ckeesman
Member
I have about 12 cleaned rabbits that I want to sell for meat. The meat is Government inspected and approved and I was thinking of selling the meat for $4.99 per pound? Is this too much to charge for the Southern Ontario Market?
How much should I charge?
- Thread starter ckeesman
- Start date
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live rabbits go for $2/lb
I see them at markets for $6.99 and up.
I see them at markets for $6.99 and up.
moonkitten
Well-known member
What's the weight of the dressed rabbit? How much did the processor charge to kill and clean them?
You want to be sure you don't price yourself so low that you are losing the cost of the feed to raise them plus the processing fee and something for your labour!
You want to be sure you don't price yourself so low that you are losing the cost of the feed to raise them plus the processing fee and something for your labour!
ckeesman
Member
The dressed weight is between 3.5 and 4.5 pounds. The processor charged $4 per rabbit so at $4.99 per pound I will net $10-20 per rabbit less the cost of feed.
Doesn't sound to me as though you are charging enough. Feed is pretty expensive... Do you have an estimate of feed cost/rabbit?
moonkitten
Well-known member
A rabbit that dressed out to 4.5 pounds, was probably about 8 pounds live weight. So if the going rate is $2/lb live weight ($16) plus the processing ($4), then about $20 for that rabbit sounds right.
A live rabbit over 6 lbs, is considered a "roaster", not a "fryer" and they don't bring as high a price, although many of the European customers like the larger size. If this is your first sale, I'd start at $4.99/lb or even $5.25 and see what sort of demand you get.
Or you could just price them all at $20/each and not worry about the size difference. Some people like a flat rate better.
A live rabbit over 6 lbs, is considered a "roaster", not a "fryer" and they don't bring as high a price, although many of the European customers like the larger size. If this is your first sale, I'd start at $4.99/lb or even $5.25 and see what sort of demand you get.
Or you could just price them all at $20/each and not worry about the size difference. Some people like a flat rate better.
ckeesman
Member
Thanks Kat, I'll try the $4.99/lb and see where it goes.
Devon's Mom Lauren
Well-known member
Where did you get them processed?
ckeesman
Member
I had them processed at L&M Meats near to Bradford. I had a list of ministry approved rabbit processing facilities and after calling many of them near to me (Durham Region) they all told me they no longer processed rabbits but pointed me to L&M. Dropped them off and a few hours later (once the Ontario Meat inspector released the meat) I was on my way. Each rabbit has a Government of Ontario stamp on them to prove it is inspected meat.
Here is a list of OMAFRA licensed plants:
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/foo ... s_name.htm
Here is a list of OMAFRA licensed plants:
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/foo ... s_name.htm
Devon's Mom Lauren
Well-known member
Thanks!! Bradford is a bit closer than Arthur(for me) so that is nice to know about them! 
