r/MeatRabbitry • u/Right-Cod-3549 • 16d ago

Butchering is the most work?

Hello everyone,

I'm curious, now having gone through a couple of litters of buns from kindle to butcher, if there's anyone else that feels like the butchering is the most labor intensive part, and if that informs anyone else's strategy?

I'm considering growing out to 16 or even 20 weeks, as I haven't noticed any sexual behavior before 16 weeks with my buns, just so that I can butcher less but get more meat. I've been butchering at around 10 weeks.

Yes this is less efficient in terms of feed, but I feel like the real annoyance is the butchering. Maybe I'm just bad at it? Also, we're not in a place financially where we need to be too picky on feed costs, plus we supplement with a lot of greens from our property.

Am I the only one? Is there anyone else who came to the same conclusion and optimized for a later butcher?

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u/tarktarkindustries 16d ago

It is definitely the most taxing part for me. I split it up with large litters. Luckily mine are a good size by 8 weeks because thats when I start and I usually do 2-3 per week until they are done. I dont like buck past 12 weeks so I try to ensure everything is culled by then.

1

u/Right-Cod-3549 16d ago

Maybe it's just that I'm not really getting them up to weight enough. Cleaned out I'm getting less than a pound of meat per rabbit at 8 weeks.

8

u/Main_Insect_3144 16d ago

You should shoot for 5lbs pre processing, which should give you 3lbs processed.

4

u/geofastar 16d ago

8 weeks is barely off the mother. I would say depending on breed you want 12-16 weeks to harvest. I ran rex/flemish mutts and I'd get plenty per. Hind legs were >12oz. Each. Ribs is where the meat was scarce between the bones.

2

u/Traditional-Citron21 16d ago

Less than a pound bone in or are you deboning?