With any housing system, cages for rabbits are designed to accommodate one female or male in each, 5-6 heads of separated young animals, 2-3 replacement females or one replacement male after 100 days of age.

After leaving their mothers, young animals are kept in group cages of 15-20 animals, depending on the size of the cage floor.

Cell sizes. A variety of cage types and designs are used to keep rabbits. However, it is necessary that the cage has sufficient floor area to provide normal conditions for the life of adults, rabbits, the growth and development of young animals, it was simple and convenient for the use of mechanization and manual labor. It is very important that it is easy to disinfect, durable and cheap. In table Table 6 shows the recommended cage sizes for rabbits of different breed groups.

Calculation of cell needs. In the practice of rabbit breeding important has the correct calculation of the need for cells for farms.

In table Table 7 indicates the need for cells per queen, taking into account the young animals of the same litter separated from her, the area for males, and replacement young animals.

Combined collapsible cage with eight compartments. Of the existing cage designs for Donbass, the combined double-sided collapsible cage with eight compartments, made from large parts, developed in the Cherkasy region by V. Lysenko, Yu. Radchenko and A. Yuzovitsky, is of interest. The main thing that has been achieved in the cage design due to a number of simplifications is the saving of timber. The total length of the cage is 290 cm, width - 146, height of the outer walls - 54, length and width of each compartment - 70 cm. The cage consists of 14 shield parts (Fig. 5).

The 1st shield is a double bottom covering the entire area of ​​the cage. Its basis is a wooden frame. The upper bottom is mesh or slatted, the lower one is made of four integral solid parts, mounted on canopies. Each of these parts serves as the bottom of two adjacent compartments of the cage.

The feasibility of a double bottom has been proven by many years of experience. Rabbit waste falls through the top mesh bottom. The presence of a second solid folding one protects rabbits from drafts and cold, improves the sanitary conditions of their keeping.

2, 3rd panels - two front facade walls, on each of them there are 4 slatted or mesh doors 30 cm wide and 45 cm high, two feeders 48 cm wide and 40 cm high and blank walls between the doors 32 cm wide. Each feeder designed for feeding rabbits of two adjacent cages. Inside there are partitions for individual feeding of rabbits in each cage.

The 4th shield is a continuous longitudinal partition along the entire length of the cage. Its height is 58 cm.

5, 6th shields - end walls. Their length is 146 cm, height 56 ​​cm. The upper part - the cone - reaches 72 cm.

7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12th panels - plug-in - transverse walls. By inserting them into the grooves, the cage is divided into eight compartments. If necessary, you can reduce the number of compartments by removing several shields. Then the area used as a paddock for young animals increases. The length of the shield is 64 cm, the height of the lower side is 49, the upper side is 58 cm.

The 13th and 14th panels on hinges form a gable roof. On hot days, the lid is raised 5-10 cm on supports for ventilation.

The cage is installed on posts 75 cm high.

During the birthing period, the cage is equipped with nesting boxes-queen cells made of plywood or boards 50 cm long, 30 cm wide and 30 cm high. A round hole with a diameter of 18-20 cm is cut out in one of the side walls of the queen cell, the upper part is removable.

With a sufficient amount of litter, you can do without a queen cell.

Cage with artificial holes. For outdoor keeping of rabbits, a combined cage with artificial burrows is used, proposed by the USSR State Prize laureate, senior livestock specialist of the Biryulinsky animal farm of the Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic F.V. Nikitin.

The peculiarity of the design is that under the cage on two bars a nesting box (queen cell) 50 cm long, 40 cm wide and 40 cm high with a removable lid is buried in the ground (Fig. 6). In the front wall of the box, a hole measuring 17 × 17 cm is made at a height of 15 cm from the ground, to which a wooden tetrahedral pipe with sides of 20 cm is tightly attached. The pipe is placed at an angle of 35°, and the second end is brought to the floor of the cage, in which a cutout is made . The removable lid of the box allows you to inspect the nest outside the cage.

Double cages, developed by the Research Institute of Fur Farming and Rabbit Breeding, are intended for outdoor keeping. They look like a block consisting of two cages and are designed to contain two adult rabbits. Dimensions are shown in Fig. 7.

On the sides of each cell, along its entire width, there are permanent uterine compartments 40 cm long with a solid wooden floor. A hole measuring 17 × 20 cm is made from the nesting compartment to the feeding compartment, which is located at a height of 10-15 cm from the floor. In the rest of the cage, the floor is mesh or made of slats spaced 1.5 cm apart. Two doors are built into the front part, one plank in the nesting compartment (44 cm high and 35 cm wide), the other mesh (30 cm high and 60 cm wide) ) with cells no more than 35 × 35 mm. Inside the block of cages there are V-shaped nurseries designed to serve rabbits from both sections. The manger is covered with a mesh with cells 35 × 35 mm. Inside the mesh, you can use metal rods located at a distance of 3 cm from each other. Under the manger there is a folding drinker, and under the full-length mesh doors there are folding feeders. To prevent rabbits from climbing into the feeders, metal rods are passed from the inside of the cage (at a distance of 7 cm from each other). The cages are installed on 5 columns 70-80 cm high.

Combined cell for young animals it is designed for keeping 12 heads up to 3 months of age in groups of 6 heads, and later - for individual keeping. This ensures the production of benign skins.

Cage size: length 3 m, width 60 cm, height of the front wall 50, back - 40 cm.

