I'm getting rabbits in August, and I was wondering if Rexes would be the right choice. I mainly want them because they're so pretty, but I need to be able to sell them. I've heard that they're good sized, but I don't know if they're good for meat. Also, can they keep warm in the winter very well with such short fur? I'd really appreciate any help on the subject. Kelly

-- Kelly (Operagirl87@hotmail.com), July 11, 2000

Answers

Kelly,

where do you live? Rex's are pretty resilient, and their fur will keep them warm to about 30 below (adults, and furred babies), as long as they aren't subject to drafts, the rabbit enemy. (cold drafts, that is) Now, on Rex rabbits, the fur is the best on the market, and it can be sold, but only once the rabbit has achieved full growth. If you keep a registered herd, the babies can be sold for pets (but little and some medium rabbits aren't always friendly), or sold for show, but you'll have to keep up with improving your stock, and show yourself. (that is where you find your furture buyers of good stuff.) Really nice opal rex rabbits sell for up to $50, expect to make $10-$20 for average rabbits, and maybe $10 for pet quality. If your wanting meat, attractive rabbits, and friedly bunnies, go for New Zealends (Red, White, or Grey), or Florida whites. They can be dressed at 8-12 weeks, right after leaving mama, and they sale good, without bad attitude, and long waiting periods for growing up.

-- Marty (Mrs.Puck@excite.com), July 11, 2000.

I raise MiniRexes and am able to sell them to pet stores for a good price. The Rexes are larger and I can see that they would be a good meat size but they are so cute it might be hard to think of them in that way. I heard the whites mature faster and have been encourage to raise them for meat by a butcher friend. My MiniRexes are in outside hutches and have no trouble in the winter (I put clear plastic around the outside and leave the bottom open) Even though the hair is shorter, it is denser and very thick. I even have babies in the winter. I just make sure there is alot of staw and hay in the boxes. And most important, that mom has pulled enough hair. That is what keeps them warmest.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), July 11, 2000.

Hi Kelly, I had rexs and silver martins when I lived in my little country home in the city, before we bought our property. I made a nice tidy profit selling to the pet store in town and at Easter. I could also sell them eaisly in front of Wallmart. They are beautiful little guys! Very hardy in the Texas heat, in the shade and some days I did use a fan if they had little ones. No problems in the winter. Vicki McGaugh

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), July 12, 2000.

Alright, sounding good so far, fine in winter, good for fur, but at the farmers' market where I live most people buy rabbits for dinner that night, not pets. I need to know whether or not they're good to eat. Thanks Kelly

-- Kelly (Operagirl87@hotmail.com), July 12, 2000.

Of course you can eat any rabbit, the rex's are just a little small, the silver martins a little bigger, but they are best for the pet trade. Stick to the Californians or New Zealands for true meat production. Size of litters, size of bunnies at weaning that you can sell the day they wean and don't have to meat pen them = more profit. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), July 12, 2000.

I agree with Vickie. The Whites would be best.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), July 12, 2000.

Kelly, where do you live, that you have a market for rabbit meat at your farmer's market? Would you sell them live or butchered, and if butchered, can you do that without worrying about regulations? If live, do you have enough of a market of people who are willing to butcher their own meat? (That's pretty rare in my experience.) It's been quite a while since we raised rabbits, but we got good meat for home use from Red Satins as well at the NZ Whites, and if we get meat rabbits again, will probably choose a breed with a colored pelt (I'd like to have Satins again, hubby likes the Silver Martens and similar colors). But this is just for our own use, so wouldn't need ideal growth rates -- would be butchering late anyway, to get better pelts.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), July 14, 2000.

Kelly, Kathleen had a great idea! Best of both worlds the satins are turly lovely and are bigger than the rexs. Definetly something to think about! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), July 14, 2000.

I live in Shepherdsville, Ky, and the farmers market is very close by. Most of the people there will buy live chickens, ducks, and other animals for dinner that night. I'm sure they slaughter them themselves. If not, they must know someone who will. Kelly

-- Kelly (Operagirl87@hotmail.com), July 15, 2000.

I have been reading your page. I was wondering if anyone knew of any fur buyers that buy rex rabbit pelts. Any info would be helpful.

-- Jerry Foote (jfoote@ubtanet.com), January 17, 2001.

i dont think rexs are the best choise since if they get their fur wet it ruins it. also becausethey are not known for nice temperments. hope this helps

-- mb (minilopmb@aol.com), February 17, 2001.

We have been breeding rexes for about 1 year and have gotten quite a large herd. I hate sell them for just their meat. I was wondering if you had any info on fur buyers for the rex rabbits and what is the going price per pelt? We have broken black and whites, red and white, chocolate, blue ,black, otter, and white. Even had a couple tri color. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

-- JENNIFER BENNETT (JBRJAVON@AOL.COM), September 26, 2001.