I certainly can appreciate Salatin's farm practices. His method of raising rabbits is very efficient for his farm overall, but I don't believe that it is the most efficient way to raise rabbits. He gets the most out of them by managing them in relation to his other animals, but there is no way that he produces a more efficient or better final product over a well managed cage breeding setup.
I have raised and exhibited rabbits on and off for over 30 years so I have enough experience to speak on the subject of cage bred rabbits. I have also done a lot of reading about colony breeding, and have seen actual colony setups in practice. It seems that recently there is a lot of "buzz" amongst hobby farmers and others who are considering using a colony setup. Many of those considering it are new to rabbits, or have very little experience raising rabbits. I understand that it sounds like a more "natural" way to raise them, but of all the research that I have done on the subject, have never seen a convincing argument as to why the practice is "better" than cage rearing. I suppose that the individual's goal should be considered. Is the raiser more concerned about raising the best meat rabbit possible, paying close attention to feed conversion, animal health, specific breeding to produce the optimum genetically sound animal, or simply just "having" rabbits?
If rabbits are raised in a controled environment, specific, genetically superior rabbits can be bred to controlable time frames to maximize feed efficiency, and quality and numbers of offspring, while at the same time monitoring closely the animals health, feed intake, and water consumption. The rabbits are also raised off the ground, which prevents disease and parasites that rabbits on the ground are more prone to come in contact with. Caged rabbits stay dry and clean, with no possibility of injury from fighting. Multiple does can be bred at the same time to make fostering kits easier, should it be necessary. Does are also ensured of a dry, safe place to kindle, rather than a wet muddy hole.
Even in a very well designed colony setup, lots of bad things can happen. Heavy rain can flood burrows and drown litters. Random matings, and brother/sister matings can produce weak, less desirable offspring. It is nearly impossible to be certain that all animals are getting the required nutrition. A sick, or a rabbit that is "off feed" can go on for days, or even die before the raiser recognizes a problem. There are a lot more problems, and I could go on forever.
The constant digging and burrowing can be a problem too, and lead to escapes and lost animals. If the bottom of the enclosure is secured with wood or wire to prevent digging, then you no longer have a colony living "naturally", and instead what you have now is just a big cage. Where's the advantage of a big cage over smaller, individual ones?
I'm not against colony raising, or tractored rabbits, I just don't see the sense in it, or any real advantage over a well managed cage system. I think that anyone who attempts a colony method should first raise caged rabbits to gain some experience, and learn what makes rabbits "tick" before undertaking such a daunting task. It's JMHO that there is no way on earth that a colony raiser, given the same number and quality of rabbits for foundation stock, in the same period of time, could even come close to raising the same amount, or quality of meat that a cage breeder could. Sure, it gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling to see them frolicking around on the lawn, but it it really in the best interest of the rabbit or the breeder?
I have raised and exhibited rabbits on and off for over 30 years so I have enough experience to speak on the subject of cage bred rabbits. I have also done a lot of reading about colony breeding, and have seen actual colony setups in practice. It seems that recently there is a lot of "buzz" amongst hobby farmers and others who are considering using a colony setup. Many of those considering it are new to rabbits, or have very little experience raising rabbits. I understand that it sounds like a more "natural" way to raise them, but of all the research that I have done on the subject, have never seen a convincing argument as to why the practice is "better" than cage rearing. I suppose that the individual's goal should be considered. Is the raiser more concerned about raising the best meat rabbit possible, paying close attention to feed conversion, animal health, specific breeding to produce the optimum genetically sound animal, or simply just "having" rabbits?
If rabbits are raised in a controled environment, specific, genetically superior rabbits can be bred to controlable time frames to maximize feed efficiency, and quality and numbers of offspring, while at the same time monitoring closely the animals health, feed intake, and water consumption. The rabbits are also raised off the ground, which prevents disease and parasites that rabbits on the ground are more prone to come in contact with. Caged rabbits stay dry and clean, with no possibility of injury from fighting. Multiple does can be bred at the same time to make fostering kits easier, should it be necessary. Does are also ensured of a dry, safe place to kindle, rather than a wet muddy hole.
Even in a very well designed colony setup, lots of bad things can happen. Heavy rain can flood burrows and drown litters. Random matings, and brother/sister matings can produce weak, less desirable offspring. It is nearly impossible to be certain that all animals are getting the required nutrition. A sick, or a rabbit that is "off feed" can go on for days, or even die before the raiser recognizes a problem. There are a lot more problems, and I could go on forever.
The constant digging and burrowing can be a problem too, and lead to escapes and lost animals. If the bottom of the enclosure is secured with wood or wire to prevent digging, then you no longer have a colony living "naturally", and instead what you have now is just a big cage. Where's the advantage of a big cage over smaller, individual ones?
I'm not against colony raising, or tractored rabbits, I just don't see the sense in it, or any real advantage over a well managed cage system. I think that anyone who attempts a colony method should first raise caged rabbits to gain some experience, and learn what makes rabbits "tick" before undertaking such a daunting task. It's JMHO that there is no way on earth that a colony raiser, given the same number and quality of rabbits for foundation stock, in the same period of time, could even come close to raising the same amount, or quality of meat that a cage breeder could. Sure, it gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling to see them frolicking around on the lawn, but it it really in the best interest of the rabbit or the breeder?
