The Best Overall Rabbit Breeds for the Homestead

kzread.info...
This video covers our top-3 rabbit breeds for the homestead. It includes deciding factors of temperament, litter sizes, mothering ability, availability to find them for sale, pelt quality, and meat quality. It's a tough list to be the best at in every category, and these three are well-rounded.
We are a small homestead in south central Oregon living the best sustainable life as possible. We raise goats, rabbits, and heritage birds. Follow along as we divulge our secrets to surviving off-grid on solar power and growing our own food.
Keep up with us between uploads on Instagram: @spragueriverhomestead
We're also on Facebook: / spragueriverhomestead

Пікірлер: 141

  • @Revrett
    @Revrett3 жыл бұрын

    You have a way of presenting information in a useful way. As someone who is looking to start raising rabbits for meat for my family, your videos have been very helpful. Thanks.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the kind words and for watching. We do our best!

  • @amaranta5293

    @amaranta5293

    4 ай бұрын

    Agreed. I appreciate the ratings. I can tell she put real Effort forth. Great video!

  • @Admiral.Buttercup
    @Admiral.Buttercup2 жыл бұрын

    Somebody who actually discusses tempermament? Thanks be to God! Nowhere else can you find such information - shelves of books and hours on the internet returns limp platatudes and utter drivel. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, it is greatly and gratefully appreciated!

  • @robertjones7023
    @robertjones70233 жыл бұрын

    So... I butchered and process my first rabbit. It went well, I ended up a bloody mess, but did not contaminate the meat while gutting. It was a buck, pretty smelly... but all went well. I am cold-soaking the meat now. One thing I realized is that this rabbit had a lot of fat so I will need to adjust my feed. I did an okay job quartering it up. It took me about half an hour total. All in all, I would give myself a 3 out of 10. Next time I hope to speed up the process and efficiency. I did not enjoy the killing part but don't feel bad either... my rabbits are all well cared for and had great healthy lives. Thanks for all your information and support, now I need to find a great recipe!

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    The dispatching part is never easy, so if you made it through once you can do it again. You will find what works best for time and technique through repetition. After a few hundred we can do one from cage to cooler in 12 minutes if we work alone. If we tag team the process, we can get it down to 6 minutes a rabbit by breaking up the process equally. Congrats on getting the first of many done.

  • @robertjones7023

    @robertjones7023

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SpragueRiverHomestead How long do you typically let the meat rest? I have read anywhere from 0-4 days in the fridge. Thanks!

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    3 days is our general rule.

  • @11spitdms
    @11spitdms3 жыл бұрын

    I will confirm the silver fox breed is in fact in Ohio. I’m in west central Ohio just starting out with meat rabbits and I had pretty good luck sourcing mine locally.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for that. There's "pockets" of them throughout the US. Most breeds are kinda like that. Glad you were able to find some.

  • @kellytaylor2969
    @kellytaylor29693 жыл бұрын

    Thanks you’re awesome! Merry Christmas 🎄

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Merry Christmas! Thanks for watching 🙂

  • @tsttrewes
    @tsttrewes3 жыл бұрын

    Another awesome video. Only recently discovered your channel, but have learned so much from your videos. Thank you!

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Awesome, thank you! If you have any questions that aren't covered in a video feel free to email me srhomestead@yahoo.com

  • @louienavarro6619
    @louienavarro66193 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Nikki♥️ happy holidays

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Happy holidays!

  • @danielleterry180
    @danielleterry1803 жыл бұрын

    I love my TAMUS they are bread for Texas heat and produce a lot of meat and have 10-12 a litter I gave a neighbor 4 does and two bucks to get started he is building me more cages when I get the material I fully believe in the barter system everyone gets what they need when money isn’t passed

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    So interesting conversation I had with someone a few days ago in a FB group - apparently he worked on the TAMU project. He said when the project disbanded and went to private herds the goals of the program were forgotten about, and animal selection became varied by breeder. He said the animals we see today as TAMU are not at all the same, and that there is no consistency from herd to herd. The original folks who made the TAMU considers them to no longer actually exist. What people call TAMU is just a well adapted composite. I'm not sure how much truth there is to that, but it sounds likely as the very same thing happened with the Texas A&M Quail. Just wanted to share since it just came up. Hope your holidays are wonderful!

