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Our Bunny Barn

Our rabbits are housed in a big, red, unheated barn.  There is an attached "nursery" (heated when necessary... we DO live in Canada ;)  that can hold about 22 kindling does at once.  We have outdoor exercise pens for the Frenchies who take turns getting their fun nibbling the grass or digging big holes in our yard (weather permitting of course ;).  The kids climb right in the pens with them, to give the buns the attention they love and deserve.  Needless to say, they are "bomb proof" by the time the kids are done cuddling and petting  them!  LOL!  

As for feed... what can I say?  As there are only a couple different feeds  to choose from, we use Co-op feed.  It is 18% protein although I would prefer less than that.  I have had my share of feed problems, so have been keeping close contact with a feed rep, who is trying to better the feed for the frustrated rabbit owners.  It seems that if it isn't a cow, nobody cares!  LOL!  We will keep working on it, as I have already gotten them to "lock in" more ingredients that tended to vary quite a bit in the past.  I mix my pellets with a bit of calf starter (medicated to prevent coccidiosis), and a smidge of calf manna and black sunflower seeds.  Every third~ fourth day, it is "hay day" in our barn.  Mothers with litters and buns under 4 months old get hay daily.  The kids like to pick dandelions, and dried, poplar branches for extra variety.  Of course, when the garden pops up, there is carrots aplenty for all!  :)  The rabbits are watered in crocks, as I find water bottles too much work to clean and especially to fill.  Although a doe with a litter in the warmer months will most likely get both.  I occasionally add Neovite to the water, so they can get some vitamin E as well.    I Ivomec the rabbits come spring and fall and also deworm with Piperzene. 

Nest boxes are filled with nice, clean oat straw.  I find they don't eat it all this way, as opposed to using hay!  ;)  When the bun's eyes are opening, we do our multiple checks every day to ensure there eyes are opened and clean.  (As we also check the other end too ;) Of course, along with all the checks comes the uncontrollably  necessary cuddles, coos and kisses that go along with raising such adorable breeds!  (They really DO love it you know ;) 

I could go on and on with the endless amount of work it takes to raise rabbits.  I didn't even touch the fact that these animals do excrete wastes and that it DOES need to be disposed of!  So next time a person wonders "Why does that rabbit cost that much?", just take into consideration all of the time, money and effort it takes to raise rabbits.  Not forgetting to mention the ups and downs that unfortunately come with the ride.  I truly love doing what I do, cause if I didn't... I wouldn't do it!  :)

                                                                                    ~ Crystal