Best meat breed for MI

[QuinnStarRanch]

Hello everyone,

I am looking into the possibility of raising some meat rabbits, but there are so many breeds to choose from! I was wondering if anyone knows what breeds do best in Michigan weather(more specifically, West Michigan weather) + have these qualities: great mothering abilities, laid-back temperaments(children must be able to handle them), productive(in terms of meat and kits) and a good "newbie's" breed. Thanks in advance for all of your help! -Quinn

:all-ears:...Sorry, could not resist this one

 

[Zass]

The best advice I have is to find someone near you who is doing well in your climate and already feeding similarly to how you intend to feed.

Buy kits at 8 weeks to get a feel for their 8 week weights.

The breeder you buy from(and the traits they select for) will make a much much larger difference than whatever breed you choose. :yes:

I suggest getting MEAT rabbits from someone who enjoys the taste of rabbit, as that type has more incentive to cull the junk and poor health from their lines than someone who just raises some kits to sell every now and then.

 

[QuinnStarRanch]

Sweet! Thanks, Zass! The hunt is on.....how would you recommend I find these breeders?

 

[sunrise]

:yeahthat: You can always try the ARBA website and look for shows in your area to go to or the breeder listings on the website for your area.

 

[Zass]

laid-back temperaments(children must be able to handle them)

This bit is going to be tricky.

A lot of people are fine with aggression in their meat rabbits, and others are completely intolerant.

Be wary of words like "protective" when it comes to does.

That often (but not always) translates to "mean biting animal."

I initially got into silver fox rabbits because the breed was said to have many of the traits you are looking for.
I brought in unrelated rabbits from different rabbitrys (and different states)
What I found was that many modern lines of the breed have strong neurotic tendencies. Specifically the does. Poor mothers, small litters. Aggression or blind panic.

Those rabbits were crazy. :shock:

I have a mutt line a few generations out from the breed, and I'm still struggling with temperament.

Others do not have that problem. :shrug:

Your best bet is to find a breeder who will tell you strait on that they actively cull for temperament.

 

[sunrise]

You might want to take a look at cinnamons. The ones in our area seem to be very sweet and laid back, but I know those breeders all cull for temperament, just like Zass said.

 

[Zass]

Shows, webpages (many rabbitry pages link other rabbitry pages)
Adds online. Facebook sale groups. TSC (I often see cards hung upon a bulletin board in the back of mine.)

Like sunrise said, the net and shows do seem the be the best place to locate rabbit breeders

Hoobly classifieds and craigslist are sometimes useful.