RHodgson
Member
Looking for breed recommendations.
We live in the far out mid-west country. Not a homestead as you would think of it classically, just a couple of people who are interested in eating fresh food, including meat.
I've decided to do this backwards, I'm afraid. I'm building an outdoor hutch this weekend. Cages are going to be 48"x30"x24" with a built-in nesting box for all rabbits at the back. Wire floor and walls, wood frame, with a covered roof. South facing cages with tarp for colder weather/rain, etc. etc. It's going directly to the south of my large chicken coop to block the prevailing wind. They will be outside, a ways away from power, so hot-weather and cold-weather hardiness is an issue.
Here's the question: I have raised rabbits in the past, but they were Netherland Dwarf rabbits. Not exactly heavy hitters for meat.
I need your recommendations and some information, please.
I've noticed that the internet knows everything, but most of the information is for what I would call 'ideal'. I want to know real experiences. If you could, please tell me your recommended breed, reason for recommendation, describe the meat quality, describe realistic growth rate, feed consumption, care and general tips, temperament, and anything else you can think of.
Thanks ahead of time,
RHodgson
We live in the far out mid-west country. Not a homestead as you would think of it classically, just a couple of people who are interested in eating fresh food, including meat.
I've decided to do this backwards, I'm afraid. I'm building an outdoor hutch this weekend. Cages are going to be 48"x30"x24" with a built-in nesting box for all rabbits at the back. Wire floor and walls, wood frame, with a covered roof. South facing cages with tarp for colder weather/rain, etc. etc. It's going directly to the south of my large chicken coop to block the prevailing wind. They will be outside, a ways away from power, so hot-weather and cold-weather hardiness is an issue.
Here's the question: I have raised rabbits in the past, but they were Netherland Dwarf rabbits. Not exactly heavy hitters for meat.
I need your recommendations and some information, please.
I've noticed that the internet knows everything, but most of the information is for what I would call 'ideal'. I want to know real experiences. If you could, please tell me your recommended breed, reason for recommendation, describe the meat quality, describe realistic growth rate, feed consumption, care and general tips, temperament, and anything else you can think of.
Thanks ahead of time,
RHodgson