If you enjoyed this video, go to my meat rabbit playlist, and go, watch the other video as well. It might be a little bit better overview of my colony. You have to do a little searching, but I hope you like it!
@debbieurias51519 ай бұрын
Thank you for this video, it is very good. Thank you for being honest about mistakes or us novice won't learn the things we need to know. Please keep making videos this is I think 9 months after you made your video and you just got a new subscriber.
@mantihomestead9 ай бұрын
Thank you so much! I’ll release a little short video on the rabbits tonight. I think you might enjoy. Thank you for the comment!
@HelenEk7 Жыл бұрын
This is one of the best setups I've seen. Great for cold climates.
@mantihomestead Жыл бұрын
Thanks!!!
@cody20977 ай бұрын
Great stuff! The coolers were definitely brilliant! Was thinking of building insulated boxes but pre-made coolers are the way to go; easy to clean, waterproof, and already built! Thanks!
@mantihomestead7 ай бұрын
You bet! I hope it helps.
@rexhavoc2982Ай бұрын
For safety drill a drain hole in the bottom of each ice chest.
@schellywagoner82648 ай бұрын
I'm so appreciative of all the rabbit-raising homesteaders who share their knowledge and expertise with us - you included. I'm researching before I even buy a trio to make the critical decisions with my eyes wide open. So far, I'm leaning toward colony raising because of the reasons you mentioned, and because we aren't going to have more than three does, so I'm hopeful that it doesn't get too crazy. One question I do have that seems to be a hot topic right now is the rabbit virus that has been going around. I think I understand that your setup doesn't expose the bunnies to dirt or grass that other rabbits have potentially infected with the virus, but have you any wisdom regarding this topic that you can share? Thanks in advance, and I really love your setup - especially the cooler nests. 🙂
@mantihomestead8 ай бұрын
They are closer to the soil, so that could be a concern! I’m really careful on bringing any other genetics from an outside farm to my Homestead. We’ve even had our back up buck for over a year.
@schellywagoner82648 ай бұрын
@@mantihomestead thank you so much! On my property, I have loads of wild bunnies. I'm only using 1 side of my 2 car garage, and am considering creating an indoor colony in the other half. The garage is climate controlled, and I could lift the garage door on that side, which faces east, each morning for natural light. Thoughts?
@SethSongwriter10 ай бұрын
Thanks for the ideas, I really plan to utilize your suggestions in my own colony set up soon. (Controlled Burrowing). The benefits of climate relief without the harsh reality of burrow collapse leading to kit deaths. Do you know if your cooler idea is definitely better than just a couple entry/exit tubes leading to a large underground, insulated area like yours except instead of individual coolers place common nest boxes with open tops where you could view all nest compartments at the same time while opening the outdoor access hatch?
@mantihomestead10 ай бұрын
I don’t know for sure. If it was insulated underground, then I think you would be creating a very similar environment. I’m sure that would work great. Having easy access to view the nest boxes would be key either way. Best of luck! Sounds like you’ve got a great idea going.
@carmiezaya98497 ай бұрын
I think viewing all of the nest boxes at the same time can be risky. When closing, there’s a higher chance of squishing somebody who might try to escape out the top when spooked. Also, seems like if all were open at once, it may be harder to keep track of all of them And some might just hop out in general. Just a thought
@greenbuilding4362 ай бұрын
Great.....Among the BEST setup for free-range. Good explanation. Thank you ❤
@mantihomestead2 ай бұрын
Glad you like it! And thank you so much for the compliment!
@amyfraser696410 ай бұрын
Each his own ,you seem to care about your bunnies , love the lawn clippings and shoveling them up for the garden i appreciate your video so we can all pick and choose what works for us keep it yup 😊
@mantihomestead10 ай бұрын
So nice of you, thanks for watching!
@SheerStitchery10 ай бұрын
Yes, please do a video on how you made the hutches in more detail. Thanks for sharing.
