🐇 Breeding and Butchering Meat Rabbits – One-Day Intensive Workshop

Hosted by Vine and Fig Tree Homestead

Course Overview

This full-day, hands-on workshop equips participants with essential knowledge and practical skills in breeding, raising, and butchering meat rabbits using humane and sustainable methods. Ideal for homesteaders, small-scale farmers, and those seeking self-sufficiency, the workshop blends demonstration and guided practice for a complete learning experience.

Schedule & Content Outline

9:00–9:30 AM - Welcome & Orientation

Introductions, safety briefing, course overview, and discussion of ethical meat production.

Understand workshop objectives and safety guidelines; recognize the importance of humane and sustainable practices.

9:30–10:30 AM - Session 1: Introduction to Meat Rabbits

Breeds (New Zealand, Californian, TAMUK);

Housing setup; daily care routines; predator protection.

10:30–11:30 AM - Session 2: Health, Nutrition & Record Keeping

Balanced diet formulation; supplements; recognizing illness; basic first aid; tracking health and growth.

11:30–12:30 PM - Session 3: Breeding & Raising Kits

Selecting breeding stock; mating techniques; care of pregnant does; kindling and kit management; weaning.

12:30–1:15 PM - Lunch Break & Discussion

1:15–2:00 PM - Session 4: Butchering Preparation

Humane dispatch methods; fasting; clean setup; tool safety and sanitation.

2:00–4:00 PM - Session 5: Hands-On Butchering & Processing

Humane dispatch, skinning, evisceration, quartering, meat inspection.

Hands-On Practice (Supervised)

4:00–5:00 PM - Session 6: Meat Preservation & Byproduct Use

Freezing, vacuum sealing, canning; hide preservation; composting and manure use.

5:00–5:30 PM - Wrap-Up, Q&A

Review, participant reflection

Sustainability Integration

Throughout the day, participants will explore zero-waste and closed-loop practices, including:
- Composting remains and repurposing hides and bones.
- Using rabbit manure as fertilizer.
- Managing livestock ethically and respectfully.

Materials Provided

• Printed handouts (breed charts, care and breeding logs, butchering diagrams)
• All butchering tools, gloves, aprons, and PPE (provided and sanitized)
• Post-workshop access to instructional videos and printable resources

Participants Should Bring

• Notebook and pen
• Water bottle
• Work clothes and closed-toe shoes
• Optional: personal gloves or apron

Recommended Reading & Resources

• Storey’s Guide to Raising Rabbits — Bob Bennett
• Raising Rabbits 101 — Aaron Webster
• American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA): www.arba.net
• Homesteading blogs and YouTube tutorials curated by the instructor

Post-Workshop Support

• Private online community for peer support.
• Monthly virtual Q&A sessions for continued learning and skill-building.

Vine and Fig Tree Homestead Workshop Series
Promoting Sustainable Living, Self-Reliance, and Community Learning.