Hopping into Rabbit Farming: Our Exciting New Venture
At Jones Family Farm & Ranch, we're always looking for ways to diversify our offerings and provide our community with healthy, sustainably-raised meat options. That's why we're excited to announce our latest venture: starting a rabbitry! In this post, we'll share our plans for raising rabbits and why we're bringing back this traditional American meat source.
Rediscovering the "Original White Meat"
Before chickens became the staple they are today, rabbit meat was the "original white meat" cherished in American households. At Jones Family Farm & Ranch, we're reviving this culinary tradition by starting our own rabbitry, offering a mild and versatile meat alternative to our Amador County community.
The Inspiration Behind Our Rabbitry
As part of our commitment to sustainable and self-sufficient living, we, Erik and Brian Jones, were inspired to add rabbit raising to our farm's repertoire. Recognizing rabbits' prolific nature and the quality of their meat, we saw an opportunity to provide a unique product to our community while further diversifying our farm's offerings.
Our Rabbitry Plans
We're currently in the process of building our rabbit enclosure, with plans to start raising rabbits for harvest in early 2025. Here's what we have in store:
Breeds: We've chosen to focus on New Zealand and Californian rabbits, both known for their excellent meat quality and efficient growth rates.
Breeding Stock: We plan to start with 2 does (female rabbits) and 1 buck (male rabbit) as our initial breeding stock. This small but carefully managed group will allow us to maintain tight control over breeding to ensure the health of the mothers and their kits.
Housing: Our rabbits will live in a permanent, protected enclosure with individual cages to ensure their safety and comfort.
Breeding Schedule: We aim to breed our does about 6 times a year, allowing for ample rest between litters. By controlling breeding cycles, we'll keep our rabbit population healthy and sustainable, providing quality meat without overtaxing our resources.
Growth Period: Our plan is to raise the young rabbits (known as "growouts") for about 10 weeks before harvest, ensuring optimal size and meat quality.
Challenges and Considerations
Starting a rabbitry in Amador County comes with its own set of challenges:
Predator Protection: We'll need to be vigilant about protecting our rabbits from local predators.
Heat Management: Amador County's warm climate means we'll need to take extra steps to keep our rabbits cool and comfortable during hot summer months.
Managing Prolific Breeders: Rabbits are known for their rapid reproduction. We'll manage this responsibly to maintain a healthy and sustainable population.
Stay tuned for our next post, where we'll delve into the history of rabbit meat in America and explore its culinary potential!
