Everything You Should Consider BEFORE Raising Meat Rabbits

[@rexevans9935]

Great video, I've been raising rabbits for 54 years and i think most people should keep there rabbitry small and make it fun. And learn all you can about livestock. You will never make much if any money from raising rabbits so just have fun and happy homesteading. Good luck and God bless.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Wow that's impressive! I agree though, most people should look at it as a fun hobby.

[@Ezzgamerr]

This is a very opinionated statement

[@workingdogslog3442]

Don’t care if I make money. I just want a source of meat to feed my dogs that’s quicker to process than the pigs we raise

[@westmeadowrabbits]

That should make your life a lot easier!

[@BunnaySango]

I want a source of meat to feed my family and avoid the danger of supply line collapse.

[@TheActiveLifeLived]

I've got a buddy in Western Australia...shoots a couple of kangaroos a month to feed his dogs...lucky bastard 😂...his dogs are extremely healthy as well, living into their late teens/ early 20s

[@dabrokest530]

You’ve been feeding your dogs pigs? Like feral hogs or??

[@IEatMyCatch]

@@dabrokest530see how he said “than the pigs we raise”, not the wild boar we HUNT. I swear people cannot read for shit

[@lennacrawford7253]

Love your videos! I’ve been watching for almost 3 years. I still have not been able to start up my rabbitry yet, but I have such a vault of knowledge for when I am able. Thank you for providing such clear, thoughtful, and informative content 😊

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Thank you so much! Its awesome that you've been since the early days! Too luck with starting your rabbitry one day and thank you for watching. We wouldn't be here without you!

[@Porkchopguy]

The fact that this person gives you so much info in just the first 10 minutes tells you he has seen both the good and the bad of people raising meat rabbits. I like this guys honesty and straight forwardness, no bs. And how true that many start with the intent of self sustainability but end up with expensive pets.

[@heavenly-dreamsdairygoats]

I started with a tro set back in Oct 2023 after raising for many years before this. Now we have over 100 with breeders and feedouts. We love eating them they are so easy to grow and take care of their young for the 1st few weeks till you take them and wean them for meat. The rabbits we raise are the best tasting rabbit I have ever eaten. Faster turn around time also compared to chickens. Thank you for sharing. Till next time. God bless

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Thank you!

[@mriconoclast13]

What species of rabbits do you raise?

[@heavenly-dreamsdairygoats]

@@mriconoclast13 New Zealands

[@mriconoclast13]

@@heavenly-dreamsdairygoats Many thanks for the reply, I really appreciate it!

[@caitlinweiss8801]

My motivation comes from wanting to have control over the lives of the animals I eat. I was vegetarian for many years because I hate factory farms. I eventually gave up being vegetarian, but I feel so much better dispatching my own animals. I'm totally fine with people eating meat, I'm not okay with unnecessary suffering. I was able to dispatch quail (as you mentioned) so this is a next step. Thank you for this video and for giving it the seriousness it deserves. 💕

[@westmeadowrabbits]

A lot of us have a similar story! I think most people would agree factory farms an abomination, but relatively few people are willing to do anything about it. Thank you!

[@caitlinweiss8801]

@@westmeadowrabbits No, thank you! 🥰 I appreciate the supportive reply and the education you offer in your videos

[@robertspencer5219]

Agree with everything, except I used to live in an area where cages and an impenetrable fortress were needed to keep the predators away from the chickens. So to keep them alive cages were needed at night. I was able to let them out during the day but even the chicken runs were very built up for protection.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Fair point!

[@workingdogslog3442]

I electrify all my perimeter fences.I have pigs but it keeps the coyotes and my dogs out of their enclosure.

[@dropinota]

Great video Sam, always appreciated.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Thank you and thanks for supporting!

[@Paratrooper23]

Meat (of course), rabbit manure to feed my compost worms, rabbit urine mixed with water as an insect repellant and rabbit manure straight into the garden.