@mantihomestead10 ай бұрын
I will do that! I have a whole bunch of baby rabbits I need to show off anyway. If you think of anything in particular you want to see, let me know and I’ll get that video made.
@SheerStitchery10 ай бұрын
thanks so much. Mostly a how to video so I can build my own! Love that they are insulated, we are in Canada and it gets to -55C here and I like that it helps regulate temperature for them.
@Offthedirtpath2 ай бұрын
I love this idea.. I'm in need of repairing/rebuilding my 3 hutches and I been looking for a better style of housing for both my and their overall benefit. Thank you so much for sharing.
@mantihomestead2 ай бұрын
You are sure welcome! I am good friends with the Provident preppers, they also made a rabbit colony and took a few of my ideas, but also some of their own. You should definitely watch that video as well!
@heide-mariemeier11578 ай бұрын
the insulated boxes is a brilliant concept.
@mantihomestead8 ай бұрын
Thanks! They have been so successful
@hopechannelcat5462 Жыл бұрын
i have been wanting to do a rabbit colony, but haven't liked the way the nesting boxes were set up. but your set up seems much better. i really like it. some do them with buckets or totes, but the coolers solve more than one problem. thanks for the video.
@mantihomestead Жыл бұрын
Awesome! Good luck!!
@Gods-Elect10 ай бұрын
@@mantihomestead Don't they chew on the strfom?
@carmiezaya98497 ай бұрын
This is one of the best videos I’ve seen on rabbit colonies. It shows your ingenuity and humility. Thank you for sharing this information. I would love to see more of your ideas!!
@mantihomestead7 ай бұрын
Thank you so much! I did make a playlist that has all of my rabbit videos together. Hope you enjoy the channel!
@marcikrueger84376 ай бұрын
Yes, I'm out here and living vicariously through you.
@mantihomestead6 ай бұрын
Ha!! Thanks for watching!!
@alexdhima95329 ай бұрын
Perfect setup colony!
@mantihomestead9 ай бұрын
Thank you so much! We have had so many baby rabbits, this winter!
@OurWeeTennesseeHomestead8 ай бұрын
New subscriber because of this video. We have to get a colony up by the middle of May at the latest, and this looks like a great setup.
@mantihomestead8 ай бұрын
Thanks for the sub! I hope this helps, and good luck in your new colony!
@johnpierce602510 ай бұрын
I love your setup and would like more info on how you got set up with your "meat truck"
@mantihomestead10 ай бұрын
I sign up on Facebook for utah meat rabbit forums and there is always an advertisement for people buying
@johnpierce602510 ай бұрын
@@mantihomestead ty thats good info
@amberkirk85747 ай бұрын
Subscribed! I felt so lost trying to begin. Your video is so so helpful! Thank you! Wish me luck!
@mantihomestead7 ай бұрын
Good luck!!
@myzmaria11 ай бұрын
I like your cooler setup the best yet. Great job.
@mantihomestead11 ай бұрын
Thanks!
@dika721010 ай бұрын
@@mantihomestead i love your set up .. just curious would they chee the walls of the coolers ?
@RyanSunDynasty7 ай бұрын
so Glad you shared this!!! I was trying to figure out how you keep them in. Thank you!
@mantihomestead7 ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@wifigrannyl.135411 ай бұрын
Loved the video! I think this will work well in SE Texas. Thank you.
@mantihomestead11 ай бұрын
Right on, good luck!
@kater.7563 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for another fascinating video! The breeder of my white kitty did something that may work well for you. She would mark the back of her mommas, between the shoulder blade, so she could identify which momma was who at a glance.
@outofthebex4 ай бұрын
I would love to know how you keep/kept your metal cages clean!! It has been such a struggle for us. Any tips?
@jumpalot486810 ай бұрын
Hi i love the setup! Could you please explain a little of how you setup the chickenwire On the ground and how you maintain everything? I plan on trying to make something like the setup you have. Much love from Norway.
@mantihomestead10 ай бұрын
You bet that is a great idea for a video!!
