Rabbits directly fertilizing pastures. Over the past few months, we have shared a great deal about our meat rabbit operation. In response to market customer questions, we would now like to give details further explaining two important aspects of this program. They are: fall housing/fertilization and breeding.
Firstly, this is a busy time of year on the farm. Fall is breeding season for many of our animals, including rabbits, and is also the growing season for various pasture grasses. The amazing benefits of using rabbit manure as fertilizer are widely known. We manually spread manure in our gardens and on some grazing areas while using the rabbits themselves on others.
The picture to the left shows one of our Altex breeding does in her fall housing. Her hutch has been brought out from under the covered summer shelter and is now under a shade tree in a pasture that is resting. Her manure is free to fall onto the ground and decompose. This particular pasture had been summer grazing for goats which were then followed by the cow and the horse. It most recently housed our turkeys in their portable tractor. In their never ending quest for delicious bugs, they spread the large manure piles into thinner sheets, allowing for quicker breakdown, while leaving behind some of their own nitrogen-rich fertilizer along the way. They have now moved on to a new area and it is the rabbits turn to contribute their manure to the mix. This is sustainable, purely organic fertilizing at its very best.
These hutches are kept off the ground and are suspended on portable blocks. (The rabbits are still unable to live directly on the soil as the frosts have yet to kill off the parasites.) This type of elevated system allows for easy movement and efficient manure dispersement while giving the rabbits a safe place to call home. They are continually supplemented with fall greens and veggies from our gardens. As you can see from the expression on the face of the pictured doe, she is quite content in her new home and is enjoying her breakfast of freshly picked cabbage leaves.
Firstly, this is a busy time of year on the farm. Fall is breeding season for many of our animals, including rabbits, and is also the growing season for various pasture grasses. The amazing benefits of using rabbit manure as fertilizer are widely known. We manually spread manure in our gardens and on some grazing areas while using the rabbits themselves on others.
The picture to the left shows one of our Altex breeding does in her fall housing. Her hutch has been brought out from under the covered summer shelter and is now under a shade tree in a pasture that is resting. Her manure is free to fall onto the ground and decompose. This particular pasture had been summer grazing for goats which were then followed by the cow and the horse. It most recently housed our turkeys in their portable tractor. In their never ending quest for delicious bugs, they spread the large manure piles into thinner sheets, allowing for quicker breakdown, while leaving behind some of their own nitrogen-rich fertilizer along the way. They have now moved on to a new area and it is the rabbits turn to contribute their manure to the mix. This is sustainable, purely organic fertilizing at its very best.
These hutches are kept off the ground and are suspended on portable blocks. (The rabbits are still unable to live directly on the soil as the frosts have yet to kill off the parasites.) This type of elevated system allows for easy movement and efficient manure dispersement while giving the rabbits a safe place to call home. They are continually supplemented with fall greens and veggies from our gardens. As you can see from the expression on the face of the pictured doe, she is quite content in her new home and is enjoying her breakfast of freshly picked cabbage leaves.
5 wk old Redback/NZ/Californian cross. Secondly, the practice of inbreeding animals has brought about many problems in all kinds of livestock. Illnesses, deformities, lessened parasite resistance and early death are just a few of the most common issues resulting from this practice. Unfortunately, the breeding of meat rabbits has been no exception.
We differ from this methodology in that we firmly believe careful breeding is just as important as overall care. We have chosen five separate breeds to use in our program. By crossing these lines, our gene pool stays well diversified, fewer losses are incurred and we have little need to bring in breeding stock from other locations. This one aspect alone helps avoid the spread of diseases that are easily transmitted through transportation.
Here is a brief overview of the breeds we currently use:
We differ from this methodology in that we firmly believe careful breeding is just as important as overall care. We have chosen five separate breeds to use in our program. By crossing these lines, our gene pool stays well diversified, fewer losses are incurred and we have little need to bring in breeding stock from other locations. This one aspect alone helps avoid the spread of diseases that are easily transmitted through transportation.
Here is a brief overview of the breeds we currently use:
New Zealand breeding doe. New Zealand: Number-one meat rabbit. It converts feed to meat very efficiently, has fine bones, and is widely available. It is a very consistent producer and is valuable for its white pelt. It is commonly used in laboratory research. Ideal mature weight: 10-11 lbs.
Californian breeding doe. Californian: This is the number-two meat rabbit. It is all white except for dark coloration on its nose, ears and feet. It is also valuable for its pelt. It is commonly used as an outcross with the New Zealand. The average mature weight is approximately 9 lbs.
Tennessee Redback breeding buck. Tennessee Redback: This breed is often used in the training of dogs and for re-stocking of hunting grounds. They are brown bodied and have a white tail with a slight, reddish tint running down their back. They resemble a wild rabbit in appearance, are extremely hardy and are prolific producers. The average weight is about 8-9 lbs.
A young Spot/Redback cross. English Spot: A smaller, racier framed breed that is not known for its meat production but more for the challenge of producing the coveted pelt pattern that is so highly desired. The average mature weight is 6-7 lbs. Though this is not a breed commonly used in meat operations such as ours, we have found that crossing our English Spot does with Tennessee Redback bucks produces fantastic fryers with high quality meat. These crosses are hardy and very feed efficient.
Altex breeding buck. The final breed we use is a hybrid. The Altex is a cross including the Flemish Giant, New Zealand, Californian and Champagne D'Argent. Altex rabbits make fantastic meat animals with an extremely high feed conversion rate and excellent, fine bone. They tolerate heat very well, which is extremely important when raising rabbits in our location. The average mature weight is approximately 10-11 lbs.
A little more background on two breeds used in developing the Altex:
The Flemish Giant's average weight is 15 lbs. Their feed conversion rate is rather poor as they require a large amount of food and tend to be bonier in structure. Their large size makes housing a challenge as they require larger hutches than other breeds.
The Champagne D'Argent is a superb meat rabbit, dressing out better than most because of its extremely fine bone. The name means 'French Silver' and kits are born jet black but soon begin to turn silver with only the muzzle retaining the black coloration upon maturity. The ideal weight is 10-10.5 lbs.
We at Walk Ahead Farms take great pride in the care and management of all the animals that call our farm home. We strive to provide our customers with the highest quality meats from healthy, happy animals. All are pasture raised, never vaccinated, non-medicated and humanely treated and processed. We believe in complete producer transparency and always welcome questions.
Thanks for helping us as we continue on our journey of 'Growing All Things Beautiful'.
A little more background on two breeds used in developing the Altex:
The Flemish Giant's average weight is 15 lbs. Their feed conversion rate is rather poor as they require a large amount of food and tend to be bonier in structure. Their large size makes housing a challenge as they require larger hutches than other breeds.
The Champagne D'Argent is a superb meat rabbit, dressing out better than most because of its extremely fine bone. The name means 'French Silver' and kits are born jet black but soon begin to turn silver with only the muzzle retaining the black coloration upon maturity. The ideal weight is 10-10.5 lbs.
We at Walk Ahead Farms take great pride in the care and management of all the animals that call our farm home. We strive to provide our customers with the highest quality meats from healthy, happy animals. All are pasture raised, never vaccinated, non-medicated and humanely treated and processed. We believe in complete producer transparency and always welcome questions.
Thanks for helping us as we continue on our journey of 'Growing All Things Beautiful'.
RSS Feed
