winter breeding

[sjlattimore88]

so i live in new york and i am curious to know what to do as far as winter breeding i am goin to order some nest boxes but not sure to order steel or wood i would prefer steel but what ever is best for the buns is ok with me.also i some people say you need artifical light i wondering if this is true because if so my garage has no light source what so ever. and im not evev sure of what size nest box to order from klubertanz i have meat breeds (silver fox ,NZW,CALI)<br /><br />__________ Thu Sep 15, 2011 11:22 am __________<br /><br />

 

[Random Rabbit]

I would go with Wood. Metal wicks heat away from the kits. A wooden box lines with cardboard will help retain heat. Usually the equipment dealers will state the breeds that a certain size box is good for.

Artificial light, especially when days are shorter that night,.. will help 'trick' the rabbits pituitary ( can't spell today) into thinking it is a good time to breed. You might need to rig up an extention cord with a drop light on it.

 

[sjlattimore88]

Ok next thing is to find online dealers that sell wooden boxes any ideas

 

[ottersatin]

You can build your own wooden nestboxes quit easily
and probably more economically than purchasing from a dealer.
From a sheet of plywood you would be surprised how many nestboxes
can be made. With some screws and some angled [L] shaped metal to
support the floor you will be set. Just mark out the pieces and
cut them out. For each box you need a floor, two sides and two ends.
of course the front end will be a few inches shorter than the back end.
Make the pieces Back end Ten" high by however wide you need it.
Mine are 10" by 8" the front end is 8" X 4" this to allow the Doe
easy access to the box. The sides are 10" X 18" build them so they are:
two inches longer and two inches wider than the rabbit they will be used for.
Cut the floor so that it will fit into the box and rest on the Angled holders.
Once your box is screwed together you can place a top if you desire. Measure
four to six inches in from the back of the box and cut the sides at an angle
to meet the top of the lower front piece.
Once you build one all the others will be a piece of cake!
Ottersatin. ldtimer:

 

[sjlattimore88]

Also what foods are good to feed during the winter for internal warmth and for putting on extra weight to keep warm

 

[Pickles]

Also what foods are good to feed during the winter for internal warmth and for putting on extra weight to keep warm

Continue using the pellet feed your buns are used to but you may choose to add a supplement of natural rolled oats to help maintain healthy weight.

 

[sjlattimore88]

ok kewl

 

[ottersatin]

In the colder months I add some:
Black oil Sunflower seeds, [BOSS]
Sweet-feed, [a mix of racehorse oats and Molasses].
This will help the rabbits to make body heat.
Be careful with this mix in the warmer months,
that's when you don't want them to hold heat!
In some cases a bit of cracked corn mixed in with the rest.
Use this as a top dressing [A teaspoonful or two.]
on the feed or fed in a separate bowl.
Ottersatin. ldtimer:

 

[Cattle Cait]

A friend of mine suggests giving them an herbal tea that kicks their cycles into gear. I haven't tried this yet, but I'm eager to.