what kind
- Thread starter Twild
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AmysMacdog
Well-known member
Hi Twild and welcome to RabbitTalk! :welcomewagon:
For my first meat rabbits I just got some mixed breeds but I just got some American Blue rabbits that are an excellent meat rabbit and is a heritge breed. I thought it would be fun to raise a heritage breed.
New Zealand White rabbits or NZW crosses are great to start with and easy to find.
Yes 2 does and 1 buck is a great start.
For my first meat rabbits I just got some mixed breeds but I just got some American Blue rabbits that are an excellent meat rabbit and is a heritge breed. I thought it would be fun to raise a heritage breed.
New Zealand White rabbits or NZW crosses are great to start with and easy to find.
Yes 2 does and 1 buck is a great start.
:yeahthat:
I second the notion that a trio is the best way to start.
If I were you, I would do some research on what breeds interest you, and then check and see what is available locally. I'm in no way against mutt bunnies, but if your trying to recoup some of your cost you may want to stick with purebreds. They usually sell for more. There are a lot of good meat breeds out there. A good place to start it the ARBA website. They have a breed directory that will take you to groups that focus their attention on that specific breed. It's a good way to read up on the breeds to compare. Or you can check out the American Livestock Breed Conservancy (ALBC) to see what breeds are in danger of becoming extinct, and try to help the plight of one of those breeds.
I second the notion that a trio is the best way to start.
If I were you, I would do some research on what breeds interest you, and then check and see what is available locally. I'm in no way against mutt bunnies, but if your trying to recoup some of your cost you may want to stick with purebreds. They usually sell for more. There are a lot of good meat breeds out there. A good place to start it the ARBA website. They have a breed directory that will take you to groups that focus their attention on that specific breed. It's a good way to read up on the breeds to compare. Or you can check out the American Livestock Breed Conservancy (ALBC) to see what breeds are in danger of becoming extinct, and try to help the plight of one of those breeds.
coffeenutdesigns
Well-known member
I didn't feel the need to reinvent the wheel and got Californians to start and recently traded some kits for some NZWs. Both are commercial meat production breeds, which fitsmy needs, and crossing them is supposed to produce a bigger meatier kit.
grumpy
Well-known member
Twild":15gb326u said:
From the crux of your post, you've just begun your addiction.
That being said, consider buying mutts of a meat based origin.
They are usually quite healthy and easy going. Plus, they're cheap!!
Your learning curve will be less stressful with not being concerned
over high-priced stock. Plus, the mutts will give you an array of
interesting colors. Just a thought. Have fun...your journey's just begun.
grumpy.
OneAcreFarm
Well-known member
I also recommend starting with a trio. And while mutts, or mixed breed, rabbits are often really good, you need to make sure that the ones you get are healthy. Here is an excellent resource for someone just beginning with rabbits. It will help you to know what to look for when you go to pick out your rabbits.
http://www.gov.ns.ca/agri/4h/manuals/rabbits/sec2.pdf
Also, sit down and think about it before you leap into it. Here is a blog post I did about choosing rabbits:
http://www.oneacrefarmrabbits.com/apps/ ... t-rabbits-
It may be worth your time to read through it and see if there is anything you may have missed. If there is anything that I or one of the other Mods or Admins can do to help you, let us know!
http://www.gov.ns.ca/agri/4h/manuals/rabbits/sec2.pdf
Also, sit down and think about it before you leap into it. Here is a blog post I did about choosing rabbits:
http://www.oneacrefarmrabbits.com/apps/ ... t-rabbits-
It may be worth your time to read through it and see if there is anything you may have missed. If there is anything that I or one of the other Mods or Admins can do to help you, let us know!
MamaSheepdog
Well-known member
Welcome, Twild!
:welcomewagon:
Choices, choices, choices! There are so many breeds to choose from- so I would do a bit of research as PSF suggested.
The most important thing is to start with good, healthy stock. Try to find some that have been raised and housed in a similar way as you wish to raise yours, so their transition is easy.
I started with purebred Standard Rex, and have been very happy with them despite their slower growth rate. I just love the fur, colors, and the patterns on the brokens. I now also have a trio of Beveren, a pair of American Blues, a pair of Jersey Woolys, and my "Leonis Rex" Lionhead/Rex crosses.
I have only had one litter out of the Bevs (recently acquired the second doe who will be bred soon), but am looking forward to working with these two faster growing (than Rex) heritage breeds.
