Raising Rabbits for Meat Part 7: Record Keeping

[@pyrofful]

All of us following this series want to thank you for putting it together. Lots of great info!

[@mawejjejoel7445]

I have four does and I just didn’t know what to do until I found your series!!! Thanks so much. Am here in Africa Uganda. Big up dears!

[@sgt.guardsman2221]

I have a note book for each rabbit i have "named". I also make calendar notes on my phone for such things as: age, breeding, when to turn nest box on side and when to ween/separate by gender. If they have "medical" issues such as GI Stasis, I make notes of that and what I do for it.

[@TinyHouseStudios]

I just binged watched the entire series😆 looking forward to starting our little homestead, thanks for sharing your knowledge and tips.

[@jomurphey]

We keep a log and put an index card with the same info and slide it into a waterproof holder taped to the J feeder as well.

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Printing the record keeping log right now! Had a rabbit birth on cage wire because I didn't have the right date. Fortunately saw it happening, got a nest right in there, and the kits lived!

[@gbC4mpos]

I really appreciated this entire series. Your channel has become such a large part of my homesteading dreams becoming real. Thank you Kevin and Sarah!

[@stewarttate]

Thank you, Sara and Kevin. This was a wonderful series on raising rabbits.

[@richardrhodes9661]

I know I am late to this party, but, Rabbits have been on my hit list for 4 years now. They have always taken a back seat to other things in my preps. But the hand pump is on the well, and the solar power is doing, solar things, I built rabbit pens 2 years ago, but never followed through. This is the year for me to do it, so I am glad I came across this tutorial! Thank you!

[@catherinewalker1804]

You are a natural Sarah, I knew nothing about breeding rabbits and probably never will but I feel enlightened by your well thought out info. Thank you, Catherine from Canada 🇨🇦

[@danacorbin2054]

On your phone if you want on the play store there is and app called rabbit farm byALAly you might want to look into

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

Another great video Sarah! Definitely will download that file, recordkeeping in general has not been one of my strengths, it is something I want to improve in every aspect of our farm life.

[@djbahatiug]

Am from Africa where there isn't a lot of information on rabbit farming....so am really happy i landed on this...thanks for the info..

[@esbjornaneer5366]

Thank you for the answer to the previous video. I am still learning! Just a thought... I have added to my version of the spreadsheet a column for date to remove nest box, and also the 'formula' for calculating the dates that you calculate (I.e. how many days/weeks since breeding date or kindle date that the next action is to be taken.) It makes it clearer for me not yet having my first rabbit :)

[@Ali-nl2du]

This is very comprehensive! I have learnt more from you than a whole week on others channels. Thanks for sharing your highly valuable knowledge.

[@Farmstead-ThePoorFarmGirl]

Thank you so much for sharing the spreadsheet. We started into meat rabbits just last weekend with 4 does and a buck and will be using it for our record keeping. We have watched your meat rabbit series twice now and its been so helpful!!

[@beesteady1774]

How many cages do you guys have? 9 or 10? Trying to figure out how many cages I need for 3 Does and 2 Bucks

[@barbarahouk1983]

The record keeping system is wonderful; this organization makes things manageable. I truly am impressed. Also if you personally become temporarily ill, then your spouse or children know what has to be done. If on a rare vacation, the person who cares for your livestock will know what needs to be done. Now that is peace of mind.

[@kenf4837]

My Dad always said, "you don't name your food!" If it has a name you have more trouble butchering it!

[@MelanieJMoore]

Sooo helpful! You are great to share this. I hadn’t thought about record keeping until your video. Now I don’t have to ‘reinvent the wheel’ and especially make mistakes in trying to do so. Thank you so much!

[@asanoen1777]

You folks are a blessing to the world.

[@GypsyBrokenwings]

I keep referring back to your videos. Thanks so much for the log! I've looked all over the internet and none of them come close to your log. I scored 4 babies today (2 different meat breeds). Unfortunately one person had lied about the age of her bunnies...so now I get to try to bottle feed. Thank GOD they only need it twice a day and not every 2 hours!

[@janedoe4401]

i cannot agree more that records are just as important as actual process movement. good records win even wars!

[@dwaynelejeune3508]

New to rabbits raising. Been watching this series and learning a lot. Thx for sharing log I will download and start using.

[@tscgardens890]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share what you've learned! I appreciate the breeding log and the detail on how you are keeping the records, etc. Your frank style of explaining has been very informative and educational throughout the series! I'm in the process of gathering all the information possible, learning as much as I can before getting into raising meat rabbits! Again, thank you!

