Our Experience Owning Rabbits

 

1. High-Quality, Sustainable Meat Source

   • Rabbits convert feed to meat very efficiently—up to 4 lb of meat per 1 lb of feed.

   • Their meat is lean, mild‑flavored, and rich in protein and low in cholesterol, making it a healthy option. Although this is not why we got our rabbits, it is a great option

2. Organic Fertilizer Production

   • Rabbit droppings (“rabbit manure”) can be used directly in the garden without composting—no burning of plants, unlinke chicken manure which needs to be composted first. We add their droppings directly to all of our garden beds and plants 

   • Each rabbit produces roughly 1–1.5 lb of manure per week, perfect for boosting soil fertility

3. Compact Footprint & Low Infrastructure Cost

   • A single rabbit only needs about 8 sq ft of hutch space plus a run/hopping space

   • Hutches and runs can be DIY’ed from scrap lumber and welded wire, keeping startup costs low, we built ours a large run with scrap fencing & purchased a hutch for them to sleep in, so total cost for their housing was about $150

4. Rapid Reproduction for Herd Expansion

   • A doe can kindle (give birth) within a month of breeding, with litters of 6–10 kits on average.

   • You can stagger breeding schedules for continuous stock or sale without overwhelming space.

5. Educational & Kid‑Friendly

   • Rabbits are gentle and forgiving—great for teaching children daily animal care routines.

   • Handling, feeding, and cleaning teach responsibility, biology, and compassion.

   • If handled often, they tend to be very sweet and come up to us for cuddles & treats when we go out to their hutch

6. Quiet, Non‑Destructive Companions

   • Unlike chickens or goats, rabbits are silent (no crowing or braying) and usually keep to themselves.

   • With proper enrichment (toys, tunnels), they won’t chew beyond their enclosure.

7. Fiber & Pelt Opportunities

   • Certain breeds (e.g., Angora, Rex) provide wool that you can spin or felt.

   • After processing, pelts can be used for craft projects or sold to recoup costs.

8. Year‑Round Productivity 

   • Rabbits breed and grow in virtually any season if kept dry and above freezing (most tolerate 20–80°F).

   • They don’t require specialized seasonal care like many larger livestock.

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How Easy Is Rabbit Care?

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Task Frequency, ActivityTime & Tools Needed

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Daily: Refill hay & pellets & check for fresh water 
 

Bi-Weekly: Clean bedding & droppings out of hutch (if even neccesary, our bunnies have litter trained themselves to go in one area in their run)

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Monthly: Wash hutch enclosure (floor/tray) & scoop manure/soiled hay into the garden. Add new hay along run floor

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Certain breeds such as Angorra (which we do not own at this time) will also require some grooming & many rabbits will also benefit from nail trimming

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• Feeding: Rabbits thrive on a simple diet of timothy hay, a measured scoop of rabbit pellets, and occasional fresh greens, kitchen scraps (just be sure to check if its something they can eat first! Like all animals there are some things they should not consume. Hay can come straight from your garden or local feed store.

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What Bunnies CANNOT Eat (Toxic or Harmful):

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• Iceberg lettuce (contains lactucarium, causes diarrhea)

• Potatoes or potato peels

• Onion, garlic, chives, leeks (can damage red blood cells)

• Avocado (toxic fat content)

• Rhubarb (highly toxic—even the leaves!)

• Cabbage (can cause gas and bloating—small amounts only if tolerated)

• Broccoli stems or florets (can cause gas—leaves are safer)

• Cauliflower (same as broccoli—can cause gas)

• Tomato leaves and stems (toxic; fruit in moderation is okay)

• Corn or corn husks (indigestible)

• Nuts, seeds, pits (choking hazard, not digestible)

• Bread, crackers, cereal, pasta (too starchy, upsets gut balance)

• Sugary foods (chocolate, candy, etc.)

• Any human junk food or processed food

• Ice cream or dairy products (rabbits are lactose intolerant)

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Veggies & Herbs Bunnies CAN Eat (in moderation):

Greens & Veggies:

• Endive

• Escarole

• Arugula

• Swiss chard

• Mustard greens

• Beet greens

• Turnip greens

• Radish tops

• Zucchini

• Cucumber (in small amounts- can cause watery stool)

• Celery 

Herbs:

• Dill

• Mint

• Oregano

• Thyme

• Fennel (including fronds)

• Rosemary (tiny amounts)

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