The Poultry Keeper

traditionalbritishfowlco · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 243 Location: lancashire

Rabbits are so yummy I'm going to start breeding them for meat and skins this year.

All previous attempts have ended in disaster so far - 2 bucks escaped! Shocked

I've never had a rabbit escape before and I lost 2 in 6 months!

Well, this time they're living in fort knox style runs! And I've decided on rex because I've always kept them, they're lovely and you can't beat that velvety fur! I don't think there's any need to be feeding the giant types - I'm only 1 person so I dont need that much meat!

So, anyone done this? Anyone got some breeding age rex rabbits going spare? Razz

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6914 Location: isle of lewis

i voted no Wink

,
the rabbits we used to keep ,we used to eat
but i have to do any culling and i think we'd end up with hunreds of the things ,the children keep asking if we can keep them to eat ,but i've just got this sneaking feeling it wouldn't work for us Confused

,there's no need either as this year we have lamb ,goat and chicken Very Happy

all of which is raised here so i guess i am one as well Wink

but i don't like rabbit either Confused

,
suz

Knobby · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 8:57 am Post subject:

I shoot perhaps 4-5 a week....I cant bring myself to eat them tho'..... Sad

Poor little fluffy things....But they destroy the veg patch Mad

traditionalbritishfowlco · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 243 Location: lancashire

You should try it knobby, i was well impressed when i tasted it - lovely! And they're more of a viable option for those who dont have enough land/time for larger livestock.

That's all to change for me though soon Twisted Evil

i'm feeling like i need some home reared pork chops too!

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6914 Location: isle of lewis

i'd have no problem shooting them ,it's the fact that they would become pets and i'd have to do the deed Sad

.and even with cockerals i always end up waiting till i have no choice Confused

suz

CP · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 9:10 am Post subject:

I haven't eaten rabbit for years! Sometimes you can get it in the supermarkets, but it's quite rare.

Never thought of rearing & eating them myself - too soft hearted. It's bad enough culling the cockerels & eating them, but rabbits are preceived as cute & fluffy, so I don't think we'll be getting any ourselves. Embarassed

People used to keep them for eating when meat was rationed during the war, but I guess that fell out of favour when rationing ended.

Go for it if you can get over the cutesy image & actually do the deed! Shocked

Good luck! Wink

Bhindi · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 10:02 am Post subject:

Knobby.... you brute Laughing

.. at the very least if your culling them you should eat them or find someone who will... what a waste...

Knobby · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 10:23 am Post subject:

Im not a brute......They do get eaten.........by all the creatures that come out "After dark" coz theyve always dissapeared in the morning !!!! Shocked

Issy · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 371 Location: somerset

I don't think I could rear them to eat but my OH shoots a few now and again when they are becoming a pest and we never waste them either we eat them or the dogs do. You should try it Knobby it is a lovely free range meat Very Happy

.

jooles · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 10:48 am Post subject:

I didn't know which way to vote because although I have no qualms about eating rabbit (yum Very Happy

), I'm too squeamish to kill and clean them myself. How hypocritical! Confused

Lisa · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 12:11 pm Post subject:

Locally shot rabbit was one of the cheapest meats I could get from the local butcher for the dogs when I had Mutley on his anti-cancer diet.

Tastes nice too Razz

Still not sure yet if I could personally kill any animal I raise, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't get someone else to do the job for me when the time comes...

mojo · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 6:27 pm Post subject:

rabbit is a common local raised meat here ...low fat and good protien .......supermarkets sell fresh prepared ones.........but if you shoot come here and shoot the little buggers in our village...rabbits that is.not locals

fenwoman · Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 2:26 pm Post subject:

fenwoman · Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 2:27 pm Post subject:

mojo · Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 2:38 pm Post subject:

first law for hunters NEVER leave a carcass in the open.eat it....fed it to animals...even bury it.........why.nasty b,,,,,s put poisin in carcasses and kill domestic animals as well as wild ones........so please always collect up your kills.........thanks