The floor is mesh or slatted. The roof is pitched in three parts, attached by canopies to the front frame of the cage (serves instead of doors). Inside there are eleven mesh or wooden hanging partitions measuring 36 × 59 cm. Nurseries and drinking bowls are installed outside, along the entire back wall. Feeders with lids are hung from the outside along the front wall. The cage is installed on posts 65-70 cm high.

Group cage for young animals has a length of 3 m, a width of 1 m, a front wall height of 50 and a back wall of 35 cm. The roof is single-pitched, the door is double-leaf (leaf size 65 × 45 cm).

Inside the side walls, a mesh nursery is installed, which consists of frames measuring 100 × 50 × 35 cm. The cage is installed on posts 65-70 cm high. It is designed to simultaneously contain 18-20 heads of young animals up to 3 months of age or 15-16 heads of older ones age.

Group cells can be built double-sided (with 2 compartments). In this case, the roof is made gable, and the wall dividing the cage into two compartments should have a height of 75 cm and a width of 2 m. Instead of an adjacent wall, a manger is installed. Being in the same cage, the rabbits get used to each other and fight less.

To feed forage and root crops, troughs with handles are used with the following dimensions: length 110-120 cm, width at the bottom (inside) 8 cm, at the top 15 cm, wall height 8 cm. To prevent rabbits from throwing away food, slats are attached above the side walls of the feeder with an overlap inward 1 cm.

The cages are equipped with glazed clay, hopper or hanging self-feeders for forage, float, valve or bottle automatic drinkers.

To create the most favorable veterinary conditions, cages are equipped with mesh or slatted floors. There is no need for cleaning, as excrement falls into the cracks. For the convenience of periodic washing and disinfection, the floors are removable or retractable.

It is better to keep the main herd of rabbits and replacement young animals on slatted floors. They are assembled from plastic, metal or wooden slats 25-30 mm wide with rounded edges with a radius of 1.5-2.5 mm. A space of 17-18 mm wide is left between the slats.

Channel-shaped metal slats are made of steel 1-1.5 mm thick, galvanized or coated with plastic.

Hard or coniferous trees are suitable for wooden slats. The thickness of the slats is 12-15 mm. In the cage they should be located along the feeder.

Fattening young animals can be kept on floors made of galvanized or plastic-coated welded mesh with square cells ranging in size from 16 to 20 mm. A frame is made of a rod with a diameter of 6-7 mm around the perimeter of the mesh. It is attached to the frame with wire staples 0.7-0.8 mm thick.

Cell batteries. For keeping rabbits in indoors Battery cells are used abroad. Thus, in Italy, the Phoebe company produces mesh cages with a metal frame and mesh or plastic floors. Dimensions of the cells: length 1 m, width 0.6 m, height 0.4 m. They are located in groups of 4, with the two middle cells raised to the height of the outer ones. During the childbirth period, nesting boxes are placed in the cages. Young animals are also kept in cages. The design of feeders allows you to mechanize the feeding and watering of rabbits.

The Italian company for the production of equipment for poultry farms "Facco" offers new samples of cage batteries for rabbits. It is recommended to keep the main herd and replacement young stock in colony-type cages with retractable slatted floors.

Cage dimensions 80 × 68 cm (including the queen cell - 20 × 68 cm), height 40 cm. The floor is made of soft mesh. Between two rows of cages in the center of the batteries there is a manger for hay. Each compartment is equipped with a valve automatic drinker and a self-feeder section made of sheet steel (one feeder for two cages). Manure and litter are removed manually and mechanically.

For fattening young animals, a pyramid type battery is offered. The cages are trapezoidal in shape, located on three levels, battery width 224, height 150 cm.

When young animals are kept alone, the cage size is 20 × 38 cm, when kept in groups of 6 animals. - 100 × 38 cm (height 30 cm). Floors are slatted or mesh. The tray feeder is installed along the length of the battery with partitions and a grid that protects rabbits from entering it. The same lattice, if necessary, serves as a manger for hay. Feeding is done manually and with a hopper feed dispenser moving along the battery. Pipes for automatic watering are laid along the ceilings of the cages. Manure and urine fall into the manure box under the battery, partly along inclined metal trays (reflectors). Manure is collected in a concrete box using scrapers or a drain.

Some farms for mating rabbits use round cages where breeding males are located. Dimensions of the cages: height 40 cm, diameter 70 cm. They are made of galvanized electric-welded mesh, the floor is made of wooden planks, the ceiling is double-leaf. The feeder is equipped with a device that prevents the scattering of feed. Drinking bowl in the form of a bathtub. The hay manger forms part of the ceiling.

The California Rabbit Breeding Experimental Station (USA) suggests using cages 120 cm long for medium-sized rabbit breeds and 180 cm for large breeds.

Other cage designs and facility types. Amateur rabbit breeders use a variety of cage designs, structures, and devices. Many of them skillfully use local conditions and available materials.

Experienced rabbit breeders in their homesteads breed rabbits of several breeds - Soviet chinchilla, gray giant, white giant, butterfly. Contains females and males all year round in the yard, separately in large cages, where nesting boxes of also increased size are placed during the nesting period, stuffed with straw for insulation during the cold period. Childbirth is year-round, usually four times a year. After giving birth, females begin mating two months later. If female rabbits and males are constantly well-fed, there is no waste of rabbits.

