Which Processor Do You Use?

[sanfo008]

I'm planning to get a few rabbits from Crossroads Rabbitry as a test run to see if the meat market will be a viable side business in addition to my paying job. As part of the planning stages, I need to start a relationship with a processor. For those of you in the Southeast, which do you use?

 

[wamplercathy]

Why not process the rabbits at home?

That's what I plan to do since I'm not producing in large numbers. For my area I can process and sell up to 1000 rabbits with out certification out of my home.

Just curious.

 

[Ramjet]

I process myself .... But I sell the animal live and process it as a "favor" or in exchange for the hide.

 

[sanfo008]

I mean selling them live to a processor, several hundred at a time, on a regular basis. Not personal use, I can do that myself. You are correct.

 

[DBA]

Just curious, what is your experience with rabbits?
Have you ever taken care of several hundred rabbits?
Caring for several hundred rabbits; feeding, cage cleaning, breeding, nest boxes, weaning, record keeping, etc, isn't a part time job.
Also food costs. I currently only have around 40 rabbits, three with litters currently, and I spend about $32 a week on feed.

Just some food for thought.


Oh, and sorry, I can't offer advice on a processor, I do all mine myself.

 

[HansenHomestead]

We only have 6 rabbits right now, and that still isn't easy. It's also not good if you're going to hold several hundred rabbits in the same cage. Chances are one, or two could be sick without you knowing, and you could mistakenly sell contaminated meat. So that being said, keeping up with, and building/paying for several hundred cages is going to be a nightmare IMO. You'd spend an entire day JUST refilling water bottles. :lol:

 

[alforddm]

There really aren't a lot of rabbit processors out there. You might try this list. https://www.arba.net/processors.htm I know with Pel-Freeze, out of Rogers, AR, you have to meet certain criteria before they will consider you as a grower. You have to have an insulated barn, single stack cages, and they only take NZW rabbits and prefer you buy your stock from a list of approved growers.

Most of the butchers in our area are private processors (not sure if that is the right term). They process livestock for the customer but aren't allowed to sell meat to the public which requires USDA certification. If they processes your meat if it for your consumption only.

You'd spend an entire day JUST refilling water bottles. :lol:

Large growers don't use water bottles. They have automatic watering systems, like grumpy's. They still have to feed each rabbit though.

 

[sanfo008]

Thanks for answering the question alforddm. I've applied for a grower number with PelFreez because I can meet their criteria, but they're just so dang far from me. I have since found a processor in Mississippi that pays .20 less a pound than Pel-Freez but is much closer and seems like a better option. That .20 may cost me about $200 a load but my time is worth more than that. I was looking for other options to run the numbers on if there were any out there.

 

[SuburbanHomesteader]

Hopefully, you'll feel comfortable sharing your adventure here on Rabbit Talk.

Those of us that raise meat rabbits are always anxious to hear how other folks do it - always willing to learn something new.

Best of luck to you!