Rabbits, Bunnies, Hares

[Duchesse]

I've been considering raising rabbits for some extra cash.

I'm just beginning my research. Can anyone enlighten me?

How's the market for pets, meat, fiber, show rabbits?

I would like to raise the dwarf rabbits. They are so cute. They also call for a pretty penny. :o

How does it go with the fiber rabbits, such as the angora, etc.?

I've heard about a few other fiber rabbits, anyone familiar with this aspect of the rabbit business?

[otterbob]

I've been considering *raising rabbits for some extra cash. *

I'm just beginning my research. *Can anyone enlighten me?

How's the market for pets, meat, fiber, show rabbits? *

I would like to raise the dwarf rabbits. *They are so cute. *They also call for a pretty penny. :o

How does it go with the fiber rabbits, such as the angora, etc.?

I've heard about a few other fiber rabbits, anyone familiar with this aspect of the rabbit business?




Let me take this apart to try and help.

I've been considering raising rabbits for some extra cash.
ROTFLOL

How's the market for pets ?
Got to have a "Connection" and maybe a license in your area.

How's the market for meat ?
poor or not allowed.
Stores and restaurants cannot buy form you , only inspected meat.
You cannot afford to build a slaughter house just for rabbits.
It is illegal to sell meat that has not been inspected
You can sell live rabbits for meat but the ones that want to buy a fryer rabbit don't want to butcher it and if they do they will raise their own.

How's the market for fiber ?
Non existent, you may find a few buyers in a weaving club to buy the fiber but it will cost you more to produce then you can get for it.

How's the market for show rabbits?
You will need to become a known breeder that has stock that HAS WON before you will be able to sell "Show Rabbits".

I would like to raise the dwarf rabbits. They are so cute.
Go For it !
PS: you will need a half dozen for dinner.

How does it go with the fiber rabbits, such as the angora, etc.?
Clean um , Comb um, Clean um , Comb um, Clean um , Comb um.
You may also need extra cooling for them depending on where you live.

I've heard about a few other fiber rabbits, anyone familiar with this aspect of the rabbit business?
Rabbits are no longer a business in the USA.
But HAY ! you might develop a business plan that will actually work.

Now go get you some rabbits and have a load of fun !!!

Otter Bob

[fancyfowl]

Fur market has been kaput for rabbits for some time, fiber is a local sort of thing if you have spinners in the artea who dont keep their own fiber animals.
The pet market is always iffy and not an easy thing at any time.
Meat is another story. its HOT in some areas. You cant find a rabbit in these parts for the last couple years. New York city, Philly and a couple East coast cities are generating a real good trade with decent prices for the growers. Right here we have a lady buying 2,000 per month at $1.50 per lb as pet feed. I market my Mini Rex culls to a guy for snake feed at $1.50 per lb. He just picked up 30 Sunday. Thas 180 bucks; profit, oh, say 10 bucks maybe. But it buys feed. I breed for show not profit.

If you want to make a part time business of it you need to do some solid research, your area coud be a dead zone? Or you may be near a buyer or a processor like Pel Freeze. Join ARBA, American Rabbit Breeders Assoc., build good pens, feed the best pellets, buy the best breeding stock ya can afford(New Zealand , Californian, or another good meat breed.

There are a few large rabbit producers around the country. There is a commercial rabbit forum somewhere out there. Tell me where you are and I can tell you if you are near a buyer listed in the ARBA news letter.

[Dawgus]

I wouldn't consider rabbits for cash , it's doubtful you would sell enought to make much of a profit in meat, fur OR as pets. The market for rabbit meat is very small, and again doubtful that you would find a source for buyers. Even if you could, most wouldn't be on any kind of regular basis.
Otterbob pretty well covered anything else I would say to answer, except for one thing. Rabbits do make good pets, but kids get bored with them pretty fast, and parents take on the responsibility themselves, and also get tired of it. My wife and I used to do a lot of volunteer work at the local Humane Society, and rabbits were a consant due to the reasons I just stated. Everyone wants to get their kids a cute fluffy bunny for Easter, then when the fun wears off, they're given away, taken to a shelter, or worse-let loose. Pet rabbits can't make it in the wild, and end up dying of starvation, cold,predators, or lots of other factors.I can't begin to count the rabbits we saw at that shelter over the 5 years we volunteered there, the numbers ran into the thousands.
Now if you want to raise them as a supplimental meat source for yourself, go for it. They don't take up much room, feed is inexpensive or can be grown, and they breed like...well...rabbits, so you could get a decent amount of meat from them if done right. You didn't say if you've ever raised animals for food, so if you haven't, think long and hard about whether you can kill, skin, and prepare something you fed and took care of every day. Add in the "cute fluffy bunny" aspect, and it's a lot tougher for some. I started with rabbits the first time this spring, (Californians and New Zealand Whites), and I gotta admit the first one was a bit tough for me even. It's LOTS differerent shooting a running rabbit than to pick one up and break it's neck.

