Graig Farm - What is Organic? > How our animals are reared > Wild Rabbit - Rearing

Wild Rabbit - Rearing

Rabbits, despite their fluffy appearance, and generally good press, are a serious pest to farmers, as they eat crops (particularly grass), and damage fields. They have always been controlled by farmers, since they were introduced into Britain by the Romans.

The introduction of the disease myxamatosis into the rabbit population in the 1950's put a temporary reduction on the rabbit population. However, in the past 20 years or so, widespread resistance to the disease has resulted in greater numbers being seen across the country - in many places back up to 1950's levels. Around Graig Farm, foxes and buzzards and other birds of prey are major predators of rabbits. Other carnivores such as polecats are increasing in numbers locally, perhaps as rabbit numbers have recovered.

Mrs Beeton, in her 1861 masterpiece "The Book of Household Management", thought there were:

" .....four kinds (of rabbits), distinguished as Warreners, Parkers, Hedgehogs and Sweethearts. The Warrener, as its name implies, is a member of a subterranean society and is less effeminate than his kindred who dwell upon the earth and have 'the world at their will', and his fur is the most esteemed. After him comes the Parker, whose favourite resort is a gentlemen's pleasure-ground, where he usually breeds in great numbers, and from which he frequently drives away the hares. The Hedgehog is a sort of vagabond rabbit, that, tinker-like, roams about the country, and would have a much better coat on its back if he was more settled in his habits, and remained more at home. The Sweetheart is a tame rabbit, with its fur so sleek, soft and silky that it is used to some extent in the important branch of hat-making."

Wild rabbit makes a tasty, inexpensive meal. As there is little arable farming around mid-Wales/Shropshire, where the rabbits are mostly caught, there is less danger of chemical sprays being eaten by the rabbits.

"The actions of the rabbit foretell how long the snow may last. As well as his 'bury' or burrow, the rabbit has his 'squat', a sort of hide or nest in the long grass or undergrowth in a nice dry place where it can sit and digest its feed in comfort. If snow has fallen during the night, the rabbit goes out to find its breakfast. If the snow is going to thaw quickly, it will return to its burrow, but if the snow is likely to last, it will make its way to its squat to sit out the snowfall."

An upbringing on a Radnorshire Hill Farm, George F. Lewis - 1998

For tips on cooking your rabbit and mouth watering recipes please click here

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