Using industrial crossing of rabbits of different breeds, with good condition of the breeding stock, intensively developing, disease-resistant crossbred young animals are obtained, which produce a high-quality carcass and a large-sized skin.

A month before slaughter, rabbits are kept in groups of several - females and males separately - in well-ventilated cages covered on both sides with mesh.

Some rabbit breeders make shelves in the cages for the females to rest. Typically, most rabbit cages are designed to accommodate queen boxes. Or a permanent nesting compartment is installed in the cage. To save space, hobbyists often arrange external attached queen cells. When they are not needed, the holes in the cages are closed, and the queen cell is placed next to the next cage in which the breeding will be carried out.

Some amateur rabbit breeders use the burial method of keeping rabbits.

The cellar, measuring 2 × 3 m and 1.7 m deep, is connected by an inclined (35°) wooden pipe with an external paddock with an area of ​​5 × 5 m, fenced with a mesh. A 15-30-centimeter layer of sand is poured onto the paddock, so that the entire area is constantly dry. At the bottom of the cellar, 10 queen cells for females are installed. Males are kept in separate cages. To prevent animals from digging holes, the floor of the cellar is covered with rubble, and the walls in the lower part are covered with boards. They feed the rabbits for walking ah.

Keeping rabbits in trenches is also simple. In the upper part the trench is 1.5 m wide, in the lower part - 0.8 m, and 15 m long. The walls are surrounded by a metal mesh, the floor is wooden, the roof is glazed. A canopy, or ceiling, is placed over the trench. The exit from the trench to the walking yard, fenced with a net, is equipped with a vestibule. The trench is used to keep 200-220 heads of young animals.

Khimich's pipe, Cherkassy rabbit breeder D. F. Khimich created a very convenient and practical cage, consisting of four boards 5.5 m long, knocked down in the shape of a tetrahedral pipe 30 cm high and wide. This cage design is known among rabbit breeders as the “Khimich pipe”. Along its entire length it is divided into isolated sections, each 60 cm long. The sections have an entrance 15 × 15 cm, leading into a “front” 25 cm long, which is separated from the queen cell by a wall with a hole measuring 15 × 18 cm. The length of the queen cell is 35 cm. The outer passage is closed by a swing door.

The Khimich pipe is installed at a height of 10-15 cm above the ground under a canopy. Its upper part can be sloping with a small canopy over the entrance to drain rainwater. The area where the pipe is located is fenced off.

Cage cage. To keep young animals on the grass, after being separated from the female, a portable cage-cage of a triangular shape, 2 m long, 1 m wide and 1 m high, is used (Fig. 8). The frame of the cage is made of bars. The third part of it is covered with boards on three sides and provides shelter for animals from heat and bad weather; the rest is covered with metal mesh. A door is installed at the top of the shelter.

After the rabbits eat the grass, the cage is moved to a new location.

Transport cells. Large batches of rabbits are transported in multi-place transport cages, boxes, one or two in a compartment, or in transport enclosures on mesh floors in groups of 15-20 animals.

The transport cage is usually designed for 8 rabbits. Its length is 2.2 m, width 40 and height 30 cm. Along its length it is divided into 8 equal compartments. A door covered with mesh is made along the entire length of the façade. The door is attached to the bottom of the cage to a 5 cm wide bar with straps (hinges). A 3 cm wide gap is left between the floor and the plank for cleaning. To avoid urine accumulation, the floor of the cage is made with slits (up to 1 cm wide). 3-4 transverse strips are nailed to the floor from below, which form a gap for ventilation.

When installing cages in several tiers, the back walls are made into tongues, and the top is covered with moisture-proof material.

A ten-person transport cage for transporting young animals is 2 m long, 0.5 m wide and 30 cm high. The rear and side walls and the middle partition are made of planks, and the remaining partitions and the ceiling are made of plywood.

The front wall of the cage, which serves as a door, is made of mesh or made of wooden slats with 3 cm gaps between them. For ease of maintenance, the door is made of two halves (one door for 5 compartments).

When transporting rabbits railway They set a load norm of 200 animals per car. Each car must be equipped with screen doors with locking; hatches are covered with mesh.

Along with the rabbits, the necessary supply of feed is loaded into the carriage with the expectation of providing them for the duration of transportation. Taking into account possible delays in transit, feed is prepared 25-30% more than normal. In the carriage you must have the following equipment: a barrel for water, 2 buckets, feeders for rabbits, a scraper for cleaning cages, a broom, a lantern." bat" and a lock. The guide is given a veterinary certificate and a travel journal.

A small number of rabbits are transported in ordinary plywood boxes with air holes.

However, the cage should be selected with special care, based on the number of individuals, their age and sex composition.

Group for young animals.

The concept of “young animals” includes animals that their mother has already stopped feeding with milk, but which have not yet reached reproductive age. In the case of rabbits, cessation of lactation occurs in 70% of cases in the period from 30 to 45 days after birth.

At this time, jigging is carried out. Individuals are divided into those for slaughter and those intended for breeding. The latter are also differentiated by gender. The container for young animals should be located at some distance from the ground when kept outdoors, and be free and clean. If a utility room is used for maintenance, it should be well ventilated and bright.

Animals to be slaughtered are placed in groups of 6-8 individuals (read more about slaughter). Some breeders increase the number of animals to 10-15. The area of ​​the enclosure must be at least 0.12 m² per animal. Breeding young animals are kept in 4-8 individuals with an area of ​​0.17 m² per individual. Sometimes females and males are kept together until 3 months of age, but it is better to separate them in advance to avoid premature mating.

