Starting up the rabbitry

[ellistattoo]

2.jpg So this is the start of my rabbitry. I'm going to buy some New Zealand Whites in a couple weeks and need to build them a home.

I made the cages out of 1"x1/2" and 1'x2' mesh wire fencing. Still have alot more to make! FYI I just bought the feed troughs and water bottles but haven't put them in yet!

Next is framing out a poo catchment system under the rabbits. I just have 2x4"s showing how far out it'll be but will probably use 1"x8" siding board to frame it in. I'm going to mix in topsoil with it and try to get some worms going.

It's in a partially enclosed carport and I'm concerned about airflow. I was thinking of cutting a hole in the back wall big enough to put a box fan in. Hoping that'll provide a nice breeze for them come next summer. What do ya'll think?

This is my first go at raising rabbits and have a long way to go still! I welcome any and all feedback!!! More pics as it develops...

[Mary Smith]

Looks like you've got a good start. How many rabbits do you plan on putting in there?

[ellistattoo]

Thank you! I plan on getting a buck and 2 does and see what happens! Still need to build more cages but have to wait until I get more funds.

[GaryD]

Hi ellistattoo,

You'll love working with rabbits.......they're excellent micro-livestock for backyard farmers.

You're right to be concerned about keeping them cool......particularly given the rigours of Texas summers. Heat will kill rabbits faster than almost anything else.

Gary

[ellistattoo]

I think so too Gary, as long as I can bring myself to kill them when the time is right! Those red eyes staring into your soul...oh well, gonna be good lean meat on the table.

You're right about the heat here, it's unbearable for humans too!!! I'm going to put in a mist spray system to help cool them off.

So I found a great local rabbitry to get my breed stock from, their website is http://www.rabway.com. I'm going to see the facilities on monday and will try to take some pics too.

Also I went to a local nursery last week and they had tanks in the back full of duckweed. I told the owner how neat I thought it was that they grew and sold duckweed here and he replied "Oh, THAT'S what all that crap is! I don't sell it, you can have all you want!" Apparently they were growing pond plants in the tanks and the duckweed took over!

[ellistattoo]

So I went to Texlan Rabbits today and got a tour of the facilities. They had a very nice setup and I look forward to getting some breeding stock from them sometime this week. Here's a few pics of the rabbitry...

[ellistattoo]

Got alot to do and little time to do it... Just put up the automatic watering system yesterday. Then painted the plywood white up to the cages in the hopes that it'll retard rotting. Next step is to frame the worm beds underneath the cages, put in a squirrel cage fan in the back wall, and get my bunnies!!!

FYI...I promise to start on my aquaponics system next, just gotta get my ducks (errr..bunnies) in a row first!

[vihalvor]

for breeding for meat or breeding purposes.. you might want to check out their optimal light requirement... my older brother used our farm for rabbitry for a few years when i was a kid... i seem to remember he had to ensure lights for 18 hours per day or so .. .. when he had it on 12 hours on/off, or just normal daylight, they didnt do much at all .... Guess they need extra lights to "perform like a rabbit" :P :P

[Pugo]

Hard to get people to eat rabbits in the Philippines they think they are pets not food kind of strange as they eat things I would never think of eating. But each to there own I guess.

[ellistattoo]

Vihalvor, I've heard that too, but the rabbitry that I'm getting them from said I should be fine for meat production purposes. Will keep you informed. I guess some breeds are finicky, you'd think they'd breed like....well....rabbits!

Pugo, you're right about that! Might as well tell little kids you're gonna fry up the easter bunny! I just can't wait until they start laying different colored eggs...can I get Cadbury bunnies?