@jimb5538 ай бұрын
Thx 4 great ideas. Can u elaborate on tattoo process or other identification methods.
@mantihomestead7 ай бұрын
You bet. I will try to put that in the next rabbit video.
@dmt.k2 ай бұрын
I enjoyed your Walipini videos so much, I’m now seriously considering integrating one into the front of my future house. But why stop there? I might even throw in a rabbit colony to really keep things interesting. I’m reasonably good with software, but when it comes to this kind of engineering, well… let's just say my skills stop at building virtual things =D On the plus side, I have plenty of time to plan and dream things up before I can actually start implementing them (hello from Ukraine!). Who knows, maybe one day I’ll actually make it happen!
@mantihomestead2 ай бұрын
Awesome! Sounds like you’ve got the brain juice running :-) good luck with your efforts!
@gregoryluc287611 ай бұрын
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and know-how. You cannot beat firsthand experience!!! My father spoke of raising rabbits, hogs and a cow during and post WW2 in France. Interesting how knowledge never dies. Thanks a tonne!!
@mantihomestead11 ай бұрын
You bet! I hope it helps. We are definitely still learning :-)
@freesatellite320410 ай бұрын
This is animal abuse on high level. Rabbits are not a farming animal.
@TigerLilyGzzTLRoars9 ай бұрын
Very much appreciate this video!!
@mantihomestead9 ай бұрын
Thank you!
@thegravityrebel4 ай бұрын
Really cool setup!
@mantihomestead4 ай бұрын
Thanks!!
@CarmelaZayas-r5f2 ай бұрын
Would love a blueprint or materials list for this set up. You are brilliant!!
@mantihomestead2 ай бұрын
Thank you! I am going to put together a more detailed video on this rabbit colony set up. I will pull out the old footage of when I built mine. It is a great design. Glad you enjoyed it!
@MariaFiniArtist4 ай бұрын
What material do you place on the floor? What is your cleaning maintenance like?
@mantihomestead3 ай бұрын
I put some metal mesh wiring. The good thing is when I do cleanup that means immediate fertilizer for the greenhouse. So it’s really a win-win
@TheProvidentPrepper-o2c Жыл бұрын
Awesome setup!!!!
@mantihomestead Жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@mitchellharder869511 ай бұрын
How deep did you put the mesh in the ground? And what size mesh?
@mantihomestead11 ай бұрын
So we put the heavier gauge with 1 in.² holes and just did it directly on the ground. Everything that you see that we’re stepping on is their compost mixed with straw
@mitchellharder869511 ай бұрын
Right on thanks for the quick reply. Definitely going with this set up asap. Waiting on the snow to melt. Can't stand the cages anymore lol.
@codygillespie9 ай бұрын
2 questions. You say you have 6 does, 1 buck and all the babies in one colony so what is the size of the structure square footage roughly to support that many rabbits without problem.? And what is the fenced off area inside for?
@mantihomestead9 ай бұрын
So we normally just have the seven rabbits in the whole area. When they have babies, it definitely gets crowded. When they get to about that three month of age, we just put a little fence and put all of the fryers on one side and then the breeding does on the other. That’s mainly to help us for when we Sell them to the meat truck :-)
@photographybycheri Жыл бұрын
This is awesome! I would love to upgrade our rabbits to this, so they can play around more in the summer, they are so hot right now. What size cooler did you guys use?
@mantihomestead Жыл бұрын
I just went and grabbed the normal cheap cooler at Walmart. They’re probably 18” x 24”.
@chrisbusse51976 ай бұрын
Great homestead video, Subscribed
@mantihomestead6 ай бұрын
Thanks!!
@robertb7078 ай бұрын
What are you adding to create the mulch for the green house?
@mantihomestead8 ай бұрын
I have a video about liquid compost. In addition, we use this rabbit compost all the time!
@Jerry-yk1fh5 ай бұрын
May been asked but is it possible to ear mark (notch) rabbits like cattle, goats and sheep, that way you can easily identify your breeding stock? Perhaps a different mark for the does and bucks. Thanks for sharing!
