The most beloved rabbit on our farm is Smokey, a giant chinchilla. When we bought out a local rabbitry last year, Smokey came with it. He is a GIANT of a buck. It is amazing to me that this gentle giant is the most calm of any of our rabbits. Smokey is always ready for a good scratchin. He isn't the only buck, but Lyndee uses him most of the time for breeding. We had to bring in a few foreign bucks but like I said, Smokey is the favorite. I thought that people might like an overview of the Giant Chinchilla breed.
The Giant Chinchilla was created by Edward H. Stahl, a true pioneer of the rabbit industry in the United States. In 1919, Stahl was one of the first to get his hands on a new breed imported into the United States- the Chinchilla. He knew the breed would be a hit, but the standard Chinchilla was just too small. Stahl sought to create the "Giant Chinchilla", hoping to give additional size and value to the Chinchilla breed.
On Christmas morning 1921, after several years of experimental breeding, a Giant Chinchilla doe was born that Stahl considered the ideal. He named her "Million Dollar Princess"- and a million-dollar princess she was.
Stahl eventually went on to become the first and only individual to ever make a million dollars from the sale of rabbit breeding stock. He's often considered the father o the domestic rabbit industry in America.
Giant Chinchillas a re a large breed with mature bucks weighing in at 12 to 15 pounds and does at 13 to 16 pounds. The breed in gentle in nature, making it a good option for novice rabbit keepers. Does have large litters and make good mothers.
The Giant Chinchilla makes a good multipurpose breed, providing rich meat and quality furs. Due to their large size, hutches with all wooden floors and a heavy bedding of shavings and straw are needed. Youngsters grow very fast, producing meat quickly and cost efficiently. It is easy to produce a 7 pound fryer in just 2 months. Grit's guide to backyard rabbits.
Lots of people may wonder how we "eat our pets," but there is a perspective I want our children to have. The food we eat comes from somewhere. The chicken nugget didn't just magically appear (in our country's present state it was probably assisted by a lab). An animal had to die so we could consume it's meat. I realize not everyone wants to handle that animal or see it be harvested, but there is the stark reality that if you like meat it has to be done. We like the idea of raising our own meat. We know how the animal was taken care of, what it was fed, how it was harvested and most of all, if it was given any medications. I would rather spend extra time and feed on an animal on our farm than to buy testosterone injected, DNA altered animals that are raised in massive numbers and in inhumane conditions. I'm no animal rights activist or anything but I believe that the animals raised here are happy. The adult rabbits are pastured on fresh grass in rotation. We can't put them all out at 1 time or breeding would be a mess! The nutritional value of our food has declined and we are to blame. Get involved in what you feed your family. Is the produce fresh or sprayed with the latest and greatest chemicals? Is the meat filled with pink slime or healthy cuts from healthy animals? Have your eggs been bleached?
Many times Lyndee has brought a new batch of the "cutest" baby bunnies in to see mama while I'm making supper. She loves every one of them. They are so tame by harvest time that they can be bought as pets. Lyndee knows when it's time to harvest and she doesn't think twice about getting all of her supplies ready and calling in her siblings in for help. She also doesn't have a problem sitting down to rabbit pot pie and eating her fill! The rabbitry is her job. She owns it, runs it and does a wonderful job as an 11 year old girl!
We hope you enjoy your dressed rabbits! We enjoyed raising them and you can be assured that they are healthy and nutritious for your family!
No comments:
Post a Comment