Living more frugally can mean growing your own food, that can include more than just plants, it can mean meat. Many people who live in more rural areas grow chickens for eggs and meat, it’s just as easy to grow rabbits, this is something that has appealed to me ever since I moved off-grid, I would have no problems eating them, but it would be difficult, at least in the beginning, to dispatch one, I’m sure after it’s dead I would be able to skin it, gut it and prepare it… I did see a video of a man who invented a method of humanly dispatching the rabbit, here is the video
It appears easy and quick, but it’s still would not easy (for me), at least not in the beginning…
I found another video, actually it’s 3 videos about how to dispatch and clean a rabbit, this looks more doable for me.
Of course if you have a willing friend, you can have your friend dispatch and clean your rabbits for half the meat, that means you lose 50% of your meat, so in reality it’s best to be able to do it yourself.
I’ll do more research on what breeds are best, and how to tan the hides, with the fur and without the fur.
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I second what Aaron says. I have been waiting since August and it is now January. Too late for a PayPal refund. He does not communicate at all and when he does, he treats you like the bad guy for calling him out. Poor business practices.
This may sound heartless. But do consider that when a lion hunts for food it does not play it dispatches it’s prey as fast as possible. I go rabbiting and also shoot pidgeons and squirrell for food. I would hate to make any animal suffer hencewhy I will not try a shot at something I may only wound. That to me would be untennable. I hunt for food not enjoyment and indeed understand the retiscence of some but meat does not come from supermarkets
If you order this product be prepared to wait longer than he states… he constantly delayes you order and will not contact you about delays. After getting the runaround on why my order was 10 weeks late and that he still needed more time, I demanded a refund. He is also not good at responding to e-mails until you post a complaint directly on his facebook page- then he whines about you ”bashing him.” Seems like a great idea but this guy is a piss-poor businessman. You would have better luck attempting to just build one yourself… it’s definitely faster and probably much cheaper. I guess I wouldn’t be as upset if he had discounted the price for being delayed and had communicated the delay without me having to beg for an update.
I am worried about the same thing on raising of small livestock for food. I know I can butcher them but dispatching them will be hard for me the first time. When I get a place that is big enough I plan on chickens, rabbits but also other food birds. Has anyone tried a turkey or quail.. I am thinking they will only be a bother if the noise bothers neighbors. Also does anyone grow heritage birds?
You could always try using a guillotine.
Great videos! Our family is starting the research process of seeing what we need to start raising meat rabbits; we are getting very nervous about the state of society and the economy.
Wretha, I’d suggest the 22lr option for you. Works because you’re out in the middle of nowhere. Just be aware that you will want to be close and use those super light rounds. This does however increase the chance of ricochet so don’t play.
Thanks for the info! I make the chicken statement only to ease the fear of newcomers. Texture is close however. A great deal depends on diet and activity (just like for any animal).
The device in the photo is the “rabbit wringer”, manufactured by a friend of mine, Sal Pizzurio. Sal also makes the ‘Rabbit Zinger’, which is a captive bolt gun used for dispatch. Both devices are easy to use and if used correctly, are virtually error free. With the rabbit wringer, the device in the photo above, the key is pulling in the right direction, and with the correct force. You need to pull the rabbit completely perpendicular to the rod, pull fast and slightly upward. This will result in a clean separation of the neck/spine with no bruising and an instant death. If you pull correctly, little effort is needed.
I’ve been raising meat rabbits for the past 38 years. There’s no method I haven’t tried, no device I haven’t used – and Sal’s products are superior. A properly placed .22 is an option, but a lot of suburban and city folk’ raise rabbits and it’s illegal to discharge a firearm within city limits in most areas. Since many are raising rabbits under the radar do to zoning regulations prohibiting them, the last thing you want is to use a gun and draw attention. A simple broom stick or re-bar can be used on the floor for the ‘broomsticking’ method. Easy and free.
Lastly – rabbits don’t taste like chicken ☺☺☺ They really don’t – at least not to me and not to most people I know. Rabbits have their own unique taste. Domestic rabbits are far less gamey and much milder in flavor than wild rabbits. Their diet plays a big role in their taste/fat content. They’re good, but they’re not chicken…
BunnyGal.
So, it looks as though processing isn’t the problem for you it’s the dispatching?
Aguila 22lr colibri rounds are very cheap. They are a lightweight bullet propelled only but the primer (no powder). Not even as loud as a bb gun but gives you the ability to dispatch small critters at close range quick and clean.
If processing the animal is a no go then I’m not sure how to help. You either can or can’t I guess.
Our bunnies are killed with a single 22lr shot. Then processed immediately. I have a technique down for processing and if you plan to use rabbits for regular meat you will get it down as well.
That said, “Tastes like chicken!”.
Corey, yes it is the dispatching I would have a problem with, I have no problem doing the rest of it, the skinning, the gutting, the cleaning and cutting up (butchering)…
I think with something quick and humane, I could deal with it… :)
Lisa, thanks for your tips :)
Wretha