Almost a year into it now...

[joe]

raising meat rabbits. Hope this subject isn't taboo here as I upset someone on Craigslist last year when I mentioned I was in the market for some meat rabbits.... anyway.. I have 9 rabbits (3 New Zealand Whites, 2 Florida Whites, and 4 Satins). Six are Does and three are Bucs. I was advised by someone that I should have a crate or cage (container of some type) set up outside so that my rabbits could enjoy the ample grass we have (as we live on about 4 acres. My question is, can anyone recommend a type of structure for this? Some kind of 'run' of some type perhaps.

I should have said beforehand that I am selling the New Zealand Whites and two of the Satins as I think I started out with too many, now deciding to start with 3 Does/2 Bucs.

I am currently housing all the rabbits in separate cages that are in a small ventilated shed (and I live in S/E Pennsylvania). I thought the cages that I have for this were ample but my local rabbit adviser told me I should invest in bigger cages for this as well.

I love this forum. Just joined it minutes ago. Once I get home and get some time, I will do some quality reading up on this.

Thank you ahead for any suggestions on that outside 'run' for the rabbits.

Take care

Joe

 

[whitelop]

By the forum decorum we're not to discuss meat rabbits or dispatching rabbits. So maybe everyone can ignore they're for meat rabbits and just pay attention to the run part of it and think of it as just regular pet rabbits!

Anyway, for a run you could get metal or plastic x-pens.
Here is the metal one:http://www.petguys.com/-02777300131...tm_medium=GoogleShopping&utm_campaign=PetGuys
Here is the plastic one: http://www.petco.com/product/5992/N...5&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=51515394835
These are just what most people have, that work the best. You could look on CL or on ebay and possibly find one thats cheaper than buying them new.

I have this same plastic one, its not super large but I only have a small rabbit. I think you can buy extra panels for them to make them bigger. But I think it would be okay for one or two rabbits. Or instead of making them stand by themselves, you can open them up and put the two open ends against a wall and that makes them much larger. Thats how my rabbit lives in my kitchen, in her pen.

If you wanted to leave them out for a few hours without having to watch them, you could put hawk netting on top of the pen or something like that. That way they would be safe. Also make sure to keep them out of the direct sunlight and make sure they have water! When I put my rabbit outside, I like to leave one corner with the sun on it so she can lay in the sun if she wants but I put most of the pen in the shade because I live in the south and its hot!

And yes, if your rabbits are in smaller cages, then you'll definitely want them to be able to get out of the cages for a few hours each day to exercise. And possibly look into bigger cages, because those are big rabbits!
Hope that helps!

 

[woahlookitsme]

How big are your cages? For our californians we had 36x36 cages and that was perfect for mommas and babies until we needed to separate them (abt 12 wks). FWs are smaller so you could be okay with 30x24 or something similar. My tans are in that size and I know FWs are a little big heavier but not much bigger weight wise. (Regular) Satins are about the same as cals and NZ. For does you might want to provide a little bit more space and also make sure nestboxes will fit in the doorway.

For an x-pen I just use metal one that morgan linked. My tan babies are able to slip through the wires so if you put babies in it make sure to put extra wire or chicken wire on the bottom half. But the adults are just fine in it and dont get out.

 

[joe]

Thank you whitelop for those suggestions. Great advice. I actually have that (first link) cage you mention but have been using for our Bichon puppy. I'll get another for the rabbits. And thanks for advising me on the subject matter I need to not mention in these forums.

And I will make sure my rabbits get bigger cages as well.

Take care.

Joe

 

[joe]

How big are your cages? For our californians we had 36x36 cages and that was perfect for mommas and babies until we needed to separate them (abt 12 wks). FWs are smaller so you could be okay with 30x24 or something similar. My tans are in that size and I know FWs are a little big heavier but not much bigger weight wise. (Regular) Satins are about the same as cals and NZ. For does you might want to provide a little bit more space and also make sure nestboxes will fit in the doorway.

For an x-pen I just use metal one that morgan linked. My tan babies are able to slip through the wires so if you put babies in it make sure to put extra wire or chicken wire on the bottom half. But the adults are just fine in it and dont get out.

The cages i currently have were previously used for Holland Lops. They were custom made (30' x 24'). The rabbits I have were still quite young when I got them but now they are huge (especially the NZ Whites). I'll have newer, bigger cages in a few days.

I think the Florida Whites will do ok in the ones I have now however (as you mentioned above), so now I feel better about them at least, as those are two of the five I will be keeping.

Thanks much for your time and assistance.

Joe

 

[joe]

Am I correct in assuming that I should have separate 'runs' for the does and bucs?

 

[Azerane]

Yes you are correct in assuming that, otherwise your bucks will be constantly hassling your does and trying to mate with them, and you will end up with over-bred does. And possibly fighting rabbits that may do a lot of damage to each other.