from rabbitgeek notes Aug 2009
Dutch are an excellent meat rabbit for a backyard herd. As long as you are not trying to sell to "commercial" outlets they are great.
Dutch have a great dressout percentage, over 50% at 8-10 weeks. You'll get 1 to 1-3/4 lb carcasses, which is half the size of "commercial" rabbit breeds. The short, cobby body type are like little meat bricks.
The Dutch does are great mothers. Our does often raised litters of 10 kits. When ever we bred a doe of a different breed, we tried to breed a Dutch doe as well so the Dutch could be a foster mom if needed. The Dutch does we had would foster anything up to including New Zealands.
If you breed for markings and body type, you can have some good sales on the side for show stock. Mismarks can go to the pet trade or eaten.
Dutch are a good multi purpose rabbit.
They do well in 24 x 24 cages. Does with litters should get 24x30 or 24x36 cages to have room for all those kits. But generally half the size of commercial meat rabbits, smaller cages, smaller feed bills.
Have a good day!
Dutch are an excellent meat rabbit for a backyard herd. As long as you are not trying to sell to "commercial" outlets they are great.
Dutch have a great dressout percentage, over 50% at 8-10 weeks. You'll get 1 to 1-3/4 lb carcasses, which is half the size of "commercial" rabbit breeds. The short, cobby body type are like little meat bricks.
The Dutch does are great mothers. Our does often raised litters of 10 kits. When ever we bred a doe of a different breed, we tried to breed a Dutch doe as well so the Dutch could be a foster mom if needed. The Dutch does we had would foster anything up to including New Zealands.
If you breed for markings and body type, you can have some good sales on the side for show stock. Mismarks can go to the pet trade or eaten.
Dutch are a good multi purpose rabbit.
They do well in 24 x 24 cages. Does with litters should get 24x30 or 24x36 cages to have room for all those kits. But generally half the size of commercial meat rabbits, smaller cages, smaller feed bills.
Have a good day!
