Rabbits play an important role here at Mountain Ridge Farm. Though they are a meat source, they have been providing manure for our garlic fields for some time now.
Raising rabbits for breeding stock
We currently breed rabbits that are meat breed ( White New Zealand’s & Californian/NZ cross).
Breeding stock or pets be sold for $25.00 (10 weeks old) to $30.00 depending on the age of the rabbit. Pick up only!
New Zealand White - The most popular breed of rabbit for meat production. It is estimated that 90% of rabbits raised for meat are of this breed. They produce large litters of 8 to 12 kits, which have a fast growth rate to fryer size in 8 to 12 weeks. Optimal litter size is between 8 to 10 kits. If you are raising rabbits for your own family meat production to become more self-reliant and/or to enjoy a healthier, lean meat, you can't go wrong with the New Zealand White!
Availability: Please contact
Californian - We use purebred Californian breeding rabbits to get Californian/New Zealand cross. We are getting faster growth rate and some added size of the New Zealands with the good muscling and fine bone of the Californian. This makes a good, fast-growing meat rabbit with an excellent bone-to-meat ratio.
Availability: Please contact
Rabbit Manure
Rabbit manure is one of the best manures for your organic gardens! It will increase poor soil by improving soil structure and also improving the life cycle of the beneficial microorganisms in the soil. Rabbits are very good at producing an excellent source of manure. It is rich in many nutrients and very simple to use. One doe and her offspring will produce over one ton of manure in a year.
Rabbit manure is packed with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and many minerals, lots of micro-nutrients, plus many other beneficial trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, boron, zinc, manganese, sulfur, copper, and cobalt just to name a few.
Nitrogen(N)- Rabbit manure is higher in nitrogen than sheep, goat, pig, chicken, cow or horse manure. Plants need nitrogen to produce a lush green growth. Nitrogen helps plants grow greener and stronger helping the plant reach its full potential. This is great for all those quick growing salad greens! Great for the early growth of tomatoes, corn, and many other vegetables.
Phosphorus(P)- Rabbit manure is also higher in phosphorus than the other manures. It helps with the transformation of solar energy to chemical energy which in turn helps with proper plant growth. Phosphorus also helps plants to withstand stress. Phosphorus in the soil encourages more and bigger blossoms helping with flowering and fruiting also great for root growth.
Potassium(K)- Potassium helps with fruit quality and reduction of disease plants will not grow without it. Plants use potassium as an enzyme to produce proteins and sugars. They also use potassium to control water content.
Rabbit manure is one of the few fertilizers that will not burn your plants when added directly to the garden and can be safely used on food plants.
There are a few different ways to use rabbit waste in your garden. You can use the pellets they produce as fertilizer, or you can compost it first.
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Pick up only!