Rabbit Husbandry -- A Discussion About Rabbit Husbandry and Dropdown Nest Boxes

[@lilbitatatime3763]

Nice idea with the drop down nest boxes. Thanks for sharing.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Thanks for watching! God bless!!!

[@jessie3629]

My female rabbit had 4 kits last week they are about 6-7 days old they are really adorable I brung them inside to get warm I got the father too but he scratched me he's really kind he helps the mother with caring for the kits. And I'm pretty sure there is 3 boys and 1 girl 😊☺️

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Your eyes are much better than mine if you can tell gender at 7 days old lol! I don't usually even attempt it until 21 days old and then I am not sure sometimes. But my eyesight is very poor.

[@diannedaignault4099]

Thank you for all the helpful insights in the differences of wood/wire cages and nesting boxes. Through this I have been able to form plan for what I believe is a good rabbitry shed with cages; and I plan to use your plans for making dropdown nest boxes as well.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

This is why we post videos! To help promote the hobby of raising rabbits whether for show or meat and help give someone ideas on how to get started or set up. We would be honored if you would like our facebook page and keep us updated by posting pictures of your progress there!! You can find us on facebook at: facebook.com/hillbillyhomesteading thanks and God bless!!!!!

[@ourrabbitry9680]

I've never seen drop down nesting boxes, pretty cool. We just converted to a colony set up. How hard do you breed y our does? You can check out our set up on our channel. Thanks for the video.

[@jcscott3117]

I used your dimensions for the nest box and my 12lb New Zealand kindled in it no problem. Thank you for the video and God bless.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Awesome! I am glad that worked out for you, God bless!

[@madtaxpayer5818]

love the accent, and thank you for the information, I want to raise rabbits myself

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Good luck with your rabbit venture... raising rabbits is a lot of fun but a lot of hard work and heartbreak as well..

[@ΘΑΝΑΣΗΣΑΘΑΝΑΣΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ-ε6ζ]

μου αρέσει

[@mariamadrid9698]

I'll pay you 100 dollars for three rabbits

[@mariamadrid9698]

Hillbilly Half Acre Homestead give me a dark black rabbit

[@mariamadrid9698]

Hillbilly Half Acre Homestead give me an egg

[@pinemeadowshobbyfarmafruga8319]

Thanks Chuck for the info. I am getting ready to build new cages and a new rabbitry. I have been considering the drop-down nesting box built into the cage. I'm new to raising rabbits and learning from folks like you on The Youniversity of KZbin. Jerry Of Pine Meadows Hobby Farm P.S. I just subscribed your channel.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Pine Meadows Hobby Farm A Modern Homestead Thanks for your nice comment! If you run into any questions, be sure to ask away. That is why we make the vids in the first place, to help where we can. Thanks for subscribing! I just subbed you back. God bless!!!

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Pine Meadows Hobby Farm A Modern Homestead I have two litters REW New Zealands in drop down boxes plus I just installed two more and expect to have kits in those by the end of the week. I am thinking about going back and installing doors that can block out the boxes when not needed but can be tied up out of the way when the box is in use.

[@bunnyacres2482]

@ hillbilly. I admire how you handle the.....troublemakers. I have a small rabbitry (I raise for pets, and have my first possible show litter due 2/12) and I don't know if I could be that gracious to them. Thanks for the information, I enjoyed watching the video.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Bunny Acres Thank you, I just try to remember to treat others the way I prefer to be treated although I sometimes fail at it..... God bless!!!

[@stevhanhughes673]

I used to raise rabbits for the freezer...they are excellent in a spaghetti sauce or baked at the bottom of a bean pot. Just put the soaked beans on top of them and the usual other materials and bake...so good. I'd love a plate of that right now as a matter of thought.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Stevhan Hughes-Cgrenzhovo We also love to cook them down in the crock pot and pull the meat off the bones and then mix in some of your favorite bbq sauce. This makes great sandwiches for an easy meal and only the crock pot to clean up afterward! Try it, you will be glad you did!

