Looking to get some Rabbits

[pintail_drake2004]

Hi folks. My fiancé and I have been looking at getting a few rabbits. As with anything, I try to research as much as possible before I jump in. That paid off when we built our chicken coop this past winter. I already have some 30"x30" cages with feeders, and the parts for an automatic watering system. I plan on building a platform for the cages to sit on in one of my south facing 3 sided barns. I was looking at New Zealand whites and Californians for meat production. We would probably start out with a trio and work up from there. We are not wanting to get into big production, but enough for me and my family
What were some of the issues you ran into when you got into rabbits? What are some things that you over looked when preparing for you rabbits? I'm looking for some of your experiences, and what you would have done different.

 

[Zoomie]

When I built my rabbitry, I hung my cages instead of putting them on a platform. That way the droppings fell through and I could rake under the cages, which was easier than cleaning out pans. One precaution with a 3-sided barn: raccoons. If raccoons find you (and I would guess that they WILL) they will reach right into the cages and kill your rabbits. Maybe consider putting up a fourth wall of wire or something very stout and securing the barn really well. Also, if cats or some other predator can get in there and walk around, some does get really upset by that. They will even kill and eat the litter (it's the only way they have to protect the nest site for future litters). It never happened to me because I had a closed barn, but it did happen to friends of mine. And when I was running out of room, and put some cages in the front entry to the barn, that was not well-secured.... I lost some rabbits to raccoons.

Remember that your barn will need to be well ventilated. (That is, if you close up the open side.) Usually, it's heat that bothers rabbits, not the cold.

I think those are both great breeds. Sounds like you are making some very good plans. It should be a great project for your family.

 

[cassie]

I would suggest you go to amazon.com and get a book by Bob Bennett (sp) on raising rabbits. I have two of his books and I found them both to be informative and easy to read. I think the title of the first one I got was Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits. The books are not expensive and I think you will find them a good investment.

 

[Farmgal101]

The babies kept dying on me ,sadly so thats why I dont do rabbits anymore

 

[pintail_drake2004]

My family raised rabbits for 2 generations (medium operation of 500 breeding does), so we have the basics down pat. I am just looking for others input (something other than what my family did for years). The platform would only be an open box frame for the cages to sit on and allow the droppings to fall through. For the coons, I am an avid trapper and keep the predators pretty thinned out around my farm!

 

[Higher Ground Rabbitry]

If I was starting over, I'd ask more questions about the mothering abilities of the herds I was buying from! We bought a trio of nice looking red New Zealands. Both does lost their first litter. We culled one so we wouldn't have to put up with her attitude anymore, and the other one failed to keep any babies out of four litters! We found out later that the breeder we bought them from often had to give his does three chances before they kept a litter.
Our other doe from a different breeder kept 6 out of 8 babies her first litter, and her daughter kept 11 out of 12! SO much happier with her.

 

[pintail_drake2004]

We are definitely looking into mothering ability. I don't need a pedigree for my rabbits, but I do want to know they are coming from proven stock. I've looked at the ARBA and have located 4 breeders within 50 miles of me. So hopefully we will be able to acquire some healthy and proven breeders to build on from there.

 

[DutchBunny03]

30"x 30" cages might not be big enough for NZs, especially a NZ doe with a litter, but they are the perfect size for Florida Whites. Small rabbits often get put on the back burner because, well, they're small, but they dress out just as good as the bigger breeds.
I bought my rabbits at a show, and it was an excellent place to get rabbits. The breeders take large amounts of rabbits to the shows, and sometimes only take home the winners. The rest are still fine rabbits, but not needed by the breeder. Maybe the coloring was a bit off, but that won't affect a meat operation. The rabbits will go for prices as low as $10 each. The breeders are usually at the shows, so you can still talk with the breeder about how the rabbit will perform as a mother. When getting rabbits, try to get them as juniors. They will be capable of breeding in just a few months, and you don't run the risk of buying a rabbit only to find out it is way to old to breed.

 

[pintail_drake2004]

I've got a rabbit show coming up on the 21st. I was planning on going to check things out.