When raising rabbits for meat, it’s important to have a plan for dispatching the rabbits you’re going to process. Whatever method you choose should be quick, humane, and feel right to you. There are many options out there, so I hope that this overview will help you decide what’s right for your rabbitry. I’ll also share the method that I personally use!
There are two main types of rabbit dispatch: stun and bleed, and cervical dislocation.
Cervical Dislocation Methods
The first method you’ll see mentioned when it comes to rabbit farming is “the broomstick method.” Essentially, this involves playing any kind of sturdy stick-like object (it doesn’t have to be an actual broomstick) behind the neck of the rabbit, quickly grabbing the rabbits hind legs, stepping on the stick/bar, and then pulling up quickly and firmly to dislocate the neck. When done properly, this method is both quick and humane. Here’s a video example of this type of dispatch from Teal Stone Homestead.
The next common method is using a cervical dislocation tool that many call a “hopper popper.” While the name Hopper Popper is trademarked, many use it colloquially to refer to the same type of device. It’s a V-shaped piece of metal that you mount on a wall, tree, post, etc. Once it’s mounted, you place the rabbits head into the V and then quickly pull on the back legs to dislocate the neck. Here is a video example of this type of dispatch from Sage and Stone Homestead.
The “choke chain” method is another tyle of cervical dislocation. This method looks very peaceful for the rabbit when done by someone skilled. With a dog choke chain leash/collar attached to something up high, you hold your rabbit normally before putting the choke chain around its neck. Once you’re ready, you suddenly grab onto the rabbit’s hind legs and pull, dislocating the neck. Here is a video example of this type of dispatch from Bonnie Parker.
Stun and Bleed Methods
A method I’ve seen described in books about butchering animals is to do what’s called a “bop and bleed.” This is where you hold the rabbit above the ground by the back legs, quickly strike it in the back of the head to knock it unconscious, and then sever a vein in the neck to bleed the rabbit out. This method is described by many as being humane, but I have not seen it done either in person or in a video.
My favorite method is to use a bolt gun to stun the rabbit before cutting the neck to bleed them out. This spring loaded gun (which it looks more like a tiny jack hammer rather than a pistol or something) shoots a bolt out quickly and forcefully that immediately destroys the rabbits brain, rendering it unconscious (and more often than not, instantly dead) immediately. Once the bolt has done its job, you simply cut the rabbits neck to let them bleed out. Here is a video example of this method from Bunny Rancher.
Why I Chose to Use a Bolt Gun
When I was choosing how I wanted to dispatch my rabbits, their comfort was my first priority. I didn’t want to choose a method that made it in anyway obvious to them that their end was near. I wanted their last moments to be as peaceful and normal as possible. The main reason I wanted to raise my own meat was so that the whole process was as natural and humane as I could make it, so this was very important to me.
Because I didn’t want the rabbit the least bit aware that something strange was happening, the “hopper popper” type tools and something like the “bop and bleed” didn’t appeal to me. I didn’t want the rabbit questioning where I was putting its head, or being upset that it was upside down. The “broomstick method” and the “choke chain method” both are better in my view. The rabbit is either being held normally or on the ground, both rather normal places for a meat rabbit to be. However, I feared that both of these methods seemed to require more balance and precision than I could pull off myself. This narrowed it down to the bolt gun for me.
This isn’t to say that I believe that any of the methods I mentioned are “wrong” or “inhumane.” When they are performed properly the rabbit might only be confused/concerned for one second before dispatch. I don’t think that’s cruel at all. I just felt I wouldn’t be as skilled as others are at performing it.
I like that with my bolt gun, I can speak to my rabbit and take my time petting and calming it before I’m ready to use the bolt gun. There is no rush as the rabbit has no idea what’s happening. All of the sudden I’m putting a metal thing against their head (it doesn’t even hardly take any pressure to use) and before they’re even aware the bolt gun went off they are gone. From my research, they use similar devices for cows and other large farm animals as well. I believe it’s a very good product and I highly recommend it.