[@laneycoffman9867]

Watching the video with our kids and they LOVED when the scripture came up. Our oldest (10) said "He must be a Christian! I like him more now!" LOL. Thanks for sharing the info. We bought our first rabbits a week ago and one is possibly pregnant.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Laney Coffman Yes, I gave my life to Jesus back in 2007 and have tried to remain faithful ever since.

[@theowinosowino5814]

"you gonna end up in our freezer" that was beautiful

[@hannie4876]

Beautiful? How depraved. Well with a name like yours... Kaka face :-)

[@hannie4876]

i wonder what your middle name is.? doo doo?

[@cams.3287]

Kaka doodoo lmao

[@saajdsaaah8929]

Fabish D. Okaka

[@donnasaunders4220]

I liked the nesting boxes, genius. Thanks for rambling. In nature rabbits like to go down in a hole so why not give them a hole to nurse their babies:)

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

That's the idea! Nesting in these boxes is very natural for the does and I have never had a litter born on the wire since using this type of nesting boxes. I am glad someone enjoys the rambling lol God bless!!!!

[@traciesauceman5646]

are you kidding me they are so cute. really like the idea of the drop downbox.

[@VultureXV]

*inhale* *exhale* *inhale* *exhale* Either take a jog or pull the camera further from your mouth.

[@emma-7394]

draconic33 for real 😂

[@dirtpatcheaven]

Your cages look awesome!

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

dirtpatcheaven Thank you!!! I love your idea of raising your quail in the greenhouse and hope to get to try that someday. God bless!!

[@stefaniep.645]

Oh my.... i feel sorry for the rabbits. Not because they are eaten but because of the cage... Rabbits need a lot more space.

[@MasayaMaat]

My first rabbit was named Nala! She had 3 litters and was such a good mom

[@SuperMo41]

the drop down nest looks to be great idea! thank you for the idea have a great day God bless

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Cody Mo Yes, they are great! 14" long 8" wide and 8" high are the dimensions of the ones I made and they seem to work fine for meat breeds such as New Zealands, Californians, and Florida Whites.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Hillbilly Half Acre Homestead correction: they are 10" wide not 8 sorry for not catching that sooner!

[@parikashyap4988]

Rabbits are very good animal. Rabbit are very precious animal .

[@turtlediveaj5166]

This is always helpful :) I appreciate your videos! I own a rabbitry although it's for show, and pets these tips come in handy.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+TurtleDive AJ Thank you! The work involved making videos and passing along information we have learned always seems easier when someone benefits from, and appreciates, the effort. We have pet rabbits as well, but other than during county fair season, we don't find a lot of shows nearby. We hope to change that in the future, however.

[@evelgreytarot8401]

We would take our rabbit manure and dump it directly onto our garden. No burnt plants, no parasites or disease. Just the biggest growth I have ever seen for our crops. No store bought fertilizer or manure can compare, and it doesn't stink like cow manure. We would occasionally put lime on the piles, but we didn't rinse it off before using. Rain may have done it, but I don't know, it just didn't stink in the garden. I see you are my neighbor, btw. I am looking to getting back into rabbits for meat, hides and manure. You have been subbed.

[@DailyDanceServices]

Looks great, you obviously love what you do and are a good steward with Gods creatures.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Thank you!

[@suziequeue6510]

Can you use the same size wire for the upper doe box as you do for the nest box? Seems like it would be more comfortable on the feet of the does and the poop and pee would still go through wouldn't it. Maybe you wouldn't have to cull out so many does for sore feet that way, too?

