Any farmer can breed rabbits if he has the desire. In order for the farm to bring a good income, it is necessary to take seriously the arrangement of rabbit housing. Success will depend on the living conditions of the animals, food and care. To cope with the task will help sheds for rabbits, which allow you to have healthy animals with strong immunity, protect them from moisture and precipitation. Separate cells prevent the spread of infections, fights and deterioration of skins, easy to care for.
What are the sheds?
Sheds are a construction of several small cells located under a canopy in the open air. In other words, this method combines the cellular and captive method of keeping animals. Usually the cages are placed in two or three tiers, which saves space and lodges more rabbits. The rows are separated from each other by a small corridor of at least one meter in size. A shelter made of polycarbonate or slate protects against rain and weather. The system is made of a rectangular frame made of wood or metal, with the condition of placing two tiers of cells on both sides. The floor is made of net or batten to facilitate the cleaning process. Some combine these two techniques, combining wooden beams along with a grid.
The sizes of the sheds are different, depending on the size of the farm and the rabbits that will be there. For a small farm and young individuals, a small cage measuring 60 cm will suffice. Adult rabbits and bunnies require more space, therefore the size of their housing should be less than one meter. In the cage where the female lives, it is necessary to make a nested corner. Before this, it is necessary to divide the space into two parts, thereby giving the animals their personal place. The drinker and the feeder can be placed both inside the cage and outside. The second method will save space inside the rabbit dwelling. To make the cage easier to clean, each of them should be equipped with a retractable tray. On large farms, animals are fed and watered using automated systems.
Useful tips:
- Cell sizes can be calculated individually, following the personal preferences and needs of the rabbits.
- A female with offspring needs a spacious cage, at least 1x1 meters in size. In the middle of the dwelling it is necessary to allocate a separate place for the queen cell.
- It is better to equip the bottom of the cage from wood so as not to expose the rabbits to the risk of falling ill with poddermatit.
- The size of the dwelling should not be less than 45 cm in height, so that the rabbit could easily stand on its hind legs without reaching the ceiling.
- The bottom should be equipped with a retractable tray, so it will be easier to clean.
- In areas with cold temperatures, it is better to equip the sheds with a heater and a light source.
- The lower shed must be at a height of at least 70 cm from the ground in order to retain heat and protect animals from excess moisture.
There are model projects, for example, for 200 compartments (branches) No. 806-2-4. According to him, a shed is built of 4 single-tier cages in which four females or a similar number of males will live. For a large herd, the construction of two-tier Sheds of 100 cages on each floor is recommended. More than 200 rabbits can live in them.
Pros and cons of polycarbonate
Keeping eared in sheds is good in that the farmer can build a structure made of virtually any material. Polycarbonate is used for decoration and construction. It usually serves as a covering material.
The advantages of polycarbonate sheds are: fire resistance, moisture resistance, heat insulation, flexibility, resistance to mechanical damage. They are also resistant to corrosion and deformation, do not fade. Structures made of this material do an excellent job with wind loads, temperature fluctuations, impacts, moisture.
Along with the advantages of such a roof, there are a number of disadvantages: it collapses under the influence of ultraviolet rays, is deformed under the action of low and high temperature regimes, the surface is not enough abrasive, it is easily scratched.
About sizes and drawings
Sheds may have different dimensions, so you should make a drawing with an indication of the size. The main thing is to remember that a young brood will feel great in a cage whose height is 50 cm, and a length of 55-60 cm. The size of the cage for rabbits and males must be at least 1 m long.
During the construction of the sheds, it is worth paying attention to the approach: the breeder walks along the corridor and the cages on his right and left are accessible to him. The lower tier should be located at a height of 60-70 cm from the ground, as the animals do not tolerate moisture.
Phased construction of the Sheds
The first thing a farmer needs is to build a wooden frame. It must be high strength. To avoid mistakes, it is necessary to recheck the work done with the help of the level. We connect prepared by the size of the structure of the bars for the base.
Next, collect the basis for the cells. To do this, you also need to use the wood bars. With their help, the entire height of the frame is divided into several tiers. For each compartment is left 50 cm in height.
Between the 2 rows the rabbit breeder should be left free space - a corridor (about a meter), it will be needed to install metal gutters (intended for collecting rabbit excrement).
The next stage is to make the bottom of wooden slats, between which there should be a distance of 1.4-1.6 cm. Then you need to cut the grid into squares of the desired size. They close all parts of the cell.
All 4 sides of the open-air cage will be reticulate, with other cells located on the sides. The side grids are installed with a slope upwards so that animals from different compartments do not contact and fight. The back side will be additionally protected by a blank wall of the building.
The grid must be attached to the outside of the bars. This will allow the rabbits to safely move around the cage and not be injured.
The mesh door is fastened and fixed on the front wall with hinges. The farm owner should make sure that it closes tightly. You can hang a lock on it.
Top should cover the shed roof structure. The roof is constructed under a slight slope so that the precipitations on it do not remain and do not spoil the surface.
Studying various options for keeping animals, we advise you to get acquainted with the article "Breeding rabbits in the pits."
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