Are New Zealand Rabbits Good For Meat?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The New Zealand is commonly used as a

meat rabbit with a high feed to meat ratio with fine bones

, and are considered one of the best breeds for meat production.

What rabbits are best for meat?

  • Champagne D’Argent.
  • Silver Fox Rabbits.
  • Satin Rabbits.
  • Cinnamon Rabbits.
  • Standard Rex Rabbit.
  • Palomino Rabbits.
  • Florida White Rabbits.
  • Related.

Is raising rabbits for meat worth it?

Raising rabbits is one of the simplest things you can do on your homestead. Not only do they require little attention, but they also provide a great amount of meat. Raising rabbits is simple and

economical

. Two does and one buck should produce 180 pounds of meat per year.

How much meat do you get from a New Zealand rabbit?

How much meat does a New Zealand rabbit have? A New Zealand white rabbit from a good genetic line will dress out to about

60-65% meat

. Usually, they are processed at about 5lb or 2.5kg, giving you 3lb or 1.5kg of actual meat per rabbit.

Are rabbit good for meat?

Answer: Two medium-size breeds,

the New Zealand White (NZW) and the Californian

, are the most important for meat production. They have white fur that is difficult to see if a few pieces are stuck to the carcass, and they have higher meat-to-bone ratios.

What is rabbit meat called?

Unlike other animals like cows(beef) and pigs(pork) where there are special names to call them, rabbit meat is simply called

“rabbit meat”

all over the world.

At what age do you butcher 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.”

Why is rabbit meat so expensive?

Rabbit meat is expensive because

fryers are not able to be effectively fed in large groups

, require a more expensive feed ration than most other livestock and processing costs are higher per pound of meat sold. … Sites that sell premium meat have prices that are much higher.

How much does rabbit meat sell for?

If you’re able to process your rabbit meat on-site, you can expect to get

$5 to $7 per pound

, depending on quality.

Why is rabbit meat not popular?

Rabbit meat is not a popular meat

because it’s not profitable to produce

, as the rabbits are small and lean. They need a very specific feed, which is more expensive that chicken or cattle feed. … There are people who have rabbit more often, such as those who live closer to forests and may even go hunting.

What age do New Zealand rabbits stop growing?

Hailing from California, the New Zealand rabbit comes in five distinct colors and pink eyes that are derived from a genetic mutation. These rabbits can weigh up to 12 pounds as adults and usually stop growing by

10 months old

.

How long does a New Zealand rabbit live?

Large in size and weighing in between 9 and 12 pounds, the New Zealand has a life expectancy of

5 to 6 years

. Spaying and neutering can extend this life span to a maximum of 10 years.

Can I eat my pet rabbit?

Even if they’re not removed,

the rabbit meat is perfectly edible

. Warbles don’t spread diseases to humans, and cooking kills them. Still, some hunters often discard any rabbits they shoot that are infected with warbles. Typically rabbits have fleas or ticks, both of which can pose a risk to humans.

Who eats rabbit meat?

The country with the largest volume of rabbit meat consumption was

China

(925K tonnes), comprising approximately 62% of the total consumption. Moreover, rabbit meat consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the world’s second-largest consumer, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (154K tonnes), sixfold.

Is rabbit considered red meat?

Under the culinary definition, the

meat from adult or “gamey” mammals

(for example, beef, horse meat, mutton, venison, boar, hare) is red meat, while that from young mammals (rabbit, veal, lamb) is white. Poultry is white, as well as duck and goose.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.