I'm not new to rabbits but I am new to naturally raising them so I need some help!
I want to start raising them again next spring and am starting to plan the warren site. I want to raise about 5-10 does with a couple bucks. I want them to be raised as naturally as possible.
Potential problems and issues I've encountered in the past (raising them in cage rows):
1. Predators - we have coyote, hawks and stray cats.
2. Heat - I've lost several rabbits in the past to heat (this summer was very hot and VERY humid)
3. Containment - while I want to raise them naturally I can't have them roaming the neighborhood
So, here's what I have to work with. I think this site will be the best. It's not too far from the house and barn (easier to do chores), it has natural shade from the tree and it has an existing 'mound' that they can use to dig holes (hopefully they will decide to dig there). You can see the 'building' I used for my cage row rabbitry before:
So, on to the questions!
Most important - will the rabbits kill the tree if they start digging tunnels under it? We have several Elm trees that need to come down and that Maple will be the lone tree in our yard until my saplings grow up. I don't want to risk the tree!! I know I would have to protect the tree trunk from the buns but what about the roots?
How much space do rabbits need when in a colony?
How far out from a fence do you need to create a No Dig zone?
How fast can they dig a new tunnel? If I check the site every day and stop any tunnels being started in a NDZ will that keep them from getting under a fence?
Here's how close the back of the mound is to our neighbors fence:
I'd say that's about 4-5' wide.
Will the buns try to eat the wood fence?
I plan to fence around the site using 4' tall welded wire fencing. Will that hold in the rabbits? If the coyotes bother them I would add a hotwire around the perimeter.
Is it possible to keep ANY green growing things in a colony site or will it end up being bare ground after a short time with the rabbits?
Is there a good way to keep the growing babies (after they are finished nursing) contained so it's easier to catch them for butchering? Maybe a separate grow-out area?
Is there anything obvious I am missing??
I want to start raising them again next spring and am starting to plan the warren site. I want to raise about 5-10 does with a couple bucks. I want them to be raised as naturally as possible.
Potential problems and issues I've encountered in the past (raising them in cage rows):
1. Predators - we have coyote, hawks and stray cats.
2. Heat - I've lost several rabbits in the past to heat (this summer was very hot and VERY humid)
3. Containment - while I want to raise them naturally I can't have them roaming the neighborhood
So, here's what I have to work with. I think this site will be the best. It's not too far from the house and barn (easier to do chores), it has natural shade from the tree and it has an existing 'mound' that they can use to dig holes (hopefully they will decide to dig there). You can see the 'building' I used for my cage row rabbitry before:
So, on to the questions!
Most important - will the rabbits kill the tree if they start digging tunnels under it? We have several Elm trees that need to come down and that Maple will be the lone tree in our yard until my saplings grow up. I don't want to risk the tree!! I know I would have to protect the tree trunk from the buns but what about the roots?
How much space do rabbits need when in a colony?
How far out from a fence do you need to create a No Dig zone?
How fast can they dig a new tunnel? If I check the site every day and stop any tunnels being started in a NDZ will that keep them from getting under a fence?
Here's how close the back of the mound is to our neighbors fence:
I'd say that's about 4-5' wide.
Will the buns try to eat the wood fence?
I plan to fence around the site using 4' tall welded wire fencing. Will that hold in the rabbits? If the coyotes bother them I would add a hotwire around the perimeter.
Is it possible to keep ANY green growing things in a colony site or will it end up being bare ground after a short time with the rabbits?
Is there a good way to keep the growing babies (after they are finished nursing) contained so it's easier to catch them for butchering? Maybe a separate grow-out area?
Is there anything obvious I am missing??