Paper records are my preferred method of record keeping in the rabbit barn.
Apps can be great, but electronics and barn environments don’t always mix, and sometimes, it’s just plain better to have a simple, at-a-glance record that you can lay your hands on, update, and come back to for later comparison and consideration.
Jump to:
- Tracking Litters and Rabbit Growth
- VIDEO: Get Your Free, Downloadable, Printable Meat Rabbit Weight Tracker at MeatRabbits.org
- Get your Free, Downloadable Meat Rabbit Weight and Litter Tracker Here
- How to Use Your Meat Rabbit Litter and Weight Record
- Other Free Downloads for Meat Rabbit Reference and Record Keeping + Tips:
Tracking Litters and Rabbit Growth
Something as simple as weighing and recording a litter of kits every couple of weeks can reveal a lot about a litter.
Reveal your rabbits’ growth curve
At the very least, it will show you the growth curve of your rabbits and reveal how quickly they are (or are not) meeting target weights. This, in turn, tells you how efficient your meat rabbit breeding is, how well and how quickly feed is being converted into harvestable meat.
Select the most promising kits for breeding
Tracking can also show you which individuals show the most promise and are the best candidates to keep for future breeders.
Show buyers you care, provide valuable information
All of this is useful information that can be passed on to potential buyers, too. Not only does it tell them how fast and how reliably the genetic line is capable of producing, but simple records like these show you as a conscientious breeder with the information to back up claims of growth rates and production potential.
Spot health and wellness issues early
A simple record tracking the weights of grow outs can also reveal health and hardiness problems, or signal you that something might be brewing, or that there is perhaps a digestive or parasite problem.
To be sure, easy records like this simple weight tracker can go a long way in the rabbitry.
VIDEO: Get Your Free, Downloadable, Printable Meat Rabbit Weight Tracker at MeatRabbits.org
Get your Free, Downloadable Meat Rabbit Weight and Litter Tracker Here
This weight tracker is free, with our compliments! Just click the link, download, and print or save (or come back next time when you need more).
- CLICK HERE to download your free, printable Meat Rabbit Grow Out & Litter Weight Tracker PDF
How to Use Your Meat Rabbit Litter and Weight Record
This record is fairly self-explanatory. It works as a litter record with Dam and Sire information, date of birth, and litter size.
The second section has a box for you to fill in with your targeted age and weight range. This will help you to compare and see how well the litter(s) are meeting your goals for your grow outs and for efficient meat production.
Next to that box are common target ages and weights for meat rabbits harvested at different ages.
The bottom grid has an ID line, a box to enter individual grow out sexes, and then weights at 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks. Each kit has a line for notations as well.
Page two has an area for notes on litter diet, weaning, and other relevant notes. This is a separate page that you can print as page two, back page, or select not to print if the first page serves all your record-keeping needs.
All in all, this is a comprehensive record with the most pertinent information all in one place. Easy to print, easy to use, valuable information to progress your meat rabbit production!
Other Free Downloads for Meat Rabbit Reference and Record Keeping + Tips:
- Meat Rabbit Weight Chart (Free Download)
- Free Downloadable METRIC Meat Rabbit Weight Chart
- Meat Rabbit Records: Easy Ways To Keep Track
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