Well, that didn't last very long...

[samssimonsays]

I so wish I could colonize mine! so glad they are all getting a long! that is a lot of bucks for a colony to be getting along but lots of nice hiding places and visual breaks to help deter fights So jealous! LOL

 

[secuono]

Are your rabbits chewing on the sides of the plastic shelters ?

No, these are old dog crates that I got from a rescue that was going to throw them out. The dogs chewed them up, but they still work for the rabbits.

 

[secuono]

I so wish I could colonize mine! so glad they are all getting a long! that is a lot of bucks for a colony to be getting along but lots of nice hiding places and visual breaks to help deter fights So jealous! LOL

Most are babies, so they won't fight for a few more months. 5 of the babies I like the colors of and want them to show up again, preferably in does! Does usually fight worse than bucks.

Most of the rabbits were using the shed, looks like the 4 I stuck in there last night taught the others how to use the ramp.
Once all the purebreds and cages are sold, going to clean up the shed and fill it with hay for the colony to use. Will also make shelves so I can store hay in there out of rabbit reach as well.

 

[Hens and Roos]

very nice, will be interesting to hear how everything progress as time goes on

 

[secuono]

All the colony rabbits enjoying dinner.

 

[secuono]

 

[secuono]

Been three days, two adult does haven't fought. Everyone seems to be getting along fine.

 

[samssimonsays]

Great news and awesome plans! I wish I had an indoor building to put mine in for winter that was big enough for a colony the size I need/have. Outside would need to be big too. But with Minnesota weather, winter they would need an inside area.

 

[Onyx]

I will be doing rabbit colonies too, but for show rabbits not meat rabbits (though any with nasty temperaments will be dinner). I generally only do colony with does, as I find bucks can get along very well for a long time and then one can turn on another in a split second and kill. I'll probably house my bucks separately and bring them out for supervised exercise time together in a pen.

 

[Ridgetop]

I have never heard of using a colony. That is interesting. rabbits were raised in colonies in Roman times. Do you use wire floors under the dirt, or stone/concrete so they don't dig out? How do you harvest the bunnies for meat. If you do rabbit colonies for show rabbits how will you keep track of breedings? this is interesting.