  • @jonalderson1725
    @jonalderson17253 жыл бұрын

    Your comments on the NZ are spot on.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Physically, they are nice buns. I wish they had temperaments to go with it.

  • @kenmarlin6431
    @kenmarlin64313 жыл бұрын

    Nikki, thanks very much. I plan to start my rabbit program this year. The closest American breeder is 400 miles away from my home in North Georgia. Probably worth it since we have 8 grandkids that would absolutely want to help. Your the best!

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    There actually is a breed in Georgia. He had posted a trio of Americans for sale in the Rare Breed group on Facebook. I was interested but there wasn't any transporters going that far south that could come back to Oregon. I want to say it was JI Williamson. He does have blacks in his lines, which as I understand it is pretty common for the east coast breeders.

  • @kenmarlin6431

    @kenmarlin6431

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SpragueRiverHomestead I'll find him. I am willing to drive the distance to North Carolina as an alternative if it comes down to it. Thanks very much. Ken

  • @melindajackson1405
    @melindajackson14053 жыл бұрын

    Love the silverfox!!

  • @brendab.8473
    @brendab.8473 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for the extremely useful information!

  • @PAPPY8389
    @PAPPY83893 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for sharing your wisdom 😊👍

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    My pleasure! Thank you for watching!

  • @robertjones7023
    @robertjones70233 жыл бұрын

    HA HA!!! Love the Rex comment! We have Rex's, it's just what we liked and had access to, our first litter has 3 solid Blacks and one BK/WT Bnk. The mom was annoyingly timid and had some eating and growth issues. Once she had her litter she became super friendly and is an awesome mom!!! We have a deposit for the BK/WT BKN which we sold for $65 :) and will be delivered after weaning. It has been a really rewarding experience.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Nothing wrong with picking a breed you like. It'll make you enjoy raising them all the more. I've liked and followed your Facebook page. They look like they are doing well!

  • @robertjones7023

    @robertjones7023

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SpragueRiverHomestead For sure, and thank you for all of your help along the way! We can't wait till our next property when we can get a proper bunny barn. I'd like to branch out to rare/endangered heritage breeds like the American Chinchilla or something like that.

  • @faithbuller4086
    @faithbuller40863 жыл бұрын

    I live in Northeast OK. I’m in FB rabbit groups for MO, AR and OK. There are some Silver Fox breeders in these areas. Rarely do I see anything about the American. And of course there are plenty New Zealand’s Thank you for a knowledgeable video and not someone rambling on without true knowledge. You are refreshing in that respect 👍🏼

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the kind words! There are several American breeders in that area too. Sad that they don't advertise or talk about them. I think that's a huge issue in many of the Rare Breeds.

  • @nasalies
    @nasalies3 жыл бұрын

    Silver Fox are my homesteads choice. They are terrific. They come in black, blue, chocolate, lilac, white, broken, and I know someone that has Alaskan Red.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    "Officially" they only come in Black. Blue was once an accepted color as well. I can't imagine they'll ever get the other colors recognized (except maybe chocolate), but who knows? My friend just picked up a trio over the weekend and is planning to start breeding them again. Nifty rabbits for sure! 😊

  • @CenturianCornelious
    @CenturianCornelious3 жыл бұрын

    You are the rabbit information source!

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! I do my absolute best.

  • @amyb5339
    @amyb53392 жыл бұрын

    Really great info!

  • @HeavenlyHarvestmn22
    @HeavenlyHarvestmn223 жыл бұрын

    I bred Holland lops but my husband wants to find a bigger bred so thank you for your info. I will tell him to look at your video.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Awesome! Thank you!

  • @ketocutie
    @ketocutie3 жыл бұрын

    I can agree that even tamed down NZ's can still be really flightly. They take longer to tolerate being handled. Probably 85% of rabbit scratches have been from new zealands. Almost none from my silver fox, even my extremely flightly buck does well when being picked up now.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's a real bummer, as I've always liked the broken blacks. My friend had a gorgeous doe that she showed back when I first started. If that darn thing wasn't trying to scratch the crap out of you then she was trying to bite. Californians aren't much better. Good to hear your Silver Fox buck is doing well. Thanks for watching, and have a great Christmas!