@mantihomestead5 ай бұрын
Yes, absolutely. We actually have done that to our rabbits. It’s a little tattoo that you put in their ears. So we have our does marked D1, D2, D3, etc., etc..
@Jerry-yk1fh5 ай бұрын
@@mantihomestead I'm referring to a small visible notch that is cut into the ear?
@kater.75638 ай бұрын
The calendula flower is made into an herbal tea. It is attributed to healthy skin, but some folklore has it helpful in hemorrhagic diseases.
@ssimard92276 ай бұрын
Hello. We live in Canada. Winter are hard. Do you think your setup could keep them warm ?
@mantihomestead6 ай бұрын
I think it would definitely help keep them warm. If I was really worried about their temperature, I would probably make a slightly underground portion of my colony. Even digging a couple of feet down and having some sort of box. My nest box kind of does that already and it is definitely adequate for where I’m at. Good luck with your efforts!
@bryanhighley49425 ай бұрын
Isn't lawn clippings cut with a motor bad because the blade makes the blade of grass explode which releases a negative thing for them to ingest?
@mantihomestead5 ай бұрын
I’m not sure but we’ve had long success doing it. They love it. But we do it as a supplement usually and still have pellets
@bygraceonly1824 ай бұрын
You just don’t want the grass to ferment - it needs to dry out before storage.
@marilynrobertson62657 ай бұрын
Might want to update these features in our new homesteading viewership nowdays. I just found you 😊
@mantihomestead6 ай бұрын
Welcome!
@Jakobe_Martinez3 ай бұрын
Try making each cooler box it's on colony. Create dividers that separate each box so you can keep track of each female to see how it's performing. Then you can multiply how many babies you are having. Love the idea though!
@saralinford37359 ай бұрын
I love this tha ks so much for sharing. Ive been looking for this kind of idea for a while. Still dont have land but ive got deams. 😂😅
@mantihomestead9 ай бұрын
You are so welcome!
@monicaenglish25669 ай бұрын
Do you keep all the bucks and females together?
@mantihomestead9 ай бұрын
Yes, I keep one buck with the females and then I have a spare buck that I keep up in the cage just in case something happens to the other guy. I leave the bucks down with the mom and all the babies and have had no issues with him.
@4naturalmedicine2 ай бұрын
I want to do something similar. But I want a buck run, a breeding colony & a grow out run...so they all can be as free and happy as can be with ease of care for me. I'd like to find a water/feed way that is one point of access to go into all 3 areas to fill once easily that reaches all 3 for feed & water. I'm a dreamer with not enough time and money. Lol
@mantihomestead2 ай бұрын
That is a really cool idea!
@MelissaPennyArcaid8 ай бұрын
Yes, like it please to a video on the nest boxes.
@mantihomestead8 ай бұрын
I will do that! I’m gonna see if I can find the videos I took when I made them and put together a really good video. I am adding a new rabbit video tonight on separating the baby bunnies :-)
@somethingkindawonderful30345 ай бұрын
Would love to see how you made them
@qkranarchist30154 ай бұрын
Yes, I also would like a walk through even if it's not constructing one.--and an update on how it's going, more learning you've had? I suspect it was a saws-all that made the hole in the cooler but I've yet to crack open my saws-all yet so I can't picture the how-to. I've ordered my wood for the various animal houses to construct shortly so this video is perfect to add to my rabbit house design. I love the 4 submerged insulated boxes with the insulated door on the overall box. Really clever. I'll go thru the playlists to see what else has been made. (You talk like I do, so it's easy to follow lol---squirrels indeed).
@brainchatter20783 ай бұрын
How do you deal with flies? I use fly tape and fly traps. Still way toany flies.
