07/31/2018 / By Russel Davis
American homesteaders raise rabbits primarily for two reasons: meat and pelt. Rabbit meat is highly-valued for its flavor, which goes well with soups, stews, and roasts. On the other hand, rabbit fur is valued for its smooth texture, making it ideal in creating animal pelt products. A large number of rabbit breeds can be raised for both purposes, which in turn may ensure survival at the event of a collapse. (Related: Here are 10 trees that may boost your survival chances.)
Three rabbit breeds have gained greater popularity compared with others, mainly due to their flexibility as both meat and fur producers.
Rabbits are among the most sought-after homesteading commodities due to their relatively low maintenance and upkeep. Here are a few other equally important breeds that every homesteader should take note.
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Rabbits have played an important role in homesteading in the U.S., especially in meat consumption and pelt production. In fact, the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC) noted that rabbit production showed a steady increase over the years. According to the center, more than 4,300 U.S. farms sold nearly 890,000 rabbits in 2002 alone. The center also revealed that more than 112,000 rabbits were sold on 300 farms in Pennsylvania during the same period, making it the top rabbit producing state across the country.
Rabbit production showed an even further increase in 2007, data from the AgMRC revealed. According to the center, more than 27,000 farms raised rabbits and more than 6,800 farms sold nearly 980,000 rabbits in the same year. Arkansas led this influx, selling more than 97,700 rabbits that year, followed by Pennsylvania at nearly 92,400 rabbits, and California at more than 79,000 rabbits. These numbers excluded rabbits that were raised in backyards for personal consumption.
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Tagged Under: homesteading, Off Grid living, pelt, rabbit fur, rabbit meat, rabbits, starvation, survival, survival food