Welcome to the world of raising rabbits! Whether you’re looking to add a sustainable meat source to your homestead, sell breeding stock, or just enjoy these fluffy, hopping companions, rabbits are a great choice. They’re versatile, relatively easy to care for, and reproduce quickly. In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to get started, including the best rabbit breeds for beginners, housing options, feeding recommendations, and breeding basics.
Top 3 Rabbit Breeds for Beginners
Choosing the right breed is the first step. Each breed has its own strengths, so you’ll want to pick one based on your goals.
1. New Zealand White
Purpose:Meat production
Size: 9-12 lbs
Temperament: Calm and friendly
Why They’re Great: New Zealand Whites are the gold standard for meat rabbits. They grow quickly, have large litters, and their calm demeanor makes them easy to handle. If your goal is a steady meat supply, this breed is ideal.
2. Californian
Purpose: Meat and show
Size: 8-10 lbsTemperament: Docile and easygoing
Why They’re Great: Californians are another excellent meat breed with beautiful markings (white fur with dark ears, nose, and feet). They’re slightly smaller than New Zealand Whites but are known for their efficiency in feed-to-meat conversion.
3. Holland Lop
Purpose: Pets and show
Size: 2-4 lbsTemperament: Sweet and playful
Why They’re Great: If you’re raising rabbits for companionship or want to dip your toes into showing, Holland Lops are perfect. They’re tiny, adorable, and their friendly personalities make them a joy to have around.
Excellent Example of colony raising
Housing Options: Cages vs. Colony Raising
How you house your rabbits will depend on your space, budget, and goals. Let’s break down the two main methods:
Cage Raising
Cage raising involves housing each rabbit (or breeding pair, in some cases) in individual cages. These cages are often made of wire with a solid or mesh floor, raised off the ground to allow for easy waste removal. Each cage typically includes a feeder, a water dispenser, and sometimes a small resting platform or box for the rabbit to sit on.
Why Choose cage raising?
- 1. Health Monitoring:Individual housing makes it much easier to observe each rabbit’s health. You can quickly notice changes in appetite, waste, or behavior, which are often the first signs of illness.
- 2. Controlled Breeding:With cage systems, you can control which rabbits breed and when. Bucks and does are only placed together during breeding, reducing the risk of accidental litters and overpopulation.
- 3. Reduced Fighting:Rabbits can be territorial, and fights between rabbits in a colony setting can lead to injuries. With cages, each rabbit has its own space, minimizing aggression.
- 4. Cleanliness:Wire-bottom cages allow waste to drop through to a tray or the floor below, keeping the rabbits cleaner and reducing the risk of disease. Cleaning the trays or flooring regularly ensures a hygienic environment.
- 5. Space Efficiency:Cages can be stacked in tiers, making this method ideal for those with limited space or a high number of rabbits.
Disadvantages of Cage Raising
- Expense:
Setting up a cage system can be costly upfront. Wire cages, feeders, and water systems add up quickly, especially if you’re starting with multiple rabbits. - Limited Space for Movement:
Rabbits in cages have less room to move, hop, or play. Without enough enrichment, they may become bored, which can lead to stress or unhealthy habits like chewing on the wire. - Higher Maintenance:
While waste management is easier, feeding and watering each rabbit individually can be time-consuming if you have a large number of cages. Automating water systems can help but adds to the initial cost.
Colony Raising: A Natural Alternative
Colony raising involves housing multiple rabbits together in a shared, open space. This space can be indoors or outdoors, often on the ground, and should provide plenty of room for the rabbits to move, dig, and interact. Colonies are typically enclosed with fencing to keep the rabbits contained and protect them from predators.
Why Choose Colony Raising?
This method closely mimics how rabbits live in the wild, which appeals to those who prioritize animal welfare and natural behavior. Let’s explore its benefits and challenges:
- 1. Natural Environment:Rabbits in a colony can exhibit their natural behaviors, like digging, socializing, and exploring. This leads to happier, more active rabbits.
- 2. Cost-Effective:Setting up a colony often costs less than individual cages. You’ll need fencing, shelter, and basic supplies, but you avoid the expense of multiple cages and feeders.
- 3. Less Labor-Intensive:Feeding and watering can be done communally, saving time. Large troughs or gravity feeders and shared water systems work well in colonies.
- 4. Exercise and Enrichment:With more room to roam, rabbits in colonies tend to be healthier and less stressed. Exercise helps prevent obesity and other health issues.
Disadvantages of Colony Raising:
- Aggression and Fighting: Rabbits,
especially does, can be territorial. In a colony, dominance fights may
occur, leading to injuries. Bucks should generally be separated to avoid
fights and overbreeding.Breeding - Control: In a colony with both bucks and does, you lose control over breeding. This
can result in frequent, unplanned litters, which may overwhelm your
ability to care for them. - Disease Spread: Close contact between rabbits increases the risk of disease transmission.
Parasites like mites or illnesses like coccidiosis can spread quickly in
a colony setting. - Cleaning Challenges:Managing waste in a colony is harder than in cages. If the colony is on dirt or
grass, it can quickly become muddy and unsanitary without proper
maintenance.