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tractorpunk · Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Posts: 37 Location: east Galway

i've heard that flemish giants are just too slow to mature to be practical for meat. NZ's and Californians are mature and ready to breed when they're 6 months old and have larger litters. they also have the best bone/ meat ratio of the giant rabbits.

I haven't seen NZ's or Californians cheaper than 50 euro in Ireland. my does were a lot less than that but the kits probably wont give as good a carcass as pure breds.

patsonline · Joined: 23 Apr 2009 Posts: 39 Location: North Mayo

Methinks that if the California/NZ whites are working out at approximately 50 euro apiece It might be easier to sell them on if their was a market for them, and then eat them in a couple of years when hopefully they were more available and less pricey.

Personnally I have never eaten caged rabbits, however I have 'heard' that the meat is much more tender than wild rabbits as they dont have the same exercise to toughen the meat, it is too long ago for me to remember how the wild rabbits of my teenage years tasted....and my Mothers cooking to boot! Can anyone enlighten me of the difference?

My OH has 2 does and a buck, Giant Flemish as pets, and the odd occassion that I have mentioned 'a mate that can Kill, skin and gut a rabbit in 2 minutes and 35 seconds ready for the pot' giving me lessons! has not gone down very well....I can tell you!

wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

Your other half should fear not Pat as the Flemish Giant are of very poor quality meat quality. They are all bone and not much else. Your friend who can skin and draw a rabbit in 2 mins must have stopped for a fag in the middle of the job me thinks Laughing

. If 50 euros is the price over here then its a ripoff. Watch this space I will see what I can do Wink

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patsonline · Joined: 23 Apr 2009 Posts: 39 Location: North Mayo

Thanks for that Wayland...I will be watching this space hoping for a good deal from you in the future, it would be nice to get unrelated Smile

does and a buck, however does it really matter? As in the wild, do the rabbits practice the same method?....I think not! Rolling Eyes

phil · Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:00 pm Post subject:

Good point there Pat,if your only breeding for the pot it should not matter if its brother sister mating,a different matter if it was for future breeding stock.

wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

Well if the mating of close blood relatives can produce a rabbit with eight hind legs then yes!, but for breeding for the pot and to provide follow on stock then I would not want to breed related stock. First crosses should be ok and is done in all forms of stock breeding but fresh blood has to be introduced at some point to avoid deformities and other bad traits. As to in the wild then a buck may breed as the dominant male for a while until he dies or is dethroned but as with most mammals, there is always a few bounders around waiting in the wings until his back is turned. Wink

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wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

Scanning around the numerous rabbit farms in the UK gives us an average price of £20. Although not a bad price I hope to better it. Hopefully, I may have some stock before Xmas.
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wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

Just got an email from another UK supplier. She quotes :- Bucks £10. Does under 12 wks £10. Does over 12 wks £15. Thats more like it me thinks.
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phil · Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:35 pm Post subject:

Chris that's a much more realistic price you can't go wrong at that sort of money.

tractorpunk · Joined: 02 Jul 2009 Posts: 37 Location: east Galway

I finally collected my buck the other day, i've been waiting for him since the summer. 4 more months and he's ready to start breeding and then the bunny burgers are on me. cant wait