What to put in manure collection trays.

[greenleafwoodworks]

I am an absolute new rabbit owner. We just got given 6 Rex silver mixed rabbits. 4 does 2males .I have built them cages and we have bins under to catch waste .the cages are in the garage .North side with plenty of cross ventilation and even a ceiling fan for the summer. We clean the bins daily .I was wondering what would be the best material to put in the bins to soak up the urine? We are composting the waste .We are thinking saw dust like they use for horses or even peat moss . If saw dust is a good absorbing material the question is hardwood or softwood? Thank you for your adive and patience from a new rabbit owner.

 

[Mariam+Theo]

Can you send a picture of their cages? Rabbits cages should be 18 square feet and have a solid floor. A good idea would be litter training! Litter training is very easy if you follow the link below. https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/litter-training.html

 

[Mariam+Theo]

Can you send a picture of their cages? Rabbits cages should be 18 square feet and have a solid floor. A good idea would be litter training! Litter training is very easy if you follow the link below. https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/litter-training.html

Will someone delete one of these responses? Thanks!

 

[Preitler]

Well, if you have ample supply of sawdust that would be an option, can't tell how well it will compost. Although, with good ventilation and bins under a wire floor (which actually has some merits compared to solid floors) you don't really need an absorbent, or just use wasted hay.

 

[greenleafwoodworks]

Can you send a picture of their cages? Rabbits cages should be 18 square feet and have a solid floor. A good idea would be litter training! Litter training is very easy if you follow the link below. https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/litter-training.html

These are meat rabbits not pets. that size pen would be wonderful but I do not have that kind of space for 6 breeders plus litters. The issue with the urine is it smells and is nasty to clean. We have been using peat with lime sprinkled in first. We are going to use wood pellets to help absorb the urine. We are also going to an every other day cleaning rotation.

 

[Mariam+Theo]

Ok, that makes sense. I would use pine pellets from Tractor Supply to absorb the urine (below is a link to what I use). When I clean Theo's hutch I dump his litter box out in our garden. It is full of pine pellets and they just mix into the soil.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...-pine-pellet-stall-bedding-40-lb?cm_vc=-10005

 

[greenleafwoodworks]

Thanks. I am reviewing the acidity of pine over hardwood pellets used for wood stoves. No need to throw off my ph.

 

[bunnylove2024]

softwood is better because it will absorb more, also if you sprinkle some baking soda(not a lot) it will help with the smell! just be careful with the pine because it makes great breeding grounds for insects. I hope you have good luck with your new rabbits!

 

[Nadeem]

Hi man,
First of all do not let the rabbit manure be composted under your rabbit cages. As manure compost there are a lot of process which goes with the manure.all type of good and bad bacteria will come into the manure to decompost it which is good for the manure and not for the rabbit

Its better you decompost it in your garden where you can decompost it.as rabbit manure doesnt burn plants even you put it directly to the soil without damage plants.its just a very safe manure or by doing a compost bin

 

[Nadeem]

Hi man,
First of all do not let the rabbit manure be composted under your rabbit cages. As manure compost there are a lot of process which goes with the manure.all type of good and bad bacteria will come into the manure to decompost it which is good for the manure and not for the rabbit

Its better you decompost it in your garden where you can decompost it.as rabbit manure doesnt burn plants even you put it directly to the soil without damage plants.its just a very safe manure or by doing a compost bin

You can plant a seedling plant directly in just rabbit manure and it will never burn it
Try your marijuana plant man
You"ll be surprise

 

[greenleafwoodworks]

Well not growing the herb not allowed that freedom. Not composting in place. Just looking for options in soaking up the urine to keep the smell down. We are on a two day rotation at this time. If we can we may go to three. We will be starting worm bins to use the manure to make castings. It will be come more of an issue once we start breeding. The between time from birth of kits to making room we should have a plentiful harvest of manure. We hope to be able to market not only the rabbits but the manure and also worms and worm tea and castings. Rabbits are a fine animal for a small farmstead. Thanks for the advice. Lively up my brother.

 

[Nadeem]

Well not growing the herb not allowed that freedom. Not composting in place. Just looking for options in soaking up the urine to keep the smell down. We are on a two day rotation at this time. If we can we may go to three. We will be starting worm bins to use the manure to make castings. It will be come more of an issue once we start breeding. The between time from birth of kits to making room we should have a plentiful harvest of manure. We hope to be able to market not only the rabbits but the manure and also worms and worm tea and castings. Rabbits are a fine animal for a small farmstead. Thanks for the advice. Lively up my brother.

Worm casting is a good way to go

 

[Nadeem]

Worm casting bin is a good way to go