@A.Chp-Schweppes11 ай бұрын
Very interesting video. I've also been breeding rabbits for years (for meat and manure) in "traditional" cages, but now I kinda feel "guilty" and I really wanna shift to enclosure breeding for ethical and practical reasons (seems easier to maintain and is cooler in summer heat). But since 'til now they're each one in its own cage, you've made the choice to keep the buck with the does and the kittens, isn't it dangerous for them to be with the buck everyday ? does it harass the females and attack the babies ? Many thanks in advance.
@mantihomestead11 ай бұрын
No actually. We have never had issues with the buck only with the moms abandoning their own litter. If there are two bucks, creating tension and competition that could be an issue but again, it mainly just stresses the moms out and then they are the ones actually having the issue with the babies. But I would definitely only recommend one at a time just to create that Harmony that’s needed.
@DrAkinlabi7 ай бұрын
Please what's the diameter of your corrugated pipe?
@mantihomestead7 ай бұрын
6 inch corrugated pipe. It seems small but they love it.
@kellyj19949 ай бұрын
What size is the corrugated pipe?
@mantihomestead9 ай бұрын
It is 6 inch
@aussieprepper67114 ай бұрын
Colony is the best way, so you can't keep two bucks together?
@mantihomestead4 ай бұрын
We have tried that, but it got a little too wild. It’s better to just have one in the active colony, but I am a firm believer to have a spare buck in a separate cage.
@IvaPavlovic-i4y10 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing your ideas! I've also tried colony system but some of my does attacked and killed other's does babies. Have you ever experienced this behavior?
@mantihomestead10 ай бұрын
Yes, and tell my wife got involved and helped me get a lot more order inside the colony it was madness. I kept on adding too many does. She diagnosed that they weren’t happy, and the stress level was what was creating so many dead babies.
@IvaPavlovic-i4y9 ай бұрын
Thank you for your answer!
@marisazabala2596 Жыл бұрын
How do you keep the boxes clean to avoid kit deaths? Is it a huge pain?
@mantihomestead Жыл бұрын
It is not too bad, because I can just lift up the back, cover and latchet open, and then just dig it out with a small shovel. I’ve noticed sometimes, though the rabbits will go in and clean it out themselves while preparing their nest.
@makersmushrooms10 ай бұрын
How do you recommend I find a local meat truck to sell rabbits? Thanks for the info!
@mantihomestead10 ай бұрын
One of the easiest ways I have found is to get on a rabbit forum on Facebook. Especially if you can find one specific to your state. Where are you located? So I would just search up anything to do with rabbit and then subscribe and ask people in that group.
@rexhavoc2982Ай бұрын
Do the rabbits use any other ice chest other than one? Will each mom have the same box every litter? Do they poop and pee in the ice chests? Please video cleaning the colony yard down to the wire.
@4naturalmedicine2 ай бұрын
What size are these coolers?
@mantihomestead2 ай бұрын
It is just the normal size cooler. I don’t know how many gallons it would be considered, but it is about 14”x24” on inside
@irfanahmad939 ай бұрын
Nice system and good video. Really appreciate it. I just bought a pair and i put them with my chickens. So far no problems. But they dont let the chickens in their room😂. I have a separate house in another street behind my house. Which has gray structire only with room walls and no windows or doors just openings. The floor is mix of gravel and soil. And have a grass lawn. I put all my chickens (i have 8 hens 1 rooster one chick. 😂) in one room in evening and the bunnies in washroom of another room. Kindly guide if i am prone to some mistake or disaster or what should i be careful about.
@mantihomestead9 ай бұрын
I’m not sure, sounds like you have a great set up! If they are not fighting, then you probably have things set up just the way you should. I wish there’s a way I could see that set up.
@bygraceonly1824 ай бұрын
I would not allow them to share ground as the chickens can carry pasturella and other things that will kill your rabbits
@bryanhighley49425 ай бұрын
Breeder bucks have a good life. Mine is my buddy😊
@carmengale3311 Жыл бұрын
Hi. Im wondering if you do tours and how to sign up for a tour. Im in slc, utah and im just starting a 20x20 wallpini greenhouse.
