I was raising New Zealand Whites (NZW) for years for strictly meat rabbits. I don't care what people say/read, getting a NZW to hit target weight 5# in 8 weeks is darn near impossible. I have selectively bred my NZWs for large litters and quick grow outs. Mine hit target weight on average 9 weeks 3 days. Rex grow out a bit slower, taking 12 weeks to hit weight. However, they sell better for pets, service animals, etc. I prefer litters of 8 or more, and breed heavily toward large litters. I have one rex doe that consistently throws 12-14 kits. I shoot for 4 litters per year from each doe. 2 in the spring and 2 in the fall. I do not breed over the summer as So. IL gets to 100* with 100% humidity for 4 months. I'm switching over to an all Rex herd. Yes, they take 2.5 extra weeks to grow out. But, the sell so much better on the pet market. I butcher what doesn't sell.

I still raise a couple hundred meat chickens a year. Each have their place on my farm. The rabbits are quiet, and they produce awesome fertilizer.