  • @leroyvandrie3611

    @leroyvandrie3611

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SpragueRiverHomestead Would like to be in regular association with breeders of the Silver Fox. Had a lovely tempered buck but lost to the heat. Like the breed and will be looking. Living in Southern Illinois and Vincennes, Indiana. HWY 50. Any ideas there.

  • @therabbityard781

    @therabbityard781

    3 жыл бұрын

    yeah I have raised NZ's for almost 4 years now and I have never gotten one to tame down

  • @joeldelosreyes3021
    @joeldelosreyes30213 жыл бұрын

    Hello nice vedeo and nice farm looks like very clean farm i love it God Bless...

  • @dbales8288
    @dbales82883 жыл бұрын

    My FAVORITE breed is the American!! One day I hope to have my own. I've never have rabbits before because this is the "must have" breed for me and they are so hard to find. Other breeds I'm interested in is the Cinnamon and the smaller Am. Sable. I would love to know your thoughts on these 2 breeds. I love the knowledge you share about rabbits and I've learned a lot from you! Thanks, and Merry Christmas!!

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    The Cinnamon is a nice rabbit. It was developed from the NZ (and a few other breeds) but I've never heard anything bad about their temperament. They are SUPER hard to come by, and are suffering some from a very small gene pool. I am working on a video about the Cinnamon which should be out in January. I am also working on a video for the American Sable. That one won't be out until February or March, as I'm still looking for a breeder to chat with that can answer some more questions. Hopefully I will have more info for you soon!

  • @guyward3928
    @guyward39283 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your information.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    My pleasure. Thanks for watching!

  • @MyAlabamaFarmLife
    @MyAlabamaFarmLife3 жыл бұрын

    Good information to know!

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @TheAmbulatingFerret
    @TheAmbulatingFerret3 жыл бұрын

    I'm glad you mentioned availability. I would love to raise American Chinchilla; but, no one within 300miles is breeding them. The few that pop up closer are for pets only and it doesn't sit right with me to lie about my intent.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Am Chins are starting to pick up in a lot of areas, so be patient. In Oregon alone I've seen four new breeders pop up in the last year. As heritage breeds continue to gain interest I'm really hoping that more people will turn to them. Thanks for watching, and enjoy your holiday!

  • @tsttrewes

    @tsttrewes

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SpragueRiverHomestead love to hear more about the American chins! What's your general thoughts about the breed?

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    I've got them on the list for a video too, LOL. I like the American Chins and had considered getting them at one time but ended up getting Champagne D'Argents instead. Huge mistake as the Champagnes are super finicky buns. Chinchillas bring their own troubles. You have to be ready to play in a very small gene pool, and the banding of the hairshaft in chinchilla requires a lot of diligence to breed correctly - you can easily get them too dark or too washed out. Their type leaves something to be desired, and I applaud the breeders that are culling hard and really turning the breed around. You do have to watch out for 'shortcutters' who are crossing in other breeds to fast track type. They don't seem to understand that it will undermine the breed as a whole if they aren't careful. Otherwise, from what I've seen and heard in talking to those tackling chin projects they are good mom's, have good litter sizing (8-10), and fair to good dress out. Growth is a bit slower than you'd see in NZ, and the feed conversion isn't as good either. Overall though, if you can find good stock I'd give them a go.

  • @tsttrewes

    @tsttrewes

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SpragueRiverHomestead Thanks so much! I have a tiny rabbitry for meat and have American chins. They have treated me very well, but I have absolutely zero experience with any other breeds so I've been learning ton from your channel :)

  • @ehsanihomestead
    @ehsanihomestead2 жыл бұрын

    silver fox are also excellent temperament and mothering skills :)

  • @stephenleach4485
    @stephenleach44853 жыл бұрын

    You've helped finalize our choice of Americans. We were leaning towards them, especially as a heritage and rare breed, which is important to me. They seemed to meet our needs overall the best. We previously had New Zealands, but were not completely pleased with temperament, having kids who want to help and rabbits that liked to fight their handler. We had some easy breeders and some that were hard to breed or didn't mother at all. It sounds like the Americans will overcome those issues. We are ok traveling a bit to find some excellent American breeding stock, so if you have recommendations of breeders, feel free to pass on the info. Thanks for the excellent videos!

