Welcome to the not-so-humble beginnings of our very own rabbit revolution — the birth of Cackle Berry Giants here in San Augustine, Texas! If you’re a homesteader, backyard breeder, or simply someone who wants a hearty, dependable meat rabbit line, you’re going to want to keep reading.
At Cackle Berry Farm, we’re not just raising rabbits — we’re crafting a line of TAMUK meat rabbits that are designed to thrive in our tough Texas heat, grow big and meaty, and stay calm enough to let your kids help in the barn. It’s all about consistency, durability, and quality over quantity.
🧬 Why We’re Creating Our Own Line of TAMUK Rabbits
TAMUK (short for Texas A&M University-Kingsville) rabbits are a composite meat breed developed for hot climates and small farms — and they’re already a favorite across the South. But even a great breed can be made greater with the right kind of line breeding.
Our dream? A TAMUK line that breeds true — where each generation delivers the same calm temperament, reliable weight gain, strong health, and solid mothering traits. We call this line the Cackle Berry Giants.
Why “Giants”? Because we’re selecting for larger-bodied meat rabbits, without sacrificing maternal instincts or heat tolerance. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill backyard bunnies. They’re homestead workhorses — big, beautiful, and built for Texas.
🔁 How We’re Doing It (Without Putting You to Sleep)
Let’s keep this simple. Our plan has four phases:
- Foundation Creation – Starting with solid stock. Think of this like the roots of a good family tree. We pair a few select bucks with our best doe, Grace, to build the base.
- Genetic Cleanup – Yep, this means inbreeding. It sounds scary, but it’s a tested method to reveal hidden issues and clean up the gene pool. If a rabbit’s got problems, it won’t make the cut.
- Seed Creation – We choose one superior buck (we call him our “King Buck”) and breed him with his top daughters. This gives us rabbits that are close clones of the King. Think consistency — like biscuits that turn out perfect every time.
- Spiral Breeding – Once we’ve got several high-quality families, we rotate them. It keeps them genetically healthy while preserving the traits we love.
👉 Want the nitty-gritty? We’ll be posting regular updates on our Cackle Berry Farm Blog, where you can follow our journey, breeding charts, tips, and the occasional rabbit name that sounds like it came out of a spaghetti Western.
🥕 Why We’re So Picky About Our Rabbits
We’re not aiming for mass production. We’re looking to build a legacy line that small farms and homesteaders can depend on. Here’s what we’re selecting for — and what we’re culling against.
We Keep Rabbits That:
- Grow fast and efficiently — Ideally hitting 5 lbs by 10 weeks
- Have great temperaments — Calm, easy to handle, and not prone to kicking you in the shins
- Make great moms — They build good nests, nurse regularly, and raise full litters
- Handle heat like a champ — Long ears, thin coats, and strong lungs
- Look good and feel meaty — We want them thick, not lanky
We Cull Rabbits That:
- Miss weight targets
- Act like jerks (biters, skittish, or overly aggressive)
- Have poor litters or neglect kits
- Constantly sneeze or show health issues
- Show traits that don’t match our goals (like floppy ears or off-color coats)
So if you get a rabbit from our Cackle Berry Giants line, you can be sure it’s been selected with care, backed by data, and has a pedigree we’re proud to share.
🏡 Want to Start Your Own Rabbitry?
We’d love to help you get started! Whether you’re in East Texas or a neighboring county, we want to be your go-to source for quality meat rabbits.
🐰 You can reserve your own TAMUK rabbits here.
We usually have kits ready to go, and we’re happy to help match you with a trio or pair that suits your goals — whether it’s meat production, breeding, or sustainable homesteading.
💡 And don’t worry — we’re not the type to sell you a rabbit and disappear. We’re here to offer advice, share breeding strategies, and help you make the most of your rabbit program.
🔧 Bonus Tip: Don’t Forget the Hardware!
Starting a homestead takes more than just livestock. You need gear, feed, tools, fencing, and probably a good cup of coffee.
That’s where our friends at Hardware on the Square come in. They’ve got everything from water hose fittings to rabbit feeders, and their coffee shop? Let’s just say it’ll change your morning chore game.
If you’re a homesteader in East Texas, it’s the one-stop shop to stock up, swap stories, and grab what you need without driving all over the place.
🌱 Follow Along, Grow With Us
This isn’t just about rabbits. It’s about creating a resource for rural families, young farmers, and anyone looking to be more self-sufficient.
We’re building a rabbit line that will serve the next generation of growers, and we want you to be part of it.
📬 Check our blog for updates, breeding results, and educational content.
📦 Order your rabbits right here and get started building your own rabbitry today.
Because the best meat rabbits in East Texas shouldn’t come from some giant commercial warehouse — they should come from your neighbors down the road at Cackle Berry Farm.