I know this was a crazy idea to start with… 13 chickens and 2 rabbits for dog food.

However, I need to do some cost/benefit style analysis (as a reference for somebody else)

This is Steak! My big Rex rabbit

Rabbits

Capital Investments (one time only)

1/2 ” Hardware mesh for bottom of cage (also used for chicks)  – $9.73

Chicken wire – left on hand from before, but $8.27

Wood for outside of cage and wire – $22.00

Hay feeder – $5.98

Waterer –  $3.99

Total: $49.99

Expendables

Cost of the Rabbits – $11.00

Rabbit food (25 lbs, $9.99 per bag, eat 8 oz a day each) –  $0.40 per day x 28 days = $11.18

Hay – $8.99 (has lasted the whole month, with more left)

Total: $31.17

Finally:

Total Cost: $81.14

Current Weight: 11.8 lbs

Price per Pound: $7.26

Now that I have the cage, price per pound can fall to $2.65, which is about what I pay from Hare Today (with shipping included).

In conclusion… these two rabbits do NOT justify feeding them to the dog, so, I will eat them!

I will be going to the auction tomorrow to get more rabbits. If I can get them at eatable size, it IS cost effective. The rabbits were $1.15 a pound to purchase. Daily upkeep is $0.70 (for two), so keeping the rabbits for up to a week is worth it, but it is not worth it for longer.

This was a fun experiment though, and I may continue with the rabbits into the future. Since I can get them so cheap. If I were just to take them home and butcher, it can be super cost effective!