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.

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May 02, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		my rabbits love their frredom
by: Anonymous

My rabbits have free run of the farm-they come to the garage just like the cats! Guests are amazed how a rabbit or two meets their car in the driveway to greet them. They are healthier and happier than they ever were in their cages!
May 26, 2011
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by: Anonymous

(This is the Moderator - forgot to say so in the 'by' box!)
Sounds fascinating! Let us know how it goes, okay?

The only thing - is she just out and about?? Are you sure she's going to stick around when she's ready to kindle? Did you realize large raptors are really good at yoinking large rabbits into the air and off to their dinner tables? Did you also realize that rabbits on the ground are in much closer proximity to parasites such as tapeworms and coccidia?

You might want to place the doe in a large, wheeled run that you can pull regularly to fresh pasture. Also best to keep dog spaces separate from rabbit spaces (tapeworms).

(Check out https://www.raising-rabbits.com/rabbit-hutch-building-plans.html - our new ebook, DIY Livestock Rabbit Housing, is so reasonably priced, and contains a really useful large rabbit run plan, among many other hutch and cage plans.)

Just some thoughts. At any rate, we hope you'll give us the complete scoop throughout your *experiment!*
K
May 26, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Re:Rabbit pasturing experiment
by: Anonymous

Keep us posted! this is something I'd love to do with my rabbits, Make a nice little rabbit pasture, and only cage them when they're about to go into labor.
May 26, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		RE Rabbit pasturing experiment
by: Silver Desert Rabbitry

Well, good luck with that! Hope it works out!

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