Sheds are special structures for rabbits in which they can stay from birth until slaughter. These are structures that look like cells located in one row. Some shads have 2 or 3 tiers. The cages are stacked on top of each other to save space. The structure itself is placed indoors or outdoors. It is advisable to build sheds if there are more than ten rabbits on the farm.
What are sheds?
It is customary to keep rabbits in cages, which can be placed outdoors in the open air or under a canopy, or indoors.Animals are kept in one- or two-section structures. Recommended planting density is 0.5-0.7 square meters. meters per adult rabbit. The young are raised in group cages.
To keep animals, some rabbit breeders build sheds. These are blocks of cells, only located in one continuous row. Each section is separated by a partition. To save space, sheds are made in 2-3 tiers. The length of each individual block for an adult rabbit is 60-90 centimeters, the length of the cage for group housing of young animals is 1.3 meters. The shed itself consists of several sections fenced off from each other. The length of the structure depends on the number of cells. Can range from 2 to 30 or more meters.
For shads consisting of 10 or more cages, a separate room is built. The rabbitry is made of brick, foam blocks, wood, corrugated sheets, and metal profiles. In regions with warm climates, rabbits are kept outside in wooden sheds under a canopy.
Structures with blocks for keeping animals can be placed in several rows. It all depends on the number of livestock and the size of the farm. The sheds themselves are made of wooden boards or fine-mesh mesh and metal pipes, slats, and profiles.
Features of shad content
Rabbit breeders who want to raise rabbits in sheds will have to spend a little money. After all, materials and, of course, money are needed to make cages and equip a shed or build a rabbitry. Over time, the funds for the construction of a shad system will pay off. You can make a structure from scrap materials. In this case, the cost of producing cells will be minimal.
How to build a shed for rabbits with your own hands
You can make a shed structure yourself. Each rabbit breeder has the right to come up with his own model. The main thing is to remember that all sections of the shed structure, that is, cages for keeping rabbits, are located in one row. Depending on the number of pets, shads are made in 1, 2 or 3 tiers.
Size and number of cells
First of all, you need to decide on the size of the shad. The overall size of the structure depends on the number of sections, that is, on the number of cells. To keep an adult rabbit alone, you need a block 60-80 cm long. If the cage has a feeding and nesting part, then it is made several centimeters longer and divided into two sections, leaving a small hole between them. The young are kept in group cages, their length is at least 1.3 meters. The width and height of one block is 50-70 cm.
Let's assume that the shed will consist of 8 cells arranged in 2 tiers. Four of them will be single-section, another four will be two-section. One row can contain two small and two large cells. Between the first and second tier there is space for a pallet. The shed itself will stand at a distance of 60 cm from the floor.
Having decided on the design model, they draw drawings and, based on them, calculate the amount of materials. A shed is a structure in which one common back wall can be made. The blocks are separated from each other by partitions. In the front part, separate doors are installed for each section. The total length of this structure is about 4 meters. The height of the two-tier shed is 2 meters.The number of blocks in one row is 4 pieces. The distance to the ground is 60 cm. The height of the cage is 50 cm. These are the approximate dimensions for a shad with 8 blocks. Each rabbit breeder can come up with his own model. The main thing is that the structure must be durable, spacious and warm.
Required tools and materials
To make a shad you will need the following tools and materials (to choose from):
- wooden boards;
- metal mesh with a fine mesh;
- wooden slats or metal profiles, pipes for the frame;
- sheets of galvanized sheet for pallets;
- planks, bars;
- roof decking (waterproofing material, slate, polycarbonate);
- grinder, screwdriver;
- nails, screws;
- hammer, hacksaw, metal scissors;
- roulette, level.
Step-by-step instruction
Stages of shad construction:
- a rectangular frame is made from wooden slats or metal profiles for cages arranged in one row in 1 or 2, 3 tiers;
- the first tier should be at a height of 60 cm from the ground;
- the rear wall of the frame is covered with wood or metal mesh;
- between the cells, partitions are made of wood or mesh;
- the floor is made of wooden slats, leaving gaps, or from fine mesh, laying a rubber mat;
- between the upper and lower tier, trays or gutters for excrement made of wood or sheets of tin are inserted;
- For each cage, a separate door is made from a metal mesh and a rectangular base;
- the door is attached to the frame using hinges and a latch or lock is screwed to it;
- The shed is covered with a folding roof, which is installed at a slope.
Arrangement of the shad
Each cage should have a manger for grass and hay, a feeder for finely chopped vegetables and grains, and a drinking bowl for water.Typically, a hay barn is made of wire or wooden slats, boards, plywood and placed on the perimeter of the block, that is, installed on the front (side) wall or on the door.
You can buy a ready-made drinking bowl; it is an ordinary plastic, ceramic or metal container for water. She is put in a cage. The feeder can be made of wood or bought ready-made (hopper, plastic) in the store. It must also be located inside each cell.
If the floor is made of metal mesh, then a rubber mat is placed on top of it, otherwise the animals will rub calluses on their paws. Typically, mesh structures are installed indoors. Sheds are made of wood for the street. In winter, straw is placed on the floor of wooden cages located under a canopy.
Subtleties of care
Rabbits are animals that need to be fed on a strict schedule every day. They are given food 3 times a day. Rabbits eat grass, hay, finely chopped vegetables (carrots, pumpkin, beets), beet tops, cabbage leaves, and tree branches. Animals are also given grain mixtures (in minimal quantities) and mash of boiled potatoes - they quickly recover from this food.
Rabbits are raised for meat for 6-10 months. Several of the healthiest individuals are kept for breeding. Animals reach sexual maturity at 4 months of age, but they mate no earlier than 6 months. For breeding, you need to leave several females and one male who is not related to them, otherwise the offspring will be weak.
Sheds in which rabbits are kept must be cleaned daily. Animals should not be kept in mud or on wet bedding. In unsanitary conditions, rabbits will begin to get sick, refuse to eat, and may even die. Sheds should always be clean, dry, and warm.Wooden structures that are located outdoors must be protected from precipitation with a roof covered with waterproofing materials or slate. In winter, such sheds can be insulated with slabs of shavings and veneer, and one common canopy can be built on top.
The inside of the cage should be dark but spacious. Rabbits should have enough space to be active. In completely open and transparent structures, animals slowly gain weight. It is advisable to install mesh cages in a room with a minimum number of windows.
It is better to build two-section structures for rabbits. These large units have a dark nest for resting with a small crawl space and a feeding section (with a screen door or clear front wall) that is suitable for activity and feeding. In summer, it is advisable to keep animals in enclosures so that they have the opportunity to be in the sun and eat green grass.
