Rabbit mills?

Question

after switching my dogs to a raw food diet and trying to find inexpensive rabbit meat for them, i discovered there are quite a lot of rabbitmills.

i know there are chicken mills..but since rabbits can be pets (i never had one as a pet though) are these as cruel as puppymills?

Answer 1

Actually people are trying to better rabbit breeds there is even an organization called the American Rabbit Breeders Association and there is a national show every year that draws about 300,000 people. I have never really heard of a rabbitmill but I am sure that they exist and they probably are cruel, but I have never heard of them being shown until they were a few months old and then slaughtered. I raise meat rabbits, but I decide which ones will be slaughtered around 12 weeks of age and those that I keep will never be killed. There is also a difference between people who competitively show and have large numbers of rabbits and those who just breed for money. I have met breeders who have barn with 500+rabbits in them but all are well cared for and in no way do I consider that cruelty. I have even heard of breeders paying over $1000 for a show rabbit. but that's extreme.

Answer 2

In my opinion, most 'breeders' of all kinds keep rabbits in way too-small enclosures and treat them horribly.  Given large cages or pens, treated with respect and care, and  allowed lots of out of cage time, rabbits are playful, live as long as a dog, enjoy toys, will interact with people voluntarily and enjoy living in pairs or groups.  They are also litter-box trainable, learn their names, mine come when called and have learned several simple commands.  

Confined to small cages, they can not live in pairs or groups, because they are territorial and will fight, even to the death.  'Breeders' hold this to be a sign that rabbits don't enjoy the company of other rabbits.  They neglect to mention that in the wild, rabbits live in groups called warrens.  Given space to get away from each other when they want to, adequate exercise, toys, etc. they very much enjoy the company of other rabbits, and will spend much time snuggling and grooming each other.  I mean, think about it.  If you were locked in a closet with someone, you'd probably fight with them, too, wouldn't you?  

I've also seen various breeders on this site holding forth that toys for rabbits are a 'waste of money' and that they do not play.  Every rabbit I've met (and I've met a lot) plays with toys.  They play with toys more than my dogs do, and no one would say dog toys are an unnecessary waste of money, would they?  'Breeders' will also tell you a rabbit lives 4-7 years.  Then why do I currently have a 13 year old and why have I met several that have lived close to 20 years?  With proper care, they live 2-3 times longer than they will in the care of a 'breeder'.  They will also tell you there is no point to spaying and neutering a rabbit and that rabbits shouldn't see vets when they are ill.  Again, witness lifespan difference for a properly cared for rabbit, and you will find that pretty much everyone who has had an altered rabbit discovers they make much better companions after they are altered.  I believe the way most 'breeders' of rabbit operate to be very cruel to the rabbit.  Why is it acceptable for a rabbit to be caged 24/7 but not a dog or cat?  I don't get it at all.  

As far as 'chicken mills', I think those are cruel as well.  Did you know the government requires each chicken to be given only a space the size of half a standard 8.5"x11" sheet of paper?  I think it's cruel and ridiculous.  I've gone to buying only eggs from local ranches that free-range their chickens (and the true meaning of free-range).  Commercial 'free range' operations still house the chickens in the big crowded houses, they just put mesh sides on them because the government only requires they have 'reasonable access to fresh air' to call them 'free range'.  Hens kept in battery cages are, in my opinion, even crueler since generally they can not hardly even turn around.  

Even if rabbits could in no way be regarded as pets, I find the way food animals are often treated to be disgusting.  Jsut because they will be slaughtered for food does not mean they should not live happy, comfortable existences before that point.  They still deserve adequate space to behave in a natural manner, good quality of care, vet attention when ill, etc.  I am by no means a rich person, I cut corners financially when possible, but I will not support big 'factory farms' that raise animals.  I buy local from farms that I know treat their animals with compassion.  I don't eat a lot of meat and other animal products because of this, but it's worth it to me.  There needs to be a major shift in the way animals are treated.

Add: As far as showing, there are different breeds of rabbits and some do breed to 'better the breed', which is fine, but I have a problem with the way they are treated throughout their lives.  People get upset about irresponsible breeding of dogs and cats, and overpopulation of those, but what about rabbits?  They are the third most surrendered animal in the USA and there are tons of homeless rabbits everywhere in need of homes.