[@TooTrue1874]

Why feed the worms the manure? Isn't rabbit manure already really good for your garden? Why change good rabbit manure into good worm manure?

[@big-grizz1002]

All facts, great informative video. Can’t wait to grab some reds from you this April.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Thanks for watching and I'll see you in April!

[@therabbitcity]

Dude! I love your set up! You seem like a good man. My first dispatch was a very real moment, we have learned a lot since then. Thanks for the info! 🥕 🐇 💕

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Thank you! I appreciate the support! Wait until you see the new setup we are building at our new location.

[@dabrokest530]

Is it weird I always liked the processing side? Sometimes I forget other ppl in their whole life hadn’t held an animals heart, seen the inside spill out of the carcass, or felt the blade splitting hairs as you went about your work. Then again some people have never actually been hungry. I was raised on a farm I’ve processed chicken, turkey, pig, duck, fish, cattle, dove, and deer…. When you bring a meal to the table that you’ve labored over for the ppl you love it just tastes better. It’s a necessary life skill.

[@markskinner2642]

Homesteading and family tradition for me

[@cherylmosher6026]

Thank you. Exactly the information I need and want. I know why I want rabbits … so need to watch the rest of your offerings.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Thank you and welcome to the world of rabbits!

[@luboshcamber1992]

With the prices and push for eating bugs in Canada, not much to think about for me. I used to do rabbits as a teenager amd loved it.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Good luck up there! Get some rabbits before they make breeding illegal. . .

[@joeldavis8851]

Looks like you have some nice animals. The Californians are my favorite breed though I like the broken New Zealand as well. I always preferred the commercial breeds. The fancies are a lot of work to get a perfect one according to the ARBA Standard. 🙂

[@MariaZontini]

I live in Maine, and have my cages made, and am ready to buy a trio of meat rabbits. I was wondering if you were close enough for me to purchase them from you or if not, do you recommend anyone closer to me. I enjoy all your videos...thank you for all the great information! really appreciate it! Bob

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Hi Bob, thanks for watching! I'm located in Southern NH, so unless you are in northern Maine I should be close enough. Fill out the contact form on my website and I'll add you to the waitlist. I should have kits ready to go in May.

[@tonymartinez2556]

Great info. Thank you for caring and taking the time to educate people.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Thanks!

[@asdisskagen6487]

From a logical and financial point of view, rabbits are an obvious choice. Will I ever raise them? NOPE; I've had rabbit in just about every dish possible because I REALLY wanted to raise rabbits because of the financial aspect ... but I finally had to admit that I just don't like the way the meat tastes. That actually extends to all rodents (squirrel, nutria, etc). So another consideration before jumping into raising a particular animal for meat is to know whether you are okay with eating them day in and day out (if raising them for the homestead).

[@westmeadowrabbits]

That's a very valid point I should have touched on! I think I mentioned it in the chicken vs rabbits video, but taste preferences are a totally valid reason to raise something, even if it costs more or is less efficient.

[@1purehavoc]

Don't argue with vegans in the comments. When food amd water shortages are implemented it will be important to be self-sufficient. We are damn close

[@jackson7962]

Wise indeed

[@airgunbubba2505]

Extremely useful information! Thank you so much. I was impressed by how much just a breeding pair can produce in meat per year.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Thanks!

[@BrentSteele101]

If you invest more into infrastructure the rabbits will have lots of babies all on their own. An alternative, is to allow for a lesser quality breeding stock, knowing that it’s for food and will not be sustained, while you are building the high-quality housing you need. And then you can segregate eat and build a new population. Rabbits are like bananas they grow in bunches.

[@charlescato4764]

I really enjoyed the video. I appreciate all the content that you provided.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Thanks for watching!

[@firetube7251]

Just found your channel. You are spot on. I was going to put my channel to bed but do you want to come and explain to folks the benefits of self-reliance small-scale ect? I love your style and channel content. Blessings from the UK

[@birgitelisabeth9661]

Chicago does not have restrictions on keeping lifestock.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

I just checked and it seems you're right although slaughtering animals is illegal unfortunately.