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Suzie Queue The wire for the nest boxes is the same as I use for the bottoms of the cages themselves although on occasion I do use 1/2" hardware cloth for the boxes. As for culling out does, I don't look at it as a bad thing because it is improving genetics for future generations but we cull very few nowadays for sore feet because the sore feet problem has mostly been bred out of our line. Bear in mind that those who breed for show cull much more aggressively than we do. We hope to get more into showing in the future but our herd is nowhere close to being ready for that. We do have some dwarf rabbits that have potential for showing in the future but it is going to take a lot more work to get them ready as well. Thanks for watching and God bless!!!

[@conradhomestead4518]

Good information. Thanks for sharing! New subscriber here!

[@chadliampearcy]

The rabbits seem lovely :). Yeah and there giving mulch to walk on. Are all their needs provided in this system including Exercise. They seem to like their environment. You seem like a pretty cool dude.

[@jessicalovesgymnasticks1109]

That space for the rabbits are way to small I've got rabbits.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Thanks for commenting and supporting our channel! God bless!!!

[@jabariephilip1975]

I will make a video Sunday morning

[@WindsorCraftDesigns]

Thanks for the video; very informative. Excuse my curiosity, but why were your sleeves taped up?

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Chris Windsor LOL I am surprised I haven't gotten this question sooner. I had been working some bees earlier in the day and I tape up my shirt sleeves and pants legs to keep curious little bees out because if they get pressed between the inside of my clothes and my skin they will sting. I can't afford a bee suit so I improvise..... Thanks for watching and God bless!

[@WindsorCraftDesigns]

+Hillbilly Half Acre Homestead Thanks. Being a beekeeper myself, I know what you mean. (I'm a wimp; I wear a full suit.)

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Chris Windsor I understand that.... Sometimes my bees get a little feisty and I wish I had a full suit. I just use what I have for now and thank God that I have it. God bless!

[@mylightofhope]

Neat idea! I'm new to rabbits. I built my rabbit cages out of a smaller squared wire, so there's no way babies would fall out. That being said, my brother in law used to raise rabbits and he said if he did it again, he would build nesting boxes attached to the side of the cage (rather than setting one inside) so that if he needed to get to the babies it would be easier. Looking at your design gave me the idea that rather than on the side, maybe below but add a door for easier access to the babies. I'm curious though, when the females don't have a litter (is that right term?), do you close off the opening to the nesting box? The reason I ask, is that it doesn't seem like rabbits have all that much room as it is to run around in their cages and cutting additional space out seems to limit it that much more.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+mylightofhope I don't have covers over the openings that go down into the nest boxes. I considered putting them on but many of my does like to go into the boxes even when no kits are present. I think they feel secure there the same way they would in a burrow in the wild, which is odd because the sides are see through. We do keep the nest boxes cleaned out of nesting material so if the does uses the bathroom while in there it does not become a stinky, unsanitary mess. Thanks for commenting and God Bless!!!

[@mylightofhope]

Thanks for your response!

[@edwardswicker5873]

Hey Chuck, this is Bryan with Circle S Rabbitry, I to use drop down nest boxes,I love them. I have a French lop doe pregnant. She is the size of a six month old Flemish Giant. She weighs about 10 pounds. What size do you use for this size box? I have made my nest boxes 14 long, 10 wide, 8 high. We live in The Texas hill country. We enjoy watching your channel! God Bless. From your friends here at the Circle S Rabbitry.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

My nest boxes are 14" by 10" by 10" and they fit my 10 lb New Zealands just fine...

[@joshhermiston7165]

great video, love the cage setup. i noticed that you have your buck in a cage next to your doe with only wire seperrating them, i have noticed through my own experiences that the buck may spray or urinate on the doe. you may not have this problem but just a heads up.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Josh Hermiston You are exactly right. This is a definite possibility. I have also found that by moving a doe who is hesitant to breed next door to a buck seems to help get her "in the mood" lol Also, if you watch some of my newer videos you will see that my bucks are now caged outside the rabbitry and a doe is now occupying the cage section where the buck was in this video. God Bless!!!

