Friday, February 7, 2014

Two Reasons I Raise Rabbits

OK.  So I'm apologizing for the pictures in advance.  

I know, gross to look at, but I needed to prove how little waste rabbit has compared to his friend chicken.  

Don't get me wrong, I raise chicken fryers too (that will be another post).

The dear rabbit has a higher meat to bone ratio when compared to his friend the chicken (see proof below).  More bang for your buck (yes, I know I said buck, as in a buck rabbit).  Not only does a rabbit carcass contain more meat, but also more protein and less fat too.  Don't believe me check here http://www.azrabbits.com/useful-information/nutrition.html.

Waste from a roasted rabbit

I will not lie my friend.  Before we started this adventure of raising rabbits for meat, we purchased a rabbit fryer from our neighbor.  I was so excited to try something new!  When I cooked it, it smelled so delicious with all of that garlicky gravy.  Put the food on the table, fixed my plate, said grace, took a deep breath and I bit into that large, lovely rabbit thigh.

Chew, chew, chew, chew, chew......Swallow.
It didn't taste bad. Not to far off from rabbits friend the chicken.

However....
I couldn't get the image of a cute little bunny out of my head.  
Mentally, I was having a hard time, so eating my meal took a while.

I wasn't ready to give up.  

Knowing how similar the taste was to chicken, we purchased two does and a buck and started breeding rabbits.  Another reason I raise rabbits, you don't have to wait for good weather and sunshine to raise them.  They can provide your family with meat All. Year. Long!  We successfully butchered and I prepared another rabbit meal.  This time on the smoker!

Waste from a roasted chicken

Chew, chew, chew.....Swallow.
It was a little easier this time around.  And oh my goodness, SO DELICIOUS!

Mentally, it was easier.  I still thought about the cute little bunny, but just a little bit.

Finally, we invited my in-laws over for dinner and we prepared smoked rabbit again (one of our favorite ways to prepare it).  They also had raised rabbits in the past when my husband was very young.  So young in fact, he can only recall eating it once.

Chew.....Swallow.
I had an audience.  No way was I going to be the last one done.  I was over thinking about the cute little bunny and have never looked back.

The End!

Note:  We butcher our rabbits between the ages of 12-15 weeks.  Our chicken fryers are butchered between 8-9 weeks of age.  I just wait until there size is pleasing to my eye.

Blessings,
Angie

P.S. If you have any questions about raising rabbits, I would be more than happy to answer them.






4 comments:

  1. Great post. I loved the "chew chew chew.... swallow" because that would be me. I'm not quite able to get the cute bunny out of my head (maybe because we just have the cute little minis. I know actual 'meat' rabbits aren't really all that cute), but it's something I want to try!

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    1. Kim, Give rabbit a try. You may have to give it a couple of tries (smile). Raising rabbits throughout the year not only helps on the grocery budget but allows to be more connected with our food.

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  2. How do you smoke your rabbit?

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    1. We acquired a Traeger (electric smoker/grill) from a customer as a partial trade for labor. We are able to choose different wood pellets to help flavor the meat.

      I have seen some great pins on Pinterest of home built smokers. You should check them out!

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