Show me your hutches!

Cindy in SD said:

I'd be interested in some pics... please.

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Sorry it's taken me so long, when I started trying to explain everything, I ended up just making a page for it. (click on the pictures, they will enlarge)

So here is the link - Low-Cost Rabbitry - Ways to be Self Sufficient on a Budget

I think I got half-way decent photos of most things. Let me know if anything doesn't make sense. The highest priority is the comfort of the rabbits with minimal expense. It isn't a 'pretty' rabbitry set up but it works great. I have had 6 adults and 3 litters at the same time. I'm trying to reduce my herd. I want more babies though LOL ... Anyway, my set up probably takes up more room than a traditional one, but the long closet shelving cages would be efficient for someone with less room. Thanks for your interest.

Great ideas in this group!!

RabbitsOfTheCreek said:

I wouldn't call either of those hutches but they still look nice

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Thank you. Why aren't they hutches ? Maybe a nesting box that stays in year round, I can take them out n clean them easily and they seem to work out for us.
Most important is making sure your rabbits are healthy n happy. We use ours for producing a healthy high quality protein for our family and we know where n how it is handled.
And they get treated well

Olbunny said:

Why aren't they hutches ?

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Whenever I hear the word Hutch I think of something standing on four legs (Each on a corner), and usually made of wood, with a hidey place, usually full of hay

This is a section in my rabbitry ATM. I still need to improve it.

Rabbits by Accident said:

Sorry it's taken me so long, when I started trying to explain everything, I ended up just making a page for it. (click on the pictures, they will enlarge)

So here is the link - Low-Cost Rabbitry - Ways to be Self Sufficient on a Budget

I think I got half-way decent photos of most things. Let me know if anything doesn't make sense. The highest priority is the comfort of the rabbits with minimal expense. It isn't a 'pretty' rabbitry set up but it works great. I have had 6 adults and 3 litters at the same time. I'm trying to reduce my herd. I want more babies though LOL ... Anyway, my set up probably takes up more room than a traditional one, but the long closet shelving cages would be efficient for someone with less room. Thanks for your interest.

Great ideas in this group!!

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Love your website! You're very creative.

I've been meaning to take a pic now that it's mostly finished...




Combo rabbit hutch, chicken/duck coop/run. The chickens/ducks free range the yard as well, this is their nighttime digs. Each of the 4 cages is 10 square feet, and holds one adult rabbit. There is a litter of 9 about to be weaned in the right front cage. Grow outs are tractored.

eco2pia said:

I've been meaning to take a pic now that it's mostly finished...

View attachment 29651


Combo rabbit hutch, chicken/duck coop/run. The chickens/ducks free range the yard as well, this is their nighttime digs. Each of the 4 cages is 10 square feet, and holds one adult rabbit. There is a litter of 9 about to be weaned in the right front cage. Grow outs are tractored

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Wow!

eco2pia said:

I've been meaning to take a pic now that it's mostly finished...

View attachment 29651


Combo rabbit hutch, chicken/duck coop/run. The chickens/ducks free range the yard as well, this is their nighttime digs. Each of the 4 cages is 10 square feet, and holds one adult rabbit. There is a litter of 9 about to be weaned in the right front cage. Grow outs are tractored.

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Chickens are great helpers in the rabbitry. I used to let mine in but I got tired of stepping in chicken poop! Why can't they poop neatly like rabbits???

Rabbits by Accident said:

Chickens are great helpers in the rabbitry. I used to let mine in but I got tired of stepping in chicken poop! Why can't they poop neatly like rabbits???

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I feel the same way, eggsactly!

ThunderHill said:

Here's my growout build so far. Poop is caught in the first removable tray and urine goes down the chute and into the bucket. I still need to add a j-feeder and a few water bottles, but for now my winter crocks are working. Eventually I'll add a cage and catchment below as well. So far so good! View attachment 29645

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How did you build the manure system? That is such a great idea.

Mini Lop Mama said:

How did you build the manure system? That is such a great idea.

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Hi! I just have a few strips of wood attached beneath the cage acting as tracks for the trays to sit on. I honestly don't love this after using it a while as it really smells, even with frequent dumping. I'm thinking of cutting it and just making two side by side cage stands and letting the waste drop onto the ground for periodic collection instead. Not sure this would even fix the smell issue though, as I'm sure some of it is where urine is getting into the cracks of the wood frame. This has reinforced my preference for hanging wire cages. I'm glad I only built one to try it out!

