I know this is an old video but I want to thank you for posting it and not sparing the graphic parts. I live in a neighborhood that prohibits chickens so I originally was looking into quail, but they seem like a lot of work for not much meat. With rabbits I’m still struggling with the cute and fluffy problem. Thanks to your video I at least know exactly what killing and butchering looks like and what I’d be getting myself into.

@westmeadowrabbits

4 ай бұрын

It was going to be taken down but I appealed. Still got totally demonetized though 😂 I had the same issue with quail and getting past the cute factor is tough at first, but goes away quickly,

@CharlieGoy

4 ай бұрын

​@@westmeadowrabbits It was going to be taken down? Why on earth for? A little too real for BoobTube? I used to bird hunt, so I've butchered duck, pheasant, and geese but that's all. I can appreciate the difficulty in killing any animal, they're all beautiful in their own way. I'm considering raising meat rabbits and there's no avoiding this inevitability. Thank you for keeping this video online. Peace and God bless.

"Can't sell in our state" Reminds me of Colorado. We couldn't "buy" milk from a dairy farm unpasteurized... BUT... we could "pay to support a local cow" and then we could be "gifted" with dairy products. 😄

@westmeadowrabbits

2 жыл бұрын

That's very clever, I may use that!

@squizzyicetea

2 жыл бұрын

@@westmeadowrabbits lol "with the purchase of each lucky rabbits foot you get a free rabbit!" Rabbits foot - $35

@fistybaby9489

Ай бұрын

You shouldn’t drink unpasteurized milk, you are putting yourself at unnecessary risk.

I was DREADING the killing part. Thought it would kick and scream! But nope. It was literally just a gentle pop (if that). Great job and great video. Thanks for sharing.

Grandpa had a farm when I was growing up and we butchered a pig when I was about 7 years old. Grandpa shot the pig and hoisted it up using a winch and drained it jnto an old cast iron tub. We had an 80 gallon drum full of boiling water on a repurposed mining cart with a track on the ground that the pig was dropped into and its hair came right off. Grandpa would say a prayer before all of this and thanked the animal and god. Then he would write down in a small book the animal's weight, age, and the date. He made a smoked ham that year and I learned to respect the food we eat. This video reminded me of that time, and I'm thankful for that. Cheers, I wish you well sir!

@westmeadowrabbits

5 ай бұрын

That's awesome! Thank you!

I'm a big animal lover, but also studying biology, so I understand food chain concepts for the most part. However it was still hard to get myself to watch the process. But the process is very humane and respectful to the animal which is important to me. If I ever start my own homestead(?) farm, I think I'll raise rabbits as well, thank you! Also that is ALOT of meat to use, very resourceful

Thank you so much for recording this! it was hard seeing, but if we are to be self-reliant doing the hard part is important.

I paused the video to read the comments right before he killed the rabbit because i thought it would be uncomfortable to watch but that was very much less bad than i was expecting

That was a very helpful video. I am an animal lover but also a hunter and would like to start raising meat rabbits. You really put me at ease about the whole process. Thank you for sharing this!

@westmeadowrabbits

2 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Processing is always the hardest part for animal lovers like us. Thankfully when done right it's quick and painless.

I really appreciate your videos. Love the fact that you get right to the subject and have a well planned video. I always learn something! I use garden secateurs to cut off the paws. I also have one bucket of warm water to clean my hands and the knife and secateur and one bucket of cold water to cool the meat. I do the dispatching and cleaning out in my shed as I too live in a residential area with chain-linked fences and I don’t want to upset a neighbor. Then I go to my kitchen and rewash the carcass with the spray er in my sink before putting it in the fridge.

@CassieDavis613

5 ай бұрын

How do you dispose of the waste?

Thank you so much for this video! The biggest thing im always worried about when prepping an animal for processing is the actual killing part

Great video! I just bought 16 Californian rabbits, 1 buck, 3 female and 12 babies with two hutches. I have hogs, laying hens, broilers, quail, goats (milk/cheese…for some reason I just can’t eat one) and honey bees. Rabbits completely slipped my mind and the guy I bought my hogs and many other things from messaged me today and told me his dad was ill and needed to sell the 300 rabbits he had 😮 I was like well crap I didn’t even think of rabbits sure I’ll buy them! So I go pick them up tomorrow. Anyway, I’m glad I found this video and I subscribed because I glanced through your videos and saw great things. 🎉 now I hope my daughters don’t tell me we have to keep them all 😂

@westmeadowrabbits

Жыл бұрын

Jumping right in, I like it! Good luck!

Not finished video yet, but have to say I was enthralled with the butchering process up until it was 'male trim time'. Oh goodness that sent shivers lol

@westmeadowrabbits

5 ай бұрын

Yea it's unpleasant...