In such variants a pitched roof is used. This creates a certain height difference, which allows pets to feel comfortable. It is made of dense waterproof material. The optimal height difference will be from 60 cm to 30 cm. The depth for a group of 6-8 individuals can be up to 80 cm.

For adult animals.

Seating of young animals after 3 months of age is carried out due to their growing aggressiveness. Males increasingly get into fights and do not tolerate the proximity of other representatives of their sex.

Females can be kept in small groups of 2-3 individuals. Males of reproductive age should only be present one at a time. If there is no possibility for individual seating, castration is performed. It is especially important to avoid fights and “biting” on the skin in order to obtain fur. Therefore, the slaughtered ones are usually castrated, while the rest are seated.

The size of a cage for adult rabbits depends on their breed. The norm is a height of 35-40 cm and a width of 120 cm and it is better for them to hang on a mesh wall. This will eliminate the possibility of bowls turning over, and the animal will not experience hunger or thirst.

The shed is two-tiered.

This system serves to save space during breeding. A shed is a series of cages arranged in one or more tiers. The two tiers are optimal choice, since they allow you to reduce the working area without complicating the care and control over the growth and development of animals.

This design serves primarily for outdoor use and is used in the southern regions. However, some breeders use it for summer maintenance animals or as a way to organize an enclosure in a barn.

To do this, he will need a strong steel mesh, roofing material (for example, slate) and boards. The shed is built on a one-way basis. A concrete foundation will increase its stability. A more advanced design includes the presence of pallets and a manure channel for removing waste.

Double cage with queen cell.

This design is used for females. The queen cell is a removable compartment in which newborn babies are kept until they reach the age of one month. It is also called the stern compartment. The main part is called the stern. There is a 17*20 cm hole between them.

A double room is suitable for two females with rabbits or a female and a male. The separation between compartments can be done using a mesh or a solid wooden partition. It is better to make the floor from wooden slats in 1.5 cm increments so that the manure can be poured into the tray located below. This will protect the “house” from excessive pollution and humidity.

Double cages with mesh aviary.

This design also has the name “Klenovo-Chagadayevo”. It is used for non-pregnant females of reproductive age. Also suitable for young animals. Sometimes a container with an enclosure is used for mating. Then a male is placed in one half of the structure and a female in the other.

The construction of cages for breeding in a garden or household plot usually involves keeping animals in it only during the warm season. For its location, it is better to choose a moderately shaded place. A good solution would be to place it in a dry area of ​​the garden surrounded by trees. This will protect the animals from overheating and wind. When choosing the size of cells for, it is worth starting from their number and needs.

An interesting design solution for the construction of cages was proposed by the breeder Nikolai Zolotukhin. In its version, the floor has a narrow strip made of mesh. In his experience, animals eventually begin to defecate in this place without any training, minimizing contamination. When choosing a Zolotukhin cage, the dimensions should be increased by 10 - 15 cm.

The farmer will need cages for fattening rabbits after weaning the rabbits from the female. The young animals will remain in them until slaughter. When building rabbit houses, you should take into account the size, since several individuals live adjacent to one cage. The main requirements for such structures are the safety of pets and ease of maintenance.

Features of fattening cages

Rabbits stay in the same territory with their mother until they reach the age of one month. Some plant young animals later, after 45 days. During this period, babies already eat adult food and become independent.

After the end of lactation, the rabbits are provided with separate housing - fattening houses. They contain babies of the same sex, 4–8 individuals each. You can keep pets of different sexes together for up to 3 months, but after that you still have to separate them.

During puberty, males and females should not be kept together, otherwise they will mate. Mature males will also have to be placed in single cages. Mature males fight for territory and can injure and even kill each other. Young females are quite capable of getting along if they are taken from the same litter or kept in the same cage from an early age.

Feeding houses are a place where young animals live until they reach puberty or before slaughter. Their features:

1. The area allocated for 1 individual does not exceed 0.25 m2. In spacious cages, pets move a lot, which negatively affects the quality of meat.
2. The owner of the animals should be comfortable caring for them - distributing food and cleaning.
3. Inside the cages there is a feeder for mixed feed and a manger for hay, and the home is also equipped with a drinking bowl.

Attention! Each young individual drinks about 200 ml of water per day. The drinking bowl should satisfy the needs of all pets living in the house.

Dimensions of feedlots

Before starting the production of cells, it is necessary to determine their parameters. It is considered normal if an area of ​​at least 0.12 m2 is allocated for one rabbit. Based on this, the cell sizes are calculated. So, for 6–8 pets, a structure 1.2 m long and 0.7 m wide is suitable. The height should be half a meter or a little more.

When the time comes to place the males, you need to take care of a separate home for each of them. In this case, bulk cells will not be needed. It is enough to build a structure of 35x40 cm with a height of 50 cm. For female rabbits kept in pairs, a square cage of 50x50 cm is suitable.

Preparation for construction

So, the dimensions of the house have been determined. Now you need to choose the material for construction. Farmers prefer to make feeder cages from plywood or mesh. Some people use scrap materials - remnants of chipboard, old furniture. It is better to make the floor mesh so that pet excrement falls down into a tray, which is usually made of galvanized sheet or plastic. Then the inside will always be clean.

Attention! To construct cages, it is better to use galvanized mesh, which is not susceptible to corrosion.