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Breeders depends on where you are in the country. I'm happy to try and help. If you'd like just send me an email at srhomestead@yahoo.com

  • @erinashley1910
    @erinashley19103 жыл бұрын

    I love these recommendations! Have you ever had American Chinchillas? I raise them and have been so happy with them for meat and pelt. Mine are pretty chill rabbits, great mothers, and good size litters, usually 8-10. They have a nice, soft pelt as well. Like the Americans, the issue is availability, as they are a rare heritage breed.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    I haven't raised AmChins, but a girlfriend of mine did for awhile. I really liked them. I was intimidated a bit on how to breed them correctly to keep the correct banding in the agouti Chinchilla fur. We're not huge on single colored breeds around here either, as Canaan can't tell them apart, LOL. They are starting to pick up in availability in the PNW. Several new breeders have started raising them in the last year. A friend that lives half an hour away even has a trio of them now. Maybe down the road I'll give them a go. Thanks for watching! Happy New Year!

  • @20WarChild20
    @20WarChild203 жыл бұрын

    Solid 👍👍👍

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @mairzydoats4879
    @mairzydoats48793 жыл бұрын

    I can't wait to get some American rabbits someday. Preserving that history is so cool. Our first homestead animal will probably be chickens though, we love eggs too much. Do you have this kind of list for homestead chickens?

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Sort of. I don't have it broken down the same way but I do have one on the 5 best dual purpose breeds. If I recall correctly, all of them are heritage breeds.

  • @carolinebaines8735
    @carolinebaines87353 жыл бұрын

    I love my Silver Fox!

  • @zone4garlicfarm
    @zone4garlicfarm3 жыл бұрын

    Silver fox rabbits are commonly available in Maine. There are always a few ads on Craigslist for them.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    You'll see pockets of breeds like that Nationwide. That's great that there's a good population of them locally, if they are actually quality Fox.

  • @zone4garlicfarm

    @zone4garlicfarm

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SpragueRiverHomestead I don't know anyone who raises them so I can't comment about the quality. I'm looking for high quality Satins to raise for meat and pelts.

  • @leroyvandrie3611
    @leroyvandrie36113 жыл бұрын

    MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hope you had a fantastic Christmas 🌲

  • @kimlougheed6642
    @kimlougheed66423 жыл бұрын

    I have Champagnes. Seems I recall you rolling your eyes when mentioning the breeding of this variety. Please forgive if I have mixed up my channels. In Oregon too, on Snake River. Lines are mostly from WA, Puget Sound, Camano Island.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm not a big eye roller, but anything is possible I suppose. I raised Champagnes and don't recommend them. I had lines/animals from some of the best West Coast breeders and I found them to have poor personalities, lackluster mothering skills and to be difficult breeders if not bred back to back. Any time we allowed a doe to sit open for more than a month between litters it would be an absolute fight to get them rebred. They build internal fat faster than any breed I've owned. Beautiful rabbits and I really wanted to love them. We tried for several years and couldn't get anything close to consistency with them. I loved my boys who were sweet enough but more like big silvered potatoes.

  • @kimlougheed6642

    @kimlougheed6642

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SpragueRiverHomestead I have had some of those issues with my Champagnes, so I feel that I could possibly have some of the same lineage that you had ...top breeders ...nationals winners, grand champions so forth, 10 legs, west coast. I am having consistent 8 kit litters... I say consistent ,when it regularly starts out with first timers having kits on the wire, repeatedly emptying the nest box ect. Anyway, not showing, just fell into this collection of Champagnes with the owner getting out. They are spectacular, love them. Your channel is tops!!!

  • @achillesmex4112
    @achillesmex4112 Жыл бұрын

    An interesting category would be meat flavor. I've heard a lot that the Silver Fox has great(best?) meat flavor .

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    Жыл бұрын

    Its a myth. We actually have a video about it. All domestic rabbits are related and only separated by phenotype (appearance). Flavor of meat is determined by diet and age at time of dispatch.

  • @rsl82568
    @rsl825683 жыл бұрын

    yes I tried to raise American Chinchilla and New Zealand rabbits. I come to find out that American Chinchilla has a stronger flavor in the meat. The flavor is much stronger than the flavors of other rabbits I have ate.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    I have had people tell me that some breeds taste different from others. I've never noticed any real flavor differences myself. That's interesting!

