How to butcher rabbits and chickens

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We ar moving back out to the old farm where I grew up. And I have a few questions on how to raise, breed and butcher my farm animals. ()What is the correct way to butcher a rabbits? ()What is the correct way to butcher a chicken? ()What is the best breed of rabbits and chickens to raise and butcher? ()When chickens lay the eggs, when I do put them in a seperate pin for the hatch and and how long? ()When do I know the two rabbits have mated and ready to remove the male after the mother is pregnant? ()What is the best feed to raise chickens and rabbits on? ()Should I give the rabbits a variety of greens? ()Is it ok to feed the chickens scraps from dinner and what kind? ()How may eggs should I lay under the chicken to hatch? ()How long does it normally take for the chickens to hatch the eggs? ()Is it safe to eat chicken eggs that have not been processed through a company? ()I had an egg that never got hard, what should I do with the eggs like that in the future and what does that mean? ()Is it ok to feed the dogs and cats guts from the chickens and rabbits? ()When building pins for both animals, how small or large should I make each cage for those who are hatching or pregnant? ()How high up and what kind of material should I use while building the cages and pins? ()Should I be concerned about strays or other wild animals getting to them? ()My grandfather always made the bottom of each pin with bigger holes for the rabbits poop to go through. Should I do this and be afraid some animal will get to them? ()How often do I need to feed the rabbits? ()How often do I need to feed the chickens? ()What kind of pellets are best for chickens? ()What about snakes, how do I know snakes have gotten to my chicks or rabbits? ()Is there any way I can prevent snakes or other wild animals from getting into the pins?

Sorry about all the questions. Just a first time farmer. Any advice or answer to these questions are greatly appreciated! Thanks alot. Katy

-- Katy Faulkner (dazyation@yahoo.com), February 02, 2002

Answers

Katy, click on Lusenet at the top of this page, scroll down to Country Families, click on that, scroll down to the archives-old threads, scrolll down to butchering, click on that, the second one- Cindy how do you butcher, I've put instructions there as to how we butcher Jumbo Cornish-meatbirds.

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), February 02, 2002.

Boy Katy! That's a lotsa questions.

()What is the correct way to butcher a rabbits?

There are a number of ways, I found the best for me was to shoot them in the head while they are wrapped snugly in a plastic feed sack. Then hang them up by the feet on a gambrel to something strong ( i used a portable building rafter) slice around the feet, cut down around the anus, peel the skin off, then take out the innards and take off the head. I am squirming as I write it...

()What is the best breed of rabbits and chickens to raise and butcher?

Big breeds. Chickens have pleanty of dual breeds available, meaning they lay okay, and put on weight well.

()When chickens lay the eggs, when I do put them in a seperate pin for the hatch and and how long?

The hen must be strongly broody. If you must move her, do it at night and I'd guess I'd make sure she was serious for at least four days before I tried to put in eggs.

()When do I know the two rabbits have mated and ready to remove the male after the mother is pregnant?

Don't keep does and bucks together. Move the doe into the buck pen for breeding only. The buck will fall over in a very comical way when he actually connects. Let this happen twice then go ahead and put the doe back in her own cage.

()What is the best feed to raise chickens and rabbits on?

What ever the best feed you can afford. I feed layer pellets and alfalfa pellets to the rabbits, with hay every other day to the rabbits.

()Should I give the rabbits a variety of greens?

Be really careful not to feed them too much at once. They like to eat too much and die from the effects.

()Is it ok to feed the chickens scraps from dinner and what kind?

Everything but raw eggshells.

()How may eggs should I lay under the chicken to hatch?

Depending on the size of the hen anywhere from 8-20.

()How long does it normally take for the chickens to hatch the eggs?

21 days or very close to that.

()Is it safe to eat chicken eggs that have not been processed through a company? Yes, but wash any poop off as soon as possible!

()I had an egg that never got hard, what should I do with the eggs like that in the future and what does that mean?

Usually a young hen, or a scare will cause this to happen Don't fret too much if you just get one every now and again.

()When building pins for both animals, how small or large should I make each cage for those who are hatching or pregnant?

My rabbits have 24"x24" cages and do fine. I take the kits out at five or six weeks then when they are 10 weeks they go to single cages or to a large outside pen

()How high up and what kind of material should I use while building the cages and pins? Whatever works but NO pressure treated wood.

()Should I be concerned about strays or other wild animals getting to them? Always.

()My grandfather always made the bottom of each pin with bigger holes for the rabbits poop to go through. Should I do this and be afraid some animal will get to them? The wire shouldn't be too big... I think standard is 1/2" (?)

()How often do I need to feed the rabbits? Once a day is fine

()How often do I need to feed the chickens?

Once a day is fine

()What kind of pellets are best for chickens? I like layer pellets with calcium

()What about snakes, how do I know snakes have gotten to my chicks or rabbits? Usually the snake will eat and then hang around sleepy from your critter. That's when you use capital punishment.

()Is there any way I can prevent snakes or other wild animals from getting into the pins?

Rabbit cages can be snake proof, but I haven't figured out how chickens can move in and out and no snakes get through.

That's all I know! Good luck, Katy!

-- Doreen (bisquit@here.com), February 03, 2002.


WHOA..alot of questions here..since you need so many answers, why not go out and get Carla Emerys' book? Duh, I am in the computer room and it is way too hard for me to wheel myself all the way back to the "library" and back again..I am SURE someone else knows the true name of her book. I think it is called "Country Living"..anyway, it has all the answers to your questions as well as thousands of other topics for homesteaders..IMHO, a must-have for anyone who enjoys farm life.

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), February 03, 2002.

hey what is up?

-- hey what is up? (dazyation@yahoo.com), October 03, 2002.

IT is wrong to kill the animals. You are all heartless. I dont understand why you would want to kill such innocent animals. Whatever did they do to you.

-- none (oahu_girl84@yahoo.com), April 30, 2004.


If You are Raising Rabbits for the purpose of meat. There is no better breed than the New Zealand White. A Good Second Choice would be the Californian. They are both Medium Breed Rabbits that convert feed to Meat Efficiently.Both Will Grow to Around 9 to 10 pounds when full grown. Most Rabbits however are Butchered at 8 weeks of age when they weigh around 4 pounds ( Fryer Size ). To Kill the Rabbit, Hold it by the Hind feet and snap it's head down and back breaking the neck. Then Cut off the head and hang carcass upside down by the hind feet. Cut the skin around each hock or rear feet ( ankle Area ) Slit the skin from hock to anus on the inside of each leg, then Pull the skin over the carcass as you would pull off a sweater put the pelt aside, slit the carcass from tail to abdomen cut around the anus between both legs let entrails fall into plastic bag for disposal...( you can save the kidneys, heart, and liver if desired )

-- KEITH (KJWIDGER321@AOL.COM), July 08, 2004.

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