How to Raise Meat Rabbits in Florida

Raising meat rabbits in Florida can provide both small-scale and large-scale farmers an inexpensive and low-maintenance alternative to traditional livestock animals such as cows, sheep or pigs. Though the market for rabbit meat is not as established as other meat markets, a large enough market exists to provide a rabbit farmer a stable and substantial income flow. By researching the potential markets and establishing small, relatively self-sufficient stocks, you can transform a rabbit farm into a profitable enterprise.

Things You'll Need

  • Stock
  • Feed
  • Fencing
  • Shelter
  • Cages
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Instructions

    • 1

      Identify future markets for your rabbit meat. This can include restaurants, farmer’s markets, specialty shops and some grocery stores, mostly in and around larger metropolitan areas such as Orlando, Gainesville, Jacksonville or Miami. Unless you are able to identify multiple potential markets, you should reconsider your decision to raise meat rabbits.

    • 2

      Research the breeding and health records of any livestock before purchasing them. Considerations may include the breed's history of disease, offspring output, average meat production and so on.

    • 3

      Identify potential processing plants if you do not plan on doing your own butchering. Contact local meat processing plants that either process game meat or work in conjunction with plants that do.

    • 4

      Choose the location and size of your housing facilities based upon the size of your stock. Given Florida’s mild climate during the winter, it is not necessary to provide a large indoor facility for your stock.

    • 5

      Purchase your stock from local rabbit farmers. There are several rabbit farms in the middle of the state.

    • 6

      Maintain your stock by providing them with a primarily vegetative-based diet with the occasional incorporation of soft-shelled grains such as corn or manufactured rabbit feed. Give your stock plenty of opportunities to graze either within or outside of the housing facilities.

    • 7

      Breed your doe rabbits every two to three months. Gestation takes about one month and pregnant rabbits should be given their own enclosure when they are within one week of birth. Litters will be between six to 10 leverets or baby rabbits.

    • 8

      Butcher or sell all rabbits not being use for breeding when they weigh about 4 1/2 pounds.