Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits, 4th Edition

Can I just say how amazing this book is? I realize that sounds forced or programmed but it isn't. I have been wanting to do meat rabbits for a few years now. I have been talking to people who have them, reading online, doing everything I can to prepare myself. My husband, who is a avid hunter, kept shooting my idea down-- no pun intended. Finally, after a third year of rabbit hunting and coming home empty handed, he said, let's look into it. Well, id done all that. So after sharing everything I learned, we went to get rabbits and he was like a kid at Christmas. From there, my interest turned into a continious burst of excitement for him and me-- since I no longer had to do this alone, lol. No matter how much research and talking a person does, though, there are still things I have no clue about until they become an issue. That's when I went looking for a book. I've bought Storey books before and liked them but I still prepared myself to find a bunch of things out that I already knew. In fact, usually a book is filled more with "I already know that" than, " oh! I didn't know that!". This one wasn't like that at all. I mean, a few things I few but a wealth of info that I didn't. For example, I didn't know about Florida Whites and while I have no proof, I think a couple of rabbits I bought this past weekend who the owner said was New Zealand's, but after getting them home and seeing them compared to my NZ's and seeing how tiny they are compared to them, I am now wondering if they are FW's. Rare in my area-- if I can find them at all, I think it's possible people would confuse the two. Still unsure about those marbles to check a Doe and if she is pregnant, and if my Does took or not-- having to wait till they pull fur--this book gave me a few more ideas on how to tell. Not to mention Hutch ideas, watering examples, DISEASES and a ton of possibilities on making some money doing this-- pros and cons of both-- like Labs ( not doing but appreciate the info), selling fur and what fur sells best, seeking to commercial meat places verses processing myself and selling local -- well, I appreciated ALL of these! And the couple of recipes in the back-- wish there were more-- be sure to thank your wife for that! I'm sure this book will continue to be helpful and it's one of few I will never regret buying!!!!! Thank so much!

Storey calls itself “the best-selling animal raising series with more than 1.7 million copies sold” and after reading this book, I can see why that is the case. In less than 250 pages, the author covers just about every aspect of raising rabbits in a manner that is both engaging and educational. The author does not stop with just the basics but goes in-depth with diagrams and instructions on everything from building your own rabbit dressing station and rabbit carrier to an example Tan rating sheet and illustrations on how to do a rabbit manure hotbed. The feed guidelines and feeding supplement ideas were especially insightful. As a rabbit breeder that is still in the learning stage, I found many of the tips in this book to be very practical. Some of the ideas were even outside-the-box, innovative, and unique. Not content with just describing how to raise rabbits, the author also included a chapter of recipes and some information on the benefits of eating rabbit meat which is high in protein and low in calories. If there is a flaw in the book it is that the author tends to focus more on the breeding side than the meat side of rabbits. This does not distract much from the book as there is much helpful information in it and it covers each area of raising rabbits in detail. I can recommend this classic book as very helpful for both the rookie and the experienced rabbit raiser who may be looking for new ideas.

Like a lot of people I am becoming more aware of problems with our industrial food system, especially when it come to our meat. About the only animal that you can raise almost anywhere, producing high quality meat, with the minimum external input is rabbits. This is the basic bible for raising meat rabbits. After reading this book you will know enough to ask pointed questions and understand when you are being led down the Bugs Bunny path. The author has been raising rabbits long before most potential readers have been alive, and much of that wisdom is included in the book. One problem I am noticing as I continue my research in producing my own rabbit meat is that many of the rabbit breeders are not raising rabbits for food, even with the less common meat breeds, but raising bunnies for show and for pets. Kinda like cat lovers, but a little more heavy on the warm-fuzzy. This means when you finally decide what type of rabbits you would like to use to control your meat supply, finding a breeder in your area or one willing to ship it to you, like the book's author, might be a frustrating experience.