I really want to go the way of Tractors!! I have a large area of thick clover in our back yard.

That's a good idea. I'm looking for a smart set up for keeping things clean.

I just finished building my 3 cage hutch. Each measures 34”w x 30” d x 24”h. I added shades on back and sides that can roll up/down depending on weather. The green plastic is to keep my dogs from walking under them and freaking them out or eating things. I attached window screen at the four corners and have the center collect droppings into a bucket. I am adding automatic feeding and watering systems in the next couple of weeks. Did anyone start with 2 does and a buck and stay that size???

Mama. said:

Did anyone start with 2 does and a buck and stay that size???

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Not even when I did it over this time. I have 3 does, I only intended 2!

Olbunny said:

Our hutches are 12x12x16 ". The back half of the top is hinged. It is closed during the winter as we use them year round. Gets 40 below often.
During the warmer months I have a wire that holds the lid open and makes into a 12x16" raised platform for mama to get some space. The pens are 30x44, 18" tall and made to fit 4 pens inside the greenhouse over winter.
Our rabbits do not soil there boxes. And cleaning takes just a minute or so a few times a year. View attachment 29582View attachment 29583View attachment 29584View attachment 29585View attachment 29586View attachment 29587View attachment 29588

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I'm new to rabbits and very curious about how to overwinter rabbits. We live in Iowa where Temps in winter often don't get above single digits for weeks at a time. You seem to have much more sever weather. Do you use any heaters or insulation besides putting them in the greenhouse?

GPH said:

I'm new to rabbits and very curious about how to overwinter rabbits. We live in Iowa where Temps in winter often don't get above single digits for weeks at a time. You seem to have much more sever weather. Do you use any heaters or insulation besides putting them in the greenhouse?

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Hello fellow Iowan :]
I haven't had my rabbits outside yet but we were going to put them in an unused Chicken Coop we have, and it's pretty warm in there

RabbitsOfTheCreek said:

Hello fellow Iowan :]
I haven't had my rabbits outside yet but we were going to put them in an unused Chicken Coop we have, and it's pretty warm in there

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Nice. I am building out hutch and plan on having a drop floor in it and insulated temovable sides that can be taken off in summer and placed up in winter. Still hashing out the design specifics and seeing the numerous hutches others have has been awesome! Hopefully we can have a mobile tractor for the summer months eventually.

GPH said:

I'm new to rabbits and very curious about how to overwinter rabbits. We live in Iowa where Temps in winter often don't get above single digits for weeks at a time. You seem to have much more sever weather. Do you use any heaters or insulation besides putting them in the greenhouse?

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We use heated water bowls. The ones made in Minnesota. 2 pens share 1 bowl. Which is placed in the middle. And has a guard to keep kits from going through. They'll try. With 4 rabbits in the greenhouse 2 on each side.
Other than the box which we keep full of hay that they can borrow into. And have something to chew on. The box is hinged so I can easily get in and fluff up the hay. I also give them fresh sticks to chew on. Willow, birch, poplar n cotton wood. And a cup of pellets. We also buy 40 pound bags of sunflower seeds and they each get a small handful each day for extra energy.
Mostly keep items in their pens that they can chew on and gives them vitamins n minerals. They will always chew to keep moving. I put short pieces of 1" sticks in for toys which encourages getting n staying out.
Our New Zealand n Californian rabbits have a guard fur and have thick hair. A breed that is bread here. I bought our rabbits from local stock and they are purebred, I didn't pay extra for the paperwork. I know what I have. And now I have good stock for my own breeding program.
So kind of a balance. Local stock that I acclimated to our cold temps. Enough balanced diet to provide calories and still keep them from getting to fat. Something that they can chew on and not get bored.
Hey I enjoy our rabbits so hope I didn't carry on. And hopefully others who are just starting can learn something.
Keep them safe n happy and they will provide you with hormone n steroid free protein.

Here is my setup…
Starting from the left I have 2 bucks, then weened kits, then my 3 does!!
I have the extra hutch for weened kits.
I keep my food, hay, and everything in the box on the right!! For hot summer days I put a fan in the middle and put it on rotate. I also give them frozen water bottles on days over 98 and ice cube treats!! For winter I place a tarp over the front(the back of the hutch has plywood) and put tin on the sides.
If it is extremely cold I put straw down.
That is all-<3