What breed to get

[preciousgurl63]

I'm thinking about getting some meat rabbits to butcher and possibly sell but more along butchering though. I know cali's are good along with new zealands and of course them 2 mixed but what other breed would be good to look at beside those. My sister n law already has cali's which she sold really fast in a 4 day period. So what might be another good breed that might sell that fast?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

It depends on who you will be selling them to. Cals and NZ's are probably the best to sell as meat pens to 4-H kids, but occasionally they like to have something different. They are probably the easiest to sell to people just starting home meat production because they are the most common commercial breeds and the ones that they have most likely heard of.

If selling them is secondary to personal meat production, I would get the breed that appeals to you the most. I would recommend attending a show so you can see the various breeds in person.

I raise Rex and Satins for meat and show. The Rex don't grow as fast as the Satins, but they also don't eat as much.

The Satins I have are meat bricks, but they are more high strung than my Rex. One of the lines especially are like the rabbit version of a thoroughbred horse temperament wise, whereas my Rex are all pretty laid back.

I also raised Beveren rabbits, but have recently gotten out of them so I can concentrate my focus on the Rex and Satins. They were good producers, with very friendly kits. They are very large rabbits though, so need big cages.

 

[preciousgurl63]

Ok. Well I don't want nothing to big because I don't have that space right now. I'm looking at rabbits that range from 7lbs-10.5lbs. I've been looking at a few and reading up about all of them. Here are some that I've been looking at. You tell me in your opinion which is good enough to sell and use for meat.

The List

American Sable
Harlequin
Lilac
Rex
Silver Marten
Standard Chinchilla

I really love the rex but I don't know if I have that kind of space for 2 to start out with. I also really like the standard chinchilla.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I wouldn't bother with the Harlequin. Their body type is pretty poor for a meat breed since the emphasis is on trying to get good markings.

I really love the rex but I don't know if I have that kind of space for 2 to start out with.

Rex bucks should be between 7 1/2 to 9lbs. and does should be 8 to 10lbs, so they are in your range.

I use 24" x 24" cages for my bucks and 24" x 30" for does.

 

[Zass]

I couldn't say enough good things about the Lilac does I've had, but they don't sell.

 

[3mina]

I'm in love with my Rex for meat and for showing, in that order too. With Rex, really any breed, you need to make sure the breeder you buy from has the same goals as you. If the breeder is breeding for the show table only and is happy with small litters twice a year, you are going to be very disappointed when you can't get anything more than that out of the rabbits.

 

[ilovehome]

I recently bought 8 Lilacs to use mostly for meat, and occasionally to show if they are good enough. They do seem to be built like little meat bricks, but I haven't processed any yet, as we won't breed until it cools down in the fall. Not sure if they will sell here or not. I love my Giant Chins for meat, but they are are over 12 lbs, so you probably would not be interested in those.

 

[preciousgurl63]

Yeah I love rexes because of their color and of course how their fur feels. But I also like the chinchilla also. I just don't want nothing really big because like I said I have no room for a big rabbit.

 

[3mina]

Rex come in chin. Jus' sayin'

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Since you are planning on selling some of them as pets, I would go with Rex because they come in so many colors and in broken. Pet people like rabbits with interesting markings and fur.

Plus since you yourself love the feel of Rex fur, I think they are your best all around choice.

And of course, Rex are the absolute best breed of rabbit hands down, as everybunny knows. :twisted:

 

[rittert3]

I raise Mini Lops primarily for show but my culls dress out plenty big enough. I love Lilacs and have thought about Standard Chin, Thriatas, and Florida whites for small meat/ fur production rabbits. I have so say if you want to sell meat the best results will come from a NZ/cal cross and I've often said if I had to do it all over I would have gone that route.