It’s good to periodically evaluate the state of your rabbitry, be it simple and small or larger and more complex. Assess what you’re doing, what's working, and where you might want to be headed with your meat rabbits.
The new year is a good time to do this, of course, but really, some reflection and planning is good to do at least annually, and it can be done at any time of the year. Spring may make sense, in fact, since this often coincides with our busiest breeding season.
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Big Changes or Status Quo
The direction of your rabbitry can be as branching or as straightforward as you want it to be.
It may be that you are content with the path you are on. It may be that you foresee major changes or expansions ahead.
It doesn’t really matter if you plan for big or small changes for your meat rabbits. The important thing is to take a moment or two to reflect, consider, evaluate, and choose where you want to take (or keep) your rabbitry.
VIDEO: Setting the Course for the Year in the Meat Rabbitry
Directing the Year in the Rabbitry
Everyone’s goals and directions for their rabbitry are sure to be at least a little different. But you may find something of value in them, too.
There are many goals you might set for your rabbitry. Some directions to consider might include:
- Keeping better records, or beginning to keep records (even if you grow mixed breeds -- this can give you something to fall back on, a point of reference, and help tracking things like breeding, line traits, grow out rates, feed performance, litter size, and more)
- Barn or facility setup and arrangement
- Establishing and sticking to a regular breeding schedule
- Adding a new breed
- Buying in new breeding stock to refresh genetics or to bring in better traits (just a single buck or doe can make a big difference)
- Establishing selection criteria and priorities (try focusing on one or two traits at a time)
- You may decide to select for and work toward improving things like mothering instincts, litter size, growth rate, body conformation, breeding toward a breed standard, breeding towards your own personal desired meat traits, breeding to fit a certain feed program, feed efficiency and conversion, health, hardiness, and more
- Solving challenges or issues relating to health (which may be a riection for your breeding and selection)
- Familiarizing yourself with state laws and regulations regarding the sales of rabbit meat and products for different purposes
- Exploring or establishing possible markets or sales avenues (not only for human consumption, but also for things like pet food, treats, and developing products from byproducts like dog chews, etc.)
- Learning a new skill or trait, such as tanning hides and then making them into crafts or products
Of course, not all of these goals can be completed within a year. Breeding for selection and improvement takes time, many litters, and often several generations. But you can start and refine your goals as you go.
Nor is anything set in stone. It is fine to adjust and refine goals as you move along.
The only way to get there is to get a start!
If you have a goal for your rabbitry, let’s hear it! What is something you’d like to work on or nail down in your meat rabbit program this year?
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