Satins

Why Satins?

Versatility! That is one of the greatest traits of the Satin Rabbit. They are a commercial breed not only for their meat, but their fur! They are popular on the show circuit and come in 11 colors. They also make great pets and are good mothers that are easy to breed and raise. I have worked at a fine dress shop that carries some of the best furs available. I did not know then, but the rabbit furs offered by that store were Satin Rabbit Coats. I recognized them as soon as I saw the rabbits! They have for years been the "faux mink" of the furriers because of the high sheen. They come in beautiful colors that need not be dyed. I am looking forward to the weather warming up so I can begin the tanning of all the hides I am collecting!

Satins have a high meat to bone ratio and make a nice 5 lb. fryer well within the 8 - 12 week time frame you want for maximum flavor and tenderness. At this age they are called "fryers" Older rabbits are called "roasters". Around here though, most older rabbits are called "burger" because the ground rabbit is so good. When compared to the New Zealand Whites in a study done a couple of years ago they did quite well. The NZW reached a butcher weight of 5 lbs. earlier than the Satin, but took a hundred lbs. of feed to raise 8 kits. The Satins raised 8 kits to 5 lbs, took a few weeks longer to do itand used a total of only 85 lbs. of feed.I think that is impressive since our most measurable expense is feed!

If you want a good look at Satins, get to your nearest ARBA show! Contact us if you have trouble and we will gladly help you locate one in your area. They are usually well represented and most of the colors should be on hand. Some of the colors are more popular than others, but you should find quite a variety. You will be able to see and work with the rabbits in thier different age groups to see if the size will fit your needs. You will see first hand the quality, beauty, sheen of thier fur. You can feel how the flesh should feel. Satin show rabbit and meat rabbits have the same standard so the meaty thighs are what you will get at home. There are usually people at the shows that are selling stock, from a "pet quality" to the more expensive "show quality". Get the best you can afford, it will pay off later. Most Satin breeders love sharing information about thier rabbits and are eager to see new breeders get fine animals to start and most are not squeemish if you plan on using them for meat.Satins are full of personality and can be quite comical! Some are more energetic than others, so you can get a cuddle bug or a rascal! You can find you like and will get along with you and your current pets. Most enjoy a good game of chase and some will even jump into your lap for a pet. (or grooming as they call it). They are a size to play with cats and a smallish dog (providing the dog does not think it is food). I have one rabbit that just terrorized our cat whenever they were in the house together. The cat would run from the rabbit and get back outside as quick as it could!

Satins are easy to breed and usually give birth without any help. You can get a litters from 5 to 15 or more kits. (A kit is what a baby rabbit is called.) they milk well and can usually handle 9 to 12 on thier own. Otherwise you need to foster, which they don't seem to mind either. 8 is the best litter size in my opinion. the bucks are pleasent and easy to care for. Most are easier to handle than does! Just take them a doe once in awhile and they are happy boys! Provide them with 16 hours of light in the winter and protection from the wind and you can breed rabbits all year long. We do and it can get -20 to -40 below here.

Satins are truly the breed of distinction and versatility. If you are not sure which breed is for you, look at the Satins, you can't go wrong with them!