  • @leroyvandrie3611
    @leroyvandrie36113 жыл бұрын

    Like the REX too.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    I had some for a little bit, but the upkeep was more than I wanted to deal with as their nails grow faster than other breeds. Super sweet breed. They do grow more slowly than a good number of the meat breeds, as Rex were developed first and foremost as pelt animals.

  • @leroyvandrie3611

    @leroyvandrie3611

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SpragueRiverHomestead My Rex now are a miniature variety. My doe “talks” to me with single and multiple grunts for feed, snacks, water and likes and dislikes. Responds to the name Sheba and Momma. She’s black with a greyish silver underbelly. We mate her with a mini otter colored male and kindles five to nine. She had the nine just one time Easter 2019 and threw a runt but didn’t give up on him. He didn’t have any hair till he was 12 weeks old. A real cutie though. First time Planning a hundred or so retail units for Easter 2021. Folks are buying minnies for pets around here in Southern Illinois. AND meat rabbits. We have the three states of Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky all within about an hour or so of each other. It’s a little house on the prairie surrounded with bean, wheat and corn fields. It’s home. Well, Hey, you guys Thanks for your conversations today and hope you and yours have continued blessings in 2021. We are in the Knoxville, TN area waiting on a couple days of dry 50+ degree weather while we enjoy our time with a couple of our three girl’s and their families. And of course, I have a few open cages right now, I might like to fill IF I find a bunny to go home with us, ha.

  • @narsonspose
    @narsonspose3 жыл бұрын

    I really appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge with us, you are an excellent teacher. My wife and I are setting up a rabbitry for both meat and pelt production on a small scale and I've been busy making cages (14 gauge 1"x2"). We've come to the issue of nest boxes and have decided on removable wire boxes that will attach to the bottom of the cage with a trap door providing access in and out. My questions are these: Given we hope to raise American Chinchillas what is the appropriate size to make the nest box, and is 1/2" x 1" wire the right opening size? Finally, given we live in West Tennessee with relatively mild winters but hot humid summers, is there an alternative solution to the nest box question you would suggest we look at?

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Drop down boxes are fine. I'd look at the sani-nest from Bass Equipment for inspiration. I have some that we use in the cages during summer since I have stacked cages. The dimensions are like 10x18x8 I think. It should list the size on their website. They're made of 14ga floor wire I believe. You do need to use a floor liner (cardboard or something) to keep their feet from falling through.

  • @narsonspose

    @narsonspose

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SpragueRiverHomestead Thanks for the suggestion. You mention 'floor wire', I've been using the same 1"X2" wire all around. Each cage has a 16" ceramic floor tile that rabbits can use as a resting place. Should I change out the bottom wire to the 1/2"x1" wire as well?

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Floors should never be bigger than 1/2x1 inch. The 1x2 wire will cause injury from legs going through. Young rabbits won't be able to walk in it all, and newborns can crawl right through 1x2.

  • @narsonspose

    @narsonspose

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SpragueRiverHomestead Thanks for the update. To be clear did you mean that every cage, the adult cages as well as the nest boxes, should have 1/2"x1" bottoms. I was planning on 1/2x1 for the nests but if necessary I'll retrofit the adult cage bottoms as well.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@narsonsposeyes, all cages should have the smaller wire. Adult feet can go through 1x2 so all cages need to have 1/2 x 1.

  • @hardpathpoet2859
    @hardpathpoet28593 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely! I love my Americans! Blues, Whites and Blacks!

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    We added a black recently because I absolutely love his type. I've always said I wouldn't raise them because they aren't a recognized color. You have to be super careful with blacks in the program too, since it is a dominant color. I knew a breeder a few years back that ended up starting over completely because she basically turned her herd black by mistake.

  • @jacindam8721
    @jacindam87213 жыл бұрын

    I agree the New Zeeland's and the Californians even have a questionable temperament in my opinion. I much prefer to have the calm attitude where you don't have to worry about your fingers when your hand is near the cage....I say near the cage because my Cali's will nail your fingers if you are not fast enough with their morning treat. The French lop crosses are so laid back anyone can reach in and pet them and they are so lovey. I will take the hit in less kits ( although both my Cali's seem to struggle with consistent breeding and litter size) or food conversion to have the better mannered rabbits regardless of breed. I think I may get an American and see how she does, if she is as laid back as my crosses.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    French lops are pretty sweet overall. I have a friend who breeds them in IL. They just have so much BONE. I do agree though, I'll gladly take some hits to avoid temperamental rabbits. That's why I started in Harlequins to begin with - I was so tired of big, psycho buns.

