A Hard Lesson — and One Worth Sharing
Recently, a close friend shared something that really stuck with me. His father-in-law — a longtime subscriber to The Rabbitry Center YouTube channel — decided to hang it up and walk away from rabbit production altogether.
Not because rabbits don’t work. Not because the system failed. But because he never cleared the mental hurdle of dispatching.
Over nearly three years, he processed only three or four rabbits — and those were breeders, not fryers. He never filled the freezer. He never experienced the payoff of consistent production. The program in theory was solid… but without follow-through, the system never came to life.
That story isn’t shared to shame anyone — it’s shared to help you avoid the same outcome.
The Real Reason Most Beginners Quit
Most new rabbit raisers don’t quit
because rabbits are difficult. They quit because they start unprepared.
They buy animals first. They build later. They delay processing. They hesitate.
And slowly, rabbits stop being livestock and start becoming pets.
This is what we’ve been talking about lately as domestication syndrome — not just in animals, but in us. When there’s no system, no plan, and no deadline, emotions creep in and productivity shuts down.
Excitement + Preparation = Success
Excitement is important — it gets you started.
But preparation is what keeps you going.
Preparation looks like:
Finished cages before animals arrive
A processing station set up early
A breeding calendar on paper
Clear freezer goals
Records you can track and improve
Without those, even the most motivated beginner will stall.
Five Steps to Start Your Rabbit Program the Right Way
If you’re new — or restarting — these five steps matter.
1. Build Your Setup Before Buying Rabbits
Cages, feeders, watering systems, and nest boxes should be finished before animals ever show up. Animals-first almost always leads to overwhelm.
2. Create a Processing Station Early
Table, sharp knife, cutting board, hanger or gambrel, and a packaging plan. When the station exists, the fear drops dramatically.
3. Map Out a Breeding Schedule
Put dates on a calendar for the entire first year. Consistency builds momentum.
4. Track Everything From Day One
Breeding dates, litter siz
es, feed use, weights, and harvest numbers. Numbers remove emotion.
5. Set a Clear First Goal
A simple goal like “process my first litter of rabbits” gives direction and confidence.
Take These Steps to Stay Consistent (and Avoid the Pet Trap)
Starting is easy. Staying consistent is the challenge.
Keep Your Processing Station Active
Monthly use builds skill and confidence.
Review Records
Weekly
Progress on paper fuels motivation.
Maintain Tools and Equipment
Sharp knives and solid cages remove excuses.
Stick to the Breeding Calendar
Missed dates slow everything down.
Remember Your “Why”
Food security. Self-sufficiency. A full freezer.
Don’t Let Time Slip By
The hardest part of rabbit production isn’t feeding, watering, or breeding.
It’s follow-through.
Three years can pass quickly. And without a plan, you can look back and realize you never actually ran a production system.
Our goal is to help you avoid that.
Tap here to check out our podcast where we discuss this in detail on episode#38
🎄 Christmas Thank-You: Exclusive Newsletter Offer
As a thank-you for being part of our newsletter community, we’re offering an exclusive additional 10% off our already discounted rabbitry courses.
Limited offer: Only the first 25 users can claim this! Hurry—this code expires January 1st.
🎁 Coupon Code:
DECEMBER10
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to build your system the right way — this is it.
From our family to yours,
we wish you a very Merry Christmas! 🎄✨