This week, we are continuing with dishing out excerpts from our book "RabbitMania: The Ultimate Rabbit Farming Guide". We will be sharing the importance of the right type of housing and how they can be constructed. So sit back and learn. Remember to order the book here
In commercial rabbit production, it is advisable that growers put the hutches indoors. This is done by constructing a large building with sufficient ventilation and security to house the hutches. Equipment in rabbit house includes the following; Water trough, Feeding trough, Roughage rack and Kindling boxes, and a piece of wood. Kindling boxes are places where does parturate. Feeding trough is where concentrate feed is kept. Roughage rack is where roughages are kept.
1. Water trough: This can be made from tin, bottle, steel or clay. The waterers should be fixed to the hutch wall or floor to prevent tipping over. It must be clean or washed regularly.
2. Feeders: This is used for feeding concentrated feeds. It must be firmly fixed to the wall or floor of the hutches and it must have good depth. Heavy clay containers may be used.
3. Kindling boxes: These are provided for kindling to keep the young ones warm and secure them in the hutch. They are usually made from wood
Materials Used in Construction of a Hutch
1. There is a variety of timber that can be used as poles of rabbit houses. It is important that the poles are treated to protect them from mites.
2. The timber used can be of any type and will be strongly dependent on the amount of money available. The stronger the timber, the more expensive it will be.
3. The roof can be made of tins, iron sheet or wood or bamboo. It is very important that the material used can protect the rabbits from sunshine and rain.
4. The wall can be made of concrete or wood. If wood is used, it must be the strong type which can protect the rabbits against predators and thieves.
5. The floor can be made of wire mesh, which enables the droppings to pass through easily.
6. The hutch must have a door with latches and hinges.
7. The material should be readily available and cheap.
8. The hutch must be made of materials strong enough to withstand damage from hungry dogs and thieves.
9. It is also advisable to construct a shallow gutter around the hutch which could be filled with insecticide or any other material of such in order to ward off ant’s invasion or invasion by creeping animals and some insects
Common Design Features of a Hutch
1. A sloping roof (the roof must be sloping, not flat), and solid walls to provide protection against rain, sunshine and to keep intruders out.
2. A strong door with padlock must be put to ensure security from thieves.
3. The hutch legs must be at least 1m high to keep away predators such as snakes, rats and cats.
4. Use wooden, slated or wired floors. Self-cleaning wire floors are most suitable since they will allow urine and faeces to pass through.
5. Strong wire mesh on the side wall and top of the door to allow for air circulation and observation by the keeper.
... excerpts from "RabbitMania: The Ultimate Rabbit Farming Guide"