Raising Rabbits in the winter How to thaw water bottles

[BathroomTimeBomb]

this is horrible

[PreacherPrepper]

Thanks. I will be posting a video of my set up soon. I am not experienced so I really needed this. I have trays under each cage for poop and urine. I like the idea of the straw on the top. I assume that will help contain some warmth. I designed a tarp to roll down during the night when it is very cold at night and I put some ventilation at the top of the enclosed hutch which I thought I would leave open. I like the water idea. Any other tips for a KC rabbitry would be appreciated. Thanks

[PreacherPrepper]

Thanks. I will be posting a video of my set up soon. I am not experienced so I really needed this. I have trays under each cage for poop and urine. I like the idea of the straw on the top. I assume that will help contain some warmth. I designed a tarp to roll down during the night when it is very cold at night and I put some ventilation at the top of the enclosed hutch which I thought I would leave open. I like the water idea. Any other tips for a KC rabbitry would be appreciated. Thanks

[Bushcraftninja]

You think they freeze to death in a open cage deal in the winter if they're in out side cages in the back yard if so how to prevent this more hay?

[jeffdustin]

Clever solutions to the age old problems of freezing weather and animal keeping. I am surprised at what a simple and extremely effective setup you have. Well done and thanks for the video.

[AuzzGirl]

Wow. No offense intended, but you have an EXTREME amount of rabbits. That hutch/run was really crowded!

I have been showing/breeding rabbits all my life, and we have a nice set up (as i have a big back yard) were each rabbit(s) has its own hutch, which leads to a large run out on the grass :D

[augustabirdman]

@AuzzGirl wow! no offense taken considering you must be short of knowledgeable on rabbits. These are 3'x2'x18" high cages designed for mom and her babies. The babies stay in the cage with mom until they are 6 weeks and then they go into two other cages one for females and one for males. I have heard of beginners such as yourself that had big plans of having rabbits on grass. There is no way in hell you are a breeder that allows all rabbits to go to one run on grass. Unless you like inbreds.

[321billygoat]

@augustabirdman well said 

[newmaineguide]

Well, while I agree that your rabbits are not crowded, I disagree with your comment about there being no way in hell that a breeder can be successful colony raising rabbits on pasture. I would venture to guess that the huge colony rabbit farms in Europe would also disagree. Colony raising rabbits on a small scale is also successful for many people, and is also very common in Europe. America and China tend to raise rabbits in individual pens.

[augustabirdman]

@AuzzGirl What happens when one rabbit decides to go to a hutch other than his or hers? Then what? how do you control each rabbits diet? How do you keep track of the individual needs of each rabbit?

BULLSHIT but thanks for trying. Oh by the way it is time to change your pet rabbits litter box it is starting to stink up the living room.

[Den0Q]

@AuzzGirl Where are you videos of your rabbits I would love to see them :)

[georgepetlover]

can doe live together and can buck live with buck

[augustabirdman]

@georgepetlover does can live together especially if they are sisters most do not like to live together and if you are breeding them if one gets pregnant the other could have a false pregnancy. Do and buck must be kept in separate cages or more babies. :)

[chinbunny1]

I hate water bottles. I use heavy duty crocks. They are better to use in the winter.

[busvlogger]

Wow! Smart and easy! I like that!

[Bristow42]

Just give them snow to eat, that was recommended to me by someone who has breed rabbits in the northern Ontario. They eat in the wild for water.

[augustabirdman]

@Bristow42 snow is a great idea but we only have snow on the ground here about three days a winter so we do not have that option. Thanks for commenting and I'm sure that will help lot's of folks that see your comment.

[sxebros]

you can buy automatic waterers that are electric heated and the water doesn't freeze there cheap too

[augustabirdman]

Thanks @sxebros for the tip. 

[tylenoljohnson]

the best idea is to butcher at 12 weeks, no later. at this point they are their full potention butchering weight and yet the skin is not too tough to pull off without getting hair in the meat. this tip i learned from a local rabbit breeder who has been doing that for over 35 years.

[augustabirdman]

Thanks for commenting. As far as heat loss goes we usually leave the lid slid to the side a bit allowing some vetilation of the can. it warms up quick. I think it needs some type of ventilation so the moisture can work it's way out.

But this model can most definately be improved in many different ways. Let me know when you get yours put together and link me to the vid. Take care and have fun youtubing.

[59Gretsch]

That insulated can is a great idea, I would work on the lid though, you will get most of your heat loss through the upper surface and marginally through the side walls.

Good vid!

[tazio998]

Um looks like you have a lot of rabbits in tiiny cages!!!!!! And looks like you breed wow we dont need anymore rabbit dont breed or buy while shelter rabbits die!!!!!

[CONSTRINGACY]

You may beable to tell me how much food/water do rabbits eat/drink compared to chickens?As i have chickens but can see myself getting sick of the meat.How long do the rabbits take to grow to an edible size?How much light do they need or can they be kept in a dark room?How many do they have in an average litter?

[augustabirdman]

@CONSTRINGACY New Zealand and or Californian meat rabbits will consume 6-8 oz.s of pellets per day along with a ball of hay the size of the rabbit.

A good meat rabbit will be ready to butcher at 8 weeks usually 4 1/2 to 5 lbs. dressing out at 2-2 1/2 lbs. They need 12-14 hours daylight or supplemented light to trick them into thinking that it is summer all year long. in the wild they quit breeding in winter. a 40 watt bulb at night will work fine to suppliment hours needed.

[KanesShow]

nice man thanks

[augustabirdman]

Your welcome. I thought the video was worth putting on here if it helped even just one person.

Thanks for commenting.

[KanesShow]

well im thinking of raising rabbits this summer so and i was trying to figure out the water situation when it comes time for winter and how to keep them thawed out.