In a pinch

[mystang89]

I come seeking guidance and wisdom...or whatever you have to offer. I suppose in MSD's case that would be a bunny bus.

Anyway, I have a conundrum that I sorta..well, completely brought on myself. So for the past few months, at least 7 we've only had 1 litter. I got desperate for rabbit meat and on the last litter that was born, which happened to be Californians, I let them all live and grow together in the same cage. Don't worry, the cage was big enough for all of them, its about 4ft x 8ft. You might be thinking, "Well, if you do that you're just taking a chance on them getting pregnant." You'd be right. That is exactly what I wanted. Well, after 20 weeks of life they finally got pregnant!!! YEEEEY. Right? Well, sorta.

I have 6 cages that are 3'x4'. Five are occupied. I have 2 cages that are 4'x8'. One is occupied and the other has the bottom falling out of it. I have 2 nesting boxes. It's winter and I have 4 soon to be new moms and 1 small spot for them. I do have the rabbit cages that you can bring inside. You know, the type with the solid bottom and the metal around the side with the doors and all that good stuff. I don't have any clue how to deal with indoor rabbit and the poop/pee problem. Oh, and I don't know exactly how far along they are. I'm fairly sure they are past 15 days and at least 1 very close to her due date. What do I do?

To summarize:

1.) 4 pregnant does
2.) 1 small 3'x4' area
3.) 2 indoor cages I have no clue how to handle.
4.) 2 nesting boxes.
5.) No money.
6.) Area in the carport that is completely enclosed, partly concrete and about a 4'x8' spot of dirt about 5" deep.
7.) No clue when they are due.

Patiently awaiting ideas, criticism and laughter. opcorn: :bunnyhop: ancake: opcorn:

 

[Demamma]

opcorn:

 

[TwoAcreDream]

First congrats on new litters

Take the cage with the bad bottom and use that on the floor level.
Put cardboard or something down first to protect the floor.
Have you any dog cages ?
How about some plastic totes ? Any big ones ?
Transfer pet cages could be used as nest boxes.

I just built another triple stacker today. I ended up using
plastic totes as drop pans as I don't have the right size pans.
My temp units until I can get some regular size ones together.
I have 3 pregnant does coming in tomorrow as part of a swap deal.
And I already have 5 pregnant does expecting by end of this month.
I don't have enough nestboxes. I wil be using plastic crates like
one takes a cat to the vet in, for nest boxes. I will also make a few
with scrap wire and line with cardboard for nest boxes.
I have 3 big dog crates that are made out of plastic that I use for
maternity cages. They work well.

 

[skysthelimit]

Good time to practice palpating. After a while, you can start to tell how far along they are.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I suppose in MSD's case that would be a bunny bus.

Drat! Where, oh where, are the keys to my new bus???



Can you divide your 4'x 8' into 4 4' x 2' cages? That would be more than enough room for each of the does to raise their litters.

You just need to figure out three divider panels. 1/2" hardware cloth would work.

 

[mystang89]

Thanks for the ideas everyone!

Can you divide your 4'x 8' into 4 4' x 2' cages? That would be more than enough room for each of the does to raise their litters. You just need to figure out three divider panels. 1/2" hardware cloth would work.

I do have the hardware cloth that was left over I can use. I'm not sure it would work dividing the cage into four 4'x2' cages simply because there is only 1 door and that is right in the middle of the cage. (Yes, its a pain trying to reach all the way to the corner when they run.) I can separate them into 2 4'x4' cages though which might we an idea. That would give me at least 2 cages up top and 1 that isn't in use at the bottom. I would only need to find a spot for the last doe. I suppose since they are all pregnant I can go ahead and cull the males now that they've done their job and I already have proven bucks that I am particularly fond of.

Take the cage with the bad bottom and use that on the floor level.
Put cardboard or something down first to protect the floor.

Unfortunately that won't work with my setup. The cages are made out of wood and permanently placed. This particular cage is about 5 1/2' off the ground.

Have you any dog cages?

Yes, but it is currently in use by the dog.

How about some plastic totes ? Any big ones ?

Yes we do but I don't think they will be able to be used in the way you're talking about since the cages can't move and already have totes under them to catch the poop/pee. I didn't think about using totes as nesting boxes though... That also reminds me that I think I saw MSD using 5 gal buckets in her set up. I don't know if they were used as nesting boxes (they were on their sides in the picture,) but I wonder if its possible.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I think I saw MSD using 5 gal buckets in her set up.

