Raising Rabbits

How to raise rabbits for a steady source of meat and income Rabbits are one of the most sustainable, nutritious, and economic meat sources available. They can easily be raised in a variety of locations and climates, and require less space and infrastructure than many other species of livestock. Raising Rabbits for Meat is the how-to guide to help you succeed in starting and running a home rabbitry for a steady source of meat or income. Coverage includes: The history of the domestic rabbit Information on breeding, housing, and harvesting Tools to help you succeed with your program An emphasis on heritage breeds. Raising Rabbits for Meat provides a solid foundation for success in raising rabbits and is ideal for anyone interested in starting a small rabbitry for home use or to market rabbit meat as a business opportunity.

The fifth edition of this best-selling handbook features the same detailed approach that has made it the trusted source for raising healthy, productive rabbits — plus a total redesign with color photos and graphics. Whether you’re interested in raising rabbits for show, meat, fur, or as pets, this comprehensive guide offers expert advice on breed selection, housing, feeding, humane handling, and more. In addition, author Bob Bennett includes the most up-to-date information on preventive health care, treating diseases, marketing, and showing. This publication conforms to the EPUB Accessibility specification at WCAG 2.0 Level AA.

An accessible, practical resource for pasture-based rabbit production-complete with rabbit husbandry basics, enterprise budgets, and guidelines for growing, processing and selling rabbits commercially. In recent years, there has been talk in the food world that rabbits make more sense than chicken. In a country with a $41 billion broiler chicken industry, this might seem like a pretty bold statement, but it’s hardly unsubstantiated. And yet while media has been abuzz about the supposed super protein, very few farmers are stepping up to meet the rapidly increasing interest in sustainably raised rabbit meat. This is partly due to the lack of available resources in the field of rabbit husbandry. Raising Pastured Rabbits for Meat is the first book to address the growing trend of ecological rabbit husbandry for the beginning to market-scale farmer. Inspired by Daniel Salatin, who has long been considered the pioneer in integrated rabbit farming, Nichki Carangelo proves that a viable pasture-based rabbitry is not only possible and user-friendly, it’s also profitable. In Carangelo’s approach, happy, healthy rabbits are seasonally raised outside on pasture, using a pasture and wire hybrid system that promotes natural behaviors and a diverse diet, while effectively managing the associated risks. Raising Pastured Rabbits for Meat offers valuable information on how farmers can build their own rabbit enterprise from scratch and includes tips on breed selection, breeding techniques, nutrition guidelines, record keeping tools, slaughtering and butchering instructions, marketing advice, and enterprise guides to help farmers plan for profitability. This is an essential guide for anyone interested in integrating rabbits onto a diversified farm or homestead.

"...a straightforward guide to raising rabbits...everything you'll need to know...."-Library Journal

Discusses the nutritional value of rabbit meat, shares recipes, and provides practical advice about rabbit selection, breeding, hutch building, slaughter and butchering, and rabbit shows.

A guide to raising rabbits.

In this freshly updated third edition of How to Raise Rabbits, you'll find practical advice for raising any number of rabbits in any environment—rural or urban, one rabbit or twenty. Brother-sister writing duo Daniel and Samantha Johnson expertly walk readers through all the basics on breed types, housing and food requirements, shows, kit care, and general healthcare for the rabbit. Rabbits are wonderful animals to raise, whether as pets or as livestock on a farm. They are especially great as starter animals for children who participate in rabbit shows. Before you embark on owning one of these lovable critters, however, there's a lot you need to know—for instance, which of the forty-seven rabbit breeds is best for you? Licensed by the Future Farmers of America, the guidebooks in our acclaimed How to Raise series have helped countless first-time animal owners across the United States confidently care for their new companions. With clear and informative instructions, fully illustrated with beautiful how-to photography, How to Raise Rabbits continues to be an essential primer for the newcomer to rabbit care and a classic on any rabbit lover's bookshelf.