Basically I plan to put my rabbits in my chicken coop in hanging cages above the chickens. I have been looking into getting NZ whites and 1 buck and up to 3 does and have 30x30 cages for each. I wanted to hang 2 sets of 3 cages, one with a buck and 2 does and one with a cage for a doe ready to kindle and a grow out cage (the equivalent of 2 cages). So my 2 chef issues are space and safety from the chickens. My short walls of the coop are 7', which comes 8" shy of my preferred 90". Would they be just fine in cages that are 27" wide instead of 30" wide each? I am also concerned with the chickens being able to jump up and peck the bunnies in the cages, is this a valid concern? How high off the ground should I make the bunny cages to prevent it if it's a problem? Also, my coop is sand and works wonderful with chickens, but is this a problem with the rabbits? The coop has good ventilation and is insulated.
Nearly there but still have questions.
- Thread starter Sama_Lama
- Start date
CrimsonRose
Ridin' The Range
27"inches should be fine for the sizes... remember 30 is just a recommended starting point it doesn't have to be exact...
As for the chickens jumping up that might happen... I've never put my rabbits in with my chickens so not sure on the details of it all... But when I free range the chickens and they feast on the stuff under the rabbits hutches I've never had a problem with them trying to get the rabbits... I have one hutch that is only a foot off the ground and the chickens left the bunny alone... So I would probably put the cages at arm height so it's easy to work with the rabbits when you need to get in their cages for breeding and checking on baby bunnies...
The sand floor should be fine the chickens will scratch around in the rabbit poo to air it out and keep it dry... The coop may need cleaned out a tad more frequently when you add the rabbits...
Hope this helps and best wishes with your new adventure!
As for the chickens jumping up that might happen... I've never put my rabbits in with my chickens so not sure on the details of it all... But when I free range the chickens and they feast on the stuff under the rabbits hutches I've never had a problem with them trying to get the rabbits... I have one hutch that is only a foot off the ground and the chickens left the bunny alone... So I would probably put the cages at arm height so it's easy to work with the rabbits when you need to get in their cages for breeding and checking on baby bunnies...
The sand floor should be fine the chickens will scratch around in the rabbit poo to air it out and keep it dry... The coop may need cleaned out a tad more frequently when you add the rabbits...
Hope this helps and best wishes with your new adventure!
- Thread starter
- #3
Hooligan Farm
Chillin' with the herd
I actually used old shelves in my basement, dog crate, and a old iguana cage. You can get creative. I'll post some pics laterSama_Lama said:
If you just need a few cages it is probably easier and nearly as cheap to buy the cage kits that feed stores carry. They are about 30-35 each for a 30"x30" easy to trim down to your needed size.
I built my 6 hole hutch from scratch and saved about $40 over buying the kits. 3 holes would have been even less than half the savings as welded wire never comes in the length you need.
I used 3 10 ft rolls of flooring wire and 2 25 ft rolls of 1x2.
Jclip pliers are a must either way.
I built my 6 hole hutch from scratch and saved about $40 over buying the kits. 3 holes would have been even less than half the savings as welded wire never comes in the length you need.
I used 3 10 ft rolls of flooring wire and 2 25 ft rolls of 1x2.
Jclip pliers are a must either way.
- Thread starter
- #6
So I went and spoke to the people I will be getting my breeders from. They have actually changed from NZ whites to American Blues so I would be getting those instead. He referred me to Bass Equipment for my cages and supplies and I just want to make sure I'm doing this right before I made my order.
Due to the space I have I thought about changing the cage dimensions to (2) 30x30 and (4) 24x30. Is 24x30 too small for a rabbit (no kits) though? They will get out at least daily for an hour but I can't promise more than that for them.
My other question is when do you wean the babies? I had thought it was around 4 weeks and 2 of my cages would be designed as 1 large grow out cage. But then last night they said they leave the bunnies in with the does until it's time to dispatch.
Due to the space I have I thought about changing the cage dimensions to (2) 30x30 and (4) 24x30. Is 24x30 too small for a rabbit (no kits) though? They will get out at least daily for an hour but I can't promise more than that for them.
My other question is when do you wean the babies? I had thought it was around 4 weeks and 2 of my cages would be designed as 1 large grow out cage. But then last night they said they leave the bunnies in with the does until it's time to dispatch.
Those are nice rabbits.
They are pretty big though so I would think that 24x30 would be as small as I would want to go for bucks.
You will want the Fine-X Wide Mouth feeders.
Bass equipment is very fast shipping and good products. The shipping is stupidly expensive though so make sure you take your time and order everything you need. I forgot to order a few $1 items so now I will have to go without or pay $12.50 for them. Might be worth calling them to have them suggest thing you may be missing as they have everything parted out on the website.
I ordered the combo feeders and the mouth is a bit narrow for my NZ Buck to get his big melon into. I also am trying the Bunny Well waterers. So far I do like them better than crocks. Come spring I will be installing a nipple watering system.
Weening. Some people like 4 6 or 8 weeks. I have seen studies that say they get bigger the longer left with mom. And Studies that say it doesn't matter. Leaving them in is fine if you have enough room in the cage. Depends on litter size. I am considering going 30x48 for kindling cages but will wait to see how it goes.
They are pretty big though so I would think that 24x30 would be as small as I would want to go for bucks.
You will want the Fine-X Wide Mouth feeders.
Bass equipment is very fast shipping and good products. The shipping is stupidly expensive though so make sure you take your time and order everything you need. I forgot to order a few $1 items so now I will have to go without or pay $12.50 for them. Might be worth calling them to have them suggest thing you may be missing as they have everything parted out on the website.
I ordered the combo feeders and the mouth is a bit narrow for my NZ Buck to get his big melon into. I also am trying the Bunny Well waterers. So far I do like them better than crocks. Come spring I will be installing a nipple watering system.
Weening. Some people like 4 6 or 8 weeks. I have seen studies that say they get bigger the longer left with mom. And Studies that say it doesn't matter. Leaving them in is fine if you have enough room in the cage. Depends on litter size. I am considering going 30x48 for kindling cages but will wait to see how it goes.
