Would this be considered a colony?

[akaj9]

I really had wanted to go with a colony design for the rabbits, but we were unable to make it as large as we had wanted...I guess I have a few questions for those in the know in Colony raising... Is mine big enough to qualify as a colony? It is up off the ground because it can get soggy sometimes....The pen is 4x8x2 all hardware cloth structure with support and the House is 4x4....it is also tall enough I could make a full size loft within it, for added square footage. I have three rabbits, two doe and a buck...my intention was to keep the Doe here and allow for kindling, and the buck would have his own place very similar in design....I also have an additional "house" I can use that measures 6.5'x3.5'x4' tall. or I could turn it upright and it could be 6.5 tall with two levels....I will make a outside pen for this one also, possible as a grow out for kits.....Or would you merge these units to be one large interactive colony? I have wooden floors in the houses with straw/hay...would you put wire down instead for the sheer cleaning perspective and urine issue....Go figure they want to poop in the house and not in the all wire pen Here's what I have so far....

 

[Secuono]

Bottom is hardware? Probably be too small for poo to go through easily and too sharp for feet. But it looks good.

 

[akaj9]

It is 1/2" x 1/2" wire...the poop does fall through if they go out outside so far...I would still line the inside with lots of straw so it was easy on the feet, but the urine wouldn't be soaking into the wood floor that way...Are you saying it's best to keep the wooden floor inside?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Personally, I would get rid of the wood floor altogether. As you have found, it is too hard to keep clean. I also don't give straw or hay as bedding because it encourages unclean habits. As long as the rabbits are protected from wind and precipitation they don't need bedding.

Vertical space provides more square footage, but once again you have the sanitary aspects to deal with. I think linear footage on wire is the best way to house them, with rabbit-sized non-wire resting areas. If you give them too much "resting space" they tend to potty on it.

Your hutch is very cute, but it appeals to our human sensibilities, not what is actually best for rabbits. I would utilize the "loft" area for storage of nests and food rather than "bunny space".

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Floors should be 1/2" x 1" 14g wire. Wooden floors are hard to clean and end up stinking after a while...

 

[akaj9]

So...I removed the wooden floor and put in wire....I have one "nesting tunnel" so far, but need a few more...As it turns out our one buck is actually a doe....so now I have three does...will three does be able to co-exist and kindle in my set up? Do I have adequate space? There will be two additional nesting tunnels available? We have gotten a new Buck, a red New Zealand, but he has his own home and will not be living with the does....The kits will be moved out to a seperate grow out space when they are weaned....or the new space could be made to accomodate the three does....what are your thoughts? The new digs will be housing 3.5' x6.5'x4'with a 4x8 outside "run"...also all up off the ground....would very much appreciate your opinions

 

[GBov]

How are they doing?

 

[akaj9]

They are doing well...it's been a hot summer...but the ventilation and shade seems to be doing ok...they stay inside during the heat of the day, ..... but are all out and about on the morns and eves. With the floor being wire now and the side door open....there is a good breeze flowing through They also have taken very well to local weed greens....their favorites are spanish needle and mulberry leaves. Buck gets fresh figs :/ he is soooo spoiled! We are going to plant a banana tree stand to shade buck a little more.... I Can't wait for fall and cooler temps...does anyone know if the banana leaves are safe for the buns??? I know the nanas and skins are...what about the leaves? Oh how they would love that!

 

[GBov]

They are doing well...it's been a hot summer...but the ventilation and shade seems to be doing ok...they stay inside during the heat of the day, ..... but are all out and about on the morns and eves. With the floor being wire now and the side door open....there is a good breeze flowing through They also have taken very well to local weed greens....their favorites are spanish needle and mulberry leaves. Buck gets fresh figs :/ he is soooo spoiled! We are going to plant a banana tree stand to shade buck a little more.... I Can't wait for fall and cooler temps...does anyone know if the banana leaves are safe for the buns??? I know the nanas and skins are...what about the leaves? Oh how they would love that!

Do you have that insanely tall grass that is all over the road sides down here? It gets over six feet tall and I am lucky enough to have a large patch of it. My buns LOVE IT!!! And as a cut and come again rabbit crop its the best.

Dont know about nana leaves, seems a good thing to find out though. A nice big stand of hardy banana plants would be another great resource.

 

[Piper]

Do you have that insanely tall grass that is all over the road sides down here? It gets over six feet tall and I am lucky enough to have a large patch of it. My buns LOVE IT!!! And as a cut and come again rabbit crop its the best.

Papas Grass???

 

[GBov]

Do you have that insanely tall grass that is all over the road sides down here? It gets over six feet tall and I am lucky enough to have a large patch of it. My buns LOVE IT!!! And as a cut and come again rabbit crop its the best.

Papas Grass???

Not pampas, it doesnt grow that thick and it has a branched seed head instead of a feathery one.

NO IDEA what its called but I have a huge armfull dried for basket making too as it has such long blades but no sharp edges.

Will have to try to find its name now, its starting to bug me. :lol:

 

[akaj9]

I have a few grasses...but I don't think I'm sure which you are talkin' about..... I do have some real tall grass myself I have been unable to identify...some thought it might be fakahatchee or something like that Take a picture and post it....We planted 6 bananas so far...from what I can find...they seem to be safe...

 

[GBov]

I have a few grasses...but I don't think I'm sure which you are talkin' about..... I do have some real tall grass myself I have been unable to identify...some thought it might be fakahatchee or something like that Take a picture and post it....We planted 6 bananas so far...from what I can find...they seem to be safe...

My big grass smells really fresh and cucumbery when cut. And thanks for the banana info, yet one more thing that I forgot to check.

Will take a pickie of it tomorrow as its in full seed now.