5 Best Rabbit Breeds to Raise For Meat

Just like other livestock, rabbits come in a wide range of breeds. So how do you know which rabbit breeds for meat production will be best to raise on your homestead? 

You want a breed with a high feed-to-meat ratio and a high dressed weight.

Other factors that will determine which breed to choose include their fur type, their rate of weight gain, and the age at which they're ready to butcher.

Fortunately, quite a few breeds of rabbits have ideal characteristics for homestead meat production. Depending on your specific meat needs, one of these five rabbit breeds below will suit your homestead. 

New Zealand Whites

The most common and popular rabbit breed in the world, New Zealand Whites, actually originated in the United States. They're classified as medium-weight meat rabbits, reaching a mature weight of 9 - 12 pounds.

The does have a gestation period of 28 - 35 days, similar to other breeds. New Zealand Whites put on weight relatively quickly. They will weigh around five pounds by the time they reach ten weeks old. 

This breed is ideal for homesteaders who get attached to livestock and sometimes struggle with butchering them. New Zealand Whites have red-colored eyes and a pure white coat, giving them an albino look.

This characteristic seems to help people think of them less as a pet and more as livestock. As any homesteader with kids will tell you, butchering your homestead livestock can be the most difficult part of the process, and any attachment makes it worse. 

Additionally, their fur can be sold to make money off the grid. The white fur allows you to dye the fur to whatever color you wish and make various clothing and accessories. 

Californian Rabbits

Mixed-breed Californian rabbits were originally created by crossing a New Zealand breed with a Chinchilla breed (not an actual Chinchilla).

They have white fur with black spots on the nose, ears, and feet. Californians will reach a mature weight of 8-11 pounds, slightly smaller than that of New Zealand meat rabbits. 

This mixed breed was developed in the early 1900s and was specifically chosen for the high-quality meat and desirable fur coat. As a result, these rabbits provide useful fur for homestead projects and crafts and low-fat, high-protein meat.

They also have gentle dispositions and tend to have fewer aggressive does than their New Zealand counterparts. So they make our list of the best meat rabbits.

Champagne D'Argent

Literally translating to "Silver (rabbit) of Champagne," this French breed has been used for meat production since the early 1600s. As you've probably guessed, these rabbits have beautiful silver-colored fur prized by people for centuries. 

Although they have valuable fur, their meat shouldn't be overlooked. Mature rabbits will reach between 9 and 12 pounds and may have a higher fat content than other rabbit breeds (usually very lean).

They also have a well-developed midsection, which produces more meat in these areas than in other rabbit breeds. 

As if rabbit breeds weren't confusing enough, there are several different color subbreeds of the Champagne D'Argent. These include Blue, Brun, Noir, Champagne, and Creme. For homestead meat production purposes, the original champagne should be used. 

Flemish Giants

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Commonly considered the largest rabbit breed in the world, Flemish Giants have been around for centuries. In fact, many common breeds in the world today were developed by crossing Flemish Giants with other breeds.

Their mature weight can range from 13 - 20 pounds or more, making them significantly larger than most breeds. Despite their high weight, this doesn't necessarily mean they will be among the best rabbit breeds for meat.

They have large bones as well and require a lot more feed than smaller breeds. Keep this in mind when deciding what breed will be the most economical for your homestead. 

If you can feed your rabbits without purchasing commercial feed, this will make raising Flemish Giants more economical. After all, raising your own homestead meats should be one of the ways to save money off the grid. 

Florida White

One of the more recent additions to the rabbit breed list, the Florida White, was developed in the 1960s as a dual-purpose breed. They will reach a mature weight of four to six pounds, making them smaller than the other breeds mentioned in this list.

They look similar to New Zealand Whites, with all-white fur and albino red eyes. 

Despite their smaller size, Florida Whites have exceptional feed-to-meat ratios and an almost 65 percent meat-to-bone ratio. This gives you more meat and less waste during processing. For economic reasons, the Florida White is one of the best rabbit breeds for meat. 

Florida Whites have a very docile personality and would be a great beginner rabbit for people new to raising rabbits or those trying to teach young children how to care for homestead animals. 

What's Next?

Once you've chosen a breed, you need to buy a breeding pair to get started. Buying from a local farmer or homesteader will give you the opportunity to ask them questions about that breed and any specific requirements, depending on your climate.

If you can't find any local rabbits, check out this resource listing of Rabbit Breeders around the United States. 

Before your rabbits arrive, you need to build a hutch and get all your supplies ready. To learn everything you need to know about how to raise rabbits for meat, check out our series below.

Part I: How to Raise Rabbits For Meat

Part II: Raising Rabbits For Meat: Processing & Butchering

Part III: Raising Meat Rabbits: How to Build a Rabbit Hutch

Depending on where you purchase your breeding pair, you might get lucky and find a breeder that creates their own cross-breeds specifically tailored to excel in your region.

For example, many people cross New Zealand whites with Californians to create a breed capable of producing large litters and ideal for meat production.

To learn more about raising micro-livestock in an off-grid homestead, continue reading below.

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