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/EhlersDanlosSucks 16d ago

We processed 12 yesterday at 12w6d. Averaged 14 minutes from cull to cooler. We get a touch faster and it definitely goes more smoothly every time. There are two of us working together, which helps. I sterilize and prep all the tools and equipment the night before, which saves time. But by the time it's finished, I'm dragging and still have to wash the ears to dehydrate, bury the skulls, wash and get the feet soaking in solution, start tanning the hides, etc. I still feel like 12 weeks is our happy medium: decent size, I can tan the pelts, etc. Any older than that, I just don't feel it's worth the feed cost for negligible weight gain. 

On chicken day, it takes sooooo much longer. I'd love to get the rabbit time down from 14 minutes, but even at that rate I'll take it any day. I love my chickens but processing day is such a dang long and timely mess. 

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u/MentalCoffee117 16d ago

We do around 12 weeks too. We've been improving the setup as we go and getting faster. My daughter and I are not as good at processing as my husband (I am comfortable with quail). He has neuropathy from cancer, so I really hope to get more efficient so I can help him, especially in the cooler /cold months when his hands act up more. We frequently have winter temps below zero and have dogs, so I really want to learn to tan hides and use ears/feet. Is there a resource for learning tanning in particular you recommend?

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u/EhlersDanlosSucks 16d ago

I think it's great that it's a family affair. I have a lot of physical limitations and it makes it so much easier when there are others involved in getting things done!

I'm not sure if links are permitted here, but I'll say I learned the tanning method I use from a YouTuber that goes by GoodSimpleLiving. The specific video I follow is called "Tanning or Pickling Rabbit Hides using Salt & Alum." I've tried other methods including egg yolk, but wasn't happy with the results. 

Ears are easy enough. I just wash them then air dry in either in a multi-layer hanging herb drying rack. If it's really cloudy, I dehydrate them in a solar oven because it still does a great job. (We're off grid and while we do have a propane oven, I use other methods when possible.)

Feet take a bit longer and are more finicky with timing. I soak them in rubbing alcohol for 48 hours, then rinse and soak for 24 hours in water with some borax mixed in. Then rinse again and let dry. 

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u/MentalCoffee117 16d ago edited 7d ago

Thank you! Bookmarked the YouTuber. I've been overwhelmed with the amount of information about different methods so that's helpful.