How to Breed Rabbits in Your Backyard for Meat

Breeding rabbits in your backyard for meat can be a rewarding and sustainable way to provide for your family. Rabbits are relatively easy to care for, and their meat is lean and nutritious.

Setting Up Your Rabbitry

1. Choosing the Right Breed: Select breeds known for meat production, such as New Zealand, Californian, or Flemish Giant rabbits. In our case it was the TAMUK breed since we are in Central Texas and the breed is heat tolerant.
2. Housing: Provide spacious, well-ventilated hutches or cages, ensuring they are predator-proof. Each rabbit should have enough space to move freely. A good rule of thumb is 2+ sq ft per rabbit.
3. Breeding Pair: Start with a healthy breeding pair. Ensure they are mature (usually 6-8 months old) and free of diseases.

Breeding Process

1. Mating: Place the doe (female) in the buck’s (male) cage for mating. Remove her after successful mating, which usually takes a few minutes. Wait for the buck to “fall off”. Wear thick gloves and a long sleeve jacket to protect yourself from the rabbits powerful hind legs because THEY SCRATCH!!!
2. Gestation Period: The gestation period for rabbits is around 30-31 days. During this time, provide the doe with a balanced diet rich in hay, pellets, and fresh vegetables.

Caring for Baby Bunnies (Kits) and Their Mom

1. Nest Box: About a week before the doe is due, provide a nest box filled with hay or straw. Don’t use shavings of any sort for bedding as they can be sharp and are harmful. The doe will prepare the nest for her kits by pulling lots of fur out to create a soft, cozy place for her babies to lay. The box should be about the size of a men’s shoe box with one of the sides cut in half to make it easier for the doe to get in but still keep the kits from falling out.
2. Birthing: Monitor the doe as she gives birth, usually at night. Do not disturb her during this process.
3. Post-Birth Care: Check the kits to ensure they are alive and healthy. Remove any dead kits promptly. Kits should be left with their mother, who will nurse them. Rabbit moms can appear to be kind of negligent but if the kits are plump and not wrinkly, she is feeding them.

Feeding and Health Care

1. Feeding Kits: Kits will nurse from their mother for the first three weeks. After that, they can start nibbling on hay and pellets.
2. Weaning: Begin weaning kits at 6-8 weeks old. Gradually introduce solid food to prevent digestive issues.
3. Health Monitoring: Regularly check for signs of illness, such as diarrhea, lethargy, or respiratory issues. Maintain clean living conditions to prevent infections.

Potential Dangers and Prevention

1. Predators: Ensure hutches are secure from predators like dogs, cats, and birds of prey. Use strong wire mesh and sturdy locks.
2. Weather Extremes: Protect rabbits from extreme weather by providing shelter and insulation in winter, and shade and ventilation in summer.
3. Diseases: Common rabbit diseases include myxomatosis and rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD). Practice good hygiene to prevent these.
4. Overcrowding: Avoid overcrowding to reduce stress and prevent the spread of diseases. Each rabbit should have enough space.

Preventing Death of Rabbit Kits

1. Monitor Nursing: Ensure kits are nursing well. If the doe is not producing enough milk, consider supplementing with a kitten milk replacer.
2. Handling Kits: Handle kits gently and only when necessary. Rough handling can cause injury or stress.
3. Hygiene: Maintain a clean environment. Regularly clean nest boxes and hutches to prevent infections.
4. Temperature Control: Keep kits warm, especially in the first few weeks. Use heat lamps if necessary during cold weather.

How to Sex Rabbits and Handle Problematic Rabbits

Sexing rabbits and managing aggressive behavior are essential skills for any backyard rabbit breeder. Here’s a guide on how to sex your rabbits, deal with problematic rabbits, and what to expect in terms of litter size and survival rates.

How to Sex Rabbits

1. Age for Sexing: It’s easiest to sex rabbits when they are about 8 weeks old. At this age, their genitalia are more distinguishable.
2. Handling: Gently turn the rabbit on its back or hold it securely with its head facing away from you. Support its back and hindquarters.
3. Genital Examination:

• Males (Bucks): Gently press the area around the genital opening. A cylindrical, protruding organ (penis) will become visible. Testicles might also be visible or palpable.
• Females (Does): Press the same area to reveal a slit-like opening (vulva), which is typically more elongated and doesn’t protrude.

Handling Aggressive Rabbits

1. Identify Triggers: Determine what triggers aggression—could be territorial behavior, fear, or pain.
2. Approach Calmly: Always approach rabbits calmly and gently. Sudden movements or loud noises can provoke aggression.
3. Space and Privacy: Ensure each rabbit has enough space. Territorial aggression can be minimized by providing separate enclosures.
4. Handling Techniques:

• Wear gloves if a rabbit is particularly aggressive.
• Hold the rabbit securely but gently, supporting its body to prevent injury to both you and the rabbit.

1. Socialization: Spend time daily handling and interacting with the rabbit to build trust and reduce aggressive tendencies.
2. Health Check: Ensure there are no underlying health issues causing the aggression. Consult a vet if needed.

Litter Size and Survival Rates

1. Litter Size: Rabbits typically have between 6 to 12 kits per litter, though this can vary with the breed and the individual doe.
2. Survival Rates: On average, expect a mortality rate of 10-20%. Factors influencing this include the mother’s health, environmental conditions, and care practices.

Seasonal Breeding Considerations

1. Spring and Fall: These are ideal breeding seasons. Moderate temperatures and longer daylight hours encourage better reproductive health and higher survival rates.
2. Summer: High temperatures can cause heat stress. Provide plenty of shade and fresh water. Breeding in extreme heat can reduce fertility and increase kit mortality.
3. Winter: Cold weather requires additional insulation and possibly supplemental heating to keep the kits warm. Ensure the nesting box is well-insulated.

By understanding how to properly sex your rabbits, manage their behavior, and prepare for seasonal changes, you can ensure a successful and humane rabbit breeding operation in your backyard.

Breeding rabbits for meat requires dedication and proper care, but with the right approach, you can ensure a healthy and productive rabbitry. Remember, the well-being of your rabbits directly impacts the quality of meat they produce.