[Deberosa]

You might think about the dog food market. I know a woman near me who raises rabbits for her own food but also dog food. They get a cut up rabbit raw. It's the new thing but it's also very healthy for dogs. Her old Golden Retriever thrives on it. I would like to try it. Commerical dog food is horrible.

People are getting more into this. It's called BARF (forget what it stands for) I saw a new display in the grocery store recently - refrigerated - that sold this kind of thing but they mixed in veggies and barley.

The thing is - no regulations and a good market.

Just a thought - no need to blast it - it's just what I would look into if raising rabbits.

You can also combine the rabbit business with a worm casting business - worms eat the rabbit manure and create a rich fertilizer. The bins could be right under the rabbits.

[flatwater]

You can make a little money with rabbits if you just sell locally. will you be taking a chance? yes but with things getting tougher finacialy rabbit meat could be the answer. I prefer rabbit above chicken. The manure is not as hot as chickens so that's good. Once your neighbors have tasted a nice big tender rabbit they will come begging for more. Personaly I think they are easier to clean then chickens.
flatwater

[Duchesse]

*Fur market has been kaput for rabbits for some time, fiber is a local sort of thing if you have spinners in the artea who dont keep their own fiber animals.
*The pet market is always iffy and not an easy thing at any time.
*Meat is another story. its HOT in some areas. You cant find a rabbit in these parts for the last couple years. New York city, Philly and a couple East coast cities are generating a real good trade with decent prices for the growers. Right here we have a lady buying 2,000 per month at $1.50 per lb as pet feed. I market my Mini Rex culls to a guy for snake feed at $1.50 per lb. * He just picked up 30 Sunday. Thas 180 bucks; profit, oh, say 10 bucks maybe. But it buys feed. I breed for show not profit.

*If you want to make a part time business of it you need to do some solid research, your area coud be a dead zone? Or you may be near a buyer or a processor like Pel Freeze. Join ARBA, American Rabbit Breeders Assoc., build good pens, feed the best pellets, buy the best breeding stock ya can afford(New Zealand , Californian, or another good meat breed.

*There are a few large rabbit producers around the country. There is a commercial rabbit forum somewhere out there. *Tell me where you are and I can tell you if you are near a buyer listed in the ARBA news letter.


I just recently purchased ten acres in NC about 30 miles from Durham. *

Is that a DEAD ZONE ???

[fancyfowl]

I dont see a listing out of the 28 listings for a buyer in the Commercial dept. Market report in the NC area. here are a couple examples tho.

a buyer near me has $.75 listed for any color any size. I know she pays 41.50 per lb. live weight tho, its where we all send them, she needs 2,000 per month and gets some from as far as Maryland. Her market is excellent and her supply is poor

A buye in Alabama loists $.90- $1.00 for 4.5-5.5 pounders with white fur. $.40 per lb over 5.5 pounds. A poor market and a good supply.

Most buyers are at around a buck a pound.

I was looking for an e mail address for the commercial contact for ARBA but havent found it .

Pet food is a big market. I sell most of mine live and the buyer euthanizes and freezes them whole as snake feed, uo to 10 pounders. Recently talked to a Amish man who delivered 150 rabbits with a 8 pound average and received $1.50 per pound, nice check(1800 bucks).

Try asking pet shops if they need feeders or if they know anyone who has large snakes. just an idea.

[Duchesse]

It looks like rabbits are out in NC. ::) I'll keep my eyes and ears open though.

Someone suggested selling eggs. I do have plans for a few hens but, that was for my own personal use. I'd have to sniff out the market before committing to anything.

I don't want to work outside of my small homestead.

I don't like handling large animals. Cows, horses, alpacas are out. I do have a few pygmy goats. I've considered a few purebreds to sell for pets, 4H and breeding. ::)

Any suggestions for making a few extra dollars without too much outlay of cash???

