The rabbit thread

[KFhunter]

So I'm about to raise me some meat rabbits



built a hutch out of scrap wood I had laying around, scrap hinges too.  The tin and OSB are new though. 

I got some water bottles on the front but there is a watering system I built behind the cages.  There is nipples stuck in a 3/4 PVC pipe while I'll circulate low psi heated water with a pond pump in a heated water tank.   Should keep ice free *cross fingers*

Anyone got NZW's around Spokane or north hit me up!

[ghosthunter]

Fashion some metal skirts around the legs to. Keep rats from climbing up the legs.
They raise heck with small bunnies.

They will be attracted to the smell of the feed.

[KFhunter]

Fashion some metal skirts around the legs to. Keep rats from climbing up the legs.
They raise heck with small bunnies.

They will be attracted to the smell of the feed.

no rats here,  lot's of field mice and gophers...no norway rats.

[Widgeondeke]

Nice set up.

 If on FB, try searching for rabbit groups in the area. Search for District 1 ARBA - hundreds of breeders on there 

[KFhunter]

found a neat idea on some rabbit site I was on....


I'm going to skirt the 4x4 legs with some cheap plywood or OSB and run an evaporative cooler from the bottom to blow up through the cages and out the top.  Can breed all summer long that way by keeping them cool   

I'll hinge the front so I can lift the skirt and still shovel out the fertilizer.

[SniperDanWA]

I can't remember where I got this pic, but I like the design.

[Fishstiq]

I can't remember where I got this pic, but I like the design.

That's the one I built a couple years ago.  It worked great!  The thread...

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,132764.msg1769216.html#msg1769216

[KFhunter]

nice hutch Fishstiq, prettier than mine for sure.



You still raising rabbits?

[Fishstiq]

Nope, got out of it.  It turned into to big of a PITA when my work picked up and I couldn't keep up with it.  Also, those little buggers stink to high heaven!!!    

We have lots of cottontails around our place, so when I feel like rabbit it's not a problem to pick one off.   

[SniperDanWA]

I can't remember where I got this pic, but I like the design.

That's the one I built a couple years ago.  It worked great!  The thread...

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,132764.msg1769216.html#msg1769216

Yeah, I really liked that setup. 

[KFhunter]

Nope, got out of it.  It turned into to big of a PITA when my work picked up and I couldn't keep up with it.  Also, those little buggers stink to high heaven!!!    

We have lots of cottontails around our place, so when I feel like rabbit it's not a problem to pick one off.   

I imagine the barrels without drains would stink pretty good.  I don't remember the last rabbit hutch similar to the one I pictured above as stinking.
but of course that was a long time ago too


I don't think they stink too bad when you let all the poo fall to the ground and it's kept shoveled out pretty good.  The hutch is right in the garden so I can just shovel it right onto the raised garden beds.


I STILL don't have any rabbits in it yet though lol
Hard to find this time of year people lay off the breeding in the heat.

[Widgeondeke]

Nope, got out of it.  It turned into to big of a PITA when my work picked up and I couldn't keep up with it.  Also, those little buggers stink to high heaven!!!    

We have lots of cottontails around our place, so when I feel like rabbit it's not a problem to pick one off.   

I imagine the barrels without drains would stink pretty good.  I don't remember the last rabbit hutch similar to the one I pictured above as stinking.
but of course that was a long time ago too


I don't think they stink too bad when you let all the poo fall to the ground and it's kept shoveled out pretty good.  The hutch is right in the garden so I can just shovel it right onto the raised garden beds.


I STILL don't have any rabbits in it yet though lol
Hard to find this time of year people lay off the breeding in the heat.

It must be an Eastside thing to lay off breeding. We breed all year long. I currently have 21 kits, ranging from 2 weeks to 10 weeks. 2 more leaving tonight to another breeder who wants our lines. 
If I had larger meat breeds I'd hook ya up. 
If you use wood pellets for animal bedding, it really cuts down on the smell. Way better than shavings.
I kno a Rex breeder that always has rabbits to cull.

[KFhunter]

I got 3 tattooed New Zealand White does that need knocked up.


got a NZW tattooed buck coming hopefully here soon.


Also got dibs on a tattooed California buck.



guess that's what I get for posting a wanted ad on ARBA website 
All these show rabbits!   Well,  as long as they eat good 

[KFhunter]

Nope, got out of it.  It turned into to big of a PITA when my work picked up and I couldn't keep up with it.  Also, those little buggers stink to high heaven!!!    

We have lots of cottontails around our place, so when I feel like rabbit it's not a problem to pick one off.   

I imagine the barrels without drains would stink pretty good.  I don't remember the last rabbit hutch similar to the one I pictured above as stinking.
but of course that was a long time ago too


I don't think they stink too bad when you let all the poo fall to the ground and it's kept shoveled out pretty good.  The hutch is right in the garden so I can just shovel it right onto the raised garden beds.


I STILL don't have any rabbits in it yet though lol
Hard to find this time of year people lay off the breeding in the heat.

It must be an Eastside thing to lay off breeding. We breed all year long. I currently have 21 kits, ranging from 2 weeks to 10 weeks. 2 more leaving tonight to another breeder who wants our lines. 
If I had larger meat breeds I'd hook ya up. 
If you use wood pellets for animal bedding, it really cuts down on the smell. Way better than shavings.
I kno a Rex breeder that always has rabbits to cull.

too hot


I just lost a little buck I had planned to use as a breeder.   Was fine this AM been eating / drinking good but when the weather topped 100 today he kicked off.

3 does left in the hutch,  all are panting pretty good but alive still.   Need to get something in quick for cooling even if it's frozen 2 liter bottles.


Going to rig up copper coils they can lay on and pump cool water through.

[Mark Brenckle]

Are they in direct sunlight? Is there a tree you can put them under? Maybe just set a sprinkler or mister up to cool off the whole area.