain amount of time before butchering so there is no drugs in their system and consequently their meat.
To all the people who answered it is cruel, etc. Rabbits were first domesticated to feed people. There are breeds that are for meat production only, these breeds do not make good pets. I raise both show/pet rabbits and meat rabbits. Rabbit is very good meat and is better for you than other types of meat (beef, pork, chicken). I just had 5 butchered this weekend and we had rabbit in curry sauce over rice for dinner yesterday.
never judge someone else until you have walked a mile in their shoes and do some research also.
you want to worm the bunnies. they should be fine. just don’t have chickens with them.