[@joshhermiston7165]

+Hillbilly Half Acre Homestead that's a great point about getting in the mood. i have a wooden divider that goes high enough so that the buck cant get to the doe but still knows she is there and vice verse. seems to work.

[@o61000]

I have one doe that is letting off blood not sure where from and she is not eating and drinking a lot, also I can feel her back bones,. she is approximately 6 months old and it's her first time pregnant. I would greatly appreciate any feedback on this topic. Also I live way on the country and I do not have internet except on my phone thank you very much for all your help and support

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

I hate to say it but if she is that bad, you need to get her to a vet or be humane and put her down.

[@wolfforce58205]

Do you have problems with babies getting cold in the drop down nest boxes? I'm looking into raising rabbits, but I don't have a barn and can't build anything more than a hutch/cage setup. I was concerned about wooden nest boxes for the reasons you stated, and this seems nice, but do you think it would work without a nice barn/shed setup?

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+wolfforce58205 Yes, this will work just fine outside of a barn or a shed. I have does outside of our rabbitry this year and I will soon put the drop down nests on the outside cages as well. The only thing I do different is I put something on top of the cage so the animals stay dry when it rains. I have used everything from galvanized roofing tin to plastic feed sacks weighted down with bricks. Also, in cold weather we put cardboard down in the boxes before the does start making their nest and if its really cold, we stand up cardboard around the sides and the nesting material holds it up. Besides if you have a good doe mama she will almost pull her chest and sometimes her sides almost bare to line the nest with fur right before she kindles. Never despise meager beginnings...... Make do with what you have until you can provide something better. The rabbits don't care as long as it is dry, warm and their bellies are full. God bless!!!

[@wolfforce58205]

Hillbilly Half Acre Homestead Thank you so much for all of your advice! =) I truly do appreciate it. You have yourself a wonderful day!

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

That's what we are here for..... If you have any questions just give a shout and we will help all we can! God bless!

[@bunnyacres2482]

I want to say something to Anna Marie and Bob Bob. Wire cages are not for lazy rabbit owners. They are one of the best ways to keep a sanitary cage. If, Heaven forbid, you have an illness go through your rabbitry, you can sterilize them MUCH easier than anything else. In the case of a Homestead, such as this, it also gives the benefit of being able to collect the rabbit droppings, which are one of the best fertilizers. If you have catch boxes with dirt and worms (preferably red worms) you get a very good mulch, which many rabbitries sell if they do not have a use for it themselves. The ease in which the rabbits were handled and allowed access to their kits (baby rabbits) tells anyone with rabbit knowledge that they are well treated and handled often. If a rabbit is mistreated, they WILL strike out at you. I didn't see ANY signs of aggression. Using the excuse of 'they don't know any better' doesn't hold water either. I know of a loved house bunny that was often held got very upset and huffed and lunged at her owner. Once the owner realized the problem was a very young and horny buck (male) next door, the buck was moved and the doe (female) returned to her normal, loving self. Above all else, "Judge not, lest ye be judged". He will be judged on how well he fulfilled his responsibilities as caregiver for the animals he encounters. You will be judged by the care shown to the animals you encounter. Likewise, you both will be judged on how you deal with human kind. Now, I don't know about you, but I have enough things I'm going to have to answer for without adding slamming someone for their practices because you don't agree with them. And FYI, I know of a buck (male) that has sore hocks (the sore spots on their feet) regardless of the type of pen/cage he was in.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Whitney Abrams I believe the remark that +bob bob made about lazy rabbit owners was intended to be sarcastic toward what the other person was saying.

[@MaineBlizzard1]

are lionhead doe had 3 babies and it was her first time having a litter and she used the wood nest box and she did great all the babies lived

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Sounds like you are off to a good start! God bless!!!

[@MaineBlizzard1]

Thanks

[@honestyfaithful]

I purchased 1/2 X1/2 inch to build the cages is that okay... no one had the bigger hole wire. Do you have a video in dispatching the rabbits.... I have a general idea of how but, have never done it. I have heard about a taser gun to use but not sure where to purchase one.. thank you 😊. P.S Is their a reason why you tape your sleeves?

