Diamond
Well-known member
After some careful observation and notes, I have figured out that I am feeding 2 pounds of feed per litter per day to raise meat rabbits from the 4 to 12 week age. And the nursing mamas start going through about a pound a day from the time the kits are 2 weeks old, and 1/2 pound a day before then. Average litter size is 8 rabbits (surviving). Average dressed weight is 3.5 pounds at 12 weeks (My New Zealands hit 6 or more pounds live weight at 12 weeks). Average litter yield is 28 pounds of meat.
So the math is:
1/2 pound x 14 days = 7 pounds
1 pound x 14 days = 14 pounds
2 pounds x 60 days = 120 pounds
142 pounds of feed (round up to 150) = 3 bags of feed per litter of 8
Simple math is 6 pounds of feed per pound of dressed rabbit
Premium 18% feed is going at $17.50 for 50 pounds, about 34 cents per pound.
150 pounds x 34 cents/ pound = $51.00
feed bill: $51.00 in feed for 28 pounds of rabbit meat.
Cost per pound of meat = $1.82
But I cut my feed with a 50/50 ratio of a 15% protein "all stock" pellet for the growout pens (at 6 weeks and up) which is 24 cents/ pound, so the feed cost changes to this:
(1/2 pound) x 24 cents + (1/2 pound) x 35 cents = 29.5 cents/ pound feed, round up to 30 cents/ pound
Now we are looking at this type of math problem:
18% feed at 34 cents/ pound:
1/2 pound a day x 14 days = 7 pounds x 0.34 = $2.38
1 pound x 14 days = 14 pounds x 0.34 = $4.76
2 pounds x 14 days = 28 pounds x 0.34 = $9.52
and then the 50/50 mix at 30 cents a pound
2 pounds x 6 weeks (42 days) = 84 pounds x 0.30 = $28.56
Add on another 8 pounds of the 50/50 mix to get my rounded "150 pounds" = $2.40
Feed bill = $47.62
Cost per pound: $1.70
So I have to ask myself, is using the less expensive feed worth 12 cents a pound (or about 42 cents per rabbit)? More math: I am saving about $2.50 per litter. If I am raising 4 litters a month, that's 10.00 a month less on the feed bill. I also feed my bucks and non-breeding does the 50/50 mix, so that probably adds another $5 a month savings.
Comes down to one "free" bag of feed, so why not? Everything counts!
Of course, I feed timothy hay, too - but I buy that by the ton for the horses, and the rabbits eat so little (comparatively) that it doesn't really 'count'
My horses probably waste more hay per day than the rabbits eat.
So the math is:
1/2 pound x 14 days = 7 pounds
1 pound x 14 days = 14 pounds
2 pounds x 60 days = 120 pounds
142 pounds of feed (round up to 150) = 3 bags of feed per litter of 8
Simple math is 6 pounds of feed per pound of dressed rabbit
Premium 18% feed is going at $17.50 for 50 pounds, about 34 cents per pound.
150 pounds x 34 cents/ pound = $51.00
feed bill: $51.00 in feed for 28 pounds of rabbit meat.
Cost per pound of meat = $1.82
But I cut my feed with a 50/50 ratio of a 15% protein "all stock" pellet for the growout pens (at 6 weeks and up) which is 24 cents/ pound, so the feed cost changes to this:
(1/2 pound) x 24 cents + (1/2 pound) x 35 cents = 29.5 cents/ pound feed, round up to 30 cents/ pound
Now we are looking at this type of math problem:
18% feed at 34 cents/ pound:
1/2 pound a day x 14 days = 7 pounds x 0.34 = $2.38
1 pound x 14 days = 14 pounds x 0.34 = $4.76
2 pounds x 14 days = 28 pounds x 0.34 = $9.52
and then the 50/50 mix at 30 cents a pound
2 pounds x 6 weeks (42 days) = 84 pounds x 0.30 = $28.56
Add on another 8 pounds of the 50/50 mix to get my rounded "150 pounds" = $2.40
Feed bill = $47.62
Cost per pound: $1.70
So I have to ask myself, is using the less expensive feed worth 12 cents a pound (or about 42 cents per rabbit)? More math: I am saving about $2.50 per litter. If I am raising 4 litters a month, that's 10.00 a month less on the feed bill. I also feed my bucks and non-breeding does the 50/50 mix, so that probably adds another $5 a month savings.
Comes down to one "free" bag of feed, so why not? Everything counts!
Of course, I feed timothy hay, too - but I buy that by the ton for the horses, and the rabbits eat so little (comparatively) that it doesn't really 'count'
My horses probably waste more hay per day than the rabbits eat.
