New Zealand white rabbit help and basic rabbit care questions

[mamato3]

Ok im getting a young buck and doe here in about 2 weeks. Im building my own cages for them know my question. Can they stay in my chicken coop i use the deep litter method will i be able to do this under the rabbit cages or will the smell get to bad? Can i use de around and on rabbits? And lastly what size cage do they need. I was going to give them a 4 foot by 2 foot inside with a door to a cage outside that could be the same size or smaller per rabbit.

 

[mamato3]

please someones got to know something atleast about the rabbits in the coop part. ive read all the other rabbit help topics and cant find the info im looking for thanks

 

[waynesgarden]

Ammonia is very harmful to rabbits, even concentrations that humans have no problem adapting to. They can be harmed by concentrations of ammonia in the air that is imperceptable to humans, so even if you can't smell it, the rabbits can be absorbing it.

They are also susceptible to respiratory ailments due to dust.

Most chicken coops are either damp or bone dry. Either way, there will be ammonia or dust and your bunnies will suffer.

Wayne

 

[waynesgarden]

Also, it sounds like you should get a good book on rabbit raising to get a handle on the basics before they arrive. Raising rabbits is rocket science but they will rely on you for every aspect of their care.

I don't know how a deep litter would work in the rabbitry. Unlike chickens, a deep litter will not dry out the droppings since rabbit pee will keep the litter wet and in a constant state of composting. You certainly do not want your rabbits on a wood floor without trays to catch urine and droppings. Cleaning out the waste will be your biggest chore.


Wayne

 

[mamato3]

yes im going to a bookstore to look for some books. My floors are dirt under the pine but its pretty dry. maybe i should look at keeping them outside i just thought they would stay warmer inside and i would not have to worry about frozen water bottles

 

[BayCityBabe]

I think that as long as your cages are raised, they should be okay. You just don't want them on the floor in that deep litter.

 

[miss_thenorth]

I have my rabbits in the barn with my chickens. My rabbits are in eleveated cages two feet off the ground. I clean up after my rabbits every day, and the chickens every few days. When the weather gets cold I will do deep litter in the chicken area. As afar as care of the rabbits, here are some good links

http://www.rudolphsrabbitranch.com/rrrpt1.htm#STARTNUM
http://www.thefarm.org/charities/i4at/lib2/rabbits.htm

 

[ChickenTender63]

we always kept the rabbits in wire cages. I wouldn't use a deep litter method as it will stay wet and will cause problems.

Hang the cages a couple feet off the ground, usually at a comfortable height for you to tend to without reaching or stretching. The droppings will drop through the hardware cloth bottom and be able to be cleaned up easily for use in the garden.

The only time we used any bedding material was in the nesting boxes a couple of days prior to delivery date. The doe will then build her nest with this bedding material and fur from under her chin. Do not put any bedding material in the living part of the cage though.

We used to keep 5 gallon buckets of droppings out by the strawberry patch and filled with water. Scoop out a coffee can of water every couple of days to water each strawberry plant and you will have the best berries you have ever eaten. Just be sure to wash the berries first.

 

[JCM]

Rabbits should definitely be raised up off the ground. I agree with above. Please the cages at a comfortable height for you. The droppings will need to be scooped everyday. The ammonia will cause respiratory problems. Rabbits are tender when it comes to disease.

 

[mamato3]

O yes they will be raised above the ground. And each cage will have a door cut in the outer wall so they can have access to the outside.I figured that away they could get away from the dust and stuff from the inside and get fresh air all day. Im going back and forth on a cage like the inside or giving them a ramp and building a mini pin out on the ground of course it will have wire under the whole little run to keep them from burrowing out. I think my rabbit are going to be spoiled with the size of cage im giving them lol. I love that one web page
http://www.rudolphsrabbitranch.com/rrrpt1.htm#STARTNUM
Thanks miss_thenorth