Recent content by bitbyter

In reference to wild hares being too "bloody", they may be referring to what we call "gamey" for the particular taste associated with wild meat vs. domestically raised meat. While I've never compared them personally, I imagine that wild hares do taste more "gamey" than domestically raised rabbit...

I read through your money-saving tips and saw that you are looking for square buckets. Check with any grocery stores that have a bakery (or stand-alone bakeries). Some of the ingredients they use come in square buckets and they'll give them away free (you just have to clean them out).

I think that is going to be my solution (butchering the day before green bin pickup). Alternatively, if I have to butcher at another time I can freeze them first.

The holes are slightly larger than 1/2". You recommend larger but there is a line there between poop being able to fall through, protection for the rabbits and comfort for their feet. I thought 1" x 1/2" was the standard size for flooring?

For the manure, I was planning to either sell it in 5-gallon buckets or give it away...I can probably compost some of it but space is somewhat limited. The refrigerated bins sound interesting but I've never seen anything like that here (though I will inquire). Well, I think this problem may...

I live in an urban area and want to set up a small meat rabbitry in my backyard. What is the best way to dispose of the non-edible parts when you are done butchering (such as the hides, stomach, intestines, etc). I have no issue keeping all edible organs but that still leaves some to dispose of...

Then I think you're probably talking about something else. These are specifically designed as a flooring system. You might have been using rest mats. They manufacture both and they do look similar.

Where did you get them?

Thanks for the feedback. I wasn't sold on the panel with drop-in nestboxes either (but for different reasons). I just posted that picture to show that the style of panel and box is available. I hadn't thought of their limited airflow in the summer for the kits. Knowledge such as that is exactly...

So I think each hutch will be 3 floor panels wide ( so ~ 2' x 6'). The third panel will be in an enclosed hide/nest box area. I was thinking on floor panel exchange day the rabbit(s) would be briefly shut into the hide while the first two panels are swapped out and then do the opposite to swap...

I was thinking of a weekly bleach scrub/spray just to help with sanitation in general and once a month swap them out totally and soak the dirty ones in vinegar solution.

I think these could be quite easily cleaned weekly with a good stiff brush or even a pressure washer and bleach water. With the design I'm working on, they will be easily removable so they can be deep cleaned/soaked when needed (I am aware of the calcium buildup from rabbit urine). I'm currently...

Do you think a slat style (they make those as well) would be better than this style with the holes? In the hutch design I'm playing with, I've incorporated a hide/nest box area. I figured I could shut them in that area briefly and hose the rest of the cage down with a pressure washer. I'd have...

hmmm, that's something to consider, though in the 15 years I've lived here, I've never seen a loose dog just wandering on its own. There is also only one narrow access gate to my backyard.

I think these would be strong enough to protect against anything that would try and get to the rabbits in my urban environment (a raccoon would probably be the strongest animal). As for brittleness, I believe they are made from the same material as plastic water bottles (going to confirm this)...