BelleVie
Well-known member
Hi everyone I was wondering how many folks here on RabbitTalk actually have a colony system of some sort? --
1.If you have a colony could you share some details of your system (pen size(s), breeding arrangement, indoor/outdoor, etc.
2.How long have you had a colony? Why did you decide to try it?
3.What do you think is the biggest misconception about colonies by those who prefer other systems?
4.What do you consider the biggest benefit of a colony system? The worst problem?
__________ Sun Mar 05, 2017 9:37 am __________
I have a colony system and I love it.
1.My system currently consists of 3 outdoor colony pens. In two pens I have breeding quintets with one buck and four does. My third pen is a grow out pen. My bucks stay with my does continually and they breed on a natural schedule. The does seem to self-regulate litters and I only have one doe who will have litter after litter - but they are all nice & healthy and she is the best momma of the bunch.
My colony pens are all different based on the materials I had available at the time but they are all covered to some extent to keep out the elements.
2.I have had a colony system for 2 years now. My first experiment with one ended in disaster - wasn't predator-proof enough and got decimated by some neighborhood dogs while I was away. My rebuild is predator proof and I haven't had any problems. I decided to try a colony because I didn't have the money to buy a bunch of cages and had the thought 'I wonder if you can raise rabbits in pens like chickens' -- googled that and my adventure began!
3.I feel that the biggest misconception by others is that colonies are somehow a careless way of raising rabbits.
4. I think the biggest benefit of a colony for me is the flexibility it offers. I have a life other than my rabbits and we regularly go away on weekends. Since I free feed, I am able to get away for short stints without it affecting my buns at all. For longer trips it is easy to find someone to come by every other day to feed/water.
The biggest problem for me is litter maintenance. I have to pay close attention to whose litter is whose, and take steps to mark the kits regularly so I don't give the wrong rabbit credit for a kit. I think that's an ok trade off for the convenience I have in other areas.
1.If you have a colony could you share some details of your system (pen size(s), breeding arrangement, indoor/outdoor, etc.
2.How long have you had a colony? Why did you decide to try it?
3.What do you think is the biggest misconception about colonies by those who prefer other systems?
4.What do you consider the biggest benefit of a colony system? The worst problem?
__________ Sun Mar 05, 2017 9:37 am __________
I have a colony system and I love it.
1.My system currently consists of 3 outdoor colony pens. In two pens I have breeding quintets with one buck and four does. My third pen is a grow out pen. My bucks stay with my does continually and they breed on a natural schedule. The does seem to self-regulate litters and I only have one doe who will have litter after litter - but they are all nice & healthy and she is the best momma of the bunch.
My colony pens are all different based on the materials I had available at the time but they are all covered to some extent to keep out the elements.
2.I have had a colony system for 2 years now. My first experiment with one ended in disaster - wasn't predator-proof enough and got decimated by some neighborhood dogs while I was away. My rebuild is predator proof and I haven't had any problems. I decided to try a colony because I didn't have the money to buy a bunch of cages and had the thought 'I wonder if you can raise rabbits in pens like chickens' -- googled that and my adventure began!
3.I feel that the biggest misconception by others is that colonies are somehow a careless way of raising rabbits.
4. I think the biggest benefit of a colony for me is the flexibility it offers. I have a life other than my rabbits and we regularly go away on weekends. Since I free feed, I am able to get away for short stints without it affecting my buns at all. For longer trips it is easy to find someone to come by every other day to feed/water.
The biggest problem for me is litter maintenance. I have to pay close attention to whose litter is whose, and take steps to mark the kits regularly so I don't give the wrong rabbit credit for a kit. I think that's an ok trade off for the convenience I have in other areas.