Colony Raising / Multiple Does in One Pen
by Hannah
Hi! So I have read about how some rabbits are able to be colony raised! I have loved this idea because of how this would allow the bunnies so much more room and interaction between each other. I have two does that I am starting my new breeding line with, and one buck. My does are about a month in age apart, and I bought one of the does at about seven weeks to let the girls grow up together (both girls are now approximately two and half months).
I was hoping that by getting them together while young, this will help increase the chances of the does being able to constantly be around each other, and maybe even have kits in the same pen possibly. Both my does are pretty mellow, one in particular is very calm and collected.
I have two X-Pens that I use with my rabbits. One is very large and stays outside, which is where the bunnies normally go during the day to graze and hang out with one another. At night, the two young does currently come back inside into the slightly smaller X-pen (which is the "nursery" whenever we have had kits in the past). They sleep together and seem to enjoy each other's company so far.
I just wonder if I should try to take a stab at breeding the girls and letting them stay in the same pens. I wouldn't want to try it and lose all my babies, however. Has anyone had any success with trying this method?
The large pen is pictured, and the smaller pen is the same, minus three panels. I hope that by allowing all this room for the does (especially during the day to graze and run around and just be happy bunnies!) it will help keep them from getting angry and territorial with each other.