Breeding in a Colony

[Alexz7272]

If you're looking for cheap fencing, I've seen stucco wire used in a colony. Chicken wire they chew through. We used welded wire.

 

[Bossroo]

After raising many rabbits for meat at our farm ( yes, a small colony at one time followed by the individual cage system )then thousands of rabbits commercially , I would definately NOT recommend the colony method.

 

[micah wotring]

After raising many rabbits for meat at our farm ( yes, a small colony at one time followed by the individual cage system )then thousands of rabbits commercially , I would definately NOT recommend the colony method.

Why? Is it disease or what? Thanks for warning me.

 

[micah wotring]

They will definitely get through a hog panel.

Ah, ok.

If you're looking for cheap fencing, I've seen stucco wire used in a colony. Chicken wire they chew through. We used welded wire.

Thanks! I knew they'd chew through chicken wire (I hate that stuff) so I'll look up those other two. Thanks again.

 

[AClark]

I want to know why not also? My best guess would be parasites from being on the ground. The wild rabbits here are riddled with gross things, and it never gets cold enough to kill it off, so I won't touch them.

 

[micah wotring]

I want to know why not also? My best guess would be parasites from being on the ground. The wild rabbits here are riddled with gross things, and it never gets cold enough to kill it off, so I won't touch them.

That would make sense. I was thinking like escapes and fights.

 

[Bossroo]

That would make sense. I was thinking like escapes and fights.

All of the above including,rampent disease and canibalism. Ever see 3 does EAT another doe alive and her just sitting there in complete shock ?

 

[micah wotring]

All of the above including,rampent disease and canibalism. Ever see 3 does EAT another doe alive and her just sitting there in complete shock ?

Uh, no. I haven't and never want to.
However the number of people I've talked to saying they haven't had any problems far outweighs the number of people who have had problems and have switched to cages.
I understand your point but I would like to try. I'm not saying your wrong and I'm not saying it will work for me just because it has worked for others. I'm not even saying it WILL work for me. Jut that I'd like to try.

Thank you for your time, I'll be sure to do everything I can to prevent all of these things.
I'm sure I'll learn plenty one way or another.

Thanks again,
MW

 

[NH homesteader]

From a non rabbiteer, I am curious if rabbits are solitary by nature. Do they enjoy each other's company for the most part or do they want their own space? Seems to me they'd be lonely in cages. But not knowing rabbits other than having a few as pets (who loved their buddies)... I don't know. I had two rabbits separated because I wasn't sure of gender and one dug a tunnel to get to the other one. Turns out they were both females. Found them all cuddled up in a corner. I have no plans to breed rabbits but if I ever did I would do a colony.

So not advice, just what I was thinking reading this thread.

 

[micah wotring]

From a non rabbiteer, I am curious if rabbits are solitary by nature. Do they enjoy each other's company for the most part or do they want their own space? Seems to me they'd be lonely in cages. But not knowing rabbits other than having a few as pets (who loved their buddies)... I don't know. I had two rabbits separated because I wasn't sure of gender and one dug a tunnel to get to the other one. Turns out they were both females. Found them all cuddled up in a corner. I have no plans to breed rabbits but if I ever did I would do a colony.

So not advice, just what I was thinking reading this thread.

They are very social from what I've read. The does can be VERY territorial though so either they grow up together or don't get along. So, I think if you have enough space they should be fine. Again, this is all just from what I've seen on BYC, BYH, and YouTube.