Rabbit pasturing experiment

by Dana
(Elm Mott, Texas)

I just read your info on feeding rabbits. I watched the Polyface farm video and loved it. I have seen some food documentaries with this same man sharing his experience and I think he is Right On!

I have a little experiment going on with one of my does. I have bred this doe three times. The first time she didn't take. The second time she started kindling on the 32nd day and was in labor, pushing for 3 days before she delivered an enormous dead kit. I knew the buck was good because he had sired several other litters in the past. I decided to put Bun Bun (that is her name) out on the ground and let her live more like a rabbit naturally lives. She has been on her own (except when she comes and begs for a few pellets or some veges) now for a couple of months. She looks much healthier than she did in the cage.

I decided to breed her again and leave her out on "her own" until the 28th day and then put her in a cage with a nesting box. She should kindle on the 9th of June.