[rivahmom]

Why not diversify and do a little of everything to feel out the local market? At a farmers market you can sell baked bread, honey, canned goods, fresh produce, etc... If you have an interest in rabbits then start small grow a few angoras or new zealands and explore the market some before deciding against it. Goat cheese is in high demand in some areas. Honey and beeswax have some market value. Soapmaking is also a good side venture that can tie in to a homesteading lifestyle. I believe in the homesteading forum there is a thread on how to make money off of your homestead. Also, here is a site that enables you to sell homemade goods and supplies. Angora rabbit fur goes for 10$ a half lb. on average on this website. www.etsy.com. Stay strong, where there is a will , there is a way.

[ozarksnick]

I don't want to work outside of my small homestead.

Being able to provide for all my needs, including money, without leaving my small homestead has been a goal of mine for quite some time.

I haven't quite gotten it figured out just yet, and I'm not sure that in this society I will. But I think I'm getting close. Thus far I have limited myself to working "off the farm" about 17 hours per week. That provides my wife and I enough cash for our meager needs and quite a bit extra as well.

For the past several years I've been trying to find a good way to make money without leaving the land. And I've come to believe that that is the wrong approach to the problem.

So this year, I'll have my small part-time job to provide money. And all our energies at home will be spent producing what we need and also in activities which we enjoy without any thought of "making a profit" from those activities.

But if we so happen to end up with a surplus of one thing or another we will try to sell it, but it will not be our primary goal.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you like to raise rabbits, then do so. Don't let any naysayers convince you otherwise. It will be a profit to you because it will be meat you don't have to go out and buy, especially if you use a scythe or reel mower to harvest food for them out of your own lawn. And it will be meat more healthful and beneficial than anything you can purchase at a store because (assumedly) the rabbits will be happy and well-cared for.

So my advice is this. Lower your consumption to the point that you don't need much money. Then work off the farm for the shortest amount of time that will earn you that small amount of money and then get yourself home. Once home just do what you enjoy and take it easy and don't stress it. As you learn what you're good at and what you enjoy I think you'll find niches in your community that you can fill.

[otterbob]

Excellent response ozarksnick !

I agree with ozarksnick !
One thing I would like to try is a small patch of “Dry land” alfalfa that I could cut with a scythe, to use as feed for rabbits.
It's been my observation that the “occasional” rabbit raiser/breeder will “Overfeed” because they believe that if the bunnies feed bowl is empty the bunnies are starving. They will refill the bowl or get a larger one ! This will rise the cost of the meat bunny and breed stock maintenance exponentially
Commercial feeds are designed to “SQUEEZ” the most production possible out of the critters.

I have done like everyone else in trying to use the latest and greatest to make a little {or more } profit in raising rabbits.

A few years ago while I was making my own feed for the chickens, I tried a short run with a few rabbits feeding small amounts of home ground feed, and keeping all the hay they could use available to them.
Although the rabbits looked and “felt” fine the bunnies were a little slower to fill out, but otherwise I had no problems. After I broke a disk in my back and had to have back surgery this idea/study was put on the shelf until I can get back to it. This year is looking better for taking projects of the shelf.
Along with ozarksnick and others on this forum I am shifting my thinking in the way the homestead is operated.
I am no longer trying to make a profit on rabbits but will be trying to supplement food on the homestead at the lowest possible cost.

Otter Bob

[mtwildflower]

I am also looking to start raising rabbits for our family's consumption. My plan as far as selling rabbits to neighbors is to invite them over for rabbit dinners and not tell them what I am serving until after they've eaten it ;) When I've got them hooked, then I plan on being their rabbit habit supplier, LOL.

A good book on the subject is called Raising Rabbits Successfully by Bob Bennet. I bought it off of half.com for like a 1.50. Shipping was more than the book. Anyway, it was a very good read and full of practical advice and tips for breeding specifically New Zealand Whites. I also plan on breeding Satins at some point.

I plan on tanning the pelts and then using the fur in handicrafts I plan on selling. The fur market is non-exisitent, but I plan on making rabbit fur lined slippers with a felted wool outside for starters. We'll see how they go. I thought about getting some Angora rabbits for my own spinning purposes, but my SIL had some and she said they were terrible. I may rethink that one.

