Rabbit Dilemma?

Would you eat rabbits even if you had pet rabbits?

  • Yes

    Votes: 4 100.0%
  • No

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Not Sure

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    4

catlovinghippy

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Hi! :) I'm new on the forum :)
I know it's kind of silly question, but would you eat rabbit meat even if you also had PET rabbits??
I am very interested in raising some rabbits for meat. But what makes me hesitate is that the fact I had PET rabbits for almost 10 years, and I don't know if I could stand eating rabbits. I already have chickens, and want another lean, tasty meat source.
Did anyone in the forum experience similar or same dilemma?
Thanks:D:D:D
 

DutchBunny03

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Rabbits are very wonderful and versatile animals. They make awesome pets and great meat animals. Rabbits were originally bred for meat. Pets are another side use for them. I have not had the exact same dilemma(my Dutch don't have much meat on them), but will probably get some New Zealands for meat in the future. If the rabbits are not abused for the time they are alive, and have a quick death, that meat is very humane.
 

animalmom

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@catlovinghippy, your question is a good one being how does one transition from a pet owner to a livestock owner. We raise rabbits for meat but that doesn't stop me from playing with the kits when we have kits knowing that these kits will end up in the freezer for our table.

I agree with @DutchBunny03 that providing your livestock with a good, well cared for life and a quick end makes it easier for the human to go from pet to plate.
 

Hopalong Causually

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Human emotional attachment is a sticky issue. As much as I wanted to view my rabbits as strictly livestock, it is difficult to do when certain traits and abilities become obvious. For instance, I had no idea rabbits could so easily discern one person from another and behave so differently in response to that. My breeders quite obviously recognize me and seek out contact to the point of tugging on the cage doors when I enter the rabbitry. However, they cower and cringe in a corner when anybody else is near. They are learning to recognize my wife and are becoming much at ease with her, too, lately. The litters I raise as meat for the table aren't around long enough with which to develop relationships, but I would have difficulty butchering the breeders. I have one doe that doesn't fit into my long-range plans and is taking up space that I will need. I think I will just be giving her to some youngster as the best solution. That's all fine and dandy, but make no mistake about it, I'm in this venture to put meat in the freezer.

The little rascals can really get to you if you let them, and I am quite strongly opposed to anthropomorphism. I have had dogs in the past but the way society has come to treat dogs, cats, and other pets as nearly human is mind boggling and, in my mind, disgusting. When television stations give wider coverage to animal abuse stories than they do to the vast number of human suffering issues, there is a need for some heavy duty psycho-analysis.
 

DutchBunny03

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Great post, @Hopalong Causually !! I will probably have the same problem with future NZs. I may have it when the time comes that my favorite Dutch breeders arent useful anymore. A good suggestion would be to not name the rabbits until you are sure which ones you will keep and which ones you will sell/eat. It is disgusting how much anthropomorphising occurs. It seems like all accounts of someone not treating their animals like royalty turns into a story of horrible abuse. It undermines the times when animals actually are abused.
 

Hens and Roos

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we raise both Californian and French Angora rabbits. We do process rabbits for meat and we do have rabbits that are our favorites/pet. The rabbit in my avatar is my DS(11)'s buddy/pet and he will hang out with us as such.
 

Bossroo

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Wheather they are called bunnies or rabbits doesn't matter , they all end up as dinner for me .
 

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