[@birgitelisabeth9661]

Who would know if you don’t tell.

[@IngloriousHomestead]

great video thanks

[@westmeadowrabbits]

You are welcome!

[@americanmagyar9508]

Great advice all around.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Thanks!

[@CarlPapa88]

@23:40 Completely agree. That or move just right out of city limits and the city can kick rocks.

[@zone4garlicfarm]

Facebook groups are a good place for beginners to find someone who can teach them how to dispatch and process a rabbit.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Good point! I'm an old man on the inside and I'm not on Facebook so I didn't even think of it lol.

[@zone4garlicfarm]

@@westmeadowrabbits I didn't use Facebook until I got back into raising rabbits last year. Another KZbinr who raises rabbits talked about facebook groups as a way to market rabbits.

[@tonyaburnside1037]

I guess that would be a little too late for me. I’ve already bought nine bunnies from a whole bunch of places so now we are just gonna work with it.

[@lorena92966]

Appreciate your last five minutes!!!

[@WendysWorldTX]

One reason for raising meat rabbits not mentioned... dog food! I have siberian huskies and prefer to feed them real food. I may eat some, but the reproduction rate and simplicity of care makes this a great sustainable food source for my girls. 🐕 🐕

[@westmeadowrabbits]

A very good point! My dog adores rabbit, and it's great for fussy cats as well.

[@rachelgalbraith8775]

I am starting up soon because it will be for our dogs and cat too! Originally it was going to be for my whole family but we eat biblically clean now and I am fine with just blessing my dogs with this and venison my husband gets. Happy for your dogs! The ways dogs should eat!

[@yunk9]

"If it's good enough for your wife then its good enough for rabbits!" lol 😆

[@ShilohHuite]

How do you sift your poo? I have trays right now so of course i lose some dumping the tray but i get hay and some pellet bedding mixed in. I have a screen made of 1"x1/2" wire but still not as clear of debris as your wheelbarrow looked. Until i get them going on the ground im gonna have the pellet bedding because it helps with the smell and mess a bit since they are in my garage right now.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

The short answer is I don't sift! Hay is a perfectly good addition to compost. The reason you don't see much debris in the manure is because we don't use bedding, the manure just sits on the ground. That being said it's totally fine to compost bedding, so no need to sift.

[@bevinkaker65]

It's like breeding my own pokemon. I love rabbits. The poop is garden gold for my hard clay ground

[@travisjohnston1923]

I started out intending to farm rabbits for the hides, with the meat being a byproduct (dog food, predator bait, etc) to now being curious what they taste like.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

It all depends on how you cook it! Young fryers (less than 14 weeks old) are mild and tender. They can be used as a chicken substitute. But if you are trying to get hides, than the rabbits will have to be at least 6 months old, and even then the hides aren't really worth it unless they are from 1 year old+ rabbits harvested in the winter. These animals have a much stronger taste, and are really only suited for stewing, roasting, or crock pot.

[@travisjohnston1923]

This, good sir, is what I call useful information. I don't mind a more gamey or wild taste if that's the sensation you're describing. I look forward to checking this out.@@westmeadowrabbits

[@sirduncan2163]

Chickens for eggs, rabbits for meat.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Correct answer!

[@donscottvansandt4139]

I've raised rabbits in the past. One thing I didn't realize at first is how many babies they produce. I started with 4 does and one busk. I also was very methodical about breeding... I ended up with rabbits coming out of my ears and a freezer full in no time! Also I couldn't find a outlet to sell ... that's one reason I got out of It

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Yea it doesn't take much to feed a family!

[@ericwaddle3]

Been having a hard time finding 14ga wire. KW cages so expensive, hate to spend that much, would rather build. But all local farm stores carry flemsy small ga wire

[@westmeadowrabbits]

I think I saw your email, but I recommend Kluberantz

[@tjduff]

WONDERFUL video! This should have a views to likes ration of 1:1

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Thanks for watching!

