Meat rabbit housing and some other questions

[eco2pia]

I am not really a colony expert. I do extra large cages, so my does all have 10 square feet of cage, and the kits live with them until I get around to butchering them. I just take the males first. If I want to grow some out to adulthood, I separate them to another cage generally but I have housed 3 adult doe siblings in that sized cage with no issues--I was not breeding them though. I am sure others will have a better estimation for colony sizes--I know it also can depend on the size of the breed and the temperament of the individual rabbits.

 

[Rabbit19]

I am not really a colony expert. I do extra large cages, so my does all have 10 square feet of cage, and the kits live with them until I get around to butchering them. I just take the males first. If I want to grow some out to adulthood, I separate them to another cage generally but I have housed 3 adult doe siblings in that sized cage with no issues--I was not breeding them though. I am sure others will have a better estimation for colony sizes--I know it also can depend on the size of the breed and the temperament of the individual rabbits.

Thank you!
That gives me a bit of an idea. If I divide it how I was thinking, that would be around 50 square feet each, (I think!) which seems like more than enough?
If I wanted to separate the kits to grow out what age can one do that?
Sorry for all the questions, I'm really new to this!

 

[hotzcatz]

I've had up to ten does in a hutch that's ten feet by three feet. Ah, sorry, just noticed the "NSW" under your name. 3.1 meters by 1 meter. The hutch is about a meter tall so there's room for boxes and ledges for them to hop on. That increases the effective floor space. These are smaller rabbits, about 2.75 kilos (6 pounds). They are also English angora and very docile. Temperament is something that is considered when they're bred, so they may be more mellow than the usual meat rabbit.

That's only 3 square feet (not sure what that is in meters) per bun, but they have the length to run up and down and the various boxes and ledges to hide in and around. It's a meter off the ground with a wire floor so everything falls through and no litter. When it's time to plant the garden, it all gets cleared out.

The buck hutch is the same dimensions, except there's only three rabbits per level and they're in their own spaces, about one meter by one meter so they have about 10 square feet each. They each have a separate resting ledge that they can also hide under so that gives them a bit more floor space and they can visit through the wire walls with their neighbors.

On a side note, we just got back from a vacation to Australia & NZ, the meat pies there are awesome! Along with a flat white, perfect lunch!

 

[dlynn]

I didn't put it very clearly in my first post, and then clarified it for someone else, so I don't blame you!
In that sort of set up, how much floor space is need per rabbit?

When I was dreaming of rabbits, I bought Dana Thompson's book "Raising Meat Rabbits in a Colony". In a shared space she recommends 20 square feet for each doe and her kits, 10' for buck, lots of hiding spaces. If you divide it would need more so they have room to move. You can increase space with upper levels, shelves. I have a trio in 4x10 space with levels. But it opens to a 20x30 yard so they have free access about 12 hours every day playing and munching. For winter there are lots of brush piles. I remember seeing a picture of guinea pig village going up a wall with multiple wide shelves and shelters, ramps, ( I'm addicted to Pinterest) seems like 10x15 is decent space to play with. Get creative and show us what you do!

 

[Sapphire16]

Be careful with the type of wood shavings as some are toxic (like pine shavings) to rabbits.

 

[RabbitsOfTheCreek]

Be careful with the type of wood shavings as some are toxic (like pine shavings) to rabbits.

I've been using Pine Shavings and none of them have had any problems

 

[Alaska Satin]

I've been using Pine Shavings and none of them have had any problems

Me too - I've used pine shavings almost exclusively in nest boxes for about 20 years without any problems.

Cedar is another story. I've had rabbits with messed-up fur, respiratory problems and belly aches that all seemed to stem from cedar shavings mistakenly being put in the cages.

 

[dizzybumblebee]

Ditto with cedar shavings, especially respiratory issues. Although in the outdoor turn out cedar chips were not an issue. I believe this may have more to due to species of cedar than size. The shavings had a high scent, the chips no scent at all. (a surprise actually)
Also ditto with pine shavings... in fact I use pine wood chunks for chewing toys. So far after 9 years no problems. The buns love chewing on 2" by 4" bits of pine.
BUT there are problems with one breed of domestic rabbits that do not effect another. Doesn't seem all that logical but sure seems to be the case

 

[Scooter1A]

Yes even with horses cedar is a huge no no. Ankles swell. Nothing but strictly untreated pine for basically all animals.

 

[MnCanary]

My rabbits are in trouble if pine shavings are toxic

 

[RabbitsOfTheCreek]

I noticed this when I went to a pet store today, there's different kinds of pine shavings (I've noticed this before but just today thought about it with this conversation)
I use softer pine shavings, they're kinda like squares (I'll have to get a picture when I get home)
There's also super fine pine shavings which are really small and wood-chip like pine shavings, so maybe people are saying that those kinds are bad

 

[Sapphire16]

Me too - I've used pine shavings almost exclusively in nest boxes for about 20 years without any problems.

Cedar is another story. I've had rabbits with messed-up fur, respiratory problems and belly aches that all seemed to stem from cedar shavings mistakenly being put in the cages.

Yup I misspoke! Definitely Cedar is the bad option, toxic to rabbits! Pine is ok, sorry for my dyslexia!

 

[RabbitsOfTheCreek]

I noticed this when I went to a pet store today, there's different kinds of pine shavings (I've noticed this before but just today thought about it with this conversation)
I use softer pine shavings, they're kinda like squares (I'll have to get a picture when I get home)
There's also super fine pine shavings which are really small and wood-chip like pine shavings, so maybe people are saying that those kinds are bad

 

[Scooter1A]

one is just finer with less or no dust and more expensive. but either kind work GREAT in the garden so that's a bonus for your buck

I noticed this when I went to a pet store today, there's different kinds of pine shavings (I've noticed this before but just today thought about it with this conversation)
I use softer pine shavings, they're kinda like squares (I'll have to get a picture when I get home)
There's also super fine pine shavings which are really small and wood-chip like pine shavings, so maybe people are saying that those kinds are ba

 

[Scooter1A]

I've thrown so much horse manure in my life and went through tons of pine chips. I'm so glad to just rake up rabbit every day. Throw it on the garden and watch her grow.