Thank you so much for teaching us. This is such a very useful video

Respectful guy no cap

Nice educational video. Thanks for the posting

@westmeadowrabbits

Ай бұрын

You're welcome!

Excellent! Your videos have helped me quite a bit, and I Return to watch repeat videos now and then. I’ve just purchased a breeding trio and will be breeding them for the first time March 1! I especially liked your videos on feeding the rabbits stuff from my own yard! I already grow Willow, comfrey, lilac, and a myriad of other green stuff! That’s in addition to my big garden. Keep the videos coming.... great job!

@westmeadowrabbits

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Glad I could help!

I use pruning shears to cut the feet off. You still have to get between the ends of the bones but they cut through the tendons easier than a knife.

@westmeadowrabbits

2 жыл бұрын

I have seen a lot of people doing that, I should get myself a good pair!

Would you be able to do something similar with a heavy duty rope? Hopper poppers are $250 and I am about to start raising meat so I am already dropping so much on breeders. This was super hard to watch, but I appreciate your grace and how calm the bunny was. My pet hollands aren’t even this calm when being held sometimes. I am nervous to start, as I started with bunnies as pets, but inflation sucks and my dogs need food

@BIGBigBoiNICK

9 ай бұрын

You could do the choke chain method if thats what you mean

@westmeadowrabbits

9 ай бұрын

I also started with pets and it can be hard to make the transition. I still have pet rabbits and would never eat them, but livestock is different. There are many methods, i just prefer this one as there is lest room for error. 250 sounds crazy! Fill out the contact form on my website and I'll see if I can get one made for you for 50 plus shipping if you are interested.

Just started seriously lookin into homesteading as im pivoting my career to WFH so I can get some acres and do this. LOVE the idea of rabbits. Tasty and such, wanted to say good content and damn shame about this boy! He is a damn good lookin buck. :( Hope he tasted just as good!

I use the same knife! Absolutely love that knife!

Thank you for the lesson!

Your videos really are awesome. How bout making it a 3 part prep, butcher, and cook?!?!

@westmeadowrabbits

2 жыл бұрын

I definitely will be making a cooking tutorial video soon!

Good video bud

Where do I get the piece thats attached to the tree? Special name for that style?

@westmeadowrabbits

9 ай бұрын

My brother in law made it, he is a welder. Any kind of meat hooks should do. I may have extras kicking around. Fill out a contact form on my website.

Thank you for taking the time and making this video to teach other people. These types of skills are necessary, even though we have grocery stores. You want to have this kind of knowledge if an emergency or shortage ever hit.

@westmeadowrabbits

2 жыл бұрын

It also helps people understand where there food comes from!

I admit i cringed watching this but I appreciate the guide. Thanks what is the ideal age range to process your rabbits?

@westmeadowrabbits

Жыл бұрын

It's definitely tough if you aren't used to it or weren't raised around it. Ideal depends on what you are looking for. The most efficient age to process is between 8 and 12 weeks when they are "fryers". After that you will lose more on feed than you gain in meat. That being said older rabbits (roasters or stewers) will produce better pelts and more meat, but it's much less tender. I recommend beginners stick to processing younger rabbits until they get some experience under their belt.

Great clip

You should make some clean and cook videos! You can show us some recipes

@westmeadowrabbits

3 ай бұрын

It's on the list!

Why was it still moving when you were trying to hang it for the neck cutting after being pulled out on that thing? just asking

@westmeadowrabbits

9 ай бұрын

Reflexes. Dead animals will sometimes twitch for a long time after death. I even seen hearts still beating after the head is totally removed and the heart is out of the body.

@neogoo123

5 ай бұрын

It's been a while since you posted this and he already commented, but I wanted to build a little further on it. The muscles are controlled by nerves. Most people like to think that all of the information going to the muscles by those nerves comes from the brain, but this is not the case. A lot of neural activity comes from the spinal cord as well. When the animal is killed, the animal is not completely "dead". Almost all of the cells in the animal are still very much so alive and will go about their activity as if nothing had happened, that is until the supply of oxygen in their bodies is used up and they themselves also begin to die. Many of these still-alive cells are nerve cells that will fire randomly due to various changes in the environment of the body. These random firings will shoot down the nerves to the muscles, causing them to spasm like seen.

@CarlPapa88

18 күн бұрын

​@@neogoo123The more ya know. I'd always figured as much about the twitching.

i cringed watching this but i resepect it more than i can express. being self sufficient is something everyone should strive for. ive lived in NYC for almost 40 years, feeding street cats, dogs and even rabbits that people have dropped off at parks when theyre done with them. rabbits are so cute and cuddly (lol) but as i look to finally flee this cesspit and find some acreage upstate, this is something i will need to learn. thanks again.

