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One of the most common mistakes that are made in raising rabbits
has to do with their shelter; cage size and materials specifically.
The material of choice for rabbit cages should be 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch wire mesh-- any larger and this could cause sores on the pads of the rabbit's feet. We choose wire because disease and moisture can stay in wood materials. Make sure that you make the door 14"X 14", at least, you don't want the cage door too small. The entire cubicle itself is a good size at 2' X 2' X 3'. You can make it bigger, but this is about the standard size for large rabbits such as New Zealands. If you are breeding rabbits, you will have to consider room for two-- on the occasion. Once you have the cages constructed, be sure to elevate them at least 3' from the ground. You don't want other animals to be able to reach them. Of course the best place for your entire cage structure(s) is indoors such as a barn to keep them from harsh weather elements; however, you could easily construct a small pole barn over the cages to keep out the rain and block direct sunlight. Remember, if rabbit food becomes soggy or wet this can give them diarrhea and that can be fatal to rabbits.
Once you've constructed your basic shelter, be sure to have a box for bedding; preferably wood, filled with straw, 13"X13"X6". On a cold winter night, your rabbits will be kept warm in the straw. If you're not an experienced builder, or hobbyist, you will need to find blueprints and/or drawings with more details. You can order such a book here: http://dansgardenshop.com/gardenshop/bui... I have also found some detailed blueprints on-line here: http://www.msstate.edu/dept/poultry/rabp... But, the best place to get help with your rabbit cages, should you need it, would be to visit your local feed store. It is there you can network and hook up with other rabbit owners. Some feed stores have a bulletin board where you can post messages and the clerks are invaluable for that type of information. You can join a club, such as 4H, or other rabbitry clubs that can provide you with some great resources. Good luck! Go To Page: 1
The copyright of the article Rabbit Shelter Tips in Living in the Country is owned by . Permission to republish Rabbit Shelter Tips in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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