?s about moving rabbits to different cages

[Rainey]

Our rabbits are outgrowing the shed we started with last year and we've realized that sometimes the 36x30" cages aren't really big enough and have made some that are 48" x30". Those cages won't fit well in the shed that housed all the cages since we started. With the goat kids gone we have a small space off the goat shed where we kept them separated from the does overnight and we're going to put a couple of the larger cages in there. (We're building a new barn this summer, part of which will eventually house all the rabbits we anticipate having easily)

But for now I'm trying to figure out who to move over into the larger cages. I'm thinking it would be good to move Berwick with her 12 3 week old kits. But then in a few more weeks when the kits are weaned and we breed her, I think I'd want to put her back into the smaller cage where she is now. Is moving her that much a problem? I know I've read some posts sometime about rabbits being territorial. What else should I know about changing cages.? (The larger cages are new--just built early this spring so they don't have any other rabbit's scent. I know to clean cage well and leave it in the sun between rabbits)

Then I think I'll move Casco's 7 kits, about 6 weeks old to the other big cage and leave her in her old one--she was bred on Saturday. We've moved kits to other cages to grow out at weaning and haven't had a problem so I think that should be ok.

Whoever is put in this new space will be able to hear and smell the goats--will that be stressful? We've checked that the space is predator proof when the door is shut at night and we're adding more ventilation. It won't have quite as good ventilation as the current shed so I thought does kindling during the summer should be in the current shed. Is that right that it would matter more for a doe kindling and nursing to be in the cooler space than the kits after weaning?

I will be glad when the barn is done and everyone has enough space and can stay put.

 

[Dood]

It depends on the does temperament.

I frequently move my girls to new cages - pregnant does and those with kits under 3 weeks are in 36x24 but get rotated to 40x30 cages with a second level that the moms can escape to

Most tolerate it very well - i once had a doe who got aggressive with her kits so I put her back in the smaller cage and that was her last litter a couple will dig out food dishes or scratch at the floor or waste hay in frustration - and those does are all on my short list for replacement :mrgreen:

Yes, heavily pregnant does are most susceptible to heat stress and ammonia levels and should have the best ventilated cages

 

[Zinnia]

My goats have access to my bunny area (sort of). Through a cattle panel, the goats can visit my rabbits. At first, some of the bunnies were annoyed, but now they are fine with it.

Cage changes go very well when they are moving up! They'll quickly make it their own. I just make sure their own dishes, some of their hay from the old hutch... goes with them to remind them that this is their space. They adjust quickly.

 

[Marinea]

I have moved my herd between cages a few times. Other than a few temper tantrums, all went well. I regularly move does with kits to a large grow out cage once the kits start getting out of the nest box. I leave the doe in there with the kits until they are weaned, and then move the doe back to her regular cage. So far, no problems.

 

[fhjmom]

Our rabbits get moved around often. Last weekend, we moved the entire herd of brood stock that was in the garage inside to the show team cages in the A/C while the show team buns were off at a show. (I was afraid it would get too hot in the garage while we were gone and we wouldn't be here to monitor it.) They all got flipped back today. We have never had any issues.