[@IpolaniSmith]

Thank you for generously providing so much information and forms for us newbies. I’ve been trying to get my husband to start breeding rabbits for 20+ years! I finally stopped asking and just did it myself. Same with meat chickens too. I’m closely following your lead girl, don’t steer me wrong (I have confidence in you). Stay safe 😷🧤.

[@kaesch2770]

You are so awesome for sharing all this info! I’m going through all your rabbit videos, reading books, and preparing the perfect spot for my first backyard bunnies. I can’t wait to get them!

[@coffeetime777]

Your series showed up just on time. I ended up with too small to butcher for meat. So we are keeping them for breeding does. Thank you for all this info.. God bless you and your family.

[@Heather-xm9ul]

This is useful. As my career progresses there will be times where I'm gone for a week or two at a time. This is a neat and simple way to keep my husband on track when he needs to step in for me!

[@Tri-countyhomestead]

Thank you for the Record Log!!!! Cant wait to use it!!! Love the videos!!!

[@nickygarrison4040]

I tried using paper then ended up using excel on my laptop and cell phone because they link together but recently I started using Hutch it is pretty cheap i have I habe 1e does and 3 bucks it keeps me up to date on everything it estimates all the days for nest box, kindle, and rebreed alone with weight and butcher dates

[@jaynewiley6498]

Thank you sooo much for the breeding log. ❤ I am new to rabbit raising for meat and your videos have been such a blessing 💖

[@debraboyles7310]

Great series. My daughter and son-in-law has begun to raise rabbits. I's sure they will find this an educational as I have.

[@backtobasicstipswithtomrib19]

don't forget to put you print on LANDSCAPE vs Portrait works better for putting in a three ring binder

[@cliffordwalls2636]

when you wean your kits and put them in the tractors do you seperate the bucks from the does?

[@RuralEconomist]

Impressive record keeping system

[@gregorybuck2306]

Ok, I almost didn’t watch this one because I was like “this is an easy topic I can’t screw up” but honestly that pdf is cool

[@leighanne4569]

I am unable to find the PDF link for your records. Can you please tell me where to find it? Thank you so much for your videos. I am learning so much!

[@j023909]

I love that your not uptight. I love your record sheets! I've always wanted to do that for some of my animals but for some reason my ideas didn't work out. But I love that your showing. I'm thinking of starting rabbits instead of chickens. And I live for channel you got a new sub today! Thanks for your actually help full videos!

[@edenelston7668]

I love this log, and this will be my first year using it! Thanks for this series, it's what helped us finally decide to breed silver fox rabbits. I missed what age you wean the babies and the age at which you butcher.

[@peterellis5626]

I'm thinking that 'whiteboard' tags on the cages could be really useful. Write the date the nestbox went in, for example. Then every time you care for the rabbits you see the reminder. Probably a number of things that could be tracked on it, and you can wipe it clean and start anew as needed...

[@gloriakipfer3144]

Love the simple but effective record system!!! one question? You said not to breed rabbits from the same liter. If you take a #2 liter out and put them in the rabbit tractor won't they breed before its time to butcher? Thank you and God bless...

[@SharonvonRosenberg]

Thanks for the video. I bought the rabbit record keeping sheet just in case.

[@mcdonald2684]

I can't remember what my wife told me this morning to get at the grocery store on the way home from work!

[@faithfulacreshomestead-fai6876]

So thankful you did this series and offered the pdf!

[@louisejoubert3948]

can you please load the video of the rabbit tractor please, Louise, South Africa

[@geralddupree5332]

Fantastic videos, I am just starting out to raise rabbits for meat and your videos have been a wealth of knowledge and help, thanks for sharing all your experiences.

[@tiffanysheffey5463]

Thanks for sharing your method of record keeping.

[@jimsgardensandrabbitry]

Thanks again Sarah and Kevin. Well I thought it was going to be April when we started with bunny's, but we will have 2 does and a buck in 3 weeks. Have loved this series and have watched many of them multiple times. Again thank you. Hope your healing well, Kevin, Love and blessings from Maine to your family, Jim

[@loriwendorff4065]

I just found this series. You mentioned selling rabbits at the farmer's market. You are not required to have a licensed butcher do the processing to sell at your farmer's market? We raise rabbits for meat and show. We cannot sell at a farmer's market here in Wisconsin.

[@50shadesofgreen]

spreadsheets are awesome, i use them all the time !! excellent record keeping !! thanks for sharing

[@johnnyparisi4998]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! It's very kind of you to share your record page (for Free!) There are so many cons out there who advertise free records and then want you to pay for the page. Thank you so much!!!!!

