Hi there. I would like to start raising rabbits but I am as close to clueless as I can get. I have read lots of info available on net but still seem a bit lost. First thing is.. If I raise them..what kind (breed) do I need to raise that people will buy?? I am not raising these for my family to eat but buyers will be free to do what they please once they are theirs. Will they buy them just for food? Also, when I start this it will be small until I get the hang of things.. How can I build a fairly cheap but comfortable cage for them? If ANY one has ANY comments, advice ANY help.. please post.. or email alexis2169luv@yahoo.com. I am also in need a resources to get my bunnies to start this.. I am in NY (upstate) and can't seem to find many with bunnies... anyone know of anywhere that I may not have found??? Thanks so much!!!!! Stacey

-- Stacey Hahn (alexis2169luv@yahoo.com), May 02, 2002

Answers

Check the local high class restuarants to see if they serve rabbit. Watch the papers for mention of recipes. If you hear someone talking about meat prices, politely but in and ask if they have ever eaten rabbit. This will help you determine if there is a market for them. For meat rabbits, the larger breeds. For pets, the smaller breeds work better. I would dearly love to find someone close by that had Angora rabbits for their wool. I would suggest that if you don't eat rabbit, don't have very many to kit at first. Once you can sell what you produce, then add more. That way, you won't be stuck with a lot of rabbits that you have on use for. Personally, I wouldn't start with meat rabbits or pet rabbits if I didn't eat them. But one or two does to kit at one time won't be too many to find a home for if they don't sell. Good luck.

-- Robin Downing (Southpawrobin1@aol.com), May 02, 2002.

One thing you can let people know is that rabbit is higher in protein and lower in fat than chicken! It's very good, and good for you!

I only raise meat rabbits. If you're interested in raising them, I would suggest getting either New Zealands or Californians. Of those two breeds, Californians would sell better as pets, because NZs are solid white, while Californians are white with dark noses, ears, feet and tails. Personally, I cross NZ does with a California buck and have done very well. I currently have 6 does and 2 bucks and am selling them faster than my does can have them!

People here in KS buy rabbits for food, for pets, for breeding stock, for snake food, and for the BARF diet for their dog.

As for cages - it depends on whether you'll have them indoors or outdoors. I keep mine indoors in wire cages. If they're going to be outdoors, they need protection from direct sunshine and from cold drafts. They can withstand cold temperatures very well, but not cold drafts. They CANNOT withstand very hot temperatures very well at all - so be prepared to keep them as cool as possible over the summer months.

You might want to post your questions on the "Raising Meat Rabbits for Profit" forum. To find it, just click on LUSENET at the top of this forum's page, and scroll down until you find RAISING MEAT RABBITS FOR PROFIT. It's a very imformative, and very friendly forum.

Best of luck to you!

-- Cheryl in KS (klingonbunny@planetkc.com), May 02, 2002.

Some ideas: I would strongly suggest all wire cages. Never use 1"x1" flooring. The rabbits legs will get stuck in the holes. 1/2"x1" is nice. If you can eliminate any urine from touching wood, you will cut down on odor a LOT! After start up costs, it cost the same amount of money to raise pedigree rabbits as it does mutts, so do it right from the beginning. This way you'll have more avenues to sell them. I raise meat rabbits but many folks call wanting mini lops.(Of course when I raised these, they wanted meat rabbits....). If you sell New Zealand whites at auction, you will get more $$ than a colored rabbit. Only the white pelts are usually used for pelts.

-- Jacki (rambrozaitis@snet.net), May 02, 2002.

Well, not to rain on your parade, but my hubby had dreams of raising rabbits and making money with them....let me just say this: It's WAY more work than any other livestock I can think of, including bottle babies of any sort, WAY more work, and a heck of a lot less profit. We raised New Zealands. We had premium does. We averaged 10 kits per litter. Housing for rabbits is unreal. Now, if you want to keep 5 or so does for your own use, cool. When you hit a couple hundred or more, egads. I feed my sheep once a day in the summer, twice in the winter. Takes about 15 minutes. Rabbits, on the other hand, spill their food, can't take the heat, can't take the cold, eat their young, are apt to bite or claw you if you're not careful....I could go on and on.. However, they do produce phenomenal fertilizer!

-- CJ (sheep@katahdins.net), May 02, 2002.

Wow. You all are so informative!! I like to get a variety of opinions too and I def. got that. I think I may take some time to think things over a little to decide what I would be best doing if anything at all. It was great to hear from all of you.. Keep posting or email! Thanks again.

-- Stacey Hahn (alexis2169luv@yahoo.com), May 02, 2002.

Stacey, I am the moderater for the rabbit forum. I totally disagree with CJ. I have been in the rabbit business 6 months. Started it after a bad experience working for someone. If you can market,ie sell, not afraid of hard work or getting dirty, and can stomache killing them, THERE IS A HUGE MARKET. I have over 100 breeding stock plus am now buying from others[called a runner] and I cant keep up with the demand!! I am showing a profit every week. Enough to justify not having to work for someone else ever again. I am in PA so if you need stock email me and we can figure out how far you are and such. TRACY

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), May 02, 2002.

Email me privately if you want to I am in Upstate Ny .

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), May 02, 2002.

I have plans that I made for outdoor hutches, single and double. I really found them to work great.

I have mini rexes (get $10 each)and holland lops (get $15 each)and sell to a local pet store. It is more of a hobby then a money maker. Maybe you can start with the pet kind and work up to the meat once you get the hang of things.

Oh, by the way, I use small rubber bowls for water. They don't chew them and it is really easy to get the ice out in the winter.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), May 03, 2002.