![]() With this new change I raise less rabbits (easier to grow and harvest food for 10 rabbits than 50) and a more natural feeding program I am happy with 5 to 6 litters a year. Now I am looking to be more self sufficient with my life and my rabbits. I could breed some of my high production New Zealand’s to get 8 big litters a year. When I first started with rabbits feed was cheap and everyone was using pellets. This way the does will kindle on the weekend when I am home working on the homestead. This is because I work during the week and never know what time I will get home. This again should fall on a Saturday or a Sunday. If doe doesn’t kindle by day 35 you should breed her again. Rabbits will usually kindle at night so if you work days you should be home in time to check on the new litter. This should be on a Tuesday or a Wednesday. The doe should have her litter during the week on day 30 or day 31 after breeding (remember you marked the breeding date on the calendar!). The 28th day should fall on the weekend again, this works out well if the weekend is when you do your weekly rabbit chores (cleaning cages, emptying drop pans, bleaching crocks and bottles etc.) and since you are working in the rabbitry is also a good day to put in the nest boxes. If you breed your does on the weekend (do not forget to mark that day on your calendar) 28 days later put in the nest boxes. If you have a crazy work schedule (like me) there are ways to help with this so your does will kindle on certain days of the week. When you have all this information and experience under your belt, then you can worry about high production! Learn how to freeze, smoke, and even pressure can your rabbit meat. Learn how to butcher, cut up a whole rabbit and the MANY rabbit recipes, find your favorite recipes and grow some of the herbs and other ingredients in them. Your rabbits will teach you lots more than I ever could! When you start with rabbits you should worry more about learning all you can about raising rabbits and not how many a year you can get, you will learn with your rabbits as they grow and go through their life cycles.
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