hutches and growing pens for breeding rabbits

[Snakefood]

Well I had a request to send pics on a PM of my breeding hutches and growing pens. but I can't seem to attach pics off of my computer like I can here in the threads. So Scotty, this is for you and everyone else wondering about this.

These are female breeder hutches, they have a cozy nesting area where elements can't get to them, and a big enough hutch to raise large litter up to 5/6 weeks, after which I sex them and separate into grower pens.

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males hutches and grower pens to follow in nxt mssg

[Snakefood]

Male hutches are built without the nesting box, and are big enough to house to full grown rabbits with space to move. You always put the female into the males pen.

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[Snakefood]

The growing pens are done with all wire cages, poop shoots and a shed-like enclosure that still has lots of ventilation and allows daylight in. It merely protects from wind, rain and snow.

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The frame is made from angle iron, the cages bent from 1/4" grid bottom wire. Wooded sides, white opaque corrugated plastic roof, a wooden frame with heavy tarp for the hinged front. and a watering system, and gravity feeders. In these you can grow your bunnies from weanling to full grown if you want.

[Jenn_06]

cool thanks, i was just looking up info on breeding rabbits.

[Snakefood]

ask anything you want, I've been doing it for years!!

[stephanbakir]

Looks great :) Thanks!

[Jenn_06]

ok i see your up north how to you keep them warm in winter? and cool in the summer? i live in NC and it can get in the 100's in the summer.

[stephanbakir]

Surface temps in direct sunlight can reach 120 in canada, a few weeks back my porch was at 127 while the air was only in the mid 70s

[Snakefood]

rabbits are not affected by cold, unless they get wet. HEAT however, is thier enemy. your pens/hutches need to be in the coolest spot you can find for hot summers. Also you'll need to "stock up" in your freezer during the winter and spring. Some rabbits won't breed in temps too hot, and those that do have smaller litters and higher infant mortality. So having what you need for the summer already in your freezer is a good idea.

All of my hutches are either in nice shady spots where the hot sun doesn't touch, or in a spot where it is usually breezy. If temps get very hot I put a dish of frozen water in the cage, they will sit on/by it to help cool themselves, then drink the cold water as it melts. During very hot summers, even the males will pluck themselves to cool down.

[Jenn_06]

cool thanks, i was thinking about making a little shad for the rabbit cages with a big door so when its rains or its really windy i can close them but on nice days i can keep the doors open, and my husband wanted to use a few rabbits for us to eat.

[Snakefood]

yup, we breed to sell as snake food, but also for our own freezer. We have found the best breeds for meat (good meat to bone ratio) are the Netherlands, or the California whites.

Don't go anything classified as "giant", they look big, but the are all bone and skin.

[Jenn_06]

what about New Zealand rabbit i was reading that they are good too.

[Snakefood]

They are, but I have found the Netherlands and Cali Whites have smaller bones, so for meat rabbits I prefer those two breeds.

New Zealands don't have HUGE bones, just bigger than the above listed breeds.

[Snakefood]

Oh and netherlands have bigger litters in my experience