Being someone who loves to get the "numbers" I was interested to find that, with modern feed and care, modern farmed rabbits will:
1) Produce (on average) eight litters per year with around forty kittens surviving. A breeding doe needs 0.56 sq.m. of space, her adult offspring will need 0.18 sq.m. of space towards the end of it's life.
2) That the offspring are typically ready for slaughter after between 11 and 13 weeks when they will weigh around 3kg - and the usable meat from a rabbit is typically half this amount.
3) Hence one breeder rabbit can typically generate 60kg of meat per year under modern conditions.
4) That rabbits are typically fed anything from 100g to 350g of pelletised food per day in modern rabbit farms.
As I've never actually kept a rabbit I thought I'd find some more detail on what they actually ate:
"Most pet shops sell food mixes specifically designed for rabbits and these usually consist of a variety of grains, pellets and dried vegetables.
There are also rabbit pellets sold in some stores. These are compressed food pellets designed to meet a rabbit's nutritional requirements.
Food mixes and pellets specifically designed for other animals should not be given as these may not be suitable to meet the rabbit's dietary requirements and could even harm the rabbit.
Rabbit mix does not perish quickly and so may be stored for some time in dry conditions without problem.
Rabbits should be fed a basic rabbit mix and ample hay, which is vital for their digestive system, daily along with fruit and vegetables or plants and flowers.
Any changes in diet, even changing to a different rabbit mix, should be made gradually as a sudden change in diet can cause the rabbit to become ill."
"Any hay given to rabbits must be dry, clean and free from dust and mould.
Grass hay such as Timothy or Oat hay is best given although alfalfa hay can be beneficial to young growing rabbits and also pregnant and nursing mothers. However, alfalfa hay is considered too high in calcium and protein for continued use throughout adulthood although can be given as an occasional treat."
"Some fruit, vegetables and herbs that are safe to feed a rabbit are listed below:
* Apple (seedless)
* Asparagus
* Banana
* Basil
* Broccoli
* Brussel Sprouts
* Cabbage
* Carrots and Carrot Tops
* Cauliflower leaves and stalks
* Celery
* Chicory Greens
* Cucumber
* Dill
* Endive
* Fennel
* Grapes
* Green Pepper
* Kale
* Mint
* Orange (peeled)
* Oregano
* Parsley - a good tonic
* Red Leaf Lettuce
* Red Cabbage
* Romaine Lettuce
* Savoy Cabbage
* Spinach
* Tomato
* Turnip Greens
* Watercress
Fruit, vegetables and herbs that should not be fed are:
* Apple seeds
* Potato and Potato Tops
* Rhubarb and Rhubarb Leaves
* Tomato Leaves
Some plants and flowers which can be fed to rabbits are:
* Clover
* Dandelion leaves
* Groundsel
* Marigold
* Nasturtium
Plants and flowers that are poisonous to rabbits include:
* Autumn Crocus
* Begonia
* Black Nightshade
* Busy Lizzie
* Buttercups
* Carnation
* Chrysanthemum
* Clematis
* Cowslip
* Geranium
* Hemlock
* Laburnum
* Laurel
* Poison Ivy
* Poppy
* Yucca
Like human beings, rabbits need to be fed differently at different stages of their growth to ensure healthy development, digestion, and weight. Throughout a rabbit's life, avoid any sudden changes in diet; new foods should always be introduced gradually. Remember to keep fresh clean water available at all times, too. Water bottles versus dishes are recommended.
Baby rabbits: A baby rabbit, or kit, feeds solely on its mother's milk for about the first three weeks. During the first few days, the milk contains high levels of antibodies that help protect the kit from disease. After three weeks, the kit will begin nibbling on alfalfa hay and pellets. By 7 weeks of age, baby rabbits can handle unlimited access to pellets and alfalfa hay in addition to mother's milk. Kits are usually weaned from their mother's milk by 8 weeks of age, depending on the breed.
Juveniles: Between weaning and 7 months of age, the young rabbit can have an unlimited amount of pellets and alfalfa hay. At 3 months of age, start introducing small amounts of vegetables into your rabbit's diet. Introduce one vegetable at a time. If any vegetable seems to cause digestive problems, avoid feeding it in the future.
Young adults: Young adult rabbits from age 7 months to 1 year should be introduced to timothy, grass hays, and/or oat hay, and it should be available all day long. The fiber in the hay is essential for their digestive systems to work properly. At this point, they will require little alfalfa hay, as well as fewer pellets. Alfalfa hay has more calories and calcium than rabbits need at this stage of development, and the high calorie content of pellets can also begin to cause weight problems. Instead of offering unlimited pellets, a good rule of thumb is 1/2 cup of pellets per 6 lbs. of body weight daily. To make up for the nutritional loss, you must increase your rabbit's intake of vegetables and hay. You can feed your rabbit some fruits during this stage, but because of calories, limit them to no more than 1-2 ounces per 6 pounds of body weight daily.
Mature adults: Mature adult rabbits should be fed unlimited timothy, grass hay, and oat hay. Once again, you should reduce the pellet portion of the diet. A standard guideline is 1/4 cup of pellets per 6 lbs. of body weight per day. Several servings of vegetables are required (2 cups per 6 pounds of body weight daily). Make sure to choose dark, leafy greens, and feed at least three different kinds daily. Iceberg or other light-colored varieties are NOT nutritious. Also, make sure you are offering dark yellow and orange vegetables. Treats, including fruits, must be fed sparingly."
So, essentially, rabbits are very suitable for farming in T2K and are pretty sure to be a staple meat component of the diet for many communities. I must confess I've eaten it a few times and it didn't appeal to me (I'm similarly underwhelmed by venison, to be honest - and I'm wondering if it is to do with the fact that both are low fat / high protein meats) but I'm sure that in T2K that wouldn't be a consideration.
Apologies for this being a long post but I tend to like to have the roots of my T2K building blocks rooted firmly in reality and I'm rather using the site here as a notebook.
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