before you freeze. I butchered 9 today for my daughter since I am much faster than her. by the time she took a finished one to the house I had the next dead and done.

I noticed she put them in bags with water and tonight in the freezer. got to thinking maybe I should move them to the fridge for a day or two first?

I've always just given them an ice water bath until chilled, then bagged and in the freezer. I'll be interested to hear how other folks do it.

I've always let mine soak in ice and saltwater few days no clue if it helps. Then use the poultry heat shrink bags for storage works well as long as you cut the leg bones short so they don't poke.hole in bag.

Think any meat is better if rested and let rigor pass before freezing or cooking.

I rest everything I kill except fish, I want them flopping in the pan. It allows rigor mortis to pass and natural tenderization to occur. I also rest in salt water to help moisture retention and keep bacteria low. I believe the meat is better, not science though, just opinion.

My rabbits rest anytime they please.

I have a few loose in the yard like that. Some get out will hop right up to you

Let one small runt out today. figured maybe it will grow or something will eat it.. I was going to cull it and put it in the compost but when they get out they stay around the rabbit Cages and garage and don't cause any issues so I figured why not. If they become a problem I will just cull them.

I use a buttermilk marinade and a KFC copycat recipe that Cowboy Kent Rollins has on the youtube. I have to pick the lead shot and fur out of mine but they are quite good.

Asked the wife on our walj this evening. She sid typically she had not worried about it with rabbits. not knowing I put 3 of the 9 in the fridge and left the rest in the freezer. Figured the few I knew were sold would get to rest and I would be sure they were tender. So I can try both and see if it makes a difference now