In any case, it's good to start with an idea of what goals you want to accomplish and then a plan to reach those goals. Where do you want to be with your rabbits in six months? A year? 3 years? Five years. I know in six months I won't be selling anything rabbit, but I'd like to establish a small local market within 3 years. That means a lot of company for dinners and free rabbit samples at first, but it also means getting to know my neighbors and creating a relationship with them that may benefit me later on regarding barter and trade opportunities...not to mention the making of friends is never a bad idea...as long as they will be as good of friends to you and you will be to them. And the occassional "kiss up" dinner is not a bad idea either. Want to keep the city precinct woman on your side about raising small animals in town? Yep. It pays to ask her over for dinner too.

The main goal of course is to provide my family with a good source of protien that is grown by us and has a good feed to flesh ratio. Rabbit is the best when it comes to that. The droppings aren't hot and can be put into the garden or flower bed right away without a long composting time, so that's a plus. Rabbits are quiet and ideal for a town setting if you take good care of them, keep them clean, and keep your mouth shut if there are ordinances against anything but cats and dogs in your town ( if you aren't in town, then it's not an issue.)

Anyway, I am waiting to hear back from some rabbit breeders this week and I hope to be up and running with my first trio by this time next week. We'll see.

OZARKNICK- Good advice.

[bee_pipes]

...A good book on the subject is called Raising Rabbits Successfully by Bob Bennet...


He writes a good book. He is also the author of the Storey's book on rabbits.

Regards,
Pat

[otterbob]

I am also looking to start raising rabbits for our family's consumption. My plan as far as selling rabbits to neighbors is to invite them over for rabbit dinners and not tell them what I am serving until after they've eaten it *;) When I've got them hooked, then I plan on being their rabbit habit supplier, LOL.



For unsuspecting guest I like to “cube” a few bunnies for making nuggets then serve sweet and sour “chicken”
When they are about to leave you can “let the cat/bunny out of the bag”.


Otter Bob

[fancyfowl]

I bred Tans at one time, in the '70s, got my start from Bob. I think he has turned into a bit of a huckster in his old age.
I also have bred Satins in red and Siamese, Rex in Castor, Lynx & opal. Breed Mini Rex now in black, broken & otter., doing really well at the shows. I used to tan the Rex hides and had a college student majoring in art do some work on the tanned hides. I sold a few for $30-$50 ea. back in the mid 70s but he got 1/2 that for his work. I used to try and peddle them w/o anything on them for a couple bucks and sold darn few, some at rondevous.

Yep, rabbit nuggets is the best way to get some converts. Most people think it is chicken till you tell them, if you ever do. We ate so damned much rabbit in the '70s I am still not ready for more!

[WileyCoyote]

I'd like to raise rabbits too but no one here does. I have yet to find even one semi-local supplier for a couple of does and a buck. Here it is all beef, all the time. One girl tried raising rabbits for several years but got out of the business; she would sell me her cages but - no rabbits to go in them!!!

Any ideas? I've looked on the Internet and the closest breeders are 1,000 miles away - and they breed for show, their prices are pretty high. All I want to do is put them in my greenhouse for CO2, use their fertilizer, and eat them.... :o ;D

[ozarksnick]

Where in the world do you live Wiley? Mars? ;D

I'd be very surprised if there aren't meat rabbit people in your own backyard.

Instead of looking at the internet start browsing your local shopper paper. And if that doesn't net you any results, put an ad of your own in there.

[mtwildflower]

Wiley, have you asked the sales people in feed stores and farm supply stores where you might find rabbits? There simply MUST be someone much closer than 1,000 miles from you.

[gardenfay]

also, you might call your county extension agent and ask him/her.

and in addition to putting an ad in your thrifty nickel or newspaper, try going back to those farm supply stores and hanging a flyer up yourself.

i bet one of these methods suggested in the last few posts will turn up some bunnies.

the last horde we got rid of was in MN. we took them to a livestock sale place, sat out in the parking lot and gave away bunnies. We even got lots of cardboard boxes to send them home in. boy, the parents loved us that day!

hahaha
gf

[WileyCoyote]

Um... err.... we don't have a local shopper paper, or a Thrifty Nickel - closest one is 150 miles away. The newspaper is weekly, here, and printed 40 miles away, in a BIG city of 2000 people - it serves the whole county of 6000.

