Looking to Switch to a Colony

[jerseywoolynewbie]

Hello all! I currently raise New Zealands and meat mutts in a cage/hutch setup. However, after doing some research I would like to look deeper into switching to a colony.

Some information:
My buck would be kept in a separate close pen so I have more control over breeding. So it would primarily house my does and their litters until processing time. I currently have four does but would like to account for extra room for the addition of more does.

Some Questions:
I am planning on building a 2,000 square feet enclosure, does this leave me with enough room to add does as needed?
Will laying wire on the inside couple feet prevent digging out?

Any other advice is greatly appreciated!
Thank you in advance for reading and your input!

 

[ladysown]

2000 sq feet or 200? 2000 seems really large. 10 x 20 would be 200 sq feet. and should work well for four does and their offspring. Keeping the buck (or bucks) separate helps you control genetics nicely and makes it easier to bring in new blood.

 

[jerseywoolynewbie]

2000 sq feet or 200? 2000 seems really large. 10 x 20 would be 200 sq feet. and should work well for four does and their offspring. Keeping the buck (or bucks) separate helps you control genetics nicely and makes it easier to bring in new blood.

Yes I meant 200 thanks for catching my typo!

 

[Windermere]

Yes I meant 200 thanks for catching my typo!

I was going to ask if *I* could move in there too! LOL

 

[ladysown]

so once you have your colony established I would keep back daughters from your original buck and then BRING in a new buck. That way you can rotate in new blood very easily.

 

[dlynn]

Hello all! I currently raise New Zealands and meat mutts in a cage/hutch setup. However, after doing some research I would like to look deeper into switching to a colony.

Some information:
My buck would be kept in a separate close pen so I have more control over breeding. So it would primarily house my does and their litters until processing time. I currently have four does but would like to account for extra room for the addition of more does.

Some Questions:
I am planning on building a 2,000 square feet enclosure, does this leave me with enough room to add does as needed?
Will laying wire on the inside couple feet prevent digging out?

Any other advice is greatly appreciated!
Thank you in advance for reading and your input!

I've read that suggestion many times. Didn't work for my colony. We ended up fencing the entire ground. The heaviest Gauge galvanized fencing we could find buried. They can dig but not tunnel. One suggestion that sounded promising was laying a layer of large rock under soil before construction. Your space will function bigger by adding layers, climbing shelves, hiding spaces, etc. Keeps them entertained, exercised, and happy. I use permanent den boxes, more than you have does so there is extras. This box inside box concept helps with cold weather. Gives cozy retreats when there isn't kits, or let's someone hide from a crabby queen if needed. My bucks live with their families and can be great dads. I like to harvest older. 16-20 weeks so use separate grow out pens and housing. One for girls one for boys. Or you can harvest boys and let girls grow bigger. The buck will start chasing the boys when they hit about 12 weeks. Thats when I pull them out. Enjoy your new adventure!