genevieve
Chillin' with the herd
I got into meat rabbits recently. I have two does, a Rex and a New Zealand, and one buck, a Californian. The does are pretty wild, but I would feel really bad if they always lived in the popular wire cages (although I definitely understand why they're used for large operations). So, I made them each their own two story cages which they looove. They've never tried to dig or chew their way out and they get a fair amount of exercise. The cages get completely cleaned out every weekend and that's worked really well for me so far. The buck is my pet who stays in the house in his own little set-up.
Both of the does are in the process of weaning their current litter, so I'm looking into how I want to grow out the kits. There's nine of them, but I suspect there will be more next time they kindle, since this was the Rex's first time. I'm estimating that I'll have 10-15 rabbits to grow out at a time. I really don't want to put all the rabbits into their own separate little cages, so I'm thinking about making them a little shed. We have a bunch of leftover concrete mix, siding, and other supplies from building our barn so money won't be an issue.
This shed would be something like 8 x 10 and have a concrete floor. I'd use the metal siding for the walls and untreated wood, sturdy pvc piping, or T posts to add support on the inside. A human door on the south side and two or three 'window' like holes with welded wire to keep hawks/etc. out, to add air flow. It would be close enough to our barn to run extension cords for heat lamps/fans in extreme weather. I live in Nebraska, so our year round temps usually range from around -15F to 105F.
My parents have given me the ok for this whole project since raising rabbits as livestock is so much simpler than cows or sheep. Buuut, I want to know all the flaws about this idea, so please be critical. What do I need to do differently? Do they need more space? Would the cement floor be okay (with bedding changed every week)? I plan to use an automatic waterer and feed them hay, alfalfa, and pellets.
Both of the does are in the process of weaning their current litter, so I'm looking into how I want to grow out the kits. There's nine of them, but I suspect there will be more next time they kindle, since this was the Rex's first time. I'm estimating that I'll have 10-15 rabbits to grow out at a time. I really don't want to put all the rabbits into their own separate little cages, so I'm thinking about making them a little shed. We have a bunch of leftover concrete mix, siding, and other supplies from building our barn so money won't be an issue.
This shed would be something like 8 x 10 and have a concrete floor. I'd use the metal siding for the walls and untreated wood, sturdy pvc piping, or T posts to add support on the inside. A human door on the south side and two or three 'window' like holes with welded wire to keep hawks/etc. out, to add air flow. It would be close enough to our barn to run extension cords for heat lamps/fans in extreme weather. I live in Nebraska, so our year round temps usually range from around -15F to 105F.
My parents have given me the ok for this whole project since raising rabbits as livestock is so much simpler than cows or sheep. Buuut, I want to know all the flaws about this idea, so please be critical. What do I need to do differently? Do they need more space? Would the cement floor be okay (with bedding changed every week)? I plan to use an automatic waterer and feed them hay, alfalfa, and pellets.
