How to get started?

[Pastor Dave]

The interior is abt 50'x25' and I was going to go 1/3 animal and 2/3 shop, but I don't want to wish later for more room for animals. I am not a mechanic or welder, fabricator, or repairman, but I tinker. I have room for a work bench and storage of one of my vehicles, economy tractor and mower, utility trailer and tools, so may go 1/2 and 1/2. I plan to use masonry drill and shoot in some threaded studs for floor sill plate and frame a wall with a locking man door. I also am working on some ventilation fans and a sliding door for the goats and a dog to come in and out. I have room for feed, hay and straw, and supplies, plus want to milk in there too. Hoping the size will all work out. The insurance company only showed it being covered for $10,000. I said it would take much more than that to replace it, so they changed the coverage to $20,000. I don't think that's enough either, but it's a start, and there's already a nice concrete floor. Hope the thing outlasts me and I don't have to worry abt it.

 

[DellaMyDarling]

For sure!
We didn't design any of our buildings, they were with the property but very recently built so we're quite lucky even if they aren't designed perfectly for our desires.

BB, your buns set up is so tidy and nice, but unfortunately I'm in New England in the mountains. I'm afraid I have to go more complex. Since I don't have the ability to put buns in either current building, I think we should build a three sided shelter like what my goats currently have. I'll have to get a pic tomorrow.
So their shelter will need a removable winter 2/3 wall added. I'm imagining similar for rabbits. Three sided open for nice weather and a 2/3 4th wall to break all winter wind and allow warmth to build. Sounds like it'll have to be significantly larger than the goat shelter though

 

[B&B Happy goats]

For sure!
We didn't design any of our buildings, they were with the property but very recently built so we're quite lucky even if they aren't designed perfectly for our desires.

BB, your buns set up is so tidy and nice, but unfortunately I'm in New England in the mountains. I'm afraid I have to go more complex. Since I don't have the ability to put buns in either current building, I think we should build a three sided shelter like what my goats currently have. I'll have to get a pic tomorrow.
So their shelter will need a removable winter 2/3 wall added. I'm imagining similar for rabbits. Three sided open for nice weather and a 2/3 4th wall to break all winter wind and allow warmth to build. Sounds like it'll have to be significantly larger than the goat shelter though

You might be able to make them similar to ours but make them in a block ( three in front, attached to three in the back, get some old glass windows to let sunlight in and make wooden shutteres (plywood painted ) to drop and lock for winter ...just a thought...
.very familiar with The mountians of N H , grew up there., kkkkkcold

 

[Beekissed]

Lots of good info.

So, I really shouldn't tractor them? Do your buns not see the outdoors?
Where do y'all put your cages? Pics of set ups?
I don't have room in my animal barn for buns, and worried how mad the Mister would be if I started to take over his barn haha. I might be able to convince him to give me a spot in upstairs of barn, but I'm stuck on the notion of rabbits on grass.

Would the rabbits be pleased with goat quality hay?

Don't lose that notion. Many people tractor rabbits and I have done so without any issues with fleas or additional parasite issues. You don't have to worry about animals digging in or bunnies digging out if you place good rabbit wire on the bottom of the tractors...the grass will poke up through if you have the tractor built right and have good pasture to place them on.

You can start up slowly by watching the ads for people who get a pet rabbit at Easter and soon tire of caring for it...often I'll see cages and rabbits for free or really cheap. One can slowly build up cage space that way and just conjoin your cages to make for bigger living situations.

A buck and two does can get you into rabbits pretty quick and the NZ rabbits are easy breeders, have large litters that finish out well.

For winter you could move them to a stationary pen situation, then tractor them again in warmer months. Rabbits hanging over chickens is a nice setup for winter and a nice, composting deep litter situation works for both animals.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

L

Don't lose that notion. Many people tractor rabbits and I have done so without any issues with fleas or additional parasite issues. You don't have to worry about animals digging in or bunnies digging out if you place good rabbit wire on the bottom of the tractors...the grass will poke up through if you have the tractor built right and have good pasture to place them on.

You can start up slowly by watching the ads for people who get a pet rabbit at Easter and soon tire of caring for it...often I'll see cages and rabbits for free or really cheap. One can slowly build up cage space that way and just conjoin your cages to make for bigger living situations.

A buck and two does can get you into rabbits pretty quick and the NZ rabbits are easy breeders, have large litters that finish out well.

For winter you could move them to a stationary pen situation, then tractor them again in warmer months. Rabbits hanging over chickens is a nice setup for winter and a nice, composting deep litter situation works for both animals.

location, location, lol....can't tractor in Florida way to many ground critters and parasites.....New England has some nasty deer ticks and lots of hills and rocks, but if you got flat land and grass, tractor them if that's what you want....just be sure to check for fleas and ticks espically if you have had a rainy summer.....happy rabbit trails to you

 

[Baymule]

Post pictures of your existing buildings. It may be possible to extend a roof off the side of a building, then add sides. Hanging wire cages are the easiest to clean and maintain. In wood frame hutches the poop piles up in the corner and must be cleaned out regularly. Do you have chickens? I attached a chicken coop to my rabbitry, the chickens ate dropped Feed ( nothing for rats and mice to eat) fly larva and turned the poo, never a smell to it.

 

[DellaMyDarling]

Post pictures of your existing buildings. It may be possible to extend a roof off the side of a building, then add sides. Hanging wire cages are the easiest to clean and maintain. In wood frame hutches the poop piles up in the corner and must be cleaned out regularly. Do you have chickens? I attached a chicken coop to my rabbitry, the chickens ate dropped Feed ( nothing for rats and mice to eat) fly larva and turned the poo, never a smell to it.

Hmm!
Turning over this idea.
My animal barn, runs attached, might just work.
We need to make a permanent roof for the winter over the kennel run. Can build in a fashion that hanging cages could be added.

I'll have to grab pics of this later. No service out in the field to direct post.

My chickens have had non stop issues with mites. Is this a potential tractor bunny issue? Coccidia is also a consistent battle with young animals here.
We have not had flea issues whatsoever, thankfully.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

Hmm!
Turning over this idea.
My animal barn, runs attached, might just work.
We need to make a permanent roof for the winter over the kennel run. Can build in a fashion that hanging cages could be added.

I'll have to grab pics of this later. No service out in the field to direct post.

My chickens have had non stop issues with mites. Is this a potential tractor bunny issue? Coccidia is also a consistent battle with young animals here.
We have not had flea issues whatsoever, thankfully.

Mites and coccidia will affect rabbits.....keep the rabbits well above the chickens, ......like @Baymule said , the chickens are great at keeping the rabbit waste and bugs down

 

[Beekissed]

Hmm!
Turning over this idea.
My animal barn, runs attached, might just work.
We need to make a permanent roof for the winter over the kennel run. Can build in a fashion that hanging cages could be added.

I'll have to grab pics of this later. No service out in the field to direct post.

My chickens have had non stop issues with mites. Is this a potential tractor bunny issue? Coccidia is also a consistent battle with young animals here.
We have not had flea issues whatsoever, thankfully.

What kind of mites? I'm thinking you may need a composting deep litter system to help you get them onto cleaner soils if you can't free range them.

Would solve a lot of those issues with coccidia, though breeding a stronger chicken will help also, as well as getting chicks on the CDL as soon as possible. Feeding medicated feeds does next to nothing for that issue.

 

[Baymule]

You put a half of an eye dropper of mineral oil in the rabbits ears once a month to keep mites away.