Beginner questions

[rhainyne]

Hi All,
I've been lurking for a while and have finally been forced out as my husband and I begin our research before we get into raising rabbits for our table. We aren't interested in selling the meat, merely supplying ourselves. We've raised meat birds before, and I would like to get away from having to order birds every year, as well as the neccessity of filling my freezer up with two dozen birds all at once.

Up until I started researching, I had intended to keep two does and a buck, thinking this would keep us in a steady supply of meat. Well, the more I research, the more it looks like we might be drowning in meat if we keep two does!
I'm feeding two adults(no kids yet), and maybe feeding our outdoor cat the scraps. We have two indoor cats and a dog, but I know that once we start a raw food diet we'll have to stick with it(especially with the picky dog), so I'm rather cautious about doing that.

So...some questions...

What would ya'll recommend we start with? I plan to start out with either NZs, Cals, or Rexs, and once we have the hang of it switch over to Silver Foxs(as I intend to take full advantage of the pelts as well). Should I just plan on the one doe, or can I safely reduce the # of litters/yr for two does to keep us from really being overrun with meat?

I'm also planning on pursuing a natural diet(we have three acres, a huge garden in the works, etc).

Thanks everyone!

[white eagle]

First off want to say WelCome to the Rabbit Forum there are lots of helpful people on here plus very friendly may I add.

For starters I would say 2 does and 2 Bucks. Why I say that incase something happens to one of the bucks which anything can happen to any animal at any given time. Also the meat rabbits we are raising here are NZW, Cals and then we are taking some of our rabbits to make mixed breeds for our meat. We also do have rabbits for pets but that is another thing. Also make sure you have cages for all the rabbits. Never keep bucks together or they will fight an try to kill eachother. Sometimes you can keep 2 does together but I would not do that because when it comes time to kindle they need their own space unless you are doing what they call a colony which I do have 6 does in one pen but they have enough room to run around an get away from eachother. I also have wire hanging cages hanging up an everyone in their own cage. Way to control having to many kits is by keeping the does separtated from the bucks or you will have lots of kits before you know it.

Good Luck.
Back to updateing my site.

[SILEIGH]

hi and welcome... glad you jumped in

if you want silver foxes try to find them first
if you've been lurking you have read the posts bragging about their mothering, great temperment, and durablility (is that even a term for rabbits? )

but cals are great rabbits to... mine is calm and easy going
not overly friendly but she doesnt freak out either

i'm in the process of switching breeds
got rid of the Florida whites cept the buck (hes to sweet)

am planning on satins unless i weaken and fall for another breed
but now i wish i had gotten what i wanted first then i wouldnt be going nuts now trying to wait for what i want from the breeder

or maybe i still would be going nuts for another breed :1pig:
Rabbitosis is like that you always want more!!!

[Beaniemom]

Originally Posted by SILEIGH

hi and welcome... glad you jumped in

if you want silver foxes try to find them first
if you've been lurking you have read the posts bragging about their mothering, great temperment, and durablility (is that even a term for rabbits? )

Rabbitosis is like that you always want more!!!

Have I been Bragging? No, Me? LOL Just doing my part to promote breed awareness!

I wouldn't worry about having too many, just have it twice a week, or it you start the critters on RAW you'll have enough. Just so you know, some critters don't like rabbit, I have 1 picky dog and cat, and if its rabbit day they may or may not eat it.

You could get 2 Srs and 2 Jrs, although I don't like to breed my rabbits singly. I'd def. get 2 bucks, unless the breeder is close by to get another if something happens to him.

You could also do a longer breed back schedule too, I usually breed back around 6-8 weeks and wean 2 weeks later, but you could do it later than that (you just may need a larger cage though, just so you know) and just send them right to camp from Momma's cage so you wouldn't need a grow out cage. If you're going to save pelts you may need a couple grow outs though, the pelts aren't really "ready" at 10-12 weeks.

What state are you in?

[rhainyne]

Thanks for all the input!

We're just south of Buffalo, NY...just moved up from southern Ohio last fall, and what an adjustment getting used to the winters are!

My thought with starting out with NZs, Cals, or Rexs was to have a bit less in financial input, since I figure Silver Foxs will cost a bit more. It would also give us a chance to get into the swing of rabbits with less "valuable" stock. I also have had a terrible time actually finding breeders that were local(at least last time I looked into them I did).

We haven't taken care of cages and such yet, but my husband will probably build whatever we need. I don't think I want to go the colony route, at least not in the beginning, especially with only planning on keeping two does.

[SquashNut]

I would go with 1 buck and 3 does. Breed the does and cull the 1 that does not perform for some reason or the other.
We still end up putting 12 rabbits in the freezer at a time. The feed is so expensive now, that when they have reached butcher size they have to go all at once, here any way.

[SILEIGH]

ooohhh!! i think we have a match

check out beaniemoms site its linked under her posts
she's in new york too and shes all about the silver fox and might have some for sale


i'll take my leave now and let beaniemom do the rest

[Beaniemom]

You guys are funny! LOL I paid more for some of my Rexes than I did the Silver Fox (lots lots lots more! LOL Shhhh, don't tell my DH, I did the "girl math" thing and told him they were less than they really were and he still had fits!)

Drat, I just culled a really nice buck too, all ready to make babies and everything! I knew as soon as I did that, someone would want an older buck, but I deperately needed the cage space!

My parents live near Buffalo (wheatfield actually) What town are you in?

I'm sure we could come up with something for you! LOL I have a zillion Jrs out there, there has to be some does, right? :P I do have a couple "almost ready to breed" does I could let go (plus I still have that mixed doe, pic on my site, she's almost ready too)

Last show I was at there was a bit of a demand for older stock (ready to go to work stock that is) I'd save some to fill that demand, but I almost think gee, I fed them THIS long, I should use them! :P

[Pony]

I'm into mutts at this point, though I'd like to get some Creme de Argents (working on that now -- if anyone is driving from Cumberland Gap TN area to NE IL, I have a bunny that wants to hitch a ride!) Can't speak for any specific breed, but I have a very sweet NZ buck, and had a rather nice (and prolific) Cal buck.

ANYway, don't believe everything you read about the Astounding Multiplying Feats of Rabbits.

They tend not to reproduce as quickly as some may like.

Two does and a buck are a bare minimum, to my way of thinking. I'm trying to find a good breeding doe, since I lost one to dystocia and the other one appears to be infertile (though she is as sweet as the day is long, darnit).

Pony!

[smwon]

I plan on starting with just a pair and work up from there. I haven't decided on what kind yet, but will probably go a with 'mutts' too.