Slaughter According to the Procedure
To improve the quality of rabbit fur and meat, it is essential to replace the traditional method of bleeding and skinning after slaughter. A more effective procedure involves first killing the rabbit, then peeling the skin, and finally draining the blood. This sequence helps minimize fur staining and ensures a cleaner final product.
Before slaughtering, all rabbits should undergo health checks to ensure they are in good condition. Any animals showing signs of illness, especially infectious diseases, must be isolated. It is also advisable to avoid slaughtering rabbits during their molting period or if they are weak, as this can negatively impact both the skin and meat quality.
To further enhance the quality of the fur, rabbits should be fasted for 8 hours before slaughter, while still being provided with water. This practice not only makes the slaughtering process smoother but also improves fur quality and reduces feed costs.
For individual slaughters, one hand can be used to grip the rabbit’s hind leg, while the other holds its head. The body is then stretched, and a sudden pull is applied to dislocate the cervical spine. Alternatively, the rear legs can be lifted, and a round stick can be used to strike the back of the skull, causing immediate death.
When large numbers of rabbits are being slaughtered, an electrocution device rated at 70 volts and 0.75 amps can be used by pressing the ear roots. Pouring vinegar, on the other hand, is ineffective and may contaminate the skin.
Skinning Should Be Done Quickly
Once the rabbit is dead, the skin should be removed immediately. Delaying the process can cause the body to freeze, making it harder to peel. To begin, the rabbit’s feet are tied with a thick rope and hung on a post. Using sharp scissors, the skin is cut from the joint at the back, then peeled along the genital area. The skin is turned over, and the lower part is pulled out using a pulling technique. The front limbs are cut off, and the scalp is removed so that the fur side faces inward and the skin side is outward.
During peeling, care must be taken not to damage the fur or tear the muscles of the legs, chest, or abdomen. After peeling, the fresh skin should be trimmed with a knife to remove any remaining muscle or tendon. Then, using scissors, the skin is carefully opened along the ventral midline, following its natural shape, with the fur side down and the skin side up. It should then be dried in a cool, well-ventilated area.
In summer and autumn, to prevent fatty acid degradation and spoilage, the skins should be evenly salted and then ventilated and dried. The carcass should be bled immediately after skinning.
According to practical experience, the best way to bleed a rabbit is to hang it upside down and either cut the carotid artery or remove the head. The bleeding time should last at least 2–3 minutes. Otherwise, incomplete bleeding can reduce the shelf life of the meat.
The Fur Is Best at the Right Age
The quality of Rex rabbit fur is highest when harvested in winter. Rabbits killed between November and February of the following year have dense fluff, a smooth surface, and a glossy appearance, resulting in high-quality pelts. Adult rabbits generally produce better quality skins than younger ones.
To achieve the best fur quality, it is crucial to select rabbits at the right age and time. “Age-appropriate†means choosing young rabbits after their first molt, before the second hair change, typically around 5–6 months old, weighing about 2.5 kg. At this stage, the skin area reaches approximately 0.11 square meters, and the fur meets national standards in terms of physical and mechanical properties. High-grade fur is more common at this stage.
If the fur is mature enough, it is better to wait until after the second molt, but extending the rearing period by two months significantly increases feeding costs and reduces economic returns. “Fixed period†refers to the time when rabbits complete their seasonal molts, usually in spring (March–April) and autumn (September–November).
During molting, the fur is at its worst—uneven, short, and dull. Therefore, it is not recommended to harvest fur during this period. Well-fed Rex rabbits will have soft, rich fur, bright color, and thick pelts. However, overfeeding can lead to excessive subcutaneous fat, which affects skin quality. Malnutrition, especially a lack of methionine, cystine, vitamins, or minerals, can result in poor fur quality, reduced gloss, and even hair loss.
Overfeeding and poor hygiene, such as inadequate cage cleaning, can cause urine contamination, leading to yellowing of the fur, especially in white-coated rabbits. This seriously affects the quality of Rex rabbit fur.
Other factors like poor management, aggressive biting, skin diseases, scabs, sores, and poor ventilation can also harm the quality of the skin. High ammonia levels, direct sunlight, and humidity can cause discoloration and degrade fur quality.
Male and female rabbits of the same age may differ in skin quality. Male rabbits generally have wider and thicker skin than females, but their fur is coarser, and the pelt quality is less consistent, especially in sexually mature males. Young female rabbits tend to have better quality skin than males of the same age. However, after giving birth, the skin quality of female rabbits declines significantly. The more litters a female has, the thinner and looser her skin becomes, resulting in a noticeable decline in fur quality.
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