Our first meat rabbits

[Anime2lover]

This year we got meat rabbits. We are going to keep 1-2 females and one male for breeding future. We have a simple set up, but I'm curious how we can expand for the health of our newzeland rabbits because the ones we keep are to be treated like our pets. Ideally we would like to make them a run for the kids to handle them and play with them as well as to give them proper exercise. Could anyone give us pointers to build one. Our setup is currently a single hitch divided into three areas, two of which can connect to each other for our momma rabbit frosty, and one for our breeding male, marshmallow. The bottom is mesh with a thick covering of hay. It is outfitted with heated waterers, and three food dishes. It stands about four feet off the ground and has a nesting box on the two sides of it. Any pointers on how to expand and make rabbit secure runs for them?? Also, we just had our first rabbit dinner as a stew and loved it, anyone know any good recipes?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Just know New Zealand rabbits are not pets. They are the mammal equivalent of a leghorn and don't enjoy being handled, even if they were messed with since day one

 

[Ebony Rose]

A few things to keep in mind while designing their run. Rabbits dig. Boy, do they dig. Some of their predators dig too (so you'll need to protect them from below), and some fly (so you'll need to protect them from above), others are sneaky (mink, raccoon, weasel, skunk to name a few, so you'll need to securely fasten gates/doors so that intelligent predators (or human children) can't just open the enclosure)... So... You'll need to build them Fort Knox if you intend to build them a 'run'.

 

[Anime2lover]

A few things to keep in mind while designing their run. Rabbits dig. Boy, do they dig. Some of their predators dig too (so you'll need to protect them from below), and some fly (so you'll need to protect them from above), others are sneaky (mink, raccoon, weasel, skunk to name a few, so you'll need to securely fasten gates/doors so that intelligent predators (or human children) can't just open the enclosure)... So... You'll need to build them Fort Knox if you intend to build them a 'run'.

I'll keep that in mind.

 

[Anime2lover]

Just know New Zealand rabbits are not pets. They are the mammal equivalent of a leghorn and don't enjoy being handled, even if they were messed with since day one

Really? Our male let's us pet and kiss him and hold him, our momma lets us pets and kiss her, and her five week old baby isn't afraid to take a nap on my lap and cuddle. She even does the rabbit flop down on my lap. Never really had them before and don't have any experience with bunnies other then the ones we have now and they seem positively friendly. Except for one we just did up a few days ago who was mean enough to attack me and kill her own babies.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Really? Our male let's us pet and kiss him and hold him, our momma lets us pets and kiss her, and her five week old baby isn't afraid to take a nap on my lap and cuddle. She even does the rabbit flop down on my lap. Never really had them before and don't have any experience with bunnies other then the ones we have now and they seem positively friendly. Except for one we just did up a few days ago who was mean enough to attack me and kill her own babies.

Killing kits isn't that uncommon. Often they do it because they're stressed or think they're in danger of predators. You must have gotten lucky with the friendly two

 

[Anime2lover]

Killing kits isn't that uncommon. Often they do it because they're stressed or think they're in danger of predators. You must have gotten lucky with the friendly two

Maybe. All three of the adults we got came from my mom's friend. She said that all her rabbits, but that one that killed her babies, turned out friendly to them. She claims that that one that killed her babies was the only one that has ever acted aggressive in any way. She was friendly with me and my stepdad for a few weeks after we got her before she started getting aggressive. We could pet her any time we wanted. But she just flipped a switch or something and started going after us.

 

[EverythingDucks]

You can setup a run but you need too dig deep down so they can't get out and nothing can get it. You can make it under the hutches so they provide shade. Be sure to fully predator proof as you would with a chicken run. You can use hardware cloth to insure nothing can squeeze through.
You can provide some hidey houses (which you can use cardboard boxes for) to make them feel more safe in there.
Don't let them have access to this at night though for their safety.
I'd attach some pictures but my phone is at 3%

 

[Ebony Rose]

...But she just flipped a switch or something and started going after us.

Those are the tastiest ones. (smacks lips)

 

[Anime2lover]

You can setup a run but you need too dig deep down so they can't get out and nothing can get it. You can make it under the hutches so they provide shade. Be sure to fully predator proof as you would with a chicken run. You can use hardware cloth to insure nothing can squeeze through.
You can provide some hidey houses (which you can use cardboard boxes for) to make them feel more safe in there.
Don't let them have access to this at night though for their safety.
I'd attach some pictures but my phone is at 3%

Is it not possible to just put mesh on the bottom like some store bought runs??