Preparation for construction includes the creation of a drawing. Having decided on the dimensions, you need to transfer the plan of the fattening houses to paper. The diagram shows all measurements.

Materials and tools

To build feeding houses for rabbits you will need the following materials:

• beam;
• mesh with small cells;
• wooden slats with a section of 20x40 mm;
• rivets;
• nails;
• self-tapping screws;
• sheet of tin for the pallet;
• hinges for the door and latch.

This list of materials is used if a decision is made to make rabbit houses from mesh on a wooden frame. However, the walls of the structure can also be made of plywood or other material, at the request of the farmer.

You will need a standard set of tools:

• hammer;
• wire cutters;
• screwdriver;
• file;
• to work with wood you need a saw;
• roulette;
• level.

Detailed instructions for making fattening cages

First you need to build a frame for the future structure. To do this, cut the bars to the required length. They are connected to each other along the perimeter using self-tapping screws. Then vertical supports are installed, which are attached to the base at right angles. The door is located at the front of the house. You will have to make a frame from timber of the appropriate size.

Attention! It is important to note that the cells are usually raised above the ground to a convenient height of 50 to 80 cm.

The next step is cutting the mesh into the required fragments, according to the drawing. The finished rectangles are attached to the wooden frame with rivets. Having finished the casing, attach the hinges and fix the door on them. A pallet is installed at the bottom of the cage under the mesh floor, cut out of tin or galvanized sheet. The outer edges are folded inward.

The floor does not have to be mesh. Many farmers make it from wood. To do this, narrow slats are stuffed onto the frame, leaving a distance of 1–1.5 cm between them. Pets feel comfortable on this floor, their paws are not injured, and feces fall into the tray through the cracks.

Attention! If the cages for young animals will be placed outside, a roof will be needed. It is done at an angle. Suitable roofing material is slate.

Inside finished design place a feeder. It is attached to one of the walls of the house to avoid tipping over. The cage is equipped with a manger for hay and a drinking bowl of suitable volume. It is convenient to use a nipple one, since the water in it always remains clean. The container is secured on the outside of the house, and the nipple is brought inside.

Cages for fattening rabbits are easy to make. The main thing is to decide on the size, taking into account the number of pets, and then draw a drawing. During the construction process, it is important to strictly adhere to the scheme. The rabbit house cannot be painted, as harmful compounds can negatively affect the health of the pets.

Depending on the age and size of the pet, the cage parameters may vary. For example, for rabbits of the "" breed, special cages will be required. Certain breeds will also need their own special cages.

The length of the cage for females with hatching should be 175-185cm, width – 1m, height – 60-70cm. During the hatching period, it is important that the female feels comfortable. Rabbits are incredibly afraid of dampness and drafts. Place the cages so that they are not constantly exposed to the sun. The façade of the cage should be placed to the east or west. Dig the pillar into the ground (to a depth of 0.6-0.8m), place stationary cells. Portable cages can be placed on stands or wooden trestles. Single-tier cages can be installed at a level of 70-80cm from the ground. In order for rabbits to move easily in cages, the structures must be free. For rabbits weighing over five kilograms, cages with a length of 130-150 cm, a depth of 70 cm, a back wall height of 40-45 cm, and a front wall height of 55-60 cm will be required.

Group cages are used for transplanted young animals. In such cages you can simultaneously keep from eight to twenty rabbits.

From three to five animals under three months of age or two to three rabbits over 3 months of age are kept in individual cages.

For one rabbit, the cage area should be at least 0.5 square meters. m, at least 35cm – wall height.

When making group cages, take into account the number of individuals, because each animal will need at least 0.15-0.20 square meters. m.

External cages for keeping rabbits can be one-, two-, or three-tiered. There should be 35 cm from the surface of the ground to the cells of the lower tier.

IN winter period When you need to care for suckling rabbits, you should cover the floor in the nesting compartment with straw. The layer of straw is up to twenty centimeters.

Choose non-artificial materials for making the cage. Synthetic materials have a bad effect on the development of rabbits - this rule is important for all breeds of rabbits.

Cage for adult rabbits

Since large cages are needed for a female with a hatch, a cage with the following parameters will be sufficient for an ordinary rabbit: width 60-70cm, height - 60cm, length -100cm. These are the minimum cage sizes for one adult.

The rabbits are growing, and they will need larger cages. For adult rabbits, cages with the following parameters are suitable: width – 60-80cm, height – 50cm, length – 120-150cm. Farmers say that in such a cage an adult will feel free and have personal space. Experts agreed that the floor of the cage should be made of mesh or slats. In appearance, the cage should resemble a block consisting of two cells, each of which can contain an adult.

You can fence off the feeding and nesting compartments of the cage with a wall, although the pet will not get lost and will find food.

When choosing cells, you need to take into account gender. A cage for a female rabbit will not suit a rabbit, although they will be of the same type. Consider the cage size and external conditions when creating the cage.

A two-tier shed is a row of cages placed in one or several tiers. Details about. Suitable choice there will be a two-tier shed - it reduces the working area, does not complicate the control and care of pets. This design is used in the southern regions or on the street. But such an enclosure can be organized in a barn or for the use of summer keeping rabbits. The shad should not stand on the ground. It is preferable to place it at a height of 50-60cm. Considering the size of the pet, the width of the shad should be up to 2m, depth – up to 1m. You can also make a two-tier shed yourself. You will need boards, slate and a durable steel mesh. The shed is built on a one-sided principle. A concrete foundation will increase the stability of the structure. Improved design includes manure channel and drip trays. Sheds – The best way for keeping rabbits. Arranging a shed allows you to keep several pets and makes caring for rabbits easier.