I'm torn on this book. While it's a great book for those interested in raising rabbits for meat (not as pets), I am disappointed nonetheless. I had wanted to learn as much about raising rabbits on a homestead, mostly Angora rabbits for fiber, but there is scarcely a mention of fiber rabbits in this book. I am not offended that this book ISN'T about keeping pets - my animals work for me, and I could even one day see myself raising rabbits for meat. However, I hadn't expected it to be the SOLE focus of the book without even a chapter to another kind of rabbit keeper. In a nutshell, a simple expansion on the title to the book: "Raising Rabbits for Meat," would go a long, long way. It's really not a bad book - but clarification in the title would reduce the disappointment in those looking for a practical book on keeping rabbits as pets or for any other purpose, like mine. Since it's a homesteading book of sorts, a chapter (even a guest chapter, if the author doesn't have experience) in caring for Angoras would be immensely helpful. I rated this book low because Storey is mislabeling the book - under the title it says: "Breeds-Care-Housing". NOTHING about it being a meat animal book. Storey's Guides are usually the best (which is why I bought the book in the first place), but the title is misleading. On a side note, anyone who has a recommendation on a good book about Angoras, send it my way! UPDATE: ONE YEAR LATER (9/2012): This fall, after much deliberation, I decided to raise a few rabbits for meat. Knowing the book was heavily, if not entirely, focused on raising rabbits for meat, I turned to Bennet's Storey guide. It certainly holds up as a very good guide for choosing a meat breed, finding a breeder, learning about pedigrees, breeding does, kindling and even recipes for rabbit meat. I'd highly recommend it **if you're raising rabbits for meat.** Since slaughter is such a large part of raising meat rabbits, I wish the book had focused more on proper and humane slaughter and dressing of your rabbits. Overall, though, I think it's a great guide for raising meat rabbits. Still haven't found a good book on raising angora rabbits, so I've made it up as I've gone along. So far so good!

This is the best book I've ever read on rabbit care. I could easily throw out the rest I've bought. The author is candid and factual and doesn't paste the same script as everyone else about rabbit raising. I've been keeping rabbits for over 30+ years. I don't eat, raise or sell them, but I can appreciate the common sense wisdom that the author provides. This would have saved me a lot of unnecessary grief and guilt if I had this book years ago, seeing how genetics plays so much into the overall health of any animal despite your best efforts. This author's views and experiences are a refreshing insight, and it's no hint that he loves his hobby. Every pet rabbit owner needs a balanced perspective about rabbits and I highly recommend this book.

I wanted to check out this book because as a writer (primarily for children), I needed to see how Storey Publishing treated both the child- and adult-level books that teach how-to techniques while providing solid background information. The adult book (Raising Rabbits) meets my expectations equally as well as the child-level book (Your Chickens). Both provide a solid background and specific information on raising each particular creature. The writing style for Raising Rabbits is informative and very readable, providing easily understandable explanations for the more technical topics. I, myself, have raised rabbits and feel this book is is an excellent guide for the person who wants to begin this very satisfying hobby/business.

Had borrowed this from the library in the past, decided it was time to own my own copy. Had forgotten (or didn't realize at the time) how biased the author is towards any system other than wire mesh cages. Yes, Mr. Bennett has decades of experience and his system has worked well for many people. But there are other systems that can also work. To be fair, I will probably start with the mesh cage model before transitioning into other styles. If you're looking for information regarding a pasture or floor colony management model, this book will probably not be helpful for you. Good information otherwise. Paid $6 which was a fair price.

Great info about rabbits

Great book on raising rabbits. very informative, well written. Everyone should have a rabbit or two. When beef and pork gets to expensive raise rabbits for meat.

If you are starting or already into rabbit breeding, then this book is a must have! Very nicely written and full of usefull information.

As a newcomer to raising rabbits, I needed all the help I could get. This book along with a very helpful neighbour who has kept rabbits all her life, has been so good for me to understand and enjoy my rabbits. Here in France everyone in the country has them for the the table and, for me, the main thing is to give them a good life and treat them with respect.

A wealth of information. Very good book

Almost everything I wanted to know about breeding rabbits for meat, with good information about light husbandry and showing too.