Yep- those are suspended from the roof of the cage as a resting area.

I don't know if they were used as nesting boxes (they were on their sides in the picture,) but I wonder if its possible.

If you have any buckets that have lids it would work. You could just cut an entry hole in the top half of the lid so the nesting material and baby buns don't fall out.

 

[Demamma]

If the does have been together and the cage is big enough maybe you can keep some together. How about setting up a colony with the hardware cloth you have.

 

[mystang89]

If the does have been together and the cage is big enough maybe you can keep some together. How about setting up a colony with the hardware cloth you have.

I thought about doing that but I have no experience at all with colonies either. Right now I have the 4 of them in a small 3'x4' cage temporarily. When I put them all in that cage there seemed to be a dominance display after a bit but that's all I saw. I'm worried there will be more than just a display tonight but I'm holding out hope. They've grown together so I hope they do well for now.

@MSD - Thanks for the info on the buckets. I do have some lids so its good to know I have that to fall back on if I have to.

 

[3mina]

I use the small 5 gallon rubbermaid totes as nestboxes for my Rex does, they're too small for the SF though. Less than $4 at Walmart. on the next ones I set up for them I'm going to cut off one handle to make it more accessible for them.
In a pinch a heavy cardboard box will work, I've got tons that are approximately 12" x 18" lots of shavings and hay/straw and your good to go.
I have no ideas on cage space sorry

 

[akane]

Go get some free shipping boxes from your local post office or order them online from usps if you have time for them to arrive. They are only good for one litter since they will get chewed and dirty. Good idea to have 2 per litter to swap them out if the doe chews up the cardboard too much. I keep a pack of free flat rate postal boxes around for all sorts of things. They make great book transporting and storing boxes because they hold just enough books to not be too heavy. Also can split them down one corner and lay them on the ground for weed control then top with good soil for raised garden plots. If you have $10-$20 for bedding the plastic bottom cages can be used both outdoors and indoors. Another use for postal boxes.. cut down one side and lay them flat for a roof. A rock or zip ties will hold them down.

 

[mystang89]

Go get some free shipping boxes from your local post office or order them online from usps if you have time for them to arrive. They are only good for one litter since they will get chewed and dirty.

I've tried the cardboard box's before with my Californian but she tore through the two that I put in there in 1 day. I don't know if it was just her personally, (she was a crazy rabbit,) or if I was doing something wrong but I went through 2 box's in a day.

I think if I can't find enough plywood or similar material to make the nesting boxes out of I'm going to try the totes or 5 gal bucket as I have a proliferation of those laying around.

I'm going to go out today and have a good sitdown talk with those rabbits and see how they want everything set up and see if I can accommodate them.

 

[Bunny-Wan Kenobi]

1.) 4 pregnant does
2.) 1 small 3'x4' area
3.) 2 indoor cages I have no clue how to handle.
4.) 2 nesting boxes.
5.) No money.
6.) Area in the carport that is completely enclosed, partly concrete and about a 4'x8' spot of dirt about 5" deep.
7.) No clue when they are due.

WHOA!! :shock: By now I would be looking for a Genie in a bottle! :wizard:

 

[Galadriel]

Ideas, maybe a few down here; criticism, not really, just a question or two; laughter... weeell, yeah, but mostly at your comments.

Idea: Our inside bunny, Pinto, lives in the bottom half of a small animal carrier. He is elevated from the floor by a piece of wire bent down at the sides with another layer resting on top of the first. The floor beneath the wire is covered with litter. On litter-changing day, my grandmother picks him up and occupies him while Bunny-Wan Kenobi and I change out the litter outside. We have a designated spot for all the old stuff. Maybe our routine will help you out, if not, :good-luck: !

Question: If you only had one spare cage, why didn't you just keep two does in there? Why all four?

Laughter: With a list like that, I'd be running for the hills!!! You've left soooo much room for those that you have okeeye: ed in the past to okeeye: you back!!!