It is important to make a drawing of the cage and in the future add additional houses or even rows of houses for new pets. In the sheds, all the cells are the same in size, the houses are covered with a canopy, placed close to adjacent structures and placed one above the other. The convenience of this design is that the rabbits will spend spring and summer outside.

In winter, rabbits in sheds are given specially heated water. Typically, a nursery for grass or hay is set up between two houses. The cages have waste-free hopper feeders - they need to be loaded for 3 - 8 days. The bunker feeder can be made from steel sheets. In spring and summer, shads use automatic water supply for rabbits to drink. The passage in the shed is located at a slight slope from the center to the exit. The rear walls of the cage form the walls of the shad. The sheds have small windows with bars. In winter, the windows with bars are closed with folding doors. The doors are made from the inside of the cells. Be sure to hang drinking bowls and feeders. An overhead road for trolleys (for transporting feed) is equipped along the middle passage.

You will need a double cage with a queen cell. The queen cell is a removable compartment where babies up to a month old will be kept. It is also called the aft compartment. The largest part of such a cell is called the feed cell. There should be a hole between the cells, measuring 17x20cm. A similar design is suitable for a male and a female, two rabbits with babies. A solid wooden partition or mesh will separate the compartments. It is best to make the floor from wooden slats (1.5 cm increments), then the manure will fall into the lower pan.

Rabbits do not live long and should be comfortable in the house. You should not save too much on materials, because healthy pets will fully pay for the costs. A double cage with a queen cell includes a nursery, a door to the nesting compartment, a mesh door, a folding drinker and feeder, a stand post, and a feeder axis.

The designs should be such that there is no need to constantly open the doors to fill them. Sawdust or small shavings are not suitable for bedding - the dust from them will cause the rabbit to sneeze.

Double cages with mesh aviary

To build a double, single-tier cage with a mesh enclosure, you will need 0.6 sq. m mesh (cells 35x35mm); lumber - 0.2 cubic meters. m, 1.3 sq. m of metal mesh (cells 18x18mm) - if this is not available, then all-welded mesh (cells 16x48mm) will do. Similar designs are needed for non-pregnant rabbits of reproductive age. They can also house adult rabbits and young animals separated from their queens.

Cages for rabbits with devices for storing food for 1-2 weeks

These are advanced cages, they are made from various building materials. Features: in the center there are structures for breeding stock, and along the walls there are enclosures for young individuals. The structures can be two- or three-tiered. But make it so that feces and urine do not fall from the upper cells.

For the uterine compartment: 40x70x60cm, for the light compartment: 60x70x60cm. Auto-drinkers, feeders, nurseries for grass and hay are located in a bright compartment. Install a mesh or slatted grille at a height of 5-10cm in the uterine compartment and at a height of 10-15cm from the floor in the light compartment. In summer you need to clean the cages more often because worms form in the manure.

Cage sizes for Zolotukhin rabbits

Nikolai Ivanovich Zolotukhin, a famous rabbit breeder, developed his own concept for keeping rabbits.

In such cages there are no pallets, the floor is made of boards or slate, the rear walls are mounted at an angle, there are no special queen cells, grain feeders are fixed to the doors, only there is a narrow strip of mesh floor along the rear walls of the structure. Cell dimensions: 70x100cm, cells are placed one above the other in several tiers, queen cells are also placed. To prevent baby rabbits from falling out open door– place a board in front of the queen cell. Queen cells are placed one above the other. A separate opaque door, common to all structures, is installed. The queen cell is located in the cage itself, only part of the removable board is fenced off.

Dimensions of cages for giant rabbits

The breed of large meat-and-skin rabbits is called the “gray giant.” Required dimensions of the structure: width 35cm, length – 60cm, height – 40cm. You can make a more spacious cage: height – 61cm, length – 96cm, width – 68cm. The “gray giant” rabbit lives in areas with different climatic conditions.

Dimensions of cages for fattening rabbits

The following design is suitable: width 50cm, length 70cm, height 30cm. To make a rabbitry, you will need a soldered mesh, the cells must be square. You will need rolled wire, diameter 6mm. Thinner wire should be wrapped around the joints on the structure. In such designs, water is supplied through nipple drinkers, and there are also small feeders with a supply of food. The animals are fed for about a week. During this period they should be carefully looked after.

Cage sizes for California rabbits

California rabbits are easy to care for. This is a hybrid of Russian ermine, Soviet chinchilla and New Zealand breed. The dimensions of the structure can be 1.5 times smaller than for “gray giant” rabbits. These rabbits can tolerate the cold well even without bedding. For a cell with a queen cell, 0.4 square meters will be enough. m, for one individual – 0.3 sq. m. They are easy to maintain. California rabbits have coarse fur on their feet. When placing individuals in mesh blocks, place pets of the same age - this will make it easier to care for, feed, and conduct veterinary examinations.

To raise California rabbits solely for meat, keep them in a pit. Setting up a pit is very easy, and the living conditions of these rabbits in the pit will be as close as possible to natural conditions their habitat.