@mantihomestead Жыл бұрын
Hello, that is so exciting for your greenhouse! You will love it! Yes, I would love to show you. One of these days when I get done with this remodel I’m going to set up a formal touring schedule on Saturdays probably. I’ll try to think of a way to get my contact information out to you. Best of luck with the Greenhouse!
@NellyL-020210 ай бұрын
Nice video :) Is there a reason you have all whites? just wondering :)
@mantihomestead9 ай бұрын
We used to have some broken New Zealand as well, they are the brown and white spotted ones. Commercial growers usually do white only because if there is a little bit of hair, it’s hardly noticeable :-) I think it’s more marketable for them selling to the cruise lines and, the Elite restaurants that buy that meat. I just wanted my breed to be pure. Just preference. But I definitely like the New Zealand brand if you are wanting a back up source of protein because it is fantastic meat!
@NellyL-02029 ай бұрын
@@mantihomestead Okay! Thanks for answering my question :)
@aussieprepper67114 ай бұрын
Please do more videos
@mantihomestead4 ай бұрын
Thank you! It’s comments like yours that make me more motivated. I will get working on it. I want to do a water video specifically on water cisterns. Do you have any insight there in Australia? I’ve heard that you guys are required to have a water cistern? Any details on that would be something I would definitely wanna share.
@beckyprice59579 ай бұрын
What size coolers are the nesting boxes? Also you can get a livestock marker in either crayon or aresol if you need to mark a rabbit for any reason. Very interesting video. Thank you.😊
@mantihomestead9 ай бұрын
Thanks for the tips! These are just the regular size cooler. I’ll see if I can figure out how many gallons. But they’re only about 20 inches long. Just the cheapest coolers you can find.
@Trisha_B_done Жыл бұрын
Increcibke!! I love the idea of col9ny. 😊
@mantihomestead Жыл бұрын
That are really cool!
@nthupijosias6168 Жыл бұрын
From South Africa, what about the possibility of in breeding in the colony system .I love colony because its creates natural behaviour
@mantihomestead Жыл бұрын
We only have one buck at a time. when the baby's get about 6 lbs (right before they are mature enough to breed) we sale them to the Meat Truck. without doing that you would have the inbreeding issues..
@kenchilds925 Жыл бұрын
Listen. Put Becca in front of the camera. You stand behind it 🙂
@mantihomestead Жыл бұрын
Ha! That would be perfect!!
@goofyroofy Жыл бұрын
that lone spare buck in a cage having to see all the other ones run around relatively free is the saddest thing I've seen in awhile....at least set up a small area for him to walk around by himself.
@mantihomestead Жыл бұрын
He did just breed with the lone doe:) happy times!
@saralinford37359 ай бұрын
Honestly, he's not bad. He might enjoy the time to himself. And not having to compete. I'm sure they switch the bucks every now and then.
@chadfolmar5900 Жыл бұрын
How to prevent Flees?
@mantihomestead Жыл бұрын
I don’t really have any good ideas for that. If you hear of anything, let me know. We have had to treat them for mites a few time. One drop of ivermectin gets rid of it very quick.
@almostoily754110 ай бұрын
Maybe try using flea tree leaves and branches strewn around. It grows wild here. Also called wax myrtle. Several uses for the shrubs. I use the leaves like bay leaves. A guy I know boiled the berries and skimmed the wax off the surface of the water. I fed handfuls to quail and chickens. A neighbor asked my kids to get some branches and leaves for her to throw around her porch and under her dogs cushions. I have no idea if it works but she swore by it.
@OurWeeTennesseeHomestead8 ай бұрын
@mantihomestead, do you put the of directly in the ears to treat the mites?
@benderbender1233 Жыл бұрын
🙂🤙
@mantihomestead Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
@danielarens8072 Жыл бұрын
That poor rabbit up top.
@mantihomestead Жыл бұрын
He does get to alternate with the other buck. Normally meat, rabbits are all separated in cages. The colony that we have is kind of an exception to that rule.