 

[Miss M]

Mystang... where, oh where to begin... :twisted:

For one thing, you have obviously forgotten the Second Law of Rabbit Breeding:

"Success in breeding is inversely proportional to the amount of available cage space."

okeeye:

 

[MamaSheepdog]

For one thing, you have obviously forgotten the Second Law of Rabbit Breeding:

"Success in breeding is inversely proportional to the amount of available cage space."

:rotfl:

Depending on how things turn out, Mystang might just need to put that quote as his signature.

With proper credit going to the wise sage Miss M, of course. :bow:

 

[PSFAngoras]

In a similar position here too, I have sixteen cages, but I can't use six of them until I get the back fence closed in. That leaves ten cages per my 26 rabbits... Thankfully most of them are kits. My mom is bringing me the rabbit cage she has since she moves her bun outside permanently, but that's only one two by two hole that will live in my office.

I very much agree with miss m's definition of rabbit success!

 

[mystang89]

Thanks everyone. I think I might have answered my problems...sorta, then again I could have just added fuel to the fire. I put my 3 unbred does in the 4'x8' cage with the kit bucks. Then I took the 4 pregnant does and placed them in the four 3'x4' cages that were now empty...soooo if all works according to plan...I'll have 3 pregnant does by the time these does have kindled and the kits are big enough to go into the grow out cages. After that, I can cull the 3 bucks, cull 3 of the 4 does who had kindled leaving the 1 that was the best mom, and move the, hopefully, now pregnant does that were with the bucks back into their respective cages!!!! Clear as mud!!! I'm a genius!!! Or as my wife just called me, a "Mad Hatter".

For one thing, you have obviously forgotten the Second Law of Rabbit Breeding:

"Success in breeding is inversely proportional to the amount of available cage space."

Words to the wise...WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THIS SOONER?! :evil: lol

Idea: Our inside bunny, Pinto, lives in the bottom half of a small animal carrier. He is elevated from the floor by a piece of wire bent down at the sides with another layer resting on top of the first. The floor beneath the wire is covered with litter. On litter-changing day, my grandmother picks him up and occupies him while Bunny-Wan Kenobi and I change out the litter outside. We have a designated spot for all the old stuff. Maybe our routine will help you out

Thanks. What do you all use for the litter and how often is the litter changed?

Laughter: With a list like that, I'd be running for the hills!!! You've left soooo much room for those that you have okeeye: ed in the past to okeeye: you back!!!

Yes, I kind of expected to leave this thread a bit blacker and bluer than I came into it with all the ribbing I'd receive.

 

[3mina]

Since I've moved everybunny indoors I've been using a ton of Stall Dry in my trays along with plain old shavings. I spoke to a rep for RedLake Earth the end of November. He told me the Stall Dry is DE, just processed so it isn't powder. It locks up ammonia without releasing even if it gets wet again.

I clean trays once or twice weekly depending on how many rabbits are over each tray. I foresee going to one tray per day once these litters are weaned and growing out.

Hmm, The Second Law of Rabbit Breeding huh? No wonder I've seldom had problems getting litters, I usually breed two more does than I have space for :shock:

I'm already planning my 'emergency' grow out cages, I have several extra large wire crates, all I need to do is put a floor above the tray and done, stacking collapsible grow out cages.

 

[Galadriel]

Yes, I kind of expected to leave this thread a bit blacker and bluer than I came into it with all the ribbing I'd receive.

Ohhh, Mystang, you have no idea...even my dad has been taking potshots at you!!! :rotfl:

Thanks. What do you all use for the litter and how often is the litter changed?

Pine shavings and wood pellets. Needs changing once a week at least. And that's for a 5lbs. wry-neck bunny. But I doubt your kids would mind occupying the girls while you're busy... :lol:

I put my 3 unbred does in the 4'x8' cage with the kit bucks. Then I took the 4 pregnant does and placed them in the four 3'x4' cages that were now empty...soooo if all works according to plan...I'll have 3 pregnant does by the time these does have kindled and the kits are big enough to go into the grow out cages. After that, I can cull the 3 bucks, cull 3 of the 4 does who had kindled leaving the 1 that was the best mom, and move the, hopefully, now pregnant does that were with the bucks back into their respective cages!!!! Clear as mud!!! I'm a genius!!! Or as my wife just called me, a "Mad Hatter".

Ummm, definitely mad. My mom thinks you're nuts!

More wisdom from the sage Miss M, cull all the kit bucks but one or they will fight!!!