Keeping rabbits in cages is especially convenient for beginner rabbit breeders. This method differs from the techniques used when keeping animals free-range or in enclosures. Cages are set up on personal plots using ordinary building materials. Keeping rabbits requires owners to create the necessary conditions and follow the rules.
Pros and cons of cellular housing
Cage housing is the most popular type of pet care.Experienced breeders believe that growing in indoor conditions helps protect rabbits from infection with various diseases to which this species is susceptible.
Cellular content has its advantages and disadvantages.
What should cells be like?
Cage housing involves the use of specially made blocks, which can be located outside during the warm season or located on the territory of buildings when cold weather approaches. Types of blocks for rabbits are conventionally classified according to several criteria:
- for young animals;
- uterine type;
- for adult rabbits;
- during the migration of males.
The best option is to make a “two-room house”, when the cage is divided into 2 parts by a partition. On the right is a play area with a feeding trough and toilet, on the left is freed up space for bedding and free movement.
Optimal sizes
The cells are made according to standard sizes, where the height of one block is 35-40 centimeters, and the length is 1 meter 20 centimeters. At the same time, breeders who make cages themselves prefer to change the length and height depending on the purpose of the block:
- for adults: 140 by 60 by 50 centimeters;
- for rabbits: 200 by 100 by 35 centimeters.
Where to buy ready-made cells
The production of finished cages is carried out by construction companies and rabbit farms. Through intermediaries or directly, you can purchase wooden or metal blocks, as well as modular-type mini-farms intended for breeding.
Choosing a location for a rabbitry and cage designs
An area intended for raising rabbits and installing cages must meet basic standards. According to the standards, the area of the mini-pen should not exceed 40 square meters and be at least 15 meters away from the main buildings.
Criteria for choosing a location:
- high humidity is excluded, so the place should not be located in lowlands or on marshy soils;
- the formation of drafts is excluded, so the walls are covered with special anti-wind structures or cages are installed near the walls of buildings;
- Rabbits need sunlight, but they cannot tolerate direct sunlight, so the cages are installed where they are provided with partial shade.
Houses are usually installed on wooden or metal legs; this technique helps protect animals from attacks by rodents and insect pests.
For females, it is customary to purchase or make two-section blocks with a round hole between the rooms. Queen cells are equipped with a retractable door or drawer to make it more convenient to pull out the offspring for removal. Adult males are given larger cages with two sections and a partition in the middle. There are double cages that are used in the summer to house adult individuals. A special nest is made on the side of the main frame, covered with a fine mesh and covered with straw.
Information! Experienced breeders recommend purchasing frames designed for 6-8 blocks, and not placing one cage on top of another, as novice rabbit breeders do.
How to start growing from scratch
To start breeding rabbits, you need to set your priorities correctly. There are meat, fur and meat-fur breeds. The choice of breed is determined by the purpose of cultivation.
Before purchasing, you should carefully prepare: choose a location, purchase modules for maintenance, calculate and purchase food. In addition, you will need to purchase special vitamin complexes and provide for routine vaccinations.
Keeping and breeding rabbits at home
Breeders pay special attention to catering. A well-designed diet allows the animal to quickly gain weight and develop valuable fur.
Feeding is organized according to a special schedule, taking into account the time of year:
- In summer. The diet is composed according to the formula: 30% concentrates, 30% green food, 20% succulent food, 10% coarse fiber.
- In winter.The main part of the diet is compound feed; silage, warm mash and vitamin and mineral supplements are added to it.
The first meal is set at 6 o'clock in the morning. Every day, rabbits are given food 3 times; this rule does not apply to young rabbits that are not separated from their mother. At the same time, the rabbits' drinking needs should be taken into account. The drinking bowl should be full throughout the day.
Rabbits are kept for breeding, so the mating process is one of the most critical stages throughout the entire breeding process. Mating is carried out upon reaching sexual maturity. In some breeds it occurs at the age of 3.5 months. But mating is not recommended before the female reaches 5 months of age.
Mating rules:
- the female reaches the period of sexual heat, when she begins to lose appetite and pluck her own down;
- the female is brought to the male, all accessories are removed from the cage;
- the ideal temperature for mating is +24-25 degrees;
- after mating, the male falls on his side - this is a sign that the female needs to be taken out of the cage;
- after 5 days, the female is brought back to the male and her behavior is observed: if the female avoids intimacy, then this is considered a sure sign of pregnancy.
After diagnosing pregnancy, it is necessary to move the rabbit into a special cage. She will bear offspring for 28-30 days. During pregnancy, the rabbit needs additional vitamins and minerals. Before giving birth, she begins to arrange the nest, plucks out the fluff and lays it on the bottom of the cage. After the birth of rabbits, breeders need to carefully monitor the health of the offspring.The young are left with the female until they reach 2.5 months of age.
Rabbits are susceptible to various infections, so preventative work to prevent diseases is a necessary point of care.
One option is routine vaccination:
- upon reaching the age of 45 days - vaccination against hemorrhagic disease, revaccination - after 2 weeks;
- 2 months – vaccination against myxomatosis, revaccination – after 3 months.
Regular examination, analysis of behavior and appearance helps to determine in time whether the rabbit is sick. If it shows signs of infection, the animal must be quarantined. It should be remembered that vaccinations are given only to healthy individuals, therefore frail and weak animals are required to be placed in quarantine conditions.
