Rabbits
For people that have limited space and a large amount of time to dedicate, rabbits will be the perfect homestead animal. Rabbits have the most efficient conversion feed to meat ratio. Where a cow will need seven pounds of feed to make one pound of meat, the rabbit has a 1:1 ratio of feed to meat. Rabbits are also quiet animals that have fluffy coats and good cold resistance. Rabbits used for meat are considered medium to large sized, which means these rabbits have worse heat tolerance than small rabbit breeds. Rabbit meat does have many pluses. The meat is white and tender, low in sodium, fat, and cholesterol, and high in protein. The other thing rabbits have to offer is direct fertilizer to your garden.
The most popular rabbits for meat are New Zealand Whites and Californians. These rabbits have commercial shaped bodies and are large sized rabbits. Rarer breeds often used for meat production include the Blanc de Hotot, Champagne D'Argent, Harlequin, Silver Fox, Silver Martin, American Chinchilla, and Lilac. Smaller rabbits often considered for meat production are the Dutch, Havana, and Florida White.
Other homesteaders with use rabbits for fiber. The rabbits used are of the Angora line. Different Angora breeds include the English, French, Giant, and Satin. All these rabbits produce wool and require grooming.
People intending to have rabbits for pets should choose rabbits with good temperaments that are friendly and do not scratch or bite. Rabbits are not suitable with young children and should be supervised whenever out of their cage. Popular breeds for pets are the Mini Rex, Holland Lop, Dutch, Jersey Wooly, Sussex, and Silver Fox.
However, because of my previous experience with meat rabbits, I decided not to have them as livestock. They are too time consuming, and take a lot of individual caging.
The most popular rabbits for meat are New Zealand Whites and Californians. These rabbits have commercial shaped bodies and are large sized rabbits. Rarer breeds often used for meat production include the Blanc de Hotot, Champagne D'Argent, Harlequin, Silver Fox, Silver Martin, American Chinchilla, and Lilac. Smaller rabbits often considered for meat production are the Dutch, Havana, and Florida White.
Other homesteaders with use rabbits for fiber. The rabbits used are of the Angora line. Different Angora breeds include the English, French, Giant, and Satin. All these rabbits produce wool and require grooming.
People intending to have rabbits for pets should choose rabbits with good temperaments that are friendly and do not scratch or bite. Rabbits are not suitable with young children and should be supervised whenever out of their cage. Popular breeds for pets are the Mini Rex, Holland Lop, Dutch, Jersey Wooly, Sussex, and Silver Fox.
However, because of my previous experience with meat rabbits, I decided not to have them as livestock. They are too time consuming, and take a lot of individual caging.
Meat Breeds
New Zealand White Californian Blanc De Hotot Champagne D'Argent Harlequin
Silver Fox Silver Marten American Chinchilla Lilac Dutch Havana
Florida White
Wool Breeds
English Angora French Angora Giant Angora Satin Angora
Popular Pet Breeds
Mini Rex Holland Lop Dutch Jersey Wooly
Sussex Silver Fox