Demand For Rabbit Meat Growing In N.C.

Lymond Franklin has raised rabbits for more than 65 years.

"I keep a record of who the mother and father is. That way I can write a pedigree," he said.

Just like any other farm animal, he said good breeding stock is important.

"We want good length of body and also a good depth of body," Franklin said of the rabbits he raises for food.

"The New Zealand white is the black Angus or the white-face Hereford as far as the beef industry is concerned," he said.

A bill currently in the state Senate

would regulate would regulate the production and sale of domestic rabbits as well as protect native wild rabbits.

Franklin said business is growing for his product.

"In Wake County we're seeing more demand. I get a lot of telephone calls," he said.

This area is catching up with other parts of the country as far as rabbit consumption goes.

"It tastes like the breast of turkey and chicken. And it's all white meat," Franklin said.

Franklin said rabbits make good farm animals, because they grow fast, are a good value for consumers and are busy breeders.