Posted: Sat Mar 21, 09 3:24 pm Post subject: New Zealand White rabbits wanted
Hi everyone, this is my first and I'm afraid very long post I came across the site after spotting lotties article on rabbit meat.
I am looking for young New Zealand white rabbits to rear, breed and produce for the table.
I was disgusted at the way some rabbit farms produce and house their rabbits and I've got the opportunity of starting up my own business where all my rabbits can be housed in large airy pens, contained in a dry building next to my house and not kept the way some of the big producers keep them, akin to the battery chicken , where they will have plenty of freedom, no drugs or chemicals and plenty of fresh greenery to eat as well as meadow hay and straw to romp about in.
Now my problem at the moment is sourcing my stock, does anyone know where I can buy New Zealand whites within a 100 mile radius of Exeter, Devon please? I'm looking for at least 30 does and 6 bucks that have been well bred and cared for and are between 4-6 months of age.
Many thanks
Sandy
ahhh so these white rabbits seem to be very rare indeed!
I've found one breeder that might be able to help but it means a wait of several weeks yet for just a few and I've trawled through the internet for days but there doesn't seem to be any about anywhere
Does anyone know of a publication that might have adverts for NZW's please? I'm willing to increase the distance to country wide, how's that!
Cheers
Sandy
Louisdog
Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 716 Location: South Wales
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 09 11:36 am Post subject:
Hi Sandy
Have you tried Fur and Feather, or the British Rabbit Council website? It sounds like you may struggle to get 30 does and 6 bucks from one breeder though.
Thanks Alex, I'll have a look at both of those. New to rabbits, so don't really know any contacts and most sites lead me back to rescue which of course wouldn't be too favourable with my intentions which I can thoroughly understand.
Sandy
Beckyess
Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 1076 Location: Worcestershire
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 09 1:09 pm Post subject:
British Rabbit Council will probably be your best bet. Many rabbit breeders who show, particularly the white rabbits may have a quantity of babies available at a not too high a price as people like pretty colours for pets.
May I advise that you get your bucks and does from different sources to prevent too much inbreeding and keep good records so you don't get a loss of fertility. It may also be prudent to introduce a buck from a similar but unrelated meat breed to help keep the gene pool open.
Becky
Thanks Becky, taken all what you've suggested on board. I will probably add in some Californian breeding and the main source I have so far for my stock will be able to supply different lines of both breeds, having worked in stud work involving various animals in the past I know what needs to be done regards preventing too close a line
One of the links Alex suggested has come up trumps and I'll be making a call this evening which will hopefully get me started.
I came across the site after spotting lotties article on rabbit meat.
, where they will have plenty of freedom, no drugs or chemicals and plenty of fresh greenery to eat as well as meadow hay and straw to romp about in.
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