Well I guess it's about time for me to write about Rabbits....
New Zealand Whites
Why rabbits?
Because they're amazingly versatile, and a perfect addition to the homestead. They're relatively easy to keep, their poop is amazing natural fertilizer, they're fairly good as "pets", they reproduce quickly, they're robust with few diseases, and of course you can ultimately eat them.
I can hear the gasps now...
Especially from people in North America who recoil at the thought of wrapping poor little "Thumper" in bacon, and cooking him like a roasting chicken. But the truth of it is, rabbits originally were domesticated to be raised food, and for fur. Not pets (that came later).
Much of the "old world" still consumes a fair amount of rabbit. And in truth, rabbit is better for you. It has more protein than any other animal-based food source, and it has almost no fat or cholesterol. It's texture is identical to chicken, thus rabbit can be substituted in pretty much any recipe that calls for chicken. Domestic rabbit has a very mild flavor, not "gamey" at all, and is pretty much entirely "white meat" (like Duck is entirely "dark meat"). Because domestic rabbits are often fed a diet of commercial pellets, fresh greens and vegetables, garden weeds, etc, and don't have to "work" to get it, they are "fatty" compared to their wild cousins. So the famed "rabbit starvation" is not a concern if you're producing rabbits for consumption on your homestead.
Now, what about breeds?
Well, there are quite a few "Meat breeds". Californian rabbits. New Zealand Whites, Reds, etc. Standard Rex rabbits. Silver Fox rabbits. American Chinchilla rabbits. And Champagne d'Argent, among a few others. Generally, they're rabbits that can weigh up to12 pounds.
There are three breeds which I plan on breeding once I have the space...
New Zealand (Reds, Broken Reds, and Blues) Rabbits.
American Silver Fox Rabbits.
American Chinchilla Rabbits.
All are great meat producers, and have beautiful fur. There's also a possibility that if I can find them, I may try out Standard Rex rabbits as well. (Mini Rex pet rabbits are far more common due to their pet popularity, but they are far too small to be meat producers.)
Why? Why raise rabbits for food?
Because ultimately... in this day and age, full of toxins, excessive antibiotics, and inhumane factory farming practices. Wouldn't you prefer knowing how your food was raised and treated while it was alive? With compassion and respect, instead of fear and abuse. What it ate, what it drank, and how it was housed. Think about it.
I sure would. And that's why I plan on raising my own rabbits, along with other homestead livestock.