[@blackbeardgoatjr2434]

How do they fare in inclement weather conditions?

[@westmeadowrabbits]

No problems at all if you keep them dry!

[@nesiansides7133]

I need efficiency to raise meat, not for sales, for young bucks no matter what we feed them.. they'll eat as I'm starving them? I'm better off getting a compost toilet 🤣 Informative channel, mate🤙🏼 Cheers from Aotearoa New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@brett.c1649]

I Wana move to NH aswell

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Finding with some land was tough, but worth it!

[@fabricdragon]

thank you!

[@westmeadowrabbits]

You're welcome!

[@BackCountryFamily-fn6xz]

its funny we cant show meat processing yet the media can show people lighting themselves on fire for 10 min watching them burn alive for months on end such irony aint it.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Don't get me started . . .

[@TooTrue1874]

It's by design, we're about capitalism and not do it yourself. So why would they want to allow others to show you how when that would hurt capitalism? If you learn too much, you won't need them for anything and we can't have that now.

[@onlyintime9914]

Ain't it funny how the law tries to teach us how to be all "human" by avoiding homesteading and treating it as an evil thing.. But homesteading taught us how to live and live well without the law and brings us closer to God and his ways amen. God wants us to be free and the devil wants us to be deceived and enslaved.

[@CassieDavis613]

Will you be placing this series in a new playlist?

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Yes, just created it now.

[@FindTheFun]

What are your opinions on the *reasons* the laws restricting raising meat livestock exist in the first place? You mentioned a lot of inexperienced homesteaders killing off lots of their rabbits due to disease and things. As far as I understand, that's why these anti-meat livestock laws exist. Not saying I support them, but I do acknowledge their purported purpose. What is the solution to widespread disease then? I'm sure proper care of the animals like you explained is the biggest part, but on a nationwide scale you can't rely on people knowing what they are doing unless you introduce licenses and things people need to earn through training or something. Just curious what your take on all that is. I basically know nothing about it and that's why I'm asking you.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

That's a good question! It's really a subject for a whole video, but here's a summary. The primary purpose of livestock regs in most places has to do with the rising standard of living. 150 years ago, if you wanted fresh eggs or meat, you would have to live near a source. Keeping livestock, even in cities was totally normal. As we grew more prosperous, having animals running around your yard or city was seen as low class. Towns and cities increasingly pushed agriculture out to give the appearance of wealth. This became even easier with the invention of refrigeration. Now there is something to be said about disease. Overcrowded and unhygienic conditions are a recipe for problems, but like you said this could be dealt with by knowing what you are doing. But even in well managed operations, animals still occasionally have smells, make noise, and wander. As more an more people grow up in urban areas they aren't used to this and react negatively. That's also why farmers are increasingly under pressure as developments move into rural areas. Most people don't want to know farms exist, even if they need them to eat. The final problem is the few bad apples. People who don't know what they are doing can cause huge problems, and force the city to react. They don't want a repeat so they make particularly tough laws to cover themselves in the future. It only has to happen once and now the laws are on the books. Here's a workable solution. If you have over 5 acres, you have an unquestionable right to farm and keep livestock how you wish. You also have right to slaughter livestock for yourself or for sale. If neighbors have a problem, they can complain to a court or board, but they will only win if something is grossly wrong. Ex. You are keeping 1,000 pigs on five acres and manure is running off your property and polluting your neighbors well. If you have 1-4.9 acres, you have a limited right to farm. You have all the rights mentioned previously, but within limits set by laws. Ex. You can have pigs, but no more than 20. You can still slaughter and sell meat. Under 1 acre, you don't have right to farm, but you can still keep and slaughter animals. However if you are impacting your neighborhood, you won't have as strong a legal standing as the other two groups. At this scale cities can ban animals bigger than a goat. This isn't a perfect solution and I don't think most people would be happy, which is why it's ideal.

