Anyone have pictures of their rabbit pens?

[Intruder55]

Hello,

Just built these a couple of days ago, for my first rabbits. I'll be breeding for meat. It was build almost entirely from scrap - a 3'6" x 6' pallet served as the base. The only new purchase was the plywood sheet used for the roof, the cage wire, the hinges, and the locks. Even the shingles were scrapped! It sits 4' off the ground

 

[Hens and Roos]

Welcome to BYH! Nice looking pens! So what breed are you planning to raise?

 

[Intruder55]

I got (mainly because of easy availability) a buck and doe (unrelated) that are Japanese Harlequinnes...I think I'm going to get a NZ doe soon too, and plan to cross them and see what happens. They are only 2.5 months old right now, so a little while before I breed. Not a lot to choose from here, but I think the Harlequinnes should be ok for meat production, especially if mixed with NZs. What do you think?

 

[Mahlzeit]

Wow those are both really nice setups!! Thanks so much for sharing the pictures with us.

 

[Mahlzeit]

I was thinking about going with NZ unless anyone suggests another breed.

 

[Intruder55]

They definitely seem to be the best for meat (just general consensus on the site, seems to me)

 

[Hens and Roos]

Cute picture of the rabbits. You will have a few months to go to get to breeding age for sure. I don't know much about Harlequinnes, are they similar in size to a NZ? I know you want to make sure you don't breed a bigger buck to a smaller doe(this helps minimize problems for the doe at time of kindling-such as kits being to big to come out). I know that NZ typically reach weight for meat quicker(8-12 weeks of age gives one 4.5-5 lbs. live weight) than most breeds so you might end up growing the kits a little longer to reach weight.

 

[Mahlzeit]

Yeah from what I've seen so far they seem to be the top choice. I am in the process of buying a house which has a large detached 2 gar garage which I was gonna make a section of for the rabbits and the brooder area for my chickens. My grandfather in Germany has huge meat rabbits(not sure what breed) so I have eaten them before. My fiance on the other hand has not yet so hopefully I can get her to try it.

 

[Hens and Roos]

We have Cali for meat and we like them. Our group seem to be pretty even tempered which is good as my kids are using them for 4-H projects as well. Guess it is a matter of personal preference.

 

[P.O. in MO]

Nice pens., Intruder. I see leaves on the trees in the picture, where are you located. Seems most people do favor NZW or Cali's for meat rabbits and also a lot of people like to cross these.