The discussion in the Deer feeding thread has got me thinking about feeding some whole rabbits to my GSD. Since I feed Bravo, with weekly chicken backs or turkey necks and rec bones, I've got some questions about how to do this right.

First, do you just call around to breeders to find a source? Are there paticular breeds that are better for feeding? (Cheap works for me<g>.) How much does a small rabbit cost (like 1 lb or so)?

Once you get them, do you put them in the freezer for 30 days, too? (I know they carry tapeworms.)

As my procurement kitty has brought a couple home that he's shared with my dog, I'd just want to feed them whole---she sure didn't have any problem with them in that natural state<g>. If freezing first, once thawed, would they be pretty much like they were before freezing except with wet fur?

Thanks,
leih

Leih; I have seen them sold at crestonvalleymeats. Let me try and get that link off my computer. I don't know what area you are in but you could check to see if Simon comes through that way. He does have rabbit with hair on, I believe.

here you go: http://www.crestonvalleymeats.com/shop_dogfood2.html

Thanks for the info, Sharon. It'll sure give me some pricing ideas.

Looks like this guy is in CA? I'm in VA<g>. The shipping would probably be prohibitive...

leih

Oma's Pride carries whole rabbits -- you may want to check to see if there is a distributor in your area.

Oma's Pride

Katie

Actually one of the food markets in my area carries whole rabbits minus the head.

If you have any farmers markets in your area they probably carry them.

Just about the only way to feed rabbit "cheap" is to raise your own. Even "small" rabbits are 3-4 pounds with fur on and guts in. It is an additional commitment, but with a pair or trio of rabbits you can add some nice variety for a little money and time.

I feed whole rabbits. I do not freeze them. Tapeworms generally come from the fleas that wild rabbits usually have. In general rabbits are pretty clean.

If you can find someone who sells meat rabbits, the going price is $1.50 a pound live weight. If you can do the deed yourself, that may be the way to go since you are interested in whole rabbits.

http://www.arba.net might be a good start. Don't get frustrated if you seem to hit dead ends. A lot of the breeders listed there are pet and show bunnies. Some of which don't like the meat side. You will find someone who will point you in the right direction if you don't give up.

I fed one of my dogs one that I probably should have dressed out/cut up tonight. Blitz looked like he might give birth after dinner. He was happy though.

http://rodentpro.com/

They have quite a menu.
I should order something for my snake and dragons.

 Quote: Deanna Thompson

I fed one of my dogs one that I probably should have dressed out/cut up tonight. Blitz looked like he might give birth after dinner. He was happy though.

Turbo likes to do an impression of a Wilson® football if given the chance with alot of food. I need to get a pic.

 Quote: Debbie Bruce

http://rodentpro.com/

They have quite a menu.
I should order something for my snake and dragons.

Expensive, but super clean animals. My order was frozen rock solid in 90 degree weather the one time I ordered from them.

Okie doky...
A quick bit of background. I raised rabbits (about 150 doe breeding herd) for about 10 years for show, eating, and pets. Breeds included Rex, flemish giant, californians, holland lops, dwarf hotot, and britannia petites. Then I became so allergic to them I went into shock walking by the barn, that was sadly the end to my rabbit and cavy days.

Rabbit breeds vary by adult weight between 2 - 25ish pounds. Bone density also varys with the breed. For instance a holland lop is much more bone dense than a dutch. The going rate for a rabbit cull 10 years ago was about $5 still breathing. Cleaned the rate was $10.

Some breeds are better than others for meat production. Californians, satins, rex, new zealands, champaigns, are all great meat breeds and most are fairly common. They carry one of the six body types called commercial.

If I had to pick a breed however for feeding my 60 lb dog I'd pick dutch, harliquin, mini rex, mini lops. Usually you can get these culls for a song and $3 if you know the right person if they just don't work out for show and the size is just about perfect at the point of cull decision making. Keep in mind that you are talking gut and body weight. I wouldn't feed less than a 2lber. You are doing the breeder a favor normally by taking these guys.

It's actually super uncommon for caged rabbits to have tapeworms. I wouldn't bother freezing any of them so long as they've stayed off the ground which most breeders do already.

The best way I know is to go to a local ARBA show (they're everywhere) and simply look and ask for local people who may have meat rabbit culls for sale. Normally it takes a few minutes to track down a meat supplier that'll be more than happy to do business. Keep in mind that they'll likely want to do this business from their house. No one wastes carry cage space on a cull rabbit at a show.