[@jkasak7633]

Why would you need a license to grow food? That is the most basic element of being a human being. Where do you get the idea that there are so many losses from disease? In 15 years I think I lost 1 chicken and 0 rabbits to sickness.

[@FindTheFun]

@@jkasak7633 You kinda totally missed the point of my comment.

[@findinghiddenriches]

People do not need licenses and laws to learn. They can easily buy a book on keeping rabbits or access the internet for the great expanse of free information. People do not need laws to learn, they need to take the responsibility upon themselves to learn how to care for the animal.

[@FindTheFun]

@@findinghiddenriches There absolutely should be laws about keeping animals in inhumane conditions.

[@DrAkinlabi]

Do you vaccinate your meat rabbit or do you raise them organic without vaccines?

[@TheyCallMeSir_H]

Why New Hampshire? Easier to raise rabbits there?

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Yes, and it's more rural so I was able to get much more land.

[@TheyCallMeSir_H]

@@westmeadowrabbits Nice.

[@fabricdragon]

my local laws specifically ban chickens, QUAIL!!!! ducks, etc (i dont get it) so i raise pigeons and now rabbits

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Town laws are often profoundly strange and irrational.

[@WilliamBailey-gr7ue]

9:23, what had happen?!

[@MariahMartinez-ef4ur]

I personally want chickens and ducks for eggs and pigs and rabbit for meat and pelts and goats/sheep for meat and milk.

[@steveo_o6707]

We bought two processed rabbits and I had no trouble eating it, the wife and mom was trying to not think about it, the step son loved it UNTIL I informed him that it was rabbit and he refused... losers!

[@westmeadowrabbits]

You shouldn't have told them!

[@debbiey9452]

If done right, meat animals have a great life. They only have one bad day that they don’t even remember.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Exactly. And I work hard to make sure that day isn't too bad either!

[@CassieDavis613]

If it's good enough for your wife..... You funny.

[@turnbulltacticalandoutdoors]

based law flaunter

[@matthewd445]

Not an angry vegan here. Just curious. How do you feel about harvesting your rabbits? I've never really considered it before. Not to be dramatic but does it "get easier"?

[@westmeadowrabbits]

It does to some extent but I still hate it. And that's important. I think we take meat for granted in the modern world. We don't appreciate that a living creature is sacrificing to sustain us. When we buy plastic wrapped meat from the grocery store, it's easy to stuff our faces with it and forget about this. But when you have to process your own you go through a ton of physical and emotional effort, and you respect that meat much more.

[@TheActiveLifeLived]

I want to raise rabbits for their poop and urine for my garden and fruit trees...also want to give my dog free treats...

[@westmeadowrabbits]

My dog loves rabbit meat, and they are amazing for producing garden fertilizer.

[@rachelgalbraith8775]

Same here! But not just treats for my dogs it will be part of their diet. We eat clean now so we won't be eating them. I am just picking up the rabbitts today. Happy about the manure too for the garden ect.

[@1purehavoc]

I want to because we are not at war with flesh but powers and principalities

[@njmoonfrost6145]

2:28 That was just plain rude. People need to understand that if you want people to change you can’t down talk on people. This person made good points but it was all thrown out of the window because of their aggression

[@westmeadowrabbits]

And to be fair, he was totally wrong.

[@njmoonfrost6145]

@@westmeadowrabbitsWhat were they wrong about?

[@jgclarke0352]

​@@njmoonfrost6145 they're wrong about the conditions being cruel. And that the cates are tiny. And that the rabbits need a place to sleep. And complaining that the rabbits are living on wire. And that wire is bad for their feet. (Especially since the channel talks specifically about how important it is to not use small gauge wire.) And that the conditions are disgusting. And that they don't have enough hay. Basically every thing they said was wrong.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

@@jgclarke0352 Thanks for saving me from typing that all out 😂

[@Direblade11]

As a non-homesteader, my reason would be to have small furs to learn tanning/curing through to start. Probably won't do that though, since my gf loves cute bunnies lmao. Also not good at wanting to murder animals, and have tested vegetarianism because of that lol

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Fair enough! Although we producers tend to frown on word "murder" because that implies a crime.

