Twisted Hollow Homestead and Rabbitry

04/23/2025

They don’t look like much now, but in a few months they will be something special! This afternoon I spent a couple hours planting 30 Dicky Meadows coppice willows. These willows produce long straight rods that can be used for basket weaving, living fences and fodder.

Believe it or not, this path is completely lined on both sides with these willow plants.

04/18/2025

Two new babies on the homestead! Dotty had two healthy kids, a boy and a girl. Thank you Dr Kim at Deerfield Veterinary Clinic New Hampshire for talking us through her kids getting stuck during the birthing process. As promised, here are mama and her babies!

04/17/2025

HB 779 has now passed the Senate! This will now be going to Gov Ayotte’s desk for signature.

Reminder! This bill allows for those registered with the NH Department of Agriculture to sell processed rabbit on farm, in farm stands and at farmer’s markets. This is the same registration that allows rabbit farmers to sell to restaurants.

We are already registered under RSA 143 as a state approved rabbit producer. HOWEVER! We cannot sell begin selling processed rabbit until 60 days after signed into law. We have received a significant amount of interest in rabbit already, and we appreciate everyone’s understanding while we wait for this to go into effect.

04/05/2025

A very good discussion on evaluating rabbits and breeding to SOP.

04/01/2025

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE TURNOUT! These numbers are rivaling convention entry numbers!!!!!
Almost 300 rabbits entered in our inaugural standalone show. Can't wait to see everyone in Canton!

03/27/2025

Senate Hearing for HB 779 is scheduled for 10:20am on Tuesday, April 1. It has been introduced to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

This hearing will be livestreamed via the NH Senate YouTube Channel:

This channel is dedicated to the streaming of legislative activity conducted by the New Hampshire Senate. If you are having trouble viewing this livestream, please email: [email protected].

03/22/2025

Show season is just around the corner!

03/20/2025

HB 779 has passed the House with an amendment. This amendment will add the sale of rabbit meat direct to consumer on farm, at farmers narkets and at farmstands to the existing RSA 143. It will require taking the rabbit and poultry processing class offered through the UNH Extension and registering with the State’s Department of Agriculture. This bill will be going to the Senate on April 10 for their vote.

One step closer! Now onto the Senate!

03/15/2025

Have unwanted rooster? This year we are offering a way for our community to get rid of their unwanted roosters.

Rooster Drop Off Days!

Every second Saturday of the month starting in April. Any breed accepted!

Roosters will processed for food and dog food.

April 12
May 10
June 14
July 12
August 9
September 13
October 11

Contact us here or text Kayla at 603-706-7967 to set up a drop off time.

03/15/2025

Barnyard mix eggs in the incubator! Hatching the beginning of April.

03/12/2025

Today I saw a comment that said “your dinner doesn’t need a pedigree.” This was in regard to not needed to spend money on show stock and that showing is not necissary for homestead food production.

Why is it worth buying your meat rabbits from someone who breeds to standard?

The standard of perfection is designed to produce the highest meat yield for each commercial type breed. While your dinner doesn’t need a pedigree, it’s still important to start with quality stock. Poor loin depth, pinched hips and bad shoulders lead to lesser quality carcasses. These unwanted traits carry into the next generation leading to an over all lesser quality herd that may cost you more money in the long run.

Some breeds carry genetic issues like mega colon. This is a common trait found in some breeds like Hotots and some New Zealands. It is associated with the broken gene. This creates an enlarged colon which can result in low feed conversion and difficulty for the rabbit to maintain weight resulting in poor condition and lower mass. Other generic issues like sore hocks, split p***s and malocclusion can have detrimental effects on the quality of life of a rabbit and greatly impact the overall health of your herd.

There is also the idea that throwing giant breeds into the mix will result in more meat. This may or may not be the case in reality. While giant breeds produce larger carcasses, it’s important to note that these breeds have larger bone structure. In the early stages of life for these breeds, growth is primarily focused on bone development over meat development. When paired with a commercial meat breed, this trait can pass on to thd offspring. This can result in carcasses with lower meat to bone ratios at processing than their solely commercial type counterparts.

Ensuring that you are starting with quality stock to begin with can help save you time, money and a lot of headache. There are many who throw rabbits together to produce meat mutts without considering potential genetic issues and common breeds traits. Yes, show breeders typically charge more for their stock. Keep in mind that when you buy from a breeder that breeds to ARBA standard you are not only getting quality over quantity, but also the knowledge of that breeder, stock that has been tested against the standard and often times mentorship. It is worth investing a little more in your breeding stock in the long run.

Your dinner plate doesn’t require a pedigree, but neither does showing. It doesn’t even have to be purebred to go on a show table. What matters is that it is a healthy animal that exemplifies the standard for that breed.

If you can’t afford or don’t want to invest in a trio, you may still want to invest a little extra in your buck. You want something that is going to produce for you. Your buck is 50% of your herd. A show quality buck that has been tested against standard is more likely to set you up for success in the future.

02/18/2025

There is still time to submit your testimony for the support of HB 779! This bill will allow rabbit farmers in NH to sell processed rabbit to our customers without inspection. As it stands we have no way of inspecting rabbit here in NH.

This bill is crucial, especially this year with hatchery shortages due to AI. Rabbit is an easy substitution for any chicken dish with more protein!

Please take a moment to show your support!

The public hearing for this bill is tomorrow, Wednesday, February 19 at 10:15 am for the Commitee of Environment and Agriculture.

https://gc.nh.gov/house/committees/remotetestimony/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3D6FDU5xyJR5ItReMpv-qmJfJiaoXc7Ip4Aj20fSaMJOyZKP2bb4eB4LI_aem_KVb9WIOnSG6q0Jz7X09dTA

Attach document below by clicking the Choose File button and selecting your file (PDF Format Only - 2MB Maximum file size):

02/14/2025

PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!

Public Hearing for HB 779-FN is scheduled for 2/19 at 10:15 am! This bill will allow us rabbit farmers to sell you, our customers, processed rabbit at farmers markets and from our farmstands.

If you can make it to the hearing, it will be held in Environment and Agriculture Committee - LOB Room 301-303. Please come and show your support for this bill if you are able.

If you cannot make it to the hearing, please submit the online testimony through the House of Representatives website. You can find this form below.

Please ask everyone you know to show support for this bill as well!

Attach document below by clicking the Choose File button and selecting your file (PDF Format Only - 2MB Maximum file size):

02/02/2025

There’s something so peaceful about being out here in the snow. ❄️

01/24/2025

As some of you know, for the past several months I have been working with our state reps to change the laws surrounding rabbit meat sales here in NH. Our current laws allow producers like me to sell to restaurants after licensing, however we are not able to sell to a person.

Currently, if we rabbit farmers want to sell to a person we have to do so as a custom cut or take our rabbits out of state for processing. The closest USDA processor for rabbits is in Wisconsin. Custom cut is a cumbersome way to order and is a bit outdated for our modern lifestyles. This proposed change would create an exemption for rabbit inspection allowing us to sell to people on farm, at farm stands, and at farmer's markets. This way, you can come to our booth at our local farmer's markets or stop by a farm stand and purchase fully dressed rabbit on the spot.

What can you do to help? Call your state reps and tell them you want them to support HB 779-FN! Ask your friends and family to do the same! I will update when a public hearing date is set.

SPONSORS: Rep. Verville, Rock. 2; Rep. Ammon, Hills. 42; Rep. J. Aron, Sull. 4; Rep. Comtois, Belk. 7; Rep. Creighton, Hills. 30; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Pearl, Dist 17