I've talked to the feed store people (they think we are nutz already, so no problem) but they don't know of anyone, don't even sell rabbit food. Goat feed, horse feed, cattle feed, laws yes! but not rabbit.

[ncrabbitgirl]

Wiley i sent yo a PM, I sell rabbits in NC and can't keep enough of them in house. I have a waiting list about 60 people long waiting for my rabbits. I sell Tennessee Redbacks, Californians and New Zealands. The Tenneessee redbacks are sold to hunters for there starter pens and serve well as quick growing meat rabbits for family too. Anyone else in NC intersted in rabbits pm me and I'll get you in touch with a local in your area selling rabbits.

Ncrabbitgirl

[harvester]

I've been considering *raising rabbits for some extra cash. *

I'm just beginning my research. *Can anyone enlighten me?

How's the market for pets, meat, fiber, show rabbits? *

I would like to raise the dwarf rabbits. *They are so cute. *They also call for a pretty penny. :o

How does it go with the fiber rabbits, such as the angora, etc.?

I've heard about a few other fiber rabbits, anyone familiar with this aspect of the rabbit business?



dont worry its not all for naught. i dont believe ive ever seen anyone answer someones question in here do deragotory before.

number one it greatly depends on where you live, what you have access to.

If you have a local show, then yes show rabbits are a posibility however dont expect to become rich over night selling your stock to weatherd showmen.

Everywhere ive been the pet market for rabbits has been feast or famine throughout the year. easter is your best seller, and even then over 50% of your pets sold will end up at the humane society a couple of weeks later once people realize that rabbits kept in cages inside the house are pretty stinky and alot of work to keep clean. Personally i wouldnt feed the pet market. dwarves would qualify as pets.

as far as angora wool, it is very time consuming, angora rabbits have wool much like a frayed out cotton ball, everything sticks to it, it even sticks to its self. its a continual grooming adventure keeping angoras in good condidion. cleaning angora rabbit cages is a frustrating feat as the little poo balls get tangled in hair and caught in the wire and builds up. regular burning of the wire cages is necessary to keep the poo from building up and eventually burning your rabbits feet (hutch burn) from them sitting on it. if you really like combing hair and dont mind the "fly away" hair being so light and so thin ruining your clothes and eventually working its way into your house. then angoras are for you. It would be best if you learned how to card, clean, dye and spin your own wool, and either sold it raw through some local craft store or online market or fashioned it into a product such as hats scarves or socks for sale.

Most likely your meat market would be the most profitable way to go. That is the way that i chose to go. If you do it on a massive scale you can produce fryer rabbits for the meat market and do pretty well. you can also raise nightcrawlers for fishermen as a sideline in their manure. before you get started do some research in your area and try to find a rabbit buyer looking for fryers. these are commercial trucks that make a once a month trip to your farm to pick up your fryers (live). your breeding schedule will have to cater to the "meat truck" so as to make sure your fryers are 2-21/2 lbs at the time the meat truck picks them up. I had one of these facilities once and it worked quite well. but its difficult for one person to manage 400 rabbits alone.
specific breeds are required to cater to a commercial rabbitry. New zealand whites, checkerd giants, californians. commercial rabbit buyers preferr white furred rabbits as they market the hides to foreign countries as a sideline.
if you do not wish to go with this large of a production facility you can always raise rabbits and sell them to the general public either as a live fryer, a live breeder, 4h projects etc..check your local state fda and usda laws on selling butchered rabbit to the general public. rabbit meat is not regulated and is usually quite legal to sell butchered rabbit to the general public. so long as it is not on a massive scale and you are not selling to restaraunts or supermarkets. all it takes is a call to fda or usda or both and ask them if it is ok if you sell a few butchered rabbits to the general public. So long as they know you are doing this, they will usually agree that it is ok. rarely is an inspection of your premises, slaughter area or a liscense requred. they really have nothing for you to sign and no guidelines for rabbit production as, again, rabbit meat is not regulated. by letting them know you are doing this it will be logged and any disease possibly passed on to your customers through your rabbit sales can be tracked. thats all they care about. keep your rabbitry simple and in numbers you can easily manage, take pride in the product you are selling by making sure that anything you would sell to the public is something you would put on your table for your family as well.
purchase some books on raising rabbits and join the arba.
most importantly, dont ever let anyone tell you that something is impossible!

[mtwildflower]

Really good info Harvester. Appreciate it.