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Robin Realtruth my sleeves were taped because I had been working my beehives before shooting this video and the tape keeps the bees from crawling up my sleeves lol. I dont recommend the 1/2 by 1/2 for rabbit cages, it is too flimsy

[@honestyfaithful]

Hillbilly Half Acre Homestead do you do detailed videos on the 🐝 bees as well? Well I am not sure what to do in our area no one has the wire you used. Thank you so much for replying back blessings

[@kejola1969]

If you don't mind me asking,how much do you usually charge per rabbit? I have a doe that is pregnant and I have no idea what to charge.

[@kejola1969]

+kejola1969 Oh and if it makes a difference,I have Dutch rabbits.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+kejola1969 For pet rabbits that are young and just recently weaned, around here they go for $10-$15. But the small dwarf rabbits can go as high as $30 or more...... It varies by area however, check around into what others are selling for in your area, that will give you a more accurate indication of what the market is for you. Good luck! and hope this helps! God Bless!

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Hillbilly Half Acre Homestead the prices I mentioned are for common rabbits. If your rabbits are registered and/or pedigreed, the price goes up drastically. I once saw a New Zealand Red buck which normally sells around here for $15 go for $50 because it was registered with the ARBA!

[@chickenhobbyfarm3004]

You just earned yourself a new sub!

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Chicken Hobby Farm Thanks so much, we are very happy to have you and hope we have managed to put out some information that might be helpful to you and maybe a little entertaining as well. God Bless!!!

[@SweetComfortScents]

About where you said the thing about not liking wood cages, I didn't even think about it harboring disease, we make our cage frame and doors out of wood, do you know of what to use on the wooden cages to clean it so that it will get fully clean? I can't afford to make all new cages.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+6inthemix First of all don't worry, many rabbit breeders, including myself have successfully raised rabbits in wood hutches. My grow out pens for the rabbits are wood frame and we use bleach water in a sprayer to douse the wood periodically. How much difference it makes is unclear but it seems to help so we keep doing it. I do PREFER all wire cages, but I started out with all of my cages made of wood. What we have done is buy a roll of wire periodically when budget allows and change over to all wire gradually. I make the cages myself in basically the same way I did the wire drop down nest boxes in a recent video but I used different type of wire. Just remember, Rome wasn't built in a day and neither is a successful rabbitry. Oh yeah, here is a tip you will want to remember: next summer when it starts to get hot outside again the smell of rabbit urine can be quite overwhelming, even when you only have a couple. Try spraying under the cages where the rabbits urinate with vinegar, it neutralizes the ammonia in the urine almost completely eliminates the odor. Ask any questions you may have, if I can't answer them I will help you find an answer or another viewer may have an answer. God bless!!!

[@SweetComfortScents]

Thank you so much for the great tips!! I'll be trying both of the bleach water and vinegar.

[@evelgreytarot8401]

+Hillbilly Half Acre Homestead cool, we used lime on top of the poo piles to keep down the odor.

[@octapusxft]

Those rabbits seems quite docile. I used to believe that a rabbit that is picked up would struggle or bite

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+octapusxft these are domesticated rabbits and are handled quite often so they are used to it but they do need to be handled correctly or even a tame rabbit will kick and scratch because they feel insecure. When we get new rabbits they almost always take some handling to get to the point where they are used to it. All it takes is patience with big side helping of LOVE! God Bless!!!

[@octapusxft]

Hillbilly Half Acre Homestead Speaking about love...was it easy to avoid not getting attached to the rabbits that might be eaten later?

