Standard Rex Accommodations...

[QuinnStarRanch]

Alrighty, I am stiiiiiill planning my rabbitry and I was wondering in what size cages the Standard Rex rabbit breeders here house their Standard Rex. I found lots of conflicting info elsewhere so I figured it would be best to ask the RT peoples. Thanks for all of the helpful answers so far with the newbie questions. Apologies for all of the questions, hopefully this is not to many for one post...

a)Buck cage sizes?
b)Does before/after kindling?
c)Grow out pens?
d)Also, hopefully this pertains to this topic, what setup do you use until butchering time? I have heard that you need to wait until @ least 5 months old in order to attain a nice pelt....yes/no???? Also, @ what time are you able to tell which individuals are keepers? Depending on how long I keep the young'ins could probably affect my rabbitry setup needs a tiny bit.
e)Since I am in a subdivision(kind of rural though), and if for some reason I am completely unable to arrange outdoor housing, is it wise to keep rabbits indoors? If so, what would the recommended max. number be without stinkifying the house? I know the garage is not good idea with cars/dune buggy because of the fumes and such(I RT searched it ).

Thanks everyone and God bless,
Quinn

 

[Marinea]

I don't raise Rex, I raise NZ, but I believe they are close in size, so I will run through some of your questions. I hope it helps.

Bucks- I would think a 36" long cage would be a decent size. Either 24 or 30" deep.

Does- Mine are in 48" cages so I have room for nest boxes and kits.

Grow out cages- I would think that depends on expected litter sizes and how many does you plan to breed at once. I breed two does at a time, and my litter sizes range from 8 to 14. I have a seven foot long grow out cage that I keep a doe and her kits in until the kits are gone. The second litter is split between that doe's regular cage and the cage the other doe was in before being moved to the grow out cage (I will be converting a second seven foot cage to a grow out sometime soon). My kits don't stay past 10 weeks so they do fine together.

If you are planning on keeping kits an extended period of time, you may have to consider separating them into individual cages in order to prevent breeding and possible fights. My NZ are regularly bred at five months of age. I don't know, honestly, if they could be bred earlier than that. I have no idea on the pelts, but I have a good idea on keeper kits by eight weeks.

There are folks here who keep their rabbits indoors. I can't be much help with that, but I would imagine you would really need a lot of space to keep any more than a couple, especially if you plan to breed AND keep kits for pelts. Cleaning up on a regular basis, and often, is the name of the game regarding smells, and you may have to play that one by "nose" to see how much effort you have to put in for the rabbits you want.

 

[EnglishSpot]

If you think about it, rabbits in a commercial rabbitry never see the outdoors, they are inside all their lives.

 

[QuinnStarRanch]

Thanks for taking the time to tell me about your setup, Marinea! What does everyone else use for their Standard Rex sized rabbits? Please feel free to share, I would love to hear about your setups!!!

 

[3mina]

My cages are 24 x 30 for does with litters and grow outs, 24 x 24 for bucks. I also usually wean litters at around 4-5 weeks.

 

[Pikku]

My does have 30x36 or 24x48. My last three litters were 11, 12, and 13 from three different does. I like to make sure they have some room in their cages! They are in these for summer to be inside my shop. I live in Arizona so it is too hot for them outside anymore. My bucks are in 30x30.
Come winter the girls will go back to their 30x48 cages outside. The boys have the same size either place. I use the larger cages for growouts as well.
I butcher around 12 weeks or so. I am just learning to tan the hides, so I can't speak to the quality yet!
Well, that's what I have anyway.
Pik

 

[QuinnStarRanch]

Thank you Marinea, EnglishSpot, 3mina and Pik!!! I appreciate all of your input . Thanks again for all of your help!!!!!

:thankyou:

 

[wamplercathy]

I'm just starting out myself. And am a visual learner so I hope the pictures help.

I have 2 NZW Does in 48"L x 24"W x 24"T. Did the sloped front. After using it for awhile I have found that I don't like it. Also will be using one like this for a grow out pen, and then a mix of the 2 for the second grow out pen.



and one NZ/Cal Buck in a 36"L x 24"W x 24"T. Did a basic squarish, with a huge front door. After using it for awhile I have found I prefer this style.


Haven't had any litters yet. So can't help there, but others will be along. I personally am planing on butchering at round the 4-5lbs mark or 12wk mark which ever comes first. Don't know if I want to deal with pelts or not. Depends on if I can find a market for them.
Best of luck.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Like 3Mina, my does are in 24" x 30", bucks in 24" x 24". I wish my doe cages were a bit bigger, but they seem to do fine in them.

I also have much larger growout pens so I often move the does and their litters to them once the kits get some size on them.

 

[Miss M]

I have a buck in a 24x30, and a doe in either 24x30 or 24x36. I have another buck in a smaller but taller cage with a shelf.

I have just been reminded how important it is to pay attention to Rex feet. They are famous for sore hocks. I remember someone (I think the lady who gave them to us) telling me that their nails grow very quickly compared to other rabbits, but I forgot that fact. I have a Rex wearing toddler socks now, and her cage is lined with resting mats, in hopes that her feet will re-fur themselves. I feel terrible. I will do much better from now on.