Beginning rabbit breeders have many questions. One of the most important is how many rabbits can be safely kept in one cage. The size of the cell depends on this. Thanks to this knowledge, the adaptation period of an inexperienced business executive to these seemingly calm animals is shortened. Rabbits are like that, you just need to know how to handle them.
Basic methods of content
Rabbits have been raised for meat for a long time, so there are several practices for organizing their life on a farm or household plot.
Dugout
This is, in fact, a real house, only sunk into the ground. To allow light to penetrate, either gaps are left between the logs in the ground part of the structure, or windows are inserted. In addition to physical labor, the advantage is the minimal material costs for installing logs.
Pit
This is an isolated housing for a family consisting of a mother and cubs or foster siblings. Light enters through the transparent cover, which can be removed in clear weather. Rabbits dig holes at their own discretion in any quantities. The temperature is almost the same as in the dugout. Convenient for rabbits, not very comfortable for human service. Going down into the pit a couple of times a day is not easy for everyone.
Aviary
A wonderful way to approach life in freedom. It is convenient to serve food here. Easy to clean. There is no need to be afraid that rabbits will spill water on themselves. There is no need to install automatic drinkers. In one place they set up a canopy in case of bad weather. It is advisable to build something like a stop for public transport so that those who wish can find protection from strong winds.
This territory is used from snow to snow, with the exception of rare snowless winters with severe frosts.
Choosing aviary keeping of rabbits, we must not forget about predators. A good fence would be a metal mesh dug half a meter into the ground. There should be no trees hanging over it. The mesh is installed strictly vertically. Otherwise, there is a high probability of rabbits being eaten by cats, even their own, and other animals.
Cells
The first two named methods are rarely used.The most popular method, suitable for small, medium and large farms, is placing rabbits in cages. The material used for their construction is different:
- tree;
- plastic;
- metal grid.
For lighting in one wall, gaps are left between the wooden slats or this side of the cage is made of metal mesh. To drain urine, the floor can be made of plastic mesh. Installing cages in two tiers saves space and time for maintenance.
Sheds
Widely used on farms, but also practical for small livestock. On both sides along the central aisle there are even rows of cells in one or two tiers. The sectional arrangement allows for local water supply for watering rabbits. It is convenient to make a common retractable tray for quick and accurate manure removal. Other improvements are possible to make rabbit care easier and faster. Cell blocks are placed either indoors or under a canopy.
How many rabbits can you keep in one cage?
A female rabbit brings 6-9 little rabbits. Up to 2-2.5 months they can be kept in the same cage with their mother. For them at this age 0.2 m is enough2 for everyone. Add 0.4 m per rabbit2. Mating is carried out in a separate cage. The pregnant female is kept alone in a cage until she gives birth. For fattening, females are placed together separately and males separately. As many rabbits are placed in a cage as its area allows. They try to keep 2-3 males.
What problems might you encounter?
Rabbits are lovers of showdowns. Therefore, it is not always possible to keep several males in one cage. If they are mated over 2 months of age, they may fight constantly. In this case, pugnacious individuals are placed alone.
Females sort things out on the first day of acquaintance, usually without injury. Then they coexist quite peacefully. In order to avoid conflicts between rabbits, it is better to keep either females or males of the same litter together.