  • @jacindam8721

    @jacindam8721

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SpragueRiverHomestead Maybe it is because they are crosses but I don't really find the bone is any more weight wise than it was with the straight cali's , when deboning and weighing it out.

  • @debbieschaffner2581
    @debbieschaffner25813 жыл бұрын

    Great info! What is the grow out time for the Silver Fox? They are beautiful!

  • @bygraceonly182

    @bygraceonly182

    3 жыл бұрын

    Mine are 6.5 lbs at 12 weeks, nor sure if that’s good or bad

  • @SageandStoneHomestead

    @SageandStoneHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Grace that is good!

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Offhand I want to say they hit 5# in the 10-12 week time frame. Some lines will grow better, and the number of kits in a litter does impact that.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    That's a pretty good growth rate @Graceonly08

  • @nerdhomestead
    @nerdhomestead Жыл бұрын

    #7 a bunch of them are making content, others are raising rabbits and sharing

  • @JR-3030
    @JR-30303 жыл бұрын

    Would love to see what a white SF looks like!

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    They aren't that impressive in photos as they just look like a Red Eyed White NZ. In person though they are much prettier.

  • @GregoryParker
    @GregoryParker3 жыл бұрын

    Your rabbit looks a little bit like mine 👍

  • @Tess1984
    @Tess19842 жыл бұрын

    Hi🦋 My Husband and I moved to Sprague River a bit over a year ago now. We raised meat chickens last year. We have our layers now. We want to start meat rabbits instead next spring. I was wondering if you sell your does? And if so, already bred?

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    2 жыл бұрын

    We very seldom sell adult rabbits. We do sell juniors (10-16) weeks. For more info you can email us directly at SRHomestead@yahoo.com

  • @prveteran
    @prveteran Жыл бұрын

    Hi Nicky in terms of safety. Do you ever have raccoons reach into the cage wire that can injure a rabbit. I plan to keep rabbits outside with only a cage. Not inside a closed shed or anything. Thoughts?

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    Жыл бұрын

    We don't have raccoons where we live. I have heard of them stealing kits out lf cages, and injurying young rabbits. If raccoons are in issue where you live, you may look at building your own cages out of smaller wire (1×1 or even 1/2x1 for top and sides) or covering tops and sides with 1/2x1/2 hardware cloth.

  • @grod0051
    @grod00513 жыл бұрын

    Love the videos!!! Just found you. I've heard that if you're allergic to cats, you Will he allergic to rabbits. Have you heard that b4???? Or know if its true???? I'm really allergic to cats and want to get into meat rabbits but am hesitant because of allergies. Thanks for the help!!!!!!

  • @ketocutie

    @ketocutie

    3 жыл бұрын

    Im very allergic to cats have no problem with rabbits. I can pick one up and shove my nose into them and not sneeze. They dont smell like anything and if they do they smell like hay. Only time they directly make me sneeze is if they are molting and loose hairs get into my nose. So if you have a grass allergy thatll be more likely to give you problems. Or letting litter pans go too long between cleanings.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Nope, separate allergies. I don't have trouble with cats and am mildly allergic to the rabbits. One of my good friends is horribly allergic to cats and has no issues with rabbits.

  • @grod0051

    @grod0051

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SpragueRiverHomestead thank you so much!!!!! That helps alot

  • @grod0051

    @grod0051

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@ketocutie thank you very much!!

  • @jeanettehaygood4154

    @jeanettehaygood4154

    3 жыл бұрын

    Christine I am mildly allergic to rabbits. However I have not noticed the problem with my Rex rabbits that I had with New Zealand’s. Rex fur is shorter, so much less flying, eye itching fur! 🤣

  • @williamatherton8358
    @williamatherton83583 жыл бұрын

    How do I contact Wicked Winds Rabbitry? I'm in WA and could use another purebred Silver Fox Doe.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    They are on FB.

  • @isaactawiah4743
    @isaactawiah47433 жыл бұрын

    Hi, plz I wanted to ask if rabbit kits are 15 days older can I rebreed the mama rabbit.

