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Post by Awaiting Abyss on Apr 18, 2014 16:28:06 GMT -5
I haven't been breeding rats long.. My ferrets aren't crazy about eating rats, and I'm not crazy about the smell of rats. I have no issues with the smell of mice. I've become so accustomed to mouse smell that I don't smell any of my mice at all until their tanks need cleaning. Rats, however, I smell at all times (even after their cages are JUST cleaned), and it really bothers my nose and head (I'm highly sensitive to smells and cannot tolerate certain smells- I get sick, severe migraines, etc).
For a while I've been thinking of one day breeding rabbits for food (I've never tried eating rabbit, but I wouldn't mind giving it a go) for us and our animals. But this idea was for years in the future... whenever I could set up a natural habitat for the rabbits outdoors and keep them in a warren type setting.
I've been thinking it over, and I'm wondering if I should just quit breeding rats and start small with rabbits now. I'd like to keep them indoors, but my husband is concerned about the smell. But at least rabbits are more easily litter trained than rats.
For those that raise rabbits, rats, or both, what do you like about each? And which would you say is better on smell?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2014 22:28:46 GMT -5
I've never owned rats but let me tell you. If you don't keep the rabbit cage clean there pee is VERY distinct. I'm not sure if you have even smelt cat pee but it is worse than that.
You want to make sure you aren't allergic to hay before you get them because you will need a lot of hay. They need hay 24/7 out available. If you go to the breeding your own whole prey section I talked about breeding rabbits for meat.
Also, i'd like to include it is much harder to kill a rabbit than it is to kill a rat. You cannot kill a rabbit with a C02 chamber. Cervical dislocation is needed.
Unlike mice, it takes about 12 weeks for a rabbit to be a decent size to butcher.
If you don't know how to skin a rabbit you should look it up on you tube. It's really easy once you have the hind legs skinned. After that it is as easy as pulling off a sock.
They smell pretty bad so beware of that. It is best to have a will barrel underneath to collect the guts and the fur.
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Post by Awaiting Abyss on Apr 18, 2014 22:40:11 GMT -5
I've had rabbits before, just not indoor rabbits.
Skinning rabbits stinks? Can you describe the smell?
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Post by bitbyter on Apr 19, 2014 7:07:14 GMT -5
Pretty much with any animal it comes down to scent glads and urine. Rabbit urine is pretty strong as far as I have heard. I don't think I've heard of anyone raising meat rabbits inside the same structure they live in. Keep in mind that unless you live in a climate with extreme cold in the winter you can probably keep them outside year round.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2014 9:19:50 GMT -5
Skinning rabbits doesn't stink, it's gutting them that has a very foul odor. I don't really know how to explain in. When your pulling the fur of the rabbit is quite sticky.
I keep mine outside, in the winter I go out and buy a few bales of straw hay, which is a great bedding and put a few flakes in the cage,
In the summer I went to the local tile shop and bought two granite tiles per cage and it keeps them cool all summer long.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2014 20:20:43 GMT -5
I've had rabbits as pets for years and if they aren't spayed and neutered they will mark all over the house, both pee and poop. Also you won't be able to just keep them all together because there will more than likely be fighting.
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Post by Awaiting Abyss on May 1, 2014 16:30:19 GMT -5
Some breeders do keep them together, though not in the house. They call them "colonies."
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2014 21:10:15 GMT -5
Yes they do, but there will always be fighting going on.
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2014 20:34:10 GMT -5
I tried colonies, I ended up losing baby's because the mothers were stressed with the bucks and other does constantly down in the warren. I advise you not to do that. You will see lots of hair and mad, stressed rabbits that will eat there young.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2014 12:52:07 GMT -5
Also, i'd like to include it is much harder to kill a rabbit than it is to kill a rat. You cannot kill a rabbit with a C02 chamber. Cervical dislocation is needed. why can you not do this? |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2014 19:22:20 GMT -5
Co2 chambers are often used as a viable means for euthanizing smaller rodents such as mice and rats. When done correctly, the animals drift off into an unconscious state and do not wake up. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Co2 chambers are not a suggested euthanasia method for rabbits. Incorrect levels of carbon dioxide leakage causes suffocation while the animal is still conscience.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2014 23:00:10 GMT -5
Thanks...
Correct me if im wrong... but after doing a bunch of looking into for the rats and mice, a lot of people are saying that even a Co2 chamber does the same thing you just said... suffocates while still conscience.. that there isnt any way to regulate that?
Cause all of the videos ive watched are just them pouring the vinegar on the Baking soda, and letting it all flow in... Seen a few people say that they arent going to sleep that way....
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