| Raising rabbits for meat is a common business but it | | | | food is also important in raising rabbits for meat |
| requires more dedication and attention compared to | | | | because overfeeding will cause too much |
| normal pet rabbit care. In this kind of business, the first | | | | accumulation of body fat. Once a doe becomes too |
| thing that should be considered is the breed of rabbit | | | | fat, it may have some problems with kindling or |
| to produce. The types which are commonly used in | | | | breeding. |
| the business of raising rabbits for meat are the | | | | Knowing when to breed the parents is also important |
| Californians and New Zealands because they are the | | | | in raising rabbits for meat. Medium breeds are usually |
| fastest producing breeds. Most owners have purebred | | | | bred between 5-6 months while large breeds are not |
| stocks of these types while some crossbreed them to | | | | bred until they are 8 months. In choosing the animals to |
| produce babies that grow more quickly and are more | | | | breed, make sure to choose those that are healthy |
| vigorous. The New Zealand breed is one of the most | | | | and are not closely related. In mating the doe and the |
| popular among rabbit meat because they can already | | | | buck, the doe should be the one which should be |
| be sold in the market in just 8 weeks. The Californians, | | | | placed in the cage of the buck because female rabbits |
| on the other hand, are highly demanded because of | | | | are often territorial with their own cages. |
| their plump yet fine-boned body structures. | | | | The gestation period of these animals takes 31 days. |
| Raising rabbits for meat is a business which is highly | | | | The actual birth of the young also happens in this time |
| dependent on the quality of feeding that the producer | | | | frame. Also make sure that the doe is already placed |
| does to his pets. Generally, rabbits are kinds of animals | | | | in a comfortable nest a few days before her actual |
| which consume different kinds of foods. However, if a | | | | giving birth. Feeding the babies should not be a problem |
| producer wants to get quality meat, only commercial | | | | because the does naturally nurse their young. In cases |
| pellets or alfalfa hay should be given to them. Feeding | | | | when the mother has died though, the babies should |
| these animals with lettuce or cabbage is not | | | | be fed with a mixture made of skim milk, egg yolks, |
| recommended because these vegetables can cause | | | | karo syrup, and bone meal. |
| diarrhea problems. Giving the proper amount of the | | | | |