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+octapusxft Our approach to that problem is that we have our breeding stock and all of our dwarf/pet rabbits to name, pet, and show affection to. But the young rabbits that are destined for the freezer, while given the very best of care that we can provide for them, are still destined for the freezer. We have to keep that in mind when caring for them or yes it is easy to get attached to them. I (Chuck) bear the job of butchering them and it is never easy, I have to set my mind to do the job and once I get started and do the first one I find it easier to continue with the rest. Don't ask me why that is, maybe it's just me. Honestly, I have the same problem with any of the animals we raise for meat but it does help knowing that our animals get so much better care while being raised than those poor animals that are raised commercially in conditions so crowded that they are forced to eat and sleep in the same place they poop.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Hillbilly Half Acre Homestead Sorry I got a little carried away there. The short answer is NO, it is absolutely not easy to avoid getting attached to any of the animals.

[@octapusxft]

Hillbilly Half Acre Homestead At least you try to give them a good life as long as it lasts. It is better both for the animal and (from what I heard) its taste.

[@parrotbill]

Don't underestimate . When I was breeding Cockatiels, I had outdoor aviaries made of 1'x1/2' 16 gauge wire and occasionally a snake would get through the wire, eat a baby and swell up so much, he couldn't get back out. So I would have to go in there and kill the sucker and take him out.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

We have had that happen in our pigeon loft as well. We lost a squab or an egg but at least we got the culprit who did it so he can't come back for another free meal. God bless!!!

[@parrotbill]

Amen to that

[@Kittydevainilla]

Parrot Bill Y eso que luego se la va a tragar :'v 😠😠

[@jordandennis206]

my current bunnies have mated one day twice for the first time she's 10 months he's 4 months is it a garentied pregnancy ? what does my girl need its been 4 days since. she is very mean to the boy to she wants to rip his hair out yet she wants him to groom her to they are always one of them caged but she still attacks through it cause he walks up to it and she tries to bite him is that because of her being Territorial?

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Jordan Dennis A pregnancy is never guaranteed. From the date the mating took place, mark your calendar for 31 days and she will usually kindle on that day, although she could be late or early by a day as well. The doe is very territorial, that is why we keep does and bucks in separate cages and we always take the doe to the buck's cage for mating, not the other way around. Your doe will need a nest box placed in her cage when she is about 29 days along. Other than that, good quality food and plenty of clean fresh water should do it.

[@nobemymigue3594]

awww they are so cute 🐇🐇🐇🐇

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Thank you!!

[@mawielolac8081]

ohh sooooo cute

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Thanks for watching and God bless!!!

[@jacobiaffinnih5251]

Love the drop down nest! I've been trying to find them but no luck. Did you build these yourself, if not where would I be able to find them and if you do, do you sale them?!

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

I build them myself. I have never seen them available commercially as of yet. I have never sold any... but of course I have never had anyone ask to buy any either. I have never calculated costs on them and therefore have no idea of a selling price. then there would be the problem of shipping which would more than likely be cost prohibitive.

[@jacobiaffinnih5251]

Got cha! I love the idea! Maybe I'll take a go at it a little later.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

I do have a video showing how I cut out the wire and put them together..... look for it in our rabbit playlist.

[@tylersheard1256]

Sorry I can't have one but keep up the good work

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Thanks for the encouragement! God bless!!!

[@GlobalLeadFormula]

So do you leave the drop down nest boxes open or do you cover them when you don't have you kits in them?

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Randy Davis I leave them open but you can do it either way just make sure all bedding material is removed so droppings can fall through when needed. Otherwise, you would have a BIG mess! God bless!!!

[@BouncyBounceKids]

They are all soooo so cute! Ill be breeding,) rabbits for the first time this year!

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Bouncy Bounce Kids - Songs, Games, and Videos i think you will truly enjoy your time spent with them!

[@famahyus]

appreciate the honesty

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Honesty is the best policy for us! God bless!!!

[@jeweliarex]

what do you use as deciding factors for ones you keep in your breeding stock?

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

that would take an awful long comment to cover that.... Remind me to make a video explaining some of the things I look at when deciding who will stay as future breeding stock.

