Here is a list of informational resources on how to breed rabbits. Find all the information you need to start successfully breeding bunny rabbits…
Reasons to Breed Rabbits
People from all around the world breed rabbits for a multitude of different reasons. Here is a list of some of the most popular reasons why people decide to get started breeding rabbits…
- Rabbits Make Great Pets: One of the most popular reasons people start breeding rabbits is to raise them up for the large pet market. Since rabbits are so cute and flat out adorable they make great pets for children and adults alike. In fact in the UK, the rabbit is the third most popular pet option.
- Rabbits are a Quiet Species: Rabbits are in fact a very quiet species which very rarely make a lot of noise. This is a great benefit for urban farmers who want to keep livestock but, don’t want to disturb the neighbors and create a scene.
- Breeding Rabbits is Relatively Low Maintenance: Once you get in the habit of raising and feeding your rabbits, its pretty easy to keep the project going, in comparison to the majority of other livestock projects.
- Rabbit Meat is Healthy: Thousands, if not millions of people worldwide raise rabbits for meat. Rabbit meat has been proven to be one of the healthiest meats on the planet with its high level of protein and low cholesterol + fat levels.
- Rabbit Showing is Popular: Thousands of people in the United States alone, focus on raising and breeding rabbits for show. Each year thousands of rabbit shows are held in the continental United States, where rabbits are judged according to ARBA rules and standards. Showing has proven to be a great and enjoyable hobby for many rabbit raisers all over the globe.
- Breeding Rabbits is Economical: Breeding rabbits is a very economical project in comparison to many of the other livestock projects that people choose. As long as you know how to effectively raise and sell your rabbits, you can keep the costs pretty low. If you do everything right, you might even be able to start generating a profit from your rabbit project.
- Rabbits are Awesome + Fun to Raise: Lastly rabbits are an amazing and diverse species that can be fun to raise.
Books on Raising and Breeding Rabbits
Recommendation #1:
Book Title: Raising Rabbits 101 3rd Edition
Author: Aaron Webster
Website URL: http://raisingrabbitsguide.com/
Book Review: Raising Rabbits 101 is a very unique and informative book about raising rabbits. The book covers a huge variety of topics ranging from; breeding rabbits to rabbit housing to rabbit health and much, much more… Click here to order your copy!
Rabbit Breeding Industry
There are many facets to the rabbit breeding industry, and they are not all dependent on one another. There are, of course, some ties. For example, a cage manufacturer may sell product to both show breeders and pet owners. However, the pet and the commercial (meat/fiber) markets have little bearing on one another.
History of the Rabbit Breeding Industry in the United States
The rabbit breeding industry began in the United States around 1900, when fanciers discovered a breed in England called the Belgian Hare. Hares were imported in vast numbers, and millions were bred and sold as exhibition animals in the early years of the 20th century. The “Belgian Hare Boom” soon died, but it had left a lasting interest in the rabbit industry. Enormous rabbitries operated in the 1920’s, mostly producing a breed called the Chinchilla for meat and fur. Our modern commercial breeds such as the Californian were developed soon after. The bottom fell on the fur market around World War II, but rabbit meat has continued to be a small yet important part of the economy. In the 1980’s a new rabbit market began to flourish: the pet trade.
The Meat Rabbit Industry
Rabbit meat is healthier than beef, pork, or poultry; it’s a fact. Not only a fact, it’s a secret. If the general public recognized the benefits of rabbit meat, there would be more demand than the current producers could supply. Today, commercial meat producers use all wire cages, automatic watering and waste disposal systems, and pelleted feed. They usually raise specialized strains of New Zealand Whites, Californians, or a commercial breed called the Altex. Does are kept on rigorous production schedules and fryers are sold at five pounds and ten weeks of age. The industry has a bright future as Americans look for healthier lifestyles. Many families are raising meat rabbits in their back yard for economic security as well as a source of quality meat.
The Rabbit Fiber Industry
Real fur will probably never again be as popular as it was in the last century. In those days, rabbit was trimmed and dyed to produce a variety of faux furs, but now there is almost no market for rabbit pelts. There is, however, a niche market for yarn and handmade items using rabbit wool, plucked or sheared from Angora rabbits. Members of the National Angora Rabbit Breeders Association can put you in touch with this market.
The Pet Rabbit Industry
Rabbits are one of the most popular pets in the US. Thousands are sold each year to pet owners directly from breeders, and thousands more are channeled through pet stores. Pet stores may get their bunnies from local breeders that send the non-show-quality bunnies to the shop, or they may be supplied by major producers.
Breeding Rabbits Resources
Here is a list of breeding rabbit resources and articles…
1. Raising Rabbits – find information on how to raise rabbit
2. Rabbits for Sale – locate rabbits for sale using our breeders directory
3. About Rabbits – learn more about rabbits in general
4. Rabbit Supplies for Sale – find rabbit breeder supplies
5. Breeds of Rabbits – learn about the different breeds of rabbits
6. Rabbit Pictures – tons of cool rabbit pictures
7. Rabbit Books – find rabbit books for sale
8. Rabbit Breeders Newsletter – subscribe to our free rabbit newsletter
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Reference this article: https://rabbitbreeders.us/breeding-rabbits