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    I don't advise it. For the best success of the kits they should wean at 8 weeks. Mom needs two weeks between weaning those kits and her next delivery to replenish vitamin and mineral levels. I don't suggest rebreeding until the kits are 45 days.

  • @katiecope8889
    @katiecope88893 жыл бұрын

    What do you know about texas A&M Tamkin New Zealand Breed ?

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    TAMU or TAMUK are a composite and aren't New Zealands. Quite a few breededs were used in their development. I've spoken to several folks who worked on the original project and according to them the TAMU of today isn't truly what A&M created. While breeders have maintained records and kept the breed together, their selection process changed the animals over time. Supposedly the animals are getting smaller and the litters are too. There's also been breeders crossing NZ in and still calling them TAMU (Again, going off of what I've been told). In the original project the animals grew quickly and packed on muscle faster. They vary wildly by color as the focus was on meat and not pelt. Being bred for commercial applications they are often high strung and flighty. I've seen reports where they were producing 12-14 kits consistently thay reached as much as 6# by 8 weeks. Specifically they were bred for heat resistance to survive the Texas summers. I have also heard that they do not deal with cold weather as well as most domestics. Personally, I wouldn't own them based on what I've read and heard. I don't enjoy dealing with flighty 12# rabbits, or those that don't produce consistently.

  • @InTodaysVideo
    @InTodaysVideo2 жыл бұрын

    Can you free range those rabbits?

  • @lonniefalk8106
    @lonniefalk8106 Жыл бұрын

    I'm in Colorado I'm trying to find American REW trio with pedigrees can you point me in a direction

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    Жыл бұрын

    There are no breeders in Colorado that I know of. Texas and Northern Utah are the closest I know of.

  • @michaellitchford3645
    @michaellitchford36453 жыл бұрын

    I live in Utah, where can I get some Americans? I have had no luck in finding them. Do know anyone near Utah who has them?

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm in Southern Oregon and am probably the closest to you. I don't think there's anyone in UT, NV, WY or CO that breeds them.

  • @bearridgefarm
    @bearridgefarm3 жыл бұрын

    I’m looking for silver foxes. Anyone know of a breeder in Oregon?

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    If you want to email me I know most of the PNW breeders. There's one in Oregon and two in WA that I know offhand. srhomestead@yahoo.com

  • @leroyvandrie3611
    @leroyvandrie36113 жыл бұрын

    Hi there guys, when do y’all send Americans? It that something that you do?

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    We do sell them, but we have a pretty lengthy waiting list. We don't ship out of the US (can't right now anyhow), but do work with transporters. There's a couple of them making cross country runs monthly now.

  • @leroyvandrie3611

    @leroyvandrie3611

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SpragueRiverHomestead Hey there. Thank you for your info. Tell me more about that process when convenient. Happy Holidays!

  • @paultribbett7765
    @paultribbett7765 Жыл бұрын

    do you have american rabbits?? for sale??? where can i buy stock minnesota ?

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    Жыл бұрын

    I don't have anything for sale right now, though I will be breeding here soon. As for Minnesota, I'm not familiar with any breeders in that area.

  • @paultribbett7765

    @paultribbett7765

    Жыл бұрын

    @@SpragueRiverHomestead where are you located

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    Жыл бұрын

    @@paultribbett7765 Sprague River, OR

  • @kathymccune9516
    @kathymccune95163 жыл бұрын

    Another great video!Since you're a blue color lover, why white Americans? Or maybe you have both?

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    I do have both 🙂 After having NZ I swore I'd never do red eyes whites again. In my first American litter I had a white doe and her type was just AWESOME. The white seem to have the nicer type most of the time.

  • @joeldelosreyes3021
    @joeldelosreyes30213 жыл бұрын

    Hi!please e-mail me regarding your american chinchilla rabbit if you have some for breeding am here in philippines how much it cost each to to import here in Manila Phils. Thanks

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    We don't breed American Chinchilla or ship overseas.

  • @andreykrasehin2823
    @andreykrasehin28233 жыл бұрын

    I would watch the video How to slaughter and butcher a rabbit

  • @SpragueRiverHomestead

    @SpragueRiverHomestead

    3 жыл бұрын

    We will probably make a butchering video this year. Right now we don't have any kits large enough, but may in another month.