What are you raising for protein in Texas?

Rabbits? Quail? Goats? Meat birds? Layers? Or something else more exotic?

I am raising meat rabbits for a protein source and for the fertility/sustainability aspect they add to my urban farming efforts. I'd like to add a small flock of laying hens, but just don't have the space right now. Maybe later.

What are you raising? How successful have you been? Any trials and errors you've faced that could be considered Texas specific? What breed?

Heat has been an issue for my rabbits. This past year each rabbit was given a frozen two liter water bottle around 1pm to help them through the day. Only because I have a small herd was this feasible. Of course, with some land I could build a better micro climate for their hutches, but being an urban dweller I am limited in that aspect.

I am hoping to start a discussion on what is possible in Texas as far as protein production. How we feed our animals. How we over come Texas heat. The benefits, or drawbacks, to our mild winters. Etc...

My rabbits are fed approximately 1/3-1/2 of their diet from forage gathered in and around the garden area. I could go a little farther but litter size and kit growth are negatively impacted when more than 1/2 of the their feed is forage. Does (pregnant or lactating) and growing kits do their best with an 18% protein diet. Gathered forage typically runs around 10% protein. I have done some great reading about Sweet Potato vines and plan on using it more as a feed source next year. Sweet Potato vine is approximately 20-25% protein depending on the variety and soil condition!

Anyways, post away.

Joe

We raise sheep. We have three breeders which is the bulk of our protien.

Chickens are on a 2 year egg laying cycle then they become protien. It's not much qty. Every year 3-5 are added and 3-5 are slaughtered.

This is subsidized by deer sausage and fishing. We don't buy any meat from a grocery store other than an occasional chicken.

This is the first year I planted sweet potatos. Very easy to grow but a deer got into the plot and ate all the leaves of half of them. Some recovered but the untouched ones have probably 10 times more growth/ coverage. Looking forward to home grown "yams" this thanksgiving.

As far as grazing, until someone shows me different, it's bermuda grass in summer and winter rye/ clover in winter. You can't kill bermuda. This makes it an outstanding pasture and a terrible weed.

Benefit of our climate is the rye/clover fall planting imo.