Best way to kill farmed rabbits for processing?

[svc]

Anyone got any tips on the best way to kill a rabbit for processing. I have read somewhere that a hammer to the head is the best way to stun them before chopping off the head. My aim with hammers isn't the best and it seems a bit brutal, I have a couple of high powered air rifles .177 at 1000fps and .22 at 850fps will these do the job point blank? I'm thinking the .22 would be best.

We have a californian buck, a silverfox doe and a nz white doe thats not quite old enough to breed yet. The silverfox was mated to the californian before she travelled here and only had a litter of 3 this time around. due to moving stress i think.

Any feed back would be appreciated, probably a month before i have to do the deed.

Thanks

[vihalvor]

being a farmers boy, id say nothing beats a blow to the back of their head. but.. if thats too violent, i guess a .22 at point blank would also do it... might splatter thou....

[Bindi Weed]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_434275&src_vid=_PZh_gadbDY&v=EXAhzfqhMNE&feature=iv

[ellistattoo]

Yup, or you get a rabbit wrangler.http://therabbitwringer.com/html/online_store.html Or make your own out of a crutch! http://rabbittalk.com/red-neck-rabbit-wringer-t4904.html

[svc]

Thanks for the replies, The youtube vid looked like it would do the job for me nicely.

[GaryD]

Hi SVC,

I looked at the videos that featured Rabbit Wringer and the processing arrangement. Both would be good for use by any newcomer to processing rabbits.

When it comes to processing any micro-livestock, the quicker; the better......for the animal and the person doing the processing.

Old "bushies" of my grandfather's generation could kill and hulk a rabbit in seconds.....with no tools. They used the rabbit's own claws to open up the belly to remove the guts. The skin was removed once the rabbits were back at the homestead.

If you are killing any micro-livestock using dislocation of the neck, remove the head quickly so that the meat (rabbit, chicken, etc) bleeds out thoroughly.......or the meat won't taste so good nor keep as well.

Gary

[Sam Burton]

We keep a small rabbitry of 3 bucks and 9 does (plus offspring), so I process quite a few each year. After making mistakes with other methods, I've gone back to using a .22 handgun at point blank range. I don't mind killing them, but I hate to hurt them. Sounds crazy I know. Anyway, the .22 is quick and clean. I have a rabbit wringer and would use it if necessary. Find a method that works for you.

[GaryD]

Hi Sam,


I don't mind killing them, but I hate to hurt them. Sounds crazy I know.
I think that's the way it's supposed to be. I'm not aware of any ethical person who enjoys slaughtering any livestock......but they do it because someone has to.

The important thing, as you've indicated, is that it should be quick and decisive.

Gary