To set up a rabbit pit, you need to dig a hole with approximate dimensions of 2x2x1 m, strengthen the walls with slate or concrete, lay a mesh or plank floor, enclose the hole with a fence, and make a roof. California rabbits will burrow, mate, breed, and raise young.

To avoid degeneration of rabbits, do not allow inbreeding. The rabbit breeder is obliged to supply water, feed, and periodically carry out selective selection. To avoid inbreeding, the first generation to reach sexual maturity, obtained from a particular male, must be captured and replaced with other rabbits.

California rabbits eat dairy products, fish or meat meal, and various protein supplements well. In winter, pets should have warm liquid to drink. Constant access to water is required for rabbits.

IN last years It is very popular among farmers to breed California rabbits. This breed is easy to breed on specialized farms. European rabbits are the ancestors of this individual. Initially, breeders set themselves the task of developing a meat breed of rabbits with good skins. This breed is one of the most famous meat rabbit breeds. 7-8 rabbits is the average fertility of rabbits. When breeding, female rabbits can produce 11-12 rabbits. Rabbits are white (grayish) at birth, and by 3.5-4 months of age they become similar in color to adult rabbits. In two months, newborn rabbits gain two kilograms of weight. Adult female rabbits weigh 4.7-5.2 kg, rabbits - 4.5-5 kg. If you cross New Zealand white rabbits with California rabbits, you can achieve excellent breeding results. Rabbits of this breed have drooping legs. California rabbits have been successfully bred on slatted floors. The tail of Californian rabbits lies close to the body, the chin is symmetrical, the head is set on a short neck, a wide back and shoulders, and a cylindrical body of medium length.

This breed may also be called the “California White Rabbit” because it is pure white in color. However, the tips of the ears, tail and paws may be brown or black. Usually such a rabbit weighs no more than 5 kg. If you weigh more, you are obese. The rabbit's legs are thick and short, its eyes are pink, its skeleton is strong and light. The length of the ears does not exceed 10cm. Experienced breeders advise novice rabbit breeders to pay attention to breeding California rabbits, because they are easy to keep.

The length of the fur is approximately 3cm, the length of the body is 50cm. The head is round, medium-sized. The rabbit's fur is shiny and thick. California rabbits can also be bought for entertainment, because they have a peaceful disposition and cheerful character. With proper care, California rabbits can live up to ten years. However, due to their large size, such individuals will be difficult to keep as ornamentals. Rooms with moderate, constant air temperature and lighting are suitable for their maintenance. You can feed them hay, grass, cereals, flour, vegetables, and cereals.

Optimal cage sizes for rabbits

Suitable cages will have the following dimensions: length - 120-150cm, width - 60-80cm, front wall height - 45-50cm, the door should be mesh, dimensions 65x70x50cm, slatted or mesh floor.

Dimensions of industrial cages for rabbits

Industrial cage designs are modular, which, taking into account the stages of the process cycle, allows new designs to be added to existing ones. Dimensions: 2x2x1x7m, there are ten uterine compartments, measuring 40x92cm. To facilitate access to the boxes, there are spring-loaded lids. The operator, using the lifting covers of the partitions, can clean the rabbit uterus sections without any obstacles, perform weaning, individual therapy, palpation, and insemination. To remove litter, all cages have removable corner panels.

The sizes of cages for rabbits differ depending on the age, breed, sex of the rodent and the purpose of the enclosure. Exist standard sizes, recommended for pregnant females. The location and compliance with the conditions of keeping the animal are very important.

Group structures are used for keeping young animals. Depending on the size of the enclosure, there are from 8 to 20 rodents in the cage. The animals are kept together as long as they have enough space. When the sex of the individual becomes possible to determine, the rodents are seated. It is recommended to keep no more than three individuals over three months old in one cage.

The minimum area of ​​the enclosure for two individuals is sq. m. Height - at least 0.35 m. The size of the structure depends on the number and age of rodents.

Enclosures for outdoor placement are built on one, two or three floors. It is recommended to raise the floor above the ground by 0.35 m. In winter, it is necessary to insulate the enclosures by adding straw to the floor.

Natural materials are used to construct the structure, since artificial ones negatively affect the health and development of rodents.

When designing, it is important to pay attention to the lighting and location of the cage. Young animals need protection from drafts and dim light. Adults tolerate cold and temperature changes better (depending on the breed). But for the winter, cages with young and adult animals are insulated.

Cage for adult rabbits

The size of rabbit cages depends on the age and sex of the rodent. Females with young animals are kept in large cages. For a regular rabbit, the cage parameters are 0.7 m wide, 0.6 m high and 1 m long.

For an adult, the size of the enclosure should be increased to 0.8 m in width, 0.5 in height and 1.5 in length. In dwellings of this size, rodents feel freer, develop faster and grow better.

Ventilation is considered an important stage when designing rabbit housing. The rabbitry should be well ventilated, protected from drafts and bright sunlight. The duration of daylight hours is from 8 to 16 hours. Attention should be paid to cleaning enclosures. Adults should be inspected during cleaning, and disinfection measures should be carried out in the cage.

Two-tier shed

- a two-story structure consisting of several cells placed in a row. The installation of such dwellings helps to save space and simplify the care of animals. It is recommended to use this type of outdoor maintenance in regions with warm climates or in heated rooms. The shed is also installed outdoors in summer period time.

It is important to build housing, raising it above the ground to a height of 0.5 m. The optimal dimensions of the structure are 2 m wide and 1 m deep. Two-tier sheds can be made independently using a one-sided type from boards, slate and metal mesh.