[@jimclaire7996]

Funny, we found out that if we rebreed a doe at 14 days after kindling we got,more kits. If we waited for a longer the doe seemed to have more stress on her with the litter and she had fewer babies on rebreeding. It just seemed to be the way with our rabbits. I may be wrong, but that is what we found. I need to try a rabbit tractor. I also want to try a chicken tractor.

[@georgeherzog1161]

Very helpful series. Thank you so much for making these. We are new to rabbits AMD I feel much more confident in our ability to successfully care for them. Thank you Thank you

[@nicoleballantyne]

Your videos have been extremely helpful! Thank you so much! We are just getting started and so excited to feel more prepared.

[@debbieschaffner2581]

Great info about record keeping! Do you keep track of the amount of dressed meat from each litter and track the trend of that doe? Thanks for passing on your record pdf! I am really enjoying this series! Blessings!

[@wyattputnam736]

Real good record Log. Thank You

[@jcmexicohomestead]

Sarah? Kevin? I saved that worksheet from awhile back, but it's not showing in description anymore and I can't find the worksheet in my files anymore :( Is there any way that I can get that link again please? We're getting our first rabbits this weekend :) Thank you!

[@YouAskedForThis563]

I live near the sea. Can rabbits digest kelp. How do I go about introducing a new food to the rabbits.

[@rbontrup]

When you ween the babies and move to the tractor, do you separate the males from the females? Or do they get processed before they are mature enough to mate ?

[@artdeleon2467]

Hi Just wanted to say thanks for all your knowledge on rabbits, very helpful.

[@amanda4630]

how do you house them in winter?

[@AnneGoggansQHHT]

It’s in the series.

[@bindipaunganwa9474]

Wow this is so good. I have for sometime wanted to do rabbits and now I feel i'm equipped, thanks to your videos. I n Zimbabwe, Africa we have another problem,rats and snakes but i'm sure I will figure it out and hopefully a small guage wire will suffice.Thank you for all your help.

[@SkotColacicco]

Thank you so much! This would have saved me many headaches if it started logging right away. You've nailed it, and thank you for sharing!

[@LivingTraditionsHomestead]

Glad we were able to help!

[@FredWhisenant]

Thanks that was very helpful I just started raising meat rabbits for food and a hobby

[@HewettHomestead]

This is awesome! I am not nearly as organized as you! Great idea, ill have to try this!

[@LivingTraditionsHomestead]

Thanks, Devin! Hope you are doing well following the hurricane.

[@armyrabb1]

I am all into spreadsheets. Based on your info, I created a spreadsheet that automatically calculates all the dates.

[@paulg625]

Exactly I was just thinking the same in fact planning on using google spreed sheet so can enter right on my phone...

[@mora118]

Who do we talk to to find out exactly what is and is not allowed at our farmers market? Id love to start working towards this as a second little side project to help better my family but I also dont even know where to begin looking into laws and such.

[@tammylowe4047]

Still trying to catch up....was wondering why the kids aren't in any I've seen so far.

[@lloydcoleman5469]

Wow, those poor mothers. I know they're just there to provide you food but I can't help but to feel sorry for that animal. The bucks and does spend their entire life in a 3 foot cage eating hay and pellets while spending their 2 year long lives pregnant, giving birth, feeding babies for like 90% of their short lives. At least all your other animals on your farm get to move in a space that's larger than twice their body length. Get to see and feel the sunlight, feel grass between their feet and hooves. I feel so bad for them. Please don't take this as if I'm upset with you for doing what you feel is best for you and your family. I feel a connection to your family. I appreciate the knowledge and care you share with us all and, I pray the best for you all.

[@charleencnossen9930]

What might you say about me not weening the kits? I just left them with the mother in the rabbit tractor and just removed the nesting box when it wasn't needed any longer. This is my first doe, first breed, 7 kits and ready to butcher kits at 11 weeks this Saturday! Also, at what week ought I removed the sibling bucks from the sibling does so no sibling breeding goes on; can I keep them together for the full 11 or 12 weeks before butchering?

[@LornaDuncan-x5z]

Hi Sarah, do you have any episodes on bone broth?

[@davidspleha5320]

Thank you so much for this series. Your videos are such a blessing. I have learned so much and feel very confident in starting up our rabbitry. Thanks again and God bless.

[@johnnybowman1504]

thank you so much for the link to download you log sheet, I know I will need it later when my herd gets larger, also please fotgive my earlier questions you have explained everything so well I fell I can handle anything now!!!!!!