How much do you sell the meat for (dog food)?

Woe...this one was hard, just watched one of your videos comparing chicken to rabbits, I was sure hoping on some new fangled technical invention that you put the rabbit in and it comes out ready for the oven...just kidding...but will need time to intelligently process idea. thank-you once again

Thanks for this.

Every one:ahh pls don't kill the rabbit Every commenters:ahh ty for teaching us

Really glad youtube didn't censor this. It's important to know.

@CarlPapa88

18 күн бұрын

Completely agreed. Surprised too.

Thank you very much

@westmeadowrabbits

9 ай бұрын

You are welcome!

Thank you!

@westmeadowrabbits

7 ай бұрын

You're welcome!

I find the transition between animal and food always interesting. You have a dead animal but as soon as you remove the skin im becomes food in my opinion. Its fascinating. Otherwise really good tutorial. I guess the first few rabbits are the hardest to kill. Atleast i would have problems out of fear to make life shitty for both partys involved. But as soon as you got the hang out of it it seems easy. You did not clarify it here but do you check all these organs for any visible dissease?

@westmeadowrabbits

4 ай бұрын

Agreed. Personally, I find the process deeply humbling. It makes me reflect on my own mortality and my part in the circle of life. We modern humans have forgotten that we are a part of these natural systems, and that life consumes life. To much time in cities and on computers I guess! Anyways sorry for the philosophy rant. I always inspect the whole carcass, for signs of disease or genetic defect. It almost never effects the meat, but it's important to know so you can correct any issue.

@uwesca6263

4 ай бұрын

@@westmeadowrabbits never apologize for philosophie :D In germany hunters are trained to look out for the most common diseases on animals and we have to check them when we gut them. Sure we seldom find anything. But a friend of mine once had a hog infected with anthrax. And since then i will always wear gloves when gutting. And be carefull with checking. But i guess thats not that big of a deal with raised rabbits :D Do you have to deal with infections and illness a lot? We had the issue with myxomatosis that killed a lot of rabits in my area.

@westmeadowrabbits

4 ай бұрын

@@uwesca6263 Not so much in the US. Rabbits are less commonly raised here and we don't have a lor of the diseases you guys do.

How do you sell for dog food? Individual or to a company or ?

@westmeadowrabbits

Ай бұрын

I sell to individuals.

What type of knife do you use?

@westmeadowrabbits

2 жыл бұрын

I cover the tools I use in the previous video : kzread.info/dash/bejne/rHh8zrWwibieg8o.html The knife is from Bass Equipment.

This was age restricted in Europe yesterday, but I guess I can watch it today 🔝

@westmeadowrabbits

2 жыл бұрын

Yes KZread automatically age restricted it, but I appealed and explained that it was educational. Thankfully they agreed and removed the age restriction.

@logiic8835

2 жыл бұрын

@@westmeadowrabbits Thanks because here in EU they really buffed the whole age restriction thing making it very hard to watch content.

Its quite big , whats its weight and age

@westmeadowrabbits

2 жыл бұрын

About 14 weeks. I didn't weigh this one but at that age mine are usually around 6 pounds.

Is it possible to not kill him the way you did? Like if i pull him and he is still alive what to do after?

@westmeadowrabbits

9 ай бұрын

Anything is possible but this method is the most fool proof I know of. If it fails you could try again or have a heavy object near by to bash them on the head with. It's rare but not ideal so start with small young rabbits and get it right the first time!

Awesome video and you are correct about Daniel Salatin's video - it is the best I found on the subject. Whack the rabbit on the back of the head, hang into slip knots, bleed and gut it. Thanks!

That actually really irritates me that in Massachusetts you can't sell rabbit meat for human consumption. We've been eating rabit our entire history of being humans and now all of a sudden they want to take it away. I still think rabbit is a lot better vs cows for regular meat consumption and definitely better than pork and so I just don't understand why they would make it illegal. Thank you very much for this. I'm actually in the process of getting my own rabbit farm going, but mine will be for human consumption. I'll go and look at that other gentleman's video as well that you mentioned. Greatly appreciate you.

@westmeadowrabbits

3 ай бұрын

Technically it's not illegal, it's just almost impossible to do it profitably because of all the regulations. I guess it's the same as being illegal in the end though!

@keinlieb3818

3 ай бұрын

@@westmeadowrabbits I see. I'll sell the rabbit as "dog food that's good enough for people" and if people eat the dog food, can't pin it on me.

@westmeadowrabbits

3 ай бұрын

@@keinlieb3818That's what I do!

Ive seen people 'squeeze' the guts out and then just plain rip the skin off in like 30 seconds, whats the about and why dont you do that? And also, do the other rabbits not get freaked out by all this cause theyre just right there and the one you butchered was just so calm. Might be really dumb questions but im just curious and i dont know shit.