[@alexanderuhlann7215]

it's not strictly regurgitation they eat there own droppings not sure of the correct term for it. It's probably to better digest there food .

[@stephmartin6300]

We are raising New Zealand, should the drop down nest box be bigger than the 14" x 10"?

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

that is the size I use for mine and they seem to do just fine. Make the opening in the cage floor 10" by 10"

[@johnreywagas4010]

wow I really love rabbit😍😍

[@celticmagiclady]

Hey Chuck, about how big of a nest box would I have to build for a Giant Fleming?

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

I am sorry I haven't replied sooner. I don't always get notified when a new comment is posted for some reason. I honestly don't know what the dimensions would be for Flemish as I have never kept any of the giant breeds.

[@celticmagiclady]

+Hillbilly Half Acre Homestead That's Ok, everyone is busy & there is no real rush, just got mine & i want to get them healthy before I breed them. (ear mites & eye infections, poor babies!) Thank you for posting all your videos & being helpful! I really appreciate it!

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

It sounds like they were receiving poor care before you got them but I am glad you were able to "rescue" them! God Bless!!!

[@celticmagiclady]

+Hillbilly Half Acre Homestead I am glad to have them. In my opinion they were only a form of profit for the previous owner. I don't see any animal like that. Once they get feeling better I'll share a picture of them!

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Yes, I know some who are like that. While we do sell breeding stock when we can, we have it right at the top of our sales policy page on our website: "Our rabbits are more important to us than any amount of money. That being said, we reserve the right to refuse sale to any buyer who, in our opinion, will not provide what we consider to be minimum proper care." I loo forward to those pics! In fact, you could post some on our facebook page if you like.....you can find that at facebook.com/hillbillyhomesteading/

[@stormeyholmes5405]

Awww they are so cute

[@salmonhunter7414]

Thanks for your answer

[@susigirl1920]

I like rabbit meat also...I'm trying to start my own rabbit's for food...I will only need 2/3 females and one buck, I pick up a 4/5 month old buck free...now looking for some females...I liked your video...thank you

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+SUSI GIRL one buck and two or three does will provide a lot of meat for a small family

[@susigirl1920]

Thank you for your reply. The person I got my buck rabbit from said he is a mixed breed , what mix she didn't tell me. So do you think that will make a nice buck...I will be looking for more of a meat breed kind for the doe's....

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Even for raising meat rabbits I recommend getting purebred New Zealands or Californians. They are much healthier, they get bigger, and the feed to meat ratio is much better.

[@Blackchang45272]

They do get in at times

[@wilgarris]

Have you had an issue with the rabbits trying to mate but the buck just not hitting the mark, ever. How can we fix that.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Are you saying he never "falls off" or are you saying the doe just never gets pregnant? Is he a young buck? Or is he fairly old? Have you checked him for split penis or other penis abnormalities? Are you sure the doe is not the cause? I really need more information here. In any case, replacing the buck would be my advice at this point. That answer may change with further information however.

[@wilgarris]

He never gets her pregnant.He tries hard and gets right on them when i put them in (one at a time of course) The buck is 11 months and the does are 10 months, i'll check again for abnormalities but I didn't see any in the past. The does have never had litters (if you can't tell i'm somewhat new to breeding them)

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

but is he actually breeding her? He will kind of "seize" and fall off when he does. That is when the actual breeding takes place and if he doesn't do that he never will get a doe pregnant.

[@wiccangoddess7455]

wire is just fine, much more hygenic than the floor, knew a guy who cleaned his wire cages with a blow torch, as a way to quickly sanitiz, that and bleach, my rabbits spend most the year, on my patio, but when it get's cold and rainy they need to be off the ground in there hutches. and get in there themselves.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

You are exactly right! I need to burn off the hair and stuff on mine but they stay clean as long as we pull the uneaten hay off the floor every day or so and replace it. Othewise, they will poop and pee all over it making a stinking mess.

