Meat Pen

[CodysFarm]

i was wondering if anyone has ever auctioned ameat pen of rabbits, and if you have what is the average price you canget for them if its full grown ave. size rabbits. is it worthraising meat rabbits to auction ( can you make any money fromthem??)



thanx

cody

 

[pamnock]

My son did a 4-H meat pen once. Youneed to hand out info and solicit buyers. Depending on thearea, a youth can make some cool cash on a Grand Champion meat pen --generally at least a few hundred dollars on a pen of 3

Meat pens must weigh from 3-5 lbs. each and are generally under 10 weeks of age.

If you are considering raising them for sale to a processor, thecurrent prices across the countryaverage only about 50 centsper live pound. Many processors only deal with qualifiedgrowers of large rabbit farms.

Pam

 

:X

 

[ayglnu13]

I know this is just my opinion, but how could some one eat this

It is too fluffy and cuddly for me to eat it.

~Amy

 

[RaspberrySwirl]

What exactly is apen? Is it like a class or a category or what? I am interested in the4-H stuff but I don't always know what these things mean?

Raspberry

 

[RaspberrySwirl]

Everyone is welcometo discuss all areas of rabbitry here. We don't have to turn it into apolitical debate you all. That has been done so many times here that ithas become tiresome.Cody had a true question, which Pam wasable to answer.

Raspberry

 

[ayglnu13]

RaspberrySwirl wrote:

Everyone is welcome to discuss allareas of rabbitry here. We don't have to turn it into a politicaldebate you all. That has been done so many times here that it hasbecome tiresome. Cody had a true question, which Pam was able toanswer.

Raspberry

Oh goodness, I wasnt trying to start a fight or anything. My dad eatsrabbit and my Aunt and Uncle raise meat rabbits, but since I breedrabbits for pets the thought of eating my bunny makes me nervous *Ipromise I was not trying to start a fight*

~Amy

 

[pamnock]

RaspberrySwirl wrote:

What exactly is a pen? Is itlike a class or a category or what? I am interested in the 4-H stuffbut I don't always know what these things mean?

Raspberry

The meat pen is a class of 3 fryers. In 4-H at the fairs, they would be auctioned off.

The rabbits are judged on their meat type, condition, uniformity, and fur.

Pam

 

[CodysFarm]

thanks pam for theresponse. iwas afraid of posting here because i figured that someone would be alil offended, but i was just trying to find a way that i could make alittle bit of extra money, and one of my friends told me that you canmake a lot of money in rabbits. i just wanted a little bit more info.



cody

 

[pamnock]

The initial investment of starting off is quite abit -- it really would offset any profit you'd make unless you have ahuge facility. You can find more info on what's involved andthe expenses you would incurin the 8th Edition of "RabbitProduction". The book is approx. $40, but well worth theinvestment.

We are down to approx. 130 show rabbits, and I spend about $10,000 ayear on rabbit care, traveling and showing. Even with myjudging income, I'm still in the red. It does make a for agood tax write-off though -- and we didn't pay any federal taxes lastyear on any of our income (our rentals werealso in the red).

Pam

 

[RaspberrySwirl]

You cantell it's tax day! Pam has those figures on the tip of her tongue!

Raspberry

PS- Amy, thank you for clarifying yourposition. I'm just plain tuckered out from being "onguard"for trolls, bickering, etc.so I was probablytoo quick to try and nip it in the bud. I apologize if I offended you.:?

 

[ayglnu13]

RaspberrySwirl wrote:

You can tell it's tax day! Pamhas those figures on the tip of her tongue!

Raspberry

PS- Amy, thank you for clarifying yourposition. I'm just plain tuckered out from being "on guard" for trolls,bickering, etc. so I was probably too quick to try and nip it in thebud. I apologize if I offended you. :?

Nope not offended at all, I would have probably done the same thing if I was in your shoes and saw my post

~Amy

 

[KatsMeowTree]

Alright,

As Pam says you need to get out and tell people that you are auctioningrabbits. You also need to be active in 4-H and get your name out there.Be competitive in all areas and your price will go up. Don't be afraidto talk to your buyers and have cards handy with your name, number andbreeds on it. Being able to get your name out there, do well at thefair and have a pleasant appearance are the biggest influences onprice.

"Meat Pens" are usually 7-10 weeks old and 3-5 pounds. They're judgedon Uniformity, Meat type, Fur... etc. Meet pens are pretty challengingbut over all they should pay off welll

Good luck,

Kat