FAQ
Rabbit Information
What breed of rabbit do you produce?
Our rabbits are a proprietary commercial line of New Zealand White and California White lineage, rabbit breeds long prized for their meat production. Rabbits are harvested at the age of 8-12 weeks unless otherwise specified.
Do you use any antibiotics?
Nope! Company farms and our contract growers raise our rabbits following these simple criteria: Raised Without Growth Hormones, Raised Without Animal By-Products, and Raised Without Antibiotics! Rabbits from contract growers are tested for antibiotic use prior to harvest.
Can I buy breeding stock from you?
Yes. Natural State Rabbit maintains its own Genetic Center and breeding stock, which depending on current demand, allows us to offer breeding stock to select contract growers. We also offer consultation, training, and genetics via Artificial Insemination to our contract growers. Please fill out our grower form to learn more.
Are your rabbits USDA inspected?
Yes! A USDA inspector is on site at all time during harvesting and packaging to ensure compliance.
Where are your rabbits raised?
Some of our rabbits come from our own farms and the remaining come from a network of carefully vetted grower partners throughout the nation. The majority of our growers are part of Amish farming communities here in the Ozark region.
How are your rabbits fed?
Our rabbits are fed a custom formulated all-natural rabbit pellet milled locally, consisting of grains and grain by-products, alfalfa and other forages, and a complete and balanced vitamin and mineral complex.
Products
Will you be offering more products soon?
Yes! Currently we are only offering whole rabbits online. However, we plan to roll out a wide range of additional fresh and frozen cut-up products in stages. Follow our newsletter for the latest updates!
Why are some of your products from Italy?
Natural State Rabbit partners with a carefully vetted partner in Italy to provide wholesale and to test out new packaging and configurations. Rabbit is a stable protein in old world Mediterranean cuisine and there are time-honored old-word farming, harvesting and preparation practices that Natural State Rabbit has studied and brought to the United States.
Where can I find your products in stores?
A link to our distribution partners is coming soon. Currently the Natural State Rabbit brand is not sold in stores, but we are actively working with retail and wholesale partners.
I am a retailer. Do you private label?
Yes! We are happy to custom package rabbit with your label. Please contact info@nsrabbitmeat.com for more information.
Do you offer any other proteins besides rabbit?
We do currently, and do not have any plans to produce proteins other than rabbit.
Cooking
Can I sample your rabbit?
We offer samples to select restaurant and retail clients. Contact us to learn more.
How do I thaw a frozen rabbit?
The best way is to let the rabbit thaw in a refrigerator 24 hours prior to cooking. If you have less time, a cold-water bath can speed up the thawing process. Please find the following link to our cooking instructions.
How do I butcher a whole rabbit?
One of our restaurant partners has prepared a helpful video here.
How should I cook a rabbit?
Being a lean meat, rabbit is best for frying and braising. Follow our social media for cooking inspiration.
What does rabbit taste like?
Rabbit is a succulent, mild and tender white meat. Perfectly cooking a rabbit brings out subtle flavors sometimes described as slightly sweet or slightly gamey.
Shipping
How is the rabbit shipped?
Fresh and frozen rabbit is shipped directly to you on dry ice in a specially designed sustainable shipping carton. Dry ice amount is carefully calculated based on the shipping zone.
Do you deliver?
At this time, we do not deliver product directly to customers. However this is something we are working on for the Northwest Arkansas region and potentially additional metropolitan areas.
How many rabbits can I order at one time?
Our Natural State Rabbit brand is currently set up to ship 10 whole rabbits at a time. For wholesale pricing and shipping options contact us here.
Do you ship internationally?
Currently we only ship within the continental United States with very few exceptions. We may consider select wholesale customers outside of the United States. Please contact us for more information.
Can I place a recurring order?
Yes! Our restaurant partners with rabbit as a permanent menu item can regularly go through 10+ rabbits per week. We have partnered with Seal Subscriptions to offer a convenient, recurring direct shipment option. You can cancel anytime.
Do you have wholesale pricing?
Yes! Contact us for more information.
Do you have a social media account?
Yes! Follow us on social media for updates on recipes, preparation and our latest restaurant partners.
How do I become a partner?
Natural State Rabbit loves to cross-promote with select restaurants, markets and food influencers. Natural State Rabbit has a partner program in which we offer special discounted pricing for collaboration on recipes and social media content. Contact us to learn more.
Grower Information
How do I become a grower?
We partner with select growers throughout the Ozark region. If you are interested in raising rabbits for Natural State Rabbit, please reach out to growers@nsrabbitmeat.com to receive a Grower Form.