[@daveballance3151]

hi.Just a note to say love your videos ..we in South Africa and ive just started woth breeding meat rabbits .. ive subscribed so will keep in touch .

[@karlfowler3742]

Do you separate the Baby Bucks from the Does in the Tractors? I have really enjoyed viewing your videos. We have had Rabbits for several years, but just recently started trying to breed meat Rabbits. We have a few New Zealand/Dutch Does and a Rex mix doe and then we also have pedigreed Silver Fox. Two Bucks and Two Does so far. Thanks for sharing what you learned with everyone.

[@drewbattaglia2654]

You didn't cover the time period to the wean date and how long before processing. Love the series!!

[@tellthebees7893]

thank you for sharing your wisdom and experiences!

[@4zooflorida]

So, it looks like you wean around 35 days post-kindle? I am going back to the videos to see if I can find the dates. Your info really has helped me, as I just got into breeding, have a Cali male and two New Zealand does, and my first doe kindled 6 kits last week. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.

[@patread387]

Hey Sarah. This is Pat. New to this great job!! Where can I download pdf of record keeping? Thanks

[@rodneyarthur6476]

Thank you for the log! Very helpful!

[@brendadoherty3060]

Awesome log for record keeping. Well thought out. Your rabbits 🐇 are well taken care of. Btw I love the iron skillets.

[@eltoutnu]

You're an excellent pedagogue. Thanks you very much for all your rabbit videos ! Looking forward tou watch your other ones too ! From Québec, Canada

[@steadyeddie994]

Hi there, I've just started breeding Cali's and some folks have told me that the time period between kindling and rebreeding should be dependant on previous litter size...what is your take on that please? Many thanks and thank you for your great videos👍

[@yvetteknott1862]

Thank you for the rabbit log

[@josiegallegos7144]

I love your system. I have learned more with you then with all my books..thank you, thank you.

[@LivingTraditionsHomestead]

I appreciate knowing that! I'm glad my system makes sense to you. 😊

[@clinttaynan7140]

Thank you from the Philippines.

[@julieannemercer1890]

Thank you for the log

[@SpiritedEarthWalker]

I know you said rabbits can be bread every 30 days. I was just wondering if rabbits that are bred during a new or full moon have greater success than rabbits bred whenever. Looking forward to your response!!

[@LivingTraditionsHomestead]

+Judith Windover We breed 2-3 rabbits every week regardless of the moon phases. I have not noticed a difference in litter size due to moon phase.

[@bare2abundant931]

Thank you so much for this spreadsheet! Saves me a lot of time. I can't wait to start my own rabbit colony

[@chiralityinkltd.1989]

I KNOW it says it in one of these videos but cant find it again....what age do you wean?

[@AnneGoggansQHHT]

Did you go over how long you keep a breeding doe? Do you make soup with her when you’re done? Thanks, I’ve had trouble finding it. Do you breed and butcher in the cold weather?

[@LivingTraditionsHomestead]

We don't have a set age to get rid of a doe. If she is a good mom and has good litters, then she will stay. We don't have litters in the coldest or hottest months of the year. It's just too hard on the momma's.

[@tommytextor6175]

Thai for sharing your knowledge with us!😊

[@karenhernke1981]

I love you rabbit videos. So much great info. I love all you share. I just joined your channel and can't wait to go through and watch them all. You are such a sweet lady. Karen from WI. Have a great day! 😊

[@rod8884]

where is the link to your record keeping sheets?

[@marlyswilkinson1767]

Ever since you mention record keeping in a previous rabbit video, I’ve been wondering what and how records you keep so thanks for this video! I’m curious about the kinds of records you keep for the rest of what you do too. Chickens probably require similar types of records as the rabbits (minus the breeding part), but what about the egg layers or the veggies? What was planted when, harvest days, pounds of that veggie, etc? Do you need those too? I’m slowly making my way through years worth of vids so I hope there’s one coming up to cover that.

[@angelalyons973]

When do you stop breeding the does and what do you do with them when they are retired?

[@deborhasmith7746]

Excellent info. Thank You so very much for sharing your record system. This helps a lot.

[@footstuck97]

How many liters can every doe/buck have before they should be butchered?

[@albertob866]

I was wondering shooting in the back of the head can get a little messy but what are some cleaner ways to make the killing process a little easier, also do y'all tan hides if so how? Thanks for sharing

[@thomaslinden7598]

calendar good spread sheet good both may confuse people