Rabbit Pelts

[MuddyFarms]

I planned to do fur facing in, and backed with something else. In the past I have used deerhide or elk for the soles, and wool sweaters that got shrunk and felted for the uppers--from my own laundry errors or a thrift store.

Was the wool for covering the rabbit hide on the outside? Sounds like that could be pretty.

 

[eco2pia]

Was the wool for covering the rabbit hide on the outside? Sounds like that could be pretty.

yeah, then lap over the fur at the top for trim. it was a pretty aqua colored sweater, made the slippers for my daughter. they were treasured until she outgrew them

 

[MuddyFarms]

yeah, then lap over the fur at the top for trim. it was a pretty aqua colored sweater, made the slippers for my daughter. they were treasured until she outgrew them

Thank you for sharing how you made them!

 

[Oriana Spiderowl]

Hi, I don't have any rabbits yet but I'm aiming for the silver fox. I want to raise my breeders kits for stock, food, and pelts to sew onto garments like a inner lining for warmth. I don't mind having to save up the processed pelt for something big like a coat. My issue is the grow outs. I planned on any rabbits that don't pass muster for the breeder/meat program would grow up in a tractor system.
(the rabbits meant for pelts anyways, the meat ones stay in cages off the ground like the breeders.)
But how can I keep multiple males housed together from fighting each other? They can't be with the females for obvious reasons, neutering isn't a thing on a mass scale, and I don't want them spraying. The fur bunnies are going to live for around a year or so to get a strong hide. Out in tractors at least they can be useful little lawn mowers. And perhaps the meat can be used... like a old laying hen... best chicken soup you'll ever have! Old rabbit soup? Why does that sound strange..... Any ideas? Advice?

 

[Zee-Man]

...
But how can I keep multiple males housed together from fighting each other? ...

How much space do you want them to have in the tractor? Making individual "apartments" is really just a materials problem. Put the tractor on wheels if it gets too larger to handle manually and pull it with a garden tractor. Imagine an axle on hinges that open down and swing back. As you pull the rabbit tractor the axle remains deployed. when you un-hitch it and push back the axle folds up. You will need a notch in the frame to let the axle store flush.

My "tractor" is very rudimentary. It is really just a play pen. It has no frame or floor. It is about 48" square. If I added a frame and made it half the size I could imagine 4 abreast and several deep. I haven't read any other posts about tractors on this forum. But there is is some noodling.

The meat from and older rabbit is no less valuable. Low slow cooking is good. I've never thought about it before, but rabbit sausage is a viable option too.

 

[Secuono]

If you get fog and dew, a lot, it'll mat the butt, thigh, tail fur on SF.
Idk if you use those parts.

 

[Oriana Spiderowl]

If you get fog and dew, a lot, it'll mat the butt, thigh, tail fur on SF.
Idk if you use those parts.

Really? What of the large breeds would be a suitable replacement for outdoors?

 

[Oriana Spiderowl]

How much space do you want them to have in the tractor? Making individual "apartments" is really just a materials problem. Put the tractor on wheels if it gets too larger to handle manually and pull it with a garden tractor. Imagine an axle on hinges that open down and swing back. As you pull the rabbit tractor the axle remains deployed. when you un-hitch it and push back the axle folds up. You will need a notch in the frame to let the axle store flush.

My "tractor" is very rudimentary. It is really just a play pen. It has no frame or floor. It is about 48" square. If I added a frame and made it half the size I could imagine 4 abreast and several deep. I haven't read any other posts about tractors on this forum. But there is is some noodling.

The meat from and older rabbit is no less valuable. Low slow cooking is good. I've never thought about it before, but rabbit sausage is a viable option too.

Hey Zee-man good ta see ya! How's everything going?

How do you keep the rabbits from going anywhere in that set up? I can't visualize it. Picture? Also, what about predators?

 

[Zee-Man]

Hey Zee-man good ta see ya! How's everything going?

How do you keep the rabbits from going anywhere in that set up? I can't visualize it. Picture? Also, what about predators?

It is a 5 sided box if you will. The 6th "side" is the earth. Half of the top is hinged so I can put/remove the rabbits. Predators are thus locked out unless they were to make a concerted effort to get past the guard chihuahua. Mind you, this is not truly a tractor. The rabbits do not spend the night in it and only the days that I will be home all day. Since it is only hours, they don't even try to escape.

 

[Scooter1A]

I guess I should look at Utube. I have hides stretched on boards and salted them. That was in November. Scrape them? With what?