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rabbits

What does your rabbit house look like? Need ideas

Kaarina Kreus

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posted 3 weeks ago

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I am thinking of diversifying. Rabbits could be a good next step.
I don't know anybody who would have kept rabbits for meat. What kind of house and run do you have?

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Anne Miller

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posted 3 weeks ago

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When we had rabbits, the hutch looked similar to this one:

https://permies.com/t/254282/Prototype-grow-hutch-design

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Kaarina Kreus

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posted 3 weeks ago

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IThanks Anne! I was thinking of something bigger, as I have plenty of space..

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Kaarina Kreus

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posted 3 weeks ago

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I found this

7c8a8e76748cc7c91b1147167a5524f9.jpg

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Kaarina Kreus

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posted 3 weeks ago

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Another idea

6d92c3d68206b881993e8ebc9bd4eb9c-2430841744.jpg

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Kaarina Kreus

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This looks like a miniature village, which is a bit strange

f528a3a991b7670a1c7b8cebeda1b8ae-3106254867.jpg

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Kaarina Kreus

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This looks doable

6997fe6a6489b6b79c21ba02d28dc537-rabbit-ideas-visit-website-3041390672.jpg

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Kaarina Kreus

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posted 3 weeks ago

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This is how they live in the free

d51ad7336940a20e1f94eb5f5865e4af-1920638985.png

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Kaarina Kreus

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From a schoolbook

90016a8b3e45f92541290a1db9bf14d9.jpg

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Kaarina Kreus

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Maybe the rabbits could build their burrow themselves? It I construct a sturdy run and put a big pile of soil into it???

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Timothy Norton

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Kaarina Kreus wrote:Maybe the rabbits could build their burrow themselves? It I construct a sturdy run and put a big pile of soil into it???

I don't have an answer for you, but I stumbled on this thread on Pillow Mounds that might interest you?

- Tim's Homestead Journal - Purchase a copy of Building a Better World in Your Backyard - Purchase 6 Decks of Permaculture Cards -
- Purchase 12x Decks of Permaculture Cards - Purchase a copy of the SKIP Book - Purchase 12x copies of Building a Better World in your Backyard

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Sam Shade

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Location: Memphis (zone 7b/8a)

posted 3 weeks ago

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The wife and I threw together a janky rabbit tractor from some scrap lumber, hardware cloth, vinyl fencing and a boxspring.

Works pretty well.

Kaarina Kreus

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Sadly, I have forsted lumpy ground and I am 60 and living alone, so any tracktor is too much for me to move...

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Kaarina Kreus

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Timothy, thanks a million! ❤️❤️❤️
I had missed that thread..

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Kaarina Kreus

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Hugelkultur rabbit warren

https://permies.com/t/28269/Rabbit-warren-hugelkultur

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Kaarina Kreus

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posted 3 weeks ago

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Medieval rabbit warrens video

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9gomye

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Kaarina Kreus

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"A rabbit warren is a sophisticated structure, often consisting of multiple entrances and exits, which serve as escape routes from predators. The layout includes a series of interconnected tunnels that can extend over 3 meters (about 10 feet) underground, with some warrens covering an area as large as a football field. These tunnels lead to various chambers, each with a specific function. There are nesting chambers lined with grass and fur for warmth, food storage areas, and communal spaces where rabbits can socialize. The design of a warren is not random; it is carefully planned to ensure the safety and comfort of its inhabitants.

The construction of a rabbit warren is a communal effort, with all members of the rabbit colony participating in digging and maintaining the structure. This cooperative behavior is crucial for the survival of the colony, as a well-maintained warren can protect against harsh weather conditions and predators such as foxes and birds of prey. The social structure within a warren is also fascinating, with a hierarchy that determines breeding rights and access to resources. Dominant rabbits often occupy the safest and most comfortable chambers, while subordinate members may have to settle for less desirable spots.

The importance of rabbit warrens extends beyond the rabbits themselves. These structures play a significant role in the ecosystem, providing habitats for other species such as insects, reptiles, and small mammals. The burrowing activity of rabbits also helps aerate the soil, promoting plant growth and contributing to the health of the environment."

https://aurica.ai/en/article/martin-sparks/rabbit-warren-layout/

46-rabbit-warren-Oaky-Ck-29Aug2007-BrianLukins-2566415627.jpg

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Sam Shade

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Attaching a pic of my rabbit tractor I mentioned before. Working out well so far. Got one of my bucks in here, but could easily accommodate more.

1000001341.jpg

Matt McSpadden

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One thing to keep in mind, if this is a long term project... is that most of those setups are communal. I know people who do this long term have to keep track of bucks and does and who does who, so as to not inbreed. Individual cages make that part easier, but less natural.

I think it would be good to at least have two places, to separate the bucks, so that you can plan for when you will have litters, and to give the does a rest in between.

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Kaarina Kreus

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I was thinking of having one buck per year. I do that with my roosters. Change the head rooster every year plus butcher male offspring during winter.
All my farmer friends warn about inbreeding. One said that for some reason, it is the weak traits that are strengthened in inbreeding.

I was wondering, if I could put the bucks into the chicken run and the roosters into the rabbit run?

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Sam Shade

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Location: Memphis (zone 7b/8a)

posted 3 weeks ago

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Kaarina Kreus wrote:I was thinking of having one buck per year. I do that with my roosters. Change the head rooster every year plus butcher male offspring during winter.
All my farmer friends warn about inbreeding. One said that for some reason, it is the weak traits that are strengthened in inbreeding.

I was wondering, if I could put the bucks into the chicken run and the roosters into the rabbit run?

Would not recommend. Chickens are really mean to rabbits.

Kaarina Kreus

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Sam - thank you! I had no idea...

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Elena Sparks

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Are you hoping to do a warren type run, like most people here are suggesting? Or are you hoping to have a more controlled rabbitry? There's pros and cons to both.

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Tereza Okava

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I keep my rabbits in hutches, a lot like what Anne posted, but with roofs that open.

When the weather is nice, the rabbits are put out (one at a time) into a fenced run in my garden to sniff, dig, run, jump and generally just chill.
I like the idea of them living in colonies but when I start producing rabbits I don't want to have to dig out a litter of babies. My girls dig for fun, to the extent that at the end of a day outside I need to inspect the run and fill up holes.
I have seen two communal "free" setups that I liked- one was an old horse barn with a huge load of dirt/chips dumped over a concrete floor, where the rabbits could tunnel and dig as they pleased. The only downside was that it was dark and not well-aired, due to being a barn. The other thing I saw was a gang-type situation where they had a hard clay tunneled out space (like a cave type thing open on two sides and fenced on the others), where they were relatively limited and could do as they pleased.
I like the idea of tractors but the only place I could put tractors have lots of roaming dogs and feral cats, so that won't happen. All my rabbits depend on me cutting and bringing them food, unless they're chilling in their run (where I have stuff planted for them).

Matt McSpadden

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I have seen some designs with 5 gallon buckets buried except the lid, with PVC pipes attached to the side... for some pseudo underground nests. The rabbits could feel secluded and be undeground for temperature... but the nest could still be accessed by a human by removing the lid.

Kaarina Kreus

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posted 2 weeks ago

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How much do you need access to the nests? Can't you just let them take care of their nests since they are going to be outside them anyway?.
My chickens come out of the henhouse like a tsunami every time I go into the run.. They know I slways bring some treats.

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