hello, New to meat rabbits

[Miss M]

no problem ms.m, I did not at any point think you came off strong. Thanks for the input! i need it!!!

Thank you!

And I know what you mean! Four years ago, we had just caught our herd sire (he was abandoned), and bought a doe to be his match. We knew very little about rabbits, the only experience between us being my having a pet rabbit when I was a teen.

I have learned nearly everything I know about rabbits right here.

 

[bigmike77]

the rabbit house

__________ Sat Jun 08, 2013 10:26 am __________

<br /><br />__________ Thu Jun 13, 2013 5:38 pm __________<br /><br />Question, when I dispatch a rabbit, do I need to soak it in water? and for how long? opcorn:

 

[AmysMacdog]

We soak ours in salted water for 24 hours or so in the 'fridge then we cook 'em or freeze 'em. :dinner:

 

[bigmike77]

thanks amy!

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

That rabbit shed is looking GOOD!!!!

 

[bigmike77]

Thanks Kyle, I think I might have to put the rabbits in the careage house till I get the Rabbit house all plumbed in. I want to pick up some rabbits this weekend, I don't know if I'm gonna have time. My brothers are flying in from California. We got some golf to play on Sunday. Happy Fathers day to all as well!

So the careage house is big, It has power and was the 1st choice.

it's the one on the right, next to the Arizona ice tea machine. That little unit is a story in it self.

so ya, probable start there, need to wait till my cousin can come by. he's the pro and I need help framing in the door. I could do it and would probable work, or have him come over and have it done right. :dance7:

 

[Marinea]

That really looks good Mike. And, ya know, the carriage house would make an awesome rabbit barn...just think of all that space

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

That really looks good Mike. And, ya know, the carriage house would make an awesome rabbit barn...just think of all that space

I was just thinking that. So much envy!

 

[MaggieJ]

I'm late to the party, but just wanted to say welcome to RabbitTalk, Mike. :welcome:

Looks like you are off to a great start!

Because so many rabbit questions are climate related, could you please add your state to your profile instead of just your town. With so many members it is hard to remember where everyone lives. And there are quite a few towns named Dryden.

Looking ahead to winter, you will probably need more protection from the wind than the lattice provides. You have plenty of time to come up with a solution, but just thought I'd mention it.

 

[Miss M]

Question, when I dispatch a rabbit, do I need to soak it in water? and for how long? opcorn:

Even that varies from person to person. :lol:

Some soak in water, some don't, some stick them directly in the freezer, others rest them in the fridge until they are past rigor, then freeze.

I rest them in the fridge until they are past rigor, and then freeze. I have a cold fridge (I like it that way), so it takes almost a week. Others aren't as cold, and have them ready in 3 or 4 days.

You can freeze them in water, and that protects from freezer burn. I pack fish that way, but haven't bothered with my rabbits.<br /><br />__________ Sun Jun 16, 2013 10:38 am __________<br /><br />Oh -- and that carriage house? You are now the envy of just about the entire board.

 

[bigmike77]

another question, my friend told me about the kit's needing cecotropes when they are young. i'm guessing they will get that from them eating it in the nesting box? yes, No? any input?

 

[Miss M]

Yes, the doe will normally leave some poops in the nest box for this purpose, though it's normally regular poops, not cecotropes. Cecotropes would be very nasty in the nestbox, as they are moist and sticky and stinky. The regular, dry poops still provide the kits with the gut flora they need, and do it without the mess.

 

[bigmike77]

Miss M what if I have cages with open bottoms? I'm still ok right?, you saw the cages i'm working with.

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

So long as your nest box has a solid bottom it should be fine. My nest boxes are made of wire, so I line them with thick cardboard. Lining a wire nest with cardboard or using wooden or metal boxes, they'll have a solid space that way.

 

[Miss M]

My nest boxes have wire bottoms (wood sides and top), in wire floor cages just like yours, and it isn't an issue. It helps keep the nest from getting too damp. Of course, it's hot and humid here most of the time, so you may need to line yours with cardboard.

I have space under the nest box wire where I can insert cardboard in winter, but the does pull it out to use as a chew toy. :? So I'd need to put the cardboard in the nest. To be honest, though, I haven't even done that, and the babies are just fine even in winter.

Adjust for your climate, though.

 

[MatSuAK]

Yeah Michigan! Spent the first 30 years of my life in the Petoskey/Wolverine area before moving to Alaska. Still come back to the old stomping grounds often to see family. Good luck on your rabbit herd!

 

[bigmike77]

ok Worked over the weekend and made a nice dent in the carriage house. Should have cages hanging 2night.

daughter helping tack up a visqueen.

what a ham

<br /><br />__________ Tue Jul 02, 2013 2:13 pm __________<br /><br />another question, Should I get 1 buck from one owner, 1 doe from another different owner, and a 2nd doe from a compleatly different owner? So 3 diff blood lines?

 

[Marinea]

Yep, I called it...that carriage house is going to make an awesome bunny barn!

Your daughter is adorable. It must be nice to have a helper like that.

As to the rabbit lines- some go for different lines to start with, some go with one line if they are really good rabbits. Just make sure if you go with different lines that you quarantine the rabbits separately.

Please post more pics when you're done.

 

[bigmike77]

I was told I should not have same blood line, I guess there is 100 ways to skin a cat. I would prefer not to have to drive all over michignan to get some rabbits.

So what should I do? Get all from the same breeder? what would you guys do?<br /><br />__________ Tue Jul 02, 2013 4:01 pm __________<br /><br />also I ordered storey's guide to raising rabbits, as a guide to referance from time to time

 

[MamaSheepdog]

In my opinion, you are better off buying them all from the same breeder. The less genetic variables in your herd, the better.

There was a study done where brother to sister breedings were done for over twenty generations with no issues.