@westmeadowrabbits

5 ай бұрын

Three reasons. I'm going somewhat slower than usual for teaching purposes. I don't do this more than a couple times a month so I'm not as fast as some. finally I don't want to bruise the meat or risk spoiling it from ruptured organs. The other rabbits don't care because they are bottom of the food chain animals and aren't very smart. As long as the other rabbits are calm and their surroundings are familiar, they don't get upset.

@yuminheo8905

5 ай бұрын

@westmeadowrabbits oh OK thanks for replying man.

This is such a great video, thanks so much!

@westmeadowrabbits

2 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome!

what breed of rabbit do you butchered?

@westmeadowrabbits

3 ай бұрын

New Zealands mostly.

Also I know this video is old, but most of the normal American population have stopped apologizing to the weak humans on this planet.

@westmeadowrabbits

Ай бұрын

?

Kinda time we use common sense & that way the Govt. doesn't need to babysit our ...well everything. Haha Food prep. in this case. 👍 "A meat banana". Lol True

I have rabbits.when time comes to slaughter them I always have a heart of forgiving them

Had close my eyes for that,. Na just kidding mint vid.

I tried to watch this video about butchering a rabbit but could not do it. However, I do eat meat occasionally, but that does not mean that "I should be comfortable" with butchering something. But I appreciate your warning and even MORE appreciate that you do whatever it is humanely. Thank you for being kind!

うまそう

Poverino dig dig

I. Love you

2:43 is how to butcher it

I use a pellet rifle and bleed out also

@ryse5793

Ай бұрын

You're mentally ill.

Dog food??? Dude, I'd eat that rabbit. Doesn't look any dirtier than butchering game in the woods.

@westmeadowrabbits

Жыл бұрын

Oh I eat plenty! I have so much I can afford to be picky.

Looks like the HOAs are closing in your property there.

@westmeadowrabbits

5 ай бұрын

Don't worry, I'm moving!

Awwwww kill a bunny 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

Waste of blood

What does butchering rabbits have to do with Americans?

No problem with your methods, maybe just butcher further away from the other rabbits? I obviously no right to tell you what to do anyway.

@westmeadowrabbits

Жыл бұрын

In an ideal situation I would, but unfortunately many people including myself, will not have enough land to do that.

Noooooo

@ScorobeSlavinpoop

6 ай бұрын

What? You didn't read the description? Go watch a cartoon if you don't have the stomach for the video. 🤣 Life skills are important. You will be worthless in the apocalypse!

Wth

@Mr-Soundboard799

5 ай бұрын

dont say this is bad if you eat any other kind of meat

@ryse5793

Ай бұрын

@@Mr-Soundboard799 You don't butcher rabbits near other rabbits.

No way y’all enjoy someone killing a rabbit…

@westmeadowrabbits

Жыл бұрын

It never a fun experience to kill an animal, but when you have raised it for food it can be fulfilling. Thankfully the actual killing is over in a few seconds. Butchering can be enjoyable, especially when you have a big group of friends and family helping.

@sentinel2.064

Жыл бұрын

He never said he had fun killing them it’s a educational video on how to kill and butcher a rabbit, humanly.

@harjad9546

7 ай бұрын

Butchering is just a chore but the thrill of the hunt and taking the shot is exhilarating.

Thats the cutest little teddy bear ive ever seen, why eat such a beautiful creature?

*You don't butcher rabbits near other rabbits.*

@westmeadowrabbits

29 күн бұрын

It might not seem like it, but the other rabbits cant see the hanging rabbit. They can see me, but that's not a big deal.

@ryse5793

28 күн бұрын

​@@westmeadowrabbits It's better to butcher away from other animals and without visual cues, not to mention alarm pheromones and/or sounds that can cause panic. Also, there's nothing funny about butchering an animal. You remind me of hunters that smile next to their dead game. I suggest you check your ethics, especially when making influential videos.

The bunny was suffering the pain and being kill lol 😂

@Mr-Soundboard799

5 ай бұрын

It was a super quick death

Poor rabits stop!

@ellishenfoo113

Жыл бұрын

yummy rabbit😋

@sentinel2.064

Жыл бұрын

It’s meant to be eaten

@IamMeYouAreYou11

Жыл бұрын

@@sentinel2.064 its meant its meant to be love what will you do if your an animel and people wants to eat you?

@yorobuxplays3537

Жыл бұрын

yea 🛑 😨😨😓😓🥺🥺🥺😭😭😭

@ellishenfoo113

Жыл бұрын

@@IamMeYouAreYou11 The fate of the rabbit is to be eaten, this is the rule of nature

𝔹𝕒𝕕 𝕞𝕒𝕟

Wth is wrong with this dude