Page 10 - Hazels Rabbit Farm CS

When rabbit meat is sold in retailers such as restaurants,
many people assume that the meat comes from wild

rabbits. However, most of the rabbit meat that is sold in
the UK and elsewhere comes from farmed rabbits that

have been reared specifically for meat production.

EU Report

The European Food Safety

Authority commissioned a scientific

report into commercial rabbit

farming in 2003 and found that

almost 857 million rabbits were

slaughtered for the meat industry with more than half

coming from China.

Rabbits produce a highly acceptable, very nutritious meat.

For meat production, medium-weight New Zealand Whites
are best, followed by Californians.

Rabbits have a number of advantages that make their

production quite inviting. One doe can produce 4-6 litters

of 6-8 young each per year which means that one doe can

easily produce 25 or more offspring per year.

Medium-weight breeds (9 to 12 pounds) are able to start

breeding at 6 to 7 months of age, with males maturing one

month later than females. One buck can service about 10