Having colorful kits is a lot of fun, but it is easier to choose new "keepers" based solely on conformation if you aren't blinded by all those pretty colors. :?
Whatever you decide, we are here to help.
If a certain breed really strikes your fancy and you are having trouble finding starter stock, one of our members may be able to point you to a good breeder in your area. Also, check the ARBA website for their show listings- you may be able to acquire stock there, and there are usually cage vendors as well. If you request the online show catalog, vendors will be listed and you can preorder cages to be delivered to the show which will save you shipping costs.
Good luck!
:welcomewagon:
Choices, choices, choices! There are so many breeds to choose from- so I would do a bit of research as PSF suggested.
The most important thing is to start with good, healthy stock. Try to find some that have been raised and housed in a similar way as you wish to raise yours, so their transition is easy.
I started with purebred Standard Rex, and have been very happy with them despite their slower growth rate. I just love the fur, colors, and the patterns on the brokens. I now also have a trio of Beveren, a pair of American Blues, a pair of Jersey Woolys, and my "Leonis Rex" Lionhead/Rex crosses.
I have only had one litter out of the Bevs (recently acquired the second doe who will be bred soon), but am looking forward to working with these two faster growing (than Rex) heritage breeds.
Having colorful kits is a lot of fun, but it is easier to choose new "keepers" based solely on conformation if you aren't blinded by all those pretty colors. :?
Whatever you decide, we are here to help.
If a certain breed really strikes your fancy and you are having trouble finding starter stock, one of our members may be able to point you to a good breeder in your area. Also, check the ARBA website for their show listings- you may be able to acquire stock there, and there are usually cage vendors as well. If you request the online show catalog, vendors will be listed and you can preorder cages to be delivered to the show which will save you shipping costs.
Good luck!
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Welcome to RabbitTalk, Twild!
There are many breeds out there that are good meat breeds. The New Zealands and Californians are commercial breeds that are highly developed, and then there is a whole array of non-commercial meat breeds that can give you a wide array of coat color and texture.
And yes, some of them are old heritage breeds, some of which are on the brink. Their gene pools tend to be very small, because breeders have so few to work with, and so they can be a little bit more difficult, from what I've read.
If you have no experience with rabbits, you might want to start with a trio of relatively forgiving, bulletproof, inexpensive rabbits that are easy to get in your area. Californians, New Zealands, Silver Fox, Champagne d'Argent, even smaller ones like Florida Whites or Havanas. While you are getting over the rabbit learning curve, you can research some of the scarce breeds if you'd like to help conserve one of them.
There are many breeds out there that are good meat breeds. The New Zealands and Californians are commercial breeds that are highly developed, and then there is a whole array of non-commercial meat breeds that can give you a wide array of coat color and texture.
And yes, some of them are old heritage breeds, some of which are on the brink. Their gene pools tend to be very small, because breeders have so few to work with, and so they can be a little bit more difficult, from what I've read.
If you have no experience with rabbits, you might want to start with a trio of relatively forgiving, bulletproof, inexpensive rabbits that are easy to get in your area. Californians, New Zealands, Silver Fox, Champagne d'Argent, even smaller ones like Florida Whites or Havanas. While you are getting over the rabbit learning curve, you can research some of the scarce breeds if you'd like to help conserve one of them.
stone soup farm
Well-known member
Addicting is right! I started with a trio of meat mutts and ended up with 12 breeders (some purebred Calis and AM Chins now), none of my breeders are from saved stock yet. Either way try to get stock that is geared towards meat and not just show. Some show breeder (not all) have different goals so while healthy and pedigreed the number of kits might not be high, etc.
It is a nice low investment to start with the mutts like Grumpy suggested. Mine have been my best mamas, but the others are doing well too. My first pure AM Chins are hopefully on the way so we will see how that turns out. It is all a fun and amazing adventure!
It is a nice low investment to start with the mutts like Grumpy suggested. Mine have been my best mamas, but the others are doing well too. My first pure AM Chins are hopefully on the way so we will see how that turns out. It is all a fun and amazing adventure!
Just wanted to join the others in welcoming you to Rabbit Talk. It's a great site with some very knowledgeable and helpful people. I'm sure you'll find it to be a valuable resource.
As for breeds - I raise New Zealands and Standard Rex. Both good meat breeds. And I'll add my warning in with all the others... it is addictive! But there are many more worse things out there so come join the fun!
As for breeds - I raise New Zealands and Standard Rex. Both good meat breeds. And I'll add my warning in with all the others... it is addictive! But there are many more worse things out there so come join the fun!
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