Multiple show rabbits in a cage

[lopsofun]

Hi. I'm new to showing rabbits, as many of you already know. I was wondering about when it is okay to keep multiple rabbits in one cage at the rabbitry. I think the young rabbits fair okay, up to maybe six months (correct me if I'm wrong). Most of the folks I've seen keep one adult rabbit per cage. That takes up a good bit of space. What do most of you do? Is there a rule of thumb?

 

[skysthelimit]

Rule of thumb is they grow a lot better and faster if they are in separate cages at the time of weaning.

That being said, I don't have enough separate cages for a litter of 9 plus, so I try to get the culls and keepers in different cages, then separate keepers by sex at a certain age. Usually I separate them again by 6 mos into separate cages. i still have two does that need to be separated and another trio together.

 

[3mina]

My breeding stock gets separate accommodations, grow outs are multiples. I keep separating them as they take up more room, not many make it to their own room. By the time I get to three to a cage it's usually camp day, not many make it to having their own room.

 

[Peach]

During weaning time, I'll separate the males and the females. (6-8 weeks) In about 2 weeks, I'll put them all in individual cages. I don't risk males being together for too long because I know they can do some serious damage to each other. Female litter mates tend to be ok for a longer period than males. Normally I have a decent amount of space because I start culling things like bad hindquarters, low long shoulders or catchy hips immediately at 8 weeks. Around 12 weeks, I can usually tell who to keep. (Usually no more than 1 or 2 in a litter)

 

[jessie15273]

Mine are weaned at 6 weeks and go in a cage all together. At 8 weeks ill separate girls and boys and put all my girls, even from other litters. I then separate at 6 months.

 

[Random Rabbit]

When keeping for Show.... normally it is One rabbit to a cage. They can ( and often do) get into squabbles with each other... and chunks of fur or a piece of ear can be removed from each other. That would End a show career very fast.
One other problem with multiples in one cage... often One critter will decide that the food is Theirs ...ALL theirs... then any others will be short changed and could end up losing weight.

 

[3mina]

When keeping for Show.... normally it is One rabbit to a cage. They can ( and often do) get into squabbles with each other... and chunks of fur or a piece of ear can be removed from each other. That would End a show career very fast.
One other problem with multiples in one cage... often One critter will decide that the food is Theirs ...ALL theirs... then any others will be short changed and could end up losing weight.

In my meat pens that's ok since the biggest ones go first :twisted: but it's also the reason I try not to keep more than three in a pen.

 

[Random Rabbit]

When keeping for Show.... normally it is One rabbit to a cage. They can ( and often do) get into squabbles with each other... and chunks of fur or a piece of ear can be removed from each other. That would End a show career very fast.
One other problem with multiples in one cage... often One critter will decide that the food is Theirs ...ALL theirs... then any others will be short changed and could end up losing weight.

In my meat pens that's ok since the biggest ones go first :twisted: but it's also the reason I try not to keep more than three in a pen.

I will do fryers in group housing . But once we pick out a 'show potential ' rabbit... it gets its own housing. :bunnyhop:

 

[lopsofun]

Well I guess I'll start putting this new cage together.