The decision to start my rabbitry stemmed from a desire to embrace a more self-sufficient lifestyle. After the COVID pandemic, I really had my eyes opened to how fragile a lot of our systems are. As bad as it was, things could have been so much worse. I wanted to help my family be more prepared in case we had to “fend for ourselves” more than we typically do. I ended up doing research on the “typical” animals you think of when it comes to livestock, primarily chickens. I quickly learned that I am not allowed to keep chickens where I live. I’m sure a few bad apples had spoiled the bunch at some point in the past. Not wanting to cause any issues, I looked for an alternative.
This is when I came across YouTube videos describing the raising of rabbits for meat. I learned SO MUCH from many channels, but the 3 I watch the most would be MeatRabbits.org, The Rabbitry Center, and Teal Stone Homestead. If you haven’t heard of these channels already I would highly recommend checking them out. Without them, I would not have a rabbitry today. They taught me much of what I needed to know.
Teal Stone Homestead was also where I learned that in addition to being an excellent livestock animal, there’s also the additional challenge available to you of rabbit shows. This is where I branched out and begin to research rabbit shows. Channels such as The Rabbit Show, That Goth Farmer, and The Itty Bitty Homestead Committee are all so helpful in this topic. I quickly became very intrigued by the concept of trying to create as close to perfect of an animal as possible. I am very excited to begin to diversify my herd from being meat focused to show focused in the coming year!
Rabbits are amazing animals. Any effort, time, and money you put into them will be delivered back to you ten-fold. I could not recommend them enough to anyone who has an interested in producing their own meat and beginning a truly fulfilling hobby.
Links:
MeatRabbits.Org on YouTube
The Rabbitry Center on YouTube
Teal Stone Homestead on YouTube
The Rabbit Show on YouTube
That Goth Farmer on YouTube
The Itty Bitty Homestead Committee on YouTube
