Franco Rios

I am trying to recall somewhere I was reading that in one case since there was no certified slaughter facility in the area the producer could produce at home as a farm to user operation. It was because the court decided unreasonable for the farmer to suffer loss because of the lack of slaughterhouse facility.

I wish I could remember what state that was.

That is serious. Lack of an outlet for meat rabbits is a serious obstacle.

Can you get some rabbit drivers who can take them to other processors?

You won't get as much money but it would something.

I am confused. Are you saying your rabbit industry in Washington is on verge of shutting down or some other industry?

One thing I have learned over the the last 30 years is that there is more than one way to raise a rabbit.
There are wire floor cages and solid floor cages. There are colonies and warrens.
One thing about rabbit behaviour is the use of "potty" corners that they use most often.
Focus on keeping those corners clean and rabbits stay clean and healthy.
Not only England, but Sweden and many other European countries use solid floors.
Some people think it impossible to keep the rabbits clean on solid floors but they can do it with Angora rabbits!

Have a good day!

Here is a picture of a Continental Giant. This rabbit lives in England where wire floors are banned. The solid of this hutch is covered with a smooth rubberized fabric to make it waterproof. The floor is spread with straw which is changed out every other day. This type of solid floor works all over England were rabbit is still respected as a meat animal.

More pictures of Continental Giants at http://www.rabbitgeek.com/giantcont2.html

Have a good day!

Bridget Miskell wrote:would it be ok to but rabbits out on the lawn in a bottomless hutch or would they dig their way out ?

Many people put their rabbits out to graze in bottomless cages. Usually they are called "rabbit tractors" or movable runs. The most successful ones seem to include some kind of wire floors, maybe 2"x1" or 2"x2" which allows the rabbits to graze on the grass but impedes them from digging out.

Have a good day!

Shane Gorter wrote:My New Zealands consistently dress out at 52%, dressed the way you described.

52% is good. And if it is consistent then your herd is in good shape!

There were some litters I had that did not make 50% dressout.

Of course the NZ would need full sized cages, at least 24 x 36 if not 30 x 36

Have a good day!

Are you still out there? I think your basic plan is good. Since you have a space limit caged rabbits is good way to go. I would try to have 2 bucks since nothing stops a breeding program faster than having the solo buck drop dead for no reason at all. The 20 x 36 cages would work better with smaller rabbits like Florida Whites, but I would use Dutch in those smaller cages. They are half the size (5 lbs) of the "commercial breeds" (10-11 lbs)
which means half the feed bill. But as a breed the Dutch will raise 10-12 kits per litter, have good mothering instincts, are usually easy breeders. The two-toned fur color pattern is very popular for pets. But the real treasure is the short, cobby little bodies are like little meat bricks. They will dress out at 60% carcass after head, feet, fur, and internals removed. This means a 10 week old at 2.5 lbs will give up to 1.5 lbs of carcass (meat/bones). Commercial producers would LOVE to have consistent 60% dressout without large bones.

Have a good day!
Franco Rios
Sacramento, Calif.