I am going to look at some NZW for breeders for meat rabbits .What should I look for ? They are 3-4 months old also what would be a good price ? He wants 16.00 a piece .thanks ~ Patty

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), March 05, 2002

Answers

Patty, email me

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), March 05, 2002.

Hi; We usually pay $10 for 6-8 week old breeders. regards

-- ourfarm (ourfarm@noaddr.com), March 05, 2002.

Look for a thick, muscular, well-filled rabbit. Put your hands on the rabbit and rub from its neck down to its tail. It should feel thick and full. You want a wide loin and full hindquarters. Rub the tips of your fingers along the rabbit's spine. You should not feel bones sticking up. If you do, the rabbit is in poor flesh condition. Of course, a lot of this can be overcome with a different feeding program, but as far as body type ~ well, you can't change genetics.

In general, be sure that his rabbits appear healthy. You should not hear every rabbit in the barn sneezing. Look at their noses and eyes and be sure they are not running and snotty. The rabbits that you are considering buying, pick them up and turn them over. Look at their feet, look at their teeth to be sure they do not have malocclusion, etc. I am not saying that it is likely that they WOULD have any of these problems, but you should always put your hands on the rabbit and look it over thoroughly before you buy.

$16 is not an unreasonable price for the NZ's, if they are decent quality. Is this a show breeder who is selling culls? I can sell my florida whites for $10 apiece at 3-4 months old and they are half as big as a new zealand.

Hope this helps.

-- Tracey in Alabama (trjlanier@cs.com), March 05, 2002.