New Zealand white rabbits are the most common breed of meat rabbit found in the United States. Male rabbits (bucks) are slightly smaller than and female rabbits (does). Does have a flap of fur below the chin called a dewlap, which young rabbits nest in. New Zealand white rabbits are characterized by their large muscular bodies. They also carry an genetic abnormality, albinism, which is why they are white with pink/red eyes. Rabbits are fertile year round and their gestational period is around 28 to 31 days long. Friers (rabbits weighing about 3 and 1/2 lbs) are ready to butcher at about 6 weeks. Full grown rabbits weighing between 8 and 12 lbs are ready to butcher at 10 to 12 weeks of age.
Rabbits need very little room to grow and are considered to be one of the most efficient animals to raise for producing the greatest amount of meet with the lowest amount of feed. Our rabbits are raised in cages and in rabbit tractors. The rabbit tractor is dragged onto fresh grass every morning and evening. We also feed the rabbits pellets.
Farmer Joe kills, skins, and butchers rabbits on site. These are for home consumption only! The rabbits are killed quickly and calmly with a swift blow to the head with a wooden stick. In the above photo Joe is skinning a rabbit. He starts just above the feet and the skin is peeled off easily. The rabbit is then gutted, washed, and butchered. It is a surprisingly clean and simple process. Much easier than processing chickens.
Rabbit meat is very healthy, it is a low fat, lean, white meat. Joe packages the meat up by body part. Back legs, front legs, back strap, and loins. Apparently the loins and front legs are good for stew meat. The back strap is delicious just sautéed up with a little butter. I've been browning the back legs with a little olive oil and then letting them cook in a mixture of broth, onions, parsley, dill, cilantro and garlic. After two hours in the stew pot the meat is delicious and tender. I make gravy out of the remaining juices and walhalla! DINNER IS SERVED!
At least Nathan really seemed to like it!
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