Good article in Mother Earth News!

[HoneyTree]

Rabbit: A Great Meat Animal for Small Homesteads
Clean, quiet rabbits are easy to raise, even for urban growers.


They don't have the whole text online as of today, and I don't know that it would teach anybody here anything new, but I was excited just the same. I'm a longtime reader, and I was beginning to wonder if they never mentioned rabbits because of the PR problem it might cause. Even with this article, it wasn't advertised on the cover, it appeared last on the list of feature articles, and was waaaaay in the back of the magazine. (And I bet they'll still get nasty letters.) But they used Eric Rapp of Rare Hare Barn as the main source, and gave a shout out to American Chincillas and Champagnes, with Silver Foxes and Americans getting a good mention. The Rabbit Wringer, too, was copiously gushed over.

Anybody else catch it? What are your thoughts?

http://www.motherearthnews.com/october- ... z1ZP3HBQbY

 

[MaggieJ]

I'm quite sure they have had articles on rabbits in the past. Here's a link to an article on tanning rabbit hides:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-H ... Hides.aspx

 

[tailwagging]

many years back they did one on earthworm burgers. still trying to find it again (not that I would eat any!)

 

[HoneyTree]

Maggie, I shouldn't have said never; I should have said not in the past 27 years!! That's invisible to a whole generation--heck, more than a generation--of readers. Compared to how often they discuss chickens, cows, pigs, goats and other more "palatable" small homestead animals, it's a conspicuous omission.

Maybe it's just a pet peeve of mine. I'm taking a lot of flack lately from friends and family for wanting to raised meat rabbits. I was tickled pink to find the article in the first place in a very popular magazine, but I would like someday to see a cover photo to help people even just walking by the newsstand to start thinking seriously about rabbits for meat.

But I liked the article linked to a lot, and while I haven't tried tanning yet, I have that one printed out for when I do.

 

[MaggieJ]

Why not write or email MEN and tell them how much you and others from the rabbit forum you belong to would appreciate a thoughtful, honest article on raising rabbits for meat. Can't hurt!

 

[HoneyTree]

Woot! It IS online:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/sustaina ... 1zmat.aspx

I am going to write a letter. That's a good idea. I got one published last month on cheap and easy tomato cages, so I know they actually read the letters!

 

[MaggieJ]

Oh my goodness... Talk about exaggerated claims! :roll:

Rabbits breed and grow so quickly that one pair of healthy does (females) can produce more than 600 pounds of meat in a year. Compare that to the dressed yield of 400 pounds for an average year-old beef steer.

I've always figured that a realistic figure was much lower. For two does and a buck about 150 pounds of table-ready meat or about 300 pounds live weight.

5 litters of 6 per doe = 30 fryers x 2 = 60 fryers
60 fryers @ 5 pounds live weight = 300 pounds
Dress-out at 50% would yield 150 pounds of table ready meat.

Some years one might do better, of course, but I think 600 pounds is unrealistically high.

 

[Cattle Cait]

I think they just recently had one in the magazine...or maybe that was Grit...or Hobby Farm...they all run together after awhile.

 

[HoneyTree]

Maggie, I'm so glad you mentioned that. I was doing that math in my head last night and could not get to 600 lbs. even with really prolific does if one is staggering the breeding the way I've read is healthiest for the mamas.

And Cait, was it this one?

http://www.grit.com/animals/livestock/r ... -meat.aspx

It's recent; just this summer. Also a good one, IMO.

 

[hoodat]

I also take issue with their recomendations for floor wire. That's way too wide and would lead to leg injuries in young rabits when their leg went through. I like 1X1/2. Some may prefer 1/2X1/2. Even with 1X1/2 I spread some hay on the cage floor when the new kits first come out of the nest to protect them from going through.
Even with the errors however it's good to see some interest in rabbits as a meat source. Now if we could only get the general public to accept them. Americans are too conservative in meat selection. The big three are beef, pork, and chicken and any meat outside that is looked on with suspicion. At least in Canada they also accept lamb and mutton.

 

[Cattle Cait]

I lied. It was Countryside, Volume 95 Number 3, the May/June 2011 issue. Its chock full of rabbit info. Also an excellent article about Scotch Collies, but thats besides the point.

I did read the initial article on discussion in Mother Earth News, I loved it. I've also recommended the Rabbit Wringer or the Rabbit Zinger to my boss. She's very excited and hopes it will bring in some rabbit customers for processing (the rabbits for processing, not the customers lol)

 

[iamdrglass]

I caught the 600 lbs claim as well. I would like some of that breeding stock LOL.

Dan