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Velvet Digest

Which rabbit is best for meat?

Author

Ethan Hayes

Updated on June 12, 2026

New Zealand Whites

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Simply so, is raising rabbits for meat worth it?

They're not worth the effort. If you're serious about keeping rabbits for meat, you need a breed built for the job. Meat rabbits are longer, fatter, and fluffier than your typical wild bunny. These are generally regarded as the best rabbits for eating – though some make good house pets as well.

Also Know, are rex rabbits good for meat? Rex's have some of the best pelts around! Their awsome fur is in the highest demand of all the other rabbit pelts available, They also have a good body type for meat, they will take a little longer than most “Meat Breeds” to get up to harvest weight.

Just so, how long does it take to raise a rabbit for meat?

about seven weeks

Is there a market for rabbit meat?

Rabbits can give birth every one month, with litters up to an average of 7 bunnies. This means farmers could turnover an average in excess of 70 rabbits, per doe, per year. The only thing is that there is not a major market for rabbit meat in the country anymore, though this could change, who knows.

Related Question Answers

At what age do you butcher meat rabbits?

Although companion rabbits are capable of living 10 to 15 years, the vast majority of “meat” rabbits are killed at three months of age. Referred to as “fryers,” these baby rabbits weigh only 1.5 – 3.5 pounds. A small percentage are slaughtered at 8 months old or 4 pounds; they are known in the industry as “roasters.”

What does rabbit meat taste like?

More or less, a rabbit's meat tastes like ???chicken. Many may call it, a little gamey and for some it could be dry. But the one thing you can't deny is that, it tastes excellent. Although, wild rabbit's meat is a bit tougher than farmed rabbits.

Why is rabbit meat so expensive?

Per pound, rabbit is more expensive to raise than chicken. If you must eat meat, farmed fish and chickens are cheaper and just as eco friendly. Rabbit meat doesn't transport as well as beef. There's not much demand, possibly because rabbits are cute and people are superficial about their food animals.

What is rabbit meat called?

What Is Rabbit Meat Called? Unlike beef, pork or venison, rabbit meat does not have a special name, it is simply called, "rabbit meat." Despite it being a rarity on many North American menus, it is a very popular dish across different parts of the world.

What is the best rabbit to raise for meat?

If you are thinking about raising them, then here are 10 best meat Rabbit breeds list:
  • 1) New Zealand Whites:
  • 2) Californian Rabbits:
  • 4) Silver Foxes:
  • 5) Champagne D Argent:
  • 6) Cinnamons Rabbits:
  • 7) Satins rabbits:
  • 8) Rex Rabbits:
  • 9) Palomino Rabbits:

How do you kill rabbits for meat?

First, place the rabbit on the ground in front of a handful of alfalfa hay or other treat. Second, place a broomstick across the rabbit's neck. Third, step on one side of the broomstick. Fourth, almost simultaneously: step on the other side of the broomstick, and then pull the rabbit's body upward by the hind legs.

How much meat can a pair of rabbits produce in a year?

Rabbits breed and grow so quickly that one pair of healthy does (females) can produce more than 600 pounds of meat in a year. Compare that to the dressed yield of 400 pounds for an average year-old beef steer.

Can you breed rabbits to eat?

I find that two does and a buck produce 40 or 50 rabbits a year to eat. At three pounds or more that is all our family needs. You breed about every 90 days. You can eat them as fryers until they're seven or eight months old-full grown.

What do I need to raise meat rabbits?

When raising rabbits for meat there are many options for food. You can purchase rabbit pellets from a feed store. These pellets are filled with protein and will help add the necessary weight to your rabbits in a short amount of time.

How much does rabbit meat go for?

Retail supermarket prices for rabbit meat vary widely and a national average is not available. Prices from $3 a pound to $6 a pound have been reported. Rabbit meat is also marketed via the Internet with prices ranging from $2.65 per pound to $4 per pound, exclusive of shipping costs.

How do you take care of meat rabbits?

With that being said, here are my tips on providing great care to your meat buns:
  1. Clean Their Homes. Photo by Crossroads Rabbitry.
  2. Protect Those Ears.
  3. Give Your Rabbits a Mani/Pedi.
  4. Give Them Space to Rest Their Feet.
  5. Give Them a Space to Nest.
  6. Protect Your Bunnies.
  7. Brush Them (If Needed)
  8. Consider Their Nutrition.

How do you humanely kill a rabbit?

Euthanasia can be accomplished via several different methods. A veterinarian can inject the rabbit with a sodium pentobarbital solution, you can shoot the rabbit in the head, hit the rabbit on the head with a blunt object (e.g., a hammer), you can break the rabbit's neck, or you can chop off its head.

How long does a rabbit take to mature?

6 months

How can I fatten up my rabbit fast?

The most rapid way to accomplish healthy weight loss is to feed a diet of quality grass hay only. There are, however, two very important considerations with this: the rabbit must be freely grazing hay throughout the day, and the hay must be of good quality.

How can I make money off my rabbit?

Raising Rabbits for Profit: 7 Ways to Make Extra Money with
  1. Selling Rabbit Meat. Rabbit meat is widely popular meat throughout many different cultures of the world.
  2. Selling Rabbit Pelts.
  3. Selling Rabbit Fur as Fiber.
  4. Selling Ready-to-Use Fertilizer with Rabbit Manure.
  5. Build a Worm Farm with Rabbit Manure.
  6. Selling Rabbits As Pets.
  7. Selling Pinkies.

Does wild rabbit taste good?

wild rabbits have mostly if not all dark meat here in va kind of a wild taste. good but home raised rabbits are white meat no zesty after taste. its like eating good chicken.

How long do rex rabbits live as pets?

about 5 - 6 years

What colors do rex rabbits come in?

Rex rabbits have 15 recognized varieties
  • Color is to be rich, lustrous jet-black over the entire body, running deep towards the skin. Eyes - Dark brown.
  • FAULTS: Brown or rusty color, white hairs; faded.
  • Body color is to be jet-black, uniform throughout, with slate blue undercolor next to skin. Eyes - Brown.

What part of a rabbit do you eat?

If you are cooking rabbit parts, try the saddle or loin, which are the most tender of the cuts. The front legs are tiny and are best to set aside for stock or stew. The hind legs are tough and almost always need a moist braise.