10 Best Meat Rabbit Breeds in the World

Last Updated on January 9, 2024 by Fumipets

Best Meat Rabbit Breeds in the World

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Everywhere in the globe, people eat rabbit meat as a roast, in stews, on the grill, and in soups. Rabbits are often inexpensive to maintain and quite simple to grow.

Many advantages come with raising rabbits for food. Since it contains little fat, rabbit is regarded as “white” meat. Additionally, it has zero cholesterol and few calories. In comparison to other meats, rabbit has less salt and more metabolism, which is rich in phosphorus and calcium.

You must make sure you choose the right meat rabbit breeds if you want to successfully grow them for meat on your farm. Not all varieties of rabbits may be eaten. The top ten meat rabbit breeds in the world are presented, along with vital details on how much meat each type can produce.

The 10 best meat rabbit breeds to raise are:

1. New Zealand Rabbits

The most prevalent and well-liked breed of top meat rabbit is unquestionably the New Zealand kind. According to estimates, 90% of the rabbits farmed for meat come from New Zealand. One explanation might be the breed’s speedy weight gain and great meat-to-bone ratio. Rabbits from New Zealand also develop quickly. Kits weigh 8 pounds at 8 weeks old, and adults weigh 9 to 12 pounds when they are fully grown. Contrary to popular belief, the New Zealand rabbit was originally developed in America in the early 1900s. They make the perfect meat rabbit for backyard farmers.

2. California Rabbits

The California rabbit weighs between 8 and 12 pounds and is the second most common breed in the world that produces meat. Though regarded as a fancy breed cultivated for fur, this species of meat rabbit is stocky and grows quickly. They provide a good yield of meat when harvested. Because of their softer personalities, the California rabbit breed is simpler to nurture. They are a hybrid between Chinchilla and New Zealand White rabbits.

3. American Chinchilla Rabbits

The American Chinchilla breed of rabbit is regarded as a dual-purpose breed since it is raised for both its meat and its fur. One of the greatest meat rabbit breeds in the world, they have a stocky build and may weigh up to 12 pounds. The high-quality deep loin and wide shoulder of the American Chinchilla rabbit are sought after for use in a range of smoked and cooked cuisines from many different nations. The American Chinchilla is classified as endangered because of its widespread use.

4. Champagne D’Argent

Champagne D Argent rabbit meat, which some people refer to as the “Black Angus” of rabbit meats, is well-known worldwide. Since 1631, this breed of rabbit has been raised for meat. They were created in Champagne, France. The word “silver” is a translation of the second half of their name, D’Argent, which defines their fur. The Champagne D’Argent weighs around 9 pounds when fully mature. This breed’s flesh-to-bone ratio makes it an excellent meat rabbit. As a fantastic beginner rabbit for homesteading, Champagne D’Argent is ideal. Both fur and meat may be grown from them.

5. Silver Fox Rabbits

The Silver Fox rabbit breed, a favorite of homesteaders, has a variety of uses. The Silver Fox rabbit, regarded as a “fancy breed,” is distinguished by its fur. They may weigh between 10 and 12 pounds when used as meat. They have a disposition that makes them suitable as pets and makes breeding and keeping them simple. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to locate the Silver Fox rabbit breed. Since they are rare, breeding them and selling the progeny will bring in more money.

6. Satin Rabbits

One of the bigger and heavier kinds of rabbit, the satin weighs roughly 12 pounds when fully mature. It’s hardly surprising that Satin rabbits generate a considerable quantity of meat given their wider build. They are the best kind of rabbit for homesteaders to keep for meat. A cold-blooded, tough flesh rabbit is a satin. They have a placid and submissive disposition.

7. Cinnamon Rabbits

This is a hybrid between the American Chinchilla and the New Zealand White. When this rabbit breed was being developed, producing meat wasn’t the original goal. However, the Cinnamon rabbit breed may produce a significant amount of meat, particularly for commercial purposes, with a mature weight of up to 11 pounds. The Cinnamon rabbit breed, so named because of its red color, is highly prized for its fur and is kept as a pet. Cinnamon rabbits are hard to come by, however.

8. Standard Rex Rabbit

With an average weight of 8 to 10 pounds, the Standard Rex is on the smaller side for a meat rabbit but still yields a respectable amount of meat. They are perfect for a little homestead. The Standard Rex, which was created in France in 1919, is best recognized as a fur rabbit because of the velvety smoothness of its coat. Their placid personalities also make them wonderful pets.

9. Palomino Rabbits

Both commercially and on the farm, the Palomino rabbit breed is raised for its meat. The Palomino breed of rabbit grows to a mature weight of eight to eleven pounds and has been a popular option as a meat rabbit for decades. They tend to be excellent meat producers and give a decent meat ratio. The nice disposition of Palomino rabbits makes rearing them reasonably simple, although patience is needed because of this breed’s slower growth than other meat rabbits.

10. Florida White Rabbits

The Florida White rabbit breed, referred to as an “all purpose” variety, is a perfect meat producer for tiny homesteads, feeding just one or two people with little room. Florida White rabbits are on the lighter side for a meat rabbit, weighing about 6 to 8 pounds. They compensate for their underwhelming size with a light bone structure. The Florida White rabbit breed is a fantastic option for inexperienced rabbit keepers because of its often placid demeanor.

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