Unexpected Rabbits, now what

[sodamancer]

We have two lovely does in our garage right now. A slowly decaying way to expensive for what it is 2 story hutch and two does. Rabbits were part of our 3yr plan but we were planning to wait until after the new fencing and goats came this spring. To keep it short, the rabbits were rescued from under a friends neighbors porch were they had been left without food or adequate protection from the cold when the original owners decided they didnt want them anymore.

I have had a pet bunny before but it was a LONG time ago and i am not sure what i should do with these two. I am unsure of their age. I only know they are both female. I was thinking of putting them in the same area as the chickens so the chickens can scratch the bunny yuck about and clean up the feed.

Can they be housed together?

How much sun area do they need?

Do they each need a "yard" or can it be shared?

I dont want to clean a poo tray.....what other options?

We have plans to replace our fence and build a new goat shed and chicken area........does anyone have good small scale rabbitry pics that dont look like ......well umhappy bunny life?

 

[sonnythebunny]

they look like a rex,

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

The best thing to do is look on craigslist for some used wire cages and 2x4's, make a set-up like mine below. I take the trays out from underneath and put them on top for shade. In the winter I cover them with tarps. Just don't let them get too cold or too hot. They will be super easy to take care of, safe, and you won't have to clean trays. Just rake out underneath them every once in a while. They should probably be kept separate as does can become very territorial.

 

[sodamancer]

Well turns out that one is a nuetered male. We bought hay and salt licks today. I will keep my eyes peeled for used cages. I think i may put them under the ee of the new (to be built) coop OR just on our patio and put a poo rubbermaid under it to take to the compost pile or garden. The girls leashed them today and walked them about. they are quite sweet if somewhat shy. I like your table set up.....i could just move them to where i want fertilized......hmmmm. let chickens do it, let a bucket catch it, or move tables. I like to be a "lazy farmer.....i am leaning twards the chickens.

 

[alsea1]

Housing them with chickens I would be concerned about the possibility of them getting mites or other bugs from chickens.
they look like nice rabbits. bummer about the neutered part. he is kinda a waste of feed from a production stand point.

 

[ZippyTheHappyChimp]

Well turns out that one is a nuetered male.

Looks like you have your first entry for freezer camp.

 

[alsea1]

ground rabbit makes a really nice mild sausage. Just had some as sausage gravy and biscuits this morn.
We like grinding it because it makes it much more versatile. Great casseroles

 

[Bunnylady]

Your rabbits are Mini Rex. I had thought that the Broken Blue's head might be a tad wide for a doe - is that the buck? It seems a bit odd that someone would go to all the expense of neutering a buck, only to throw it out when they got tired of it. :/

 

[sodamancer]

Bunny Lady,

The broken blue? THe one facing the camera is the nuetered male. Actaully he is about ready to head to my freezer as he is a meanie. These are pet bunnies though and i dont think that puts them in freezer land. I need to build a new hutch/cage for them now as i found mites in the wood of the one they came with. The bunnies are debugged and the hutch met a bonfire tonight. They are now in a bity cage. I need to build them a new one ASAP but i am unsure of how to go about it. We now have 2 fiber buns coming to join our mini homestead in about 3 weeks. Sheesh animals are addicting.

 

[Prairiechick]

I don't see blue, I think the one on the left is broken tort and the other broken black. Is the black and white the neutered buck? My bucks have always been the smaller ones, but with him being neutered it may make a difference.
If these are just for pet and fertilizer and they aren't mean, then why not keep them. We keep dogs as pets and their poop doesn't compost like other manure.
They both look to have nice, dense coats on them. A little on the sparse for color though.
It makes me angry when people dump pets. Our neighbor came asking if we had one get loose because the found one in the ditch by their house. Some idiot probably got tired of it and dumped it off. It was a Broken Black Mini Rex. It must have just happened before they found it, because around here with hawks, eagles, fox and dog all over, I don't think it would have lasted long.

You didn't say where you live? If you are in a climate to keep them outdoors and can get a cage together to move around, that would be a pretty sweet deal for handling the poop.

Good luck!