Breeding and maintenance of rabbits is a fascinating and easy task. If you have a plot, this profitable business is quite accessible to you.
Read the detailed manual, and you will learn how to properly make and equip sheds for rabbits.
The advantages of breeding rabbits in sheds
Rabbits can be kept in open cages only in countries with fairly mild climatic conditions. In open enclosures and in the fresh air, these animals feel more comfortable. However, in countries with cold winters and sudden changes in temperature, rabbits must be kept indoors. To this end, it is customary to build entire complexes - the so-called Sheds.
A shed is a structure consisting of a canopy and several rows of equipped cells that are serviced manually or by automated systems.
The main advantages of rabbit shed designs:
- increase farm productivity through effective process management;
- optimal use of the territory;
- the opportunity to build a mini-krolefermu own hands, using building materials of low cost;
- the possibility of keeping rabbits in separate cages;
- comfortable conditions for breeding rabbits (optimal temperature, protection from the sun and wind).
Did you know? Rabbits belong to the Zaitsev family. As is known, hares prone to loneliness. And rabbits, on the contrary, are social animals, in the wild they live in groups. This is their main difference from hares.
How to make a shed for rabbits with your own hands
Small houses (sheds) for rabbits can be bought, but you can also build your own hands, following clear drawings. The method of keeping rabbits in sheds is becoming increasingly popular, gradually replacing outdated cages. Building sheds will not require you to make special investments and will suit even a beginner in this business.
What you need to create a shed, pick up materials
First you need to decide on the material from which we will build future houses for rabbits. Classic sheds are metal or wooden frames and metal mesh cells located on top (on the frame). An important part of the shed structure is a rectangular frame. The frame can be built from wood or metal. Cells are placed in two or three rows on both sides of the building.
Important! Since metal tends to glow in the sun, it is undesirable to use this material in the construction of sheds. In the stuffy metal houses the animals will feel uncomfortable. An excellent substitute for metal cages can be sheds for rabbits made of transparent polycarbonate.
Required Tools
To create sheds, you will need the following building tools:
- standard handsaw for wood and metal;
- level;
- yardstick;
- mesh scissors;
- hammer;
- screwdriver;
- screws and nails;
- glue.
Step-by-step instructions on creating a shed with your own hands (drawings, dimensions)
Sheds come in different sizes. For young animals, cell sizes are usually 60 cm in length and 50 cm in height. For mature rabbits, the length must be at least 1 m. For females, the cage must be divided into two parts, which are connected by a hole. In the smaller part of the rabbit breeds.
Typical shed drawings for rabbits are presented in the figure. All sizes are in full size. 
Important! The approach to the cells should be provided from two sides. And the lowest tier of cells should be located at a height of at least 60 cm from the floor. This is due to the fact that rabbits do not tolerate a moist environment.
Step-by-step instructions for the construction of a rabbit shed:
- First need build wooden or metal frame. As noted above, we recommend making sheds for rabbits made of polycarbonate. The frame should be strong and stable, have clear right angles. In order to avoid errors, it is advisable to periodically check their work level.
- Then from both sides of the frame is going basis for future cells. Using wooden bars, we divide the entire height of the frame into two or three levels. The height of each cage is at least 50 cm. Shedding cages for rabbits must be protected from moisture, therefore the lower level must be at a height of 60 cm from the floor or the ground. Between the rows of shed cells there should be a small space into which metal gutters are then installed. Gutters are designed to remove animal feces.
- Next, proceed to construction of the base (bottom) of the shed. The lower part of the shed cages for rabbits is formed from wooden slats. Reiki are distributed at a distance of 1.5 cm from each other and are fixed to the frame with nails.
- Next step - metal mesh cutting on separate rectangles of a certain size. With the help of nets close the back, one side and build the door. The net should be stuffed only from the outside of the timber so that the rabbits do not hurt themselves on the metal mesh.
- For door manufacturing From the laths it is necessary to prepare a rectangular base according to the dimensions indicated in the drawings. With the help of loops on the base frame stuffed and attached mesh. The door should close tightly. Also on the door you need to hang the lock.
- Shed top covered with slate or any other roofing material (optional). For removal of precipitation, the roof must be built at a slight angle.
- Floor Sheda desirable to concrete.
Shed arrangement for rabbits
The canopy for rabbits should be easy to handle. The sizes of cells and enclosures should allow the worker to reach any corner of the enclosure. The laying of feed and water, cleaning, processing and checking - all this should be regular and carried out according to a certain schedule.
Wooden floors are subject to decay and over time become a breeding ground for germs, rats and insects. It is advisable to concrete the floor of the rabbitcher and give it a slight bias. So it will be easier to make cleaning and sanitizing sheds for rabbits. Each cell must be present: drinking bowl, recess of the hay net, metal plates for grain, straw mats.
When arranging the shed it is important to provide good lighting. In the warm period of time, it is necessary to provide the rabbits with fresh air and a constant source of light. A great option is to equip the windows on the roof and on the side walls.
Shed maintenance of rabbits suggests good ventilation of the room; but do not make drafts - rabbits can not stand the winds.
At low temperatures, the shed building must be insulated with all available insulating building materials (for example, foam plastic, straw). If there are sheds in the farm, in winter the rabbits can be moved to the premises. However, it is better to have additional mini-sheds for rabbits indoors. You can also lay the entire construction of the shed with shield walls and, thus, get a closed room. However, in regions with very cold climates, rabbits are bred only indoors.
Comfortable shed for rabbits with their own hands, tips and tricks
Shed constructions for rabbits are designed both on an industrial scale and for small farms. Industrial sheds for rabbits are fully automated. Labor-intensive processes of cleaning, feeding, and water perform special mechanisms, which significantly increases labor productivity. Small farms of farms are served by manual labor (and yet many processes can be facilitated and improved).
There are a number of rules that must be observed to ensure comfortable conditions for the shed maintenance of rabbits:
- In no case should the cage be cramped, there is no need to save material.
- For males it is necessary to organize an open-air cage with the ability to move. This factor has a direct impact on the ability of males to breed.
- At offspring, rabbits are kept near females for a while. Therefore, 3-4 females should be placed in separate mini-sheds for rabbits with moderate space.
- One cell of the shed structure must be kept empty. Some young rabbits do not reach the desired weight during the period of stable feeding. In this case, pets are placed in a separate enclosure and fed through a pipette. Sometimes rabbits are fed by another “free” female.
- It often happens that rabbits get into the cut-out with their paws and can injure themselves. Therefore, a mesh floor in a shed for rabbits with our own hands is acceptable, but dangerous. However, the punching has some advantages: airing and cleanliness. Separate fragments of the floor can be made of a very fine net structure.
- Sheds preferably done on racks. This is due to the fact that carrying cells on tables or cinder blocks will be caused by the inconvenience of dragging the entire structure.
- You should not make the door in the front wall of a small one, as this will make it difficult to take care of the rabbit farm: it will be difficult to pull out the pets with your own hands.
Did you know? In terms of the rate of growth and reproduction, no other agricultural animal can compare with rabbits. The weight of the rabbit doubles already on the sixth day after birth. At the age of 1 month, their weight increases 10-12 times. In addition, these animals mature very quickly. Rabbits reach sexual maturity at age 3.5-4 months. Each female brings for about 6-14 rabbits.
As you can see, the breeding of rabbits is a simple matter. Patience, perseverance and pet care will help you achieve excellent results. And in order to make sheds for rabbits as successful as possible, follow our advice and recommendations.
