Excited to get back into the rabbits

We had rabbits for about 6 years and enjoyed them but when we bought our cabin we had only solar elec. We had our barn open but no air. A few years ago we had record high temps. for our area and even with frozen bottles and lots of water we still lost a few so I decided I didn't want to take that chance another year. We now bought a home with a nice barn and elec. I am excited to get back into a few meat rabbits. I really enjoy them.

We even went to a few rabbit shows. Before it was over the judge had me behind the table helping him keep records. I think he knew we were ready and willing to learn all we could. It helped us a lot in what to look for.

Rabbits are fun and can be a good source of meat. My daughter has a couple of Polish rabbits and a couple of times a year she lets mamma raise a family. So far we have had about 50% success with keeping the babies alive.
These rabbits are not meat rabbits since they are just small. They are enjoyable pets though.

I'm not ready to raise them for meat. I've had pet rabbits for most of my life, so it's a bit difficult for me to go from pets to food. It's still hard for me to do do in my extra roosters, and I don't get the same attachment to them!

Rabbit was our main homestead meat when the kids were little. As you all know we lived in the city and we raised the meat rabbits in the garage. Three does and a buck kept the freezer full and we had three kids!

Now I am considering whether or not to get rabbits once more. I have been getting them from my neighbor friend who raises show rabbits. We get her culls. Still it would be nice to have some more, now that we have more space.

I understand Dizzy. We started out raising lionheads and mini lops just to sell for kids in the 4-H programs. I then got talked into California Whites for meat. My kids still won't eat them. When we butcher both rabbits and chickens I kind of have to seperate from myself. I know makes me sound a little crazy but maybe I should say I just have to not think at all during the process. Once in the freezer I am good again to go on with things. DH and I actually have had some indepth conversations about this. We take good care of all of our livestock up until butcher time. They are here on the farm for a purpose and that is what I have to remind myself of sometimes. It's hard to believe I have been a farm/ranch kid my whole life and very rarely ate any meat not home raised but it doesn't make it any easier.

I understand. I know I have a greater appreciation and respect for the animals that I've raised myself than for anything that comes from the supermarket.