Rabbit Hutch Equipment and Requirements
Rabbit hutch equipment consists of four items; some home-made rabbit drinkers and food troughs are shown in the images below; water trough; food trough; roughage rack; kindling box;
Images: Homemade food troughs and drinkers
In addition, there may be a need for a transport box and a storage facility for food and other items
Read Also: Types of Rabbit Housing
Rabbit Equipment Requirements
For water and food troughs the requirements are;
It should be impossible to tilt over.
It should have adequate size and depth.
It should discourage scratching out of contents. It must not cause injury to the rabbit.
It should be cheap and can be constructed locally.
Forage racks should be fitted inside the hutch and it should allow the rabbit full access and not limit food intake.
Kindling boxes should:
Provide a secure, draught-proof dry container in which the doe can kindle;
Prevent the young rabbits from leaving until they are at least 2-3 weeks old
Maintenance of Rabbit Hutches and Equipment
Proper maintenance includes the following:
Cleaning of hutch and equipment every 2-3 days;
Complete cleaning between litters using soap and water and if possible disinfectants.
This should be followed by complete drying and disinfection in direct sunlight;
Checking and repairing loose boards, tins, or wires which may allow the rabbits to escape or drop through or predators to enter.
Checking for the development of sharp edges in hutches and on equipment that may cause injury.
In conclusion, regardless of the type of rabbit housing method and the equipment used the above-mentioned requirements on housing and equipment have to be fulfilled.
Any rabbit hutch should provide adequate space and protection for the rabbit and also convenience to the rabbit keeper.
Basically, there are two types of housing these are outdoor hutches – this is kept outside all the time. Indoor hutches – these are kept inside a house or open shed.
Read Also: Principles of Housing and Sanitation for Rabbits
Rabbit hutch equipment consists of four items, water trough; food trough; roughage rack; kindling box.
Equipment requirements: For water and food troughs it should be impossible to tilt over. It should have adequate size and depth. It should discourage scratching out of contents. It must not cause injury to the rabbit.
It should be cheap and can be constructed locally. Forage racks should be fitted inside the hutch and it should allow the rabbit full access and not limit food intake.
Kindling boxes should: provide a secure, draught-proof dry container in which the doe can kindle; prevent the young rabbits from leaving until they are at least 2-3 weeks old.
Maintenance of hutches and equipment includes cleaning of hutch and equipment every 2-3 days; complete cleaning between litters using soap and water and if possible disinfectants.
This should be followed by complete drying and disinfection in direct sunlight; checking and repairing loose boards, tins, or wires which may allow the rabbits to escape or drop through o predators to enter;
Checking for the development of sharp edges in hutches and on equipment that may cause injury.
In conclusion, skills needed for a successful rabbit operation, therefore, include Observation, examination, record keeping, hutch design, building and siting, food identification, selection, production and storage, and good management.
Observation is a skill that comes with practice but can be developed with the help of questions to be used each time you visit the rabbit unit.
Rabbit examination is required after a new rabbit is being bought or rabbits are being checked prior to selection for breeding.
Weighing is done to check on their growth and their general condition. Nail trimming, rabbits’ nails need to be trimmed from time to time.
Identification: This is a way and means of recognizing one’s animals (rabbits) and differentiating between one’s animals (rabbits) from another farmer’s own and differentiating between individual animals (rabbits).
There are several methods employed to achieve this. Writing in the ear, Labels, Ear-notching
Record keeping and analysis: It is necessary to keep records as the number increases. Two types of records are required. Financial records and Animal records.
Read Also: Selection for Rabbit Breeding Process and Rabbit Mating
Do you have any questions, suggestions, or other contributions? Kindly use the comment box provided below for all your contributions. You are also encouraged to please kindly share this article with others you feel can benefit from this information if found useful enough as we may not be able to reach everyone at the same time. Thank you so much for sharing!
Have you visited our Market Place Today? Follow this link to visit Agric4profits.com Market Place now to check out our affordable products & services that might interest you and solve your current needs at a very cheap price.