[@Direblade11]

@@westmeadowrabbits Fair. My particular case was trying to hunt a very dumb deer while abusing the power of a deer call. Did not feel like a fair hunt, and I was just thinking how I could go home and buy meat that is otherwise going to go bad. I'd like to connect with my farmer roots, but didn't grow up in that at all. Maybe one day I'll do light homesteading

[@allseeingI5]

Great video, comment for da algo

[@jedeckert9525]

Your property, do what you like.

[@kokeskokeskokes]

I have a plan. I will try only few, feeding them sprouted grains and sugar water, to see how obese they will get. They will compete with guinea pigs and gray rats in fatness and the winner is whatever my dog finds the tastiest.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

I wouldn't overdo it on sprouted grains and I definitely wouldn't give them sugar water! They may die before they even reach slaughter age!

[@kokeskokeskokes]

@@westmeadowrabbits I will experiment. I won't do it if I see they suffer. People can drink sweetened bewerages until they die of heart disease. Maybe malt would work better. I don't really need to do it either, I have a reletively posh job and everything paid off, I just want to be prepped, and I can store loads of grains, my house isn't small.

[@Security_Risk_10]

How about a come and take it flag with a rabbit on it instead of a cannon!

[@westmeadowrabbits]

🤣 genius!

[@aaronhopkins6697]

Rabbits are vegan, so eating rabbits is actually eating vegan. 😮

[@westmeadowrabbits]

It's vegan inception!

[@adam6563]

Eating rabbit is actually second-hand vegan

[@TooTrue1874]

Raising animals is only outlawed in cities to protect capitalism. Watch them chicken eggs skyrocket but they won't allow you to own a hen that really isn't loud. My neighbor has one but you'd never know unless you looked over his privacy fence. I'll never snitch on my neighbor.

[@TB-LivingFree]

ThumbUp& LeaveAnyComment 4AIgosAll

[@gidpumps6548]

Housing a bunch of male rabbits together is a bad idea eventually they will start biting eachothers testicles off

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Correct!

[@MosesGrace-f8e]

If you were going to mention EVERYTHING one should consider before raising meat rabbits you should have also included how rabbits are declared unclean and unfit for consumption in Leviticus 11 of the Bible in the Law that YHVH declared through Moses. The text goes as far as calling the consumption of these impure animals abomination, the same descriptor it uses to describe homosexuality. Just a little food for thought!

[@rachelgalbraith8775]

Yes true! This is what we recently learned and truly feel led to eat clean now. But we are still moving forward with are small rabbit farm because we feed are dogs raw food and I thought what a great way to cut down costs and get a different kind of meat also great manure for our garden and fruit trees. So this info has been helpful for me in this way.

[@KC-cy3th]

Remember, Hitler was a vegan. It’s true.

[@PandaClub-r4h]

How funny bro. Meat is meat and a man must eat. Women and children eat packed meat. But someone must pack it.

[@lcotee]

Just wanted to mention yhat the whole lab animal thing is immoral to me. Especially since Dr Shiva invented Cytosolve which completely eliminates the need for animal testing ❤ I want to keep rabbits for cat and dig food. I aksi wanted to mention that I think it's a great idea to get animals so drunk they don't feel ir care about slipping over ti the other side. No bad days!

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Fair but don't forget lab rabbits are used for much more than just testing. They produce biologic chemicals used in all kinds of medicines!

[@mikewizoski7593]

Just a PSA rabbit Urine makes women infertile

[@terencecampbell8363]

Why rabbits? Rabbit liverworst..

[@Raspukek-fu8un]

o. anodda rabbitoed homestoed yes? will see. yes.

[@Raspukek-fu8un]

>ethics just by the fact of mentioning it u receive a good dizloice.