It is recommended to concrete the foundation to increase the stability of the structure. To simplify the care of animals, experienced rabbit breeders install manure channels and trays. This method makes cleaning easier and reduces the risk of disease.

Sheds allow you to keep several rabbits at the same time. Drawings created at the design stage can be used to create additional rows. All cells in a structure are created the same way. A canopy is installed over the sheds. The structures are installed close to each other.

In warm regions, shad keeping is possible all year round. In winter, water for rabbits is heated. The space between the cells is allocated for storing hay and grass. For feeding, waste-free systems are installed that need to be replenished every 3-7 days.

The bunker feeder is made independently from metal sheets. In the warm season, it is possible to use automatic drinkers. Transitions are installed at an angle to the exit. The back wall is solid. The cage has several windows with bars. In cold weather, windows are closed with wooden sheets or folding doors. In the passage between the shads, a suspended structure is built for transporting feed.

Double cage with queen cell

For pregnant females, a spacious cage with a queen cell is required - a removable design for rabbits up to one month. The food part occupies most of the cage. A manhole is installed between the compartment. Such housing is intended for two individuals of different sexes or two females with cubs. It is recommended to install a slatted floor.

A cage for a female rabbit with a queen cell, the dimensions of which are 2.2 × 0.6 × 0.5 m, is made from natural material in compliance with all safety rules. Rabbits need comfort for reproduction, proper growth and development.

Double cages with mesh aviary

To build a structure with a mesh enclosure for walking you need:

• Mesh with large cells (3.5x3.5cm) – 0.6 sq. m.
• Lumber – 0.2 cubic meters. m.
• Metal mesh (1.8×1.8 cm) – 1.3 sq. m.

The aviary is used for non-pregnant rodents, adult rabbits, and babies older than 3 months.

Dimensions of cages for Zolotukhin rabbits

N.I. Zolotukhin’s cells are widely known among rabbit breeders. The distinctive features of the structures are:

• No pallets.
• Wooden or slate flooring.
• Inclined installation of rear walls.
• Near the back wall, a mesh is built into the floor.

The dimensions of the cage with the queen cell, which is also removed, are 0.7 by 1 m. To ensure the safety of the cubs, a board is installed in front of the door. The queen cell is located in a common cage, fenced off from the rest of the space with an additional board. It is possible to place the aft compartments one above the other. On the Internet you can find cages installed in 3 tiers, photos, sizes, drawings of which are also available to rabbit breeders.

There are also Maklyakov cells - modular systems in which the purpose of the cell can be easily changed. The design uses heated drinking bowls and modern systems waste disposal. Infrared heating is used in the aft compartment.

Dimensions of cages for giant rabbits

The “giants” breed of rabbits is common among rabbit breeders who breed rodents for meat and skins. The cage for fattening rabbits of the gray and white giant breeds has dimensions: 0.35 × 0.6 × 0.4 m. If the amount of free space and materials allow, it is recommended to build more spacious housing, dimensions 0.6 × 0.95 × 0, 65 m.

Dimensions of cages for fattening rabbits

The standard dimensions of fattening cages are: 0.5×0.7×0.3 m. Such structures are made from a mesh with square cells, connecting the parts with wire. Install drip or small feeders. During the fattening period, animals should be carefully cared for and monitored.

Cage sizes for California rabbits

Unpretentious in content. Variety - a mixture of, and. The size of the cage for the Californian rabbit is smaller than the enclosures for giant rabbits. The variety is frost-resistant and can be kept without bedding. A dwelling with a feeding section is designed with a size of 0.4 sq. m. m. To keep one rodent, 0.3 square meters is enough. m. The hard hair on the paws allows rodents to be kept on mesh floors. In block structures, it is recommended to exchange animals of the same age category next to each other to simplify care.

Setting up a pit for rabbits is quite simple:

• it is necessary to dig a recess with parameters 2x2x1 m,
• strengthen the walls with slate sheets or concrete;
• put boards or mesh on the floor;
• construct a fence and a canopy on the surface.

It is recommended to monitor rabbits to prevent mating of close relatives, as this worsens the performance of the animals. Availability of water and food is required, as well as regular preventive examinations of rodents.

California rabbits are fed dairy products, fish and meat meal, and nutritional protein supplements. The variety is gaining popularity among rabbit breeders due to its ease of breeding, quality of fur and meat. Female rabbits give birth to 6–8 young rabbits, sometimes in a litter of up to 12 babies.

Optimal cage sizes for rabbits

The standard dimensions of a farm rabbit hutch are 1.5 x 0.8 x 0.5 m. It is recommended to install a mesh door and a mesh insert in the floor.

A cage for a decorative rabbit must be at least 0.9 m in length and 0.7 m in width. At the same time, the animal has enough space to move and play. The height of the cage is determined by the “growth” of the animal.

Housing of the same dimensions is arranged for a dwarf rabbit. Be sure to install comfortable drinking bowls and feeders, and add toys to your pet so that he doesn’t get bored.

Dimensions of industrial cages for rabbits

A distinctive feature of industrial structures is the ability to add new elements without changing existing ones. The modular design has dimensions of 2x2x1x7m. Uterine sections are also built in. For convenience, springs and manure removal systems are installed on the covers. Lifting lids help with cleaning, feeding, removing babies from cages, inspection and mating.