[@cadencewilliams475]

Cool

[@cristaeaton9689]

Why u breathing hard

[@BouncyBounceKids]

Rude

[@limjing26]

I like rabbits so much

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Me too!!

[@theyoungfamilyfarm1557]

I'm about to make these for my Californians. Same size you think?

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Yes, these dimensions will work for Californians, no problem

[@carrieashley6465]

hey hill billy acers You roof on your rabbitry barn has hole in roof.. I am not trying to up sit any 1 but it need to be repair be for it fall in and the rabbits sick from water getting in..

[@monicapena8557]

Do the drop boxes work for any breed of rabbit? I have Mini Lops and she just had her first litter of 4 and all of them died. I dnt think she was happy with her nesting box.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Yes, they will work for any breed but for smaller rabbits, you may want to make the boxes smaller to save wire... I try to stay with a standard size so the boxes are big enough for my biggest rabbits, yet will still work for the smallest. I am building my nest boxes to these dimensions now: 14" by 10" by 10" These are large enough to fit a New Zealand sized rabbit and anything smaller. IF Mini Lops are the largest size breed you have you could get by with a smaller box.... say 12" by 8" by 8" and but an 8" square opening in the floor where you are mounting them. Hope this helps! Have a great day and God bless!!!

[@monicapena8557]

Thank you! We are gonna build a new home for them soon and this helps alot and the drop box is an amazing idea...

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

I have a new video coming out later this week showing me install one of these nest boxes on Zoey's cage so be watching for that..... Thanks for watching!

[@monicapena8557]

Ok

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

I just realized this is Thursday already lol so it may be early next week when that video comes out. sorry for the mixup lol

[@jabariephilip1975]

okay

[@pkay1986]

i used to rare rabbits until i travelled...please i need some help as to how to meet the market standard

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+kwasi osei jnr I will help if I can but I am not sure what you mean by market standard. We only sell our rabbits live, we are not certified to sell butchered animals. We do occasionally sell some rabbits live and then I butcher them for free but that is only for family and close friends usually.

[@nurunnahar3252]

can u tell me , what should i do , should i sell my Dow n get another one ?

[@mediair3472]

no

[@surkii95]

Where do we buy them?

[@markmalana7877]

What kinds of rabbits you are breeding?

[@nurunnahar3252]

i have breed my rabbit many times but she didn't get any babies . i don't know why , n this isn't my first time breeding rabbits , I'm having my rabbits for 3 years. but facing this problem for the first time

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

How old are your rabbits? Your buck could have gone sterile. I don't know where you are located in the world but temperatures above 85 degrees fahrenheit can cause your bucks to go sterile temporarily. I would try a different buck, preferably a younger one.

[@fatomalebanon4453]

what does they eat wen they a newly born or is it breest feeding from there mother

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

The mother nurses them until they are weaned at 6-8 weeks of age but they begin to eat solid food as early 2-3 weeks old. Thanks for your comment! God Bless!!!

[@Chickenman62]

i hope the snakes are not smart enough to go through the wire on the main cage and drop down into the nest box opening, but i'll bet they are. you don't have a snake problem or they aren't hungry lol Larry the cable guy is funnier Bless your heart

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Dale Smalley If there was a snake problem, I think we would know it by now. It doesn't matter to me who is funnier because I wasn't trying to be funny. Were you trying to be rude? Because you seem to be very good at it. Bless your heart....

[@39Thorns]

Is there any rabbit urine or manure dropping into the nesting boxes?

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Not while the kits are in there, the does usually pick one of the back corners to use as their toilet. Once the babies come out of the nestbox the bedding material is removed and the tile is slid over the opening to keep the kits out. So any waste material that falls into the nestbox falls on through onto the ground. The kits do poop in the box until thye come out of it... but that is no different than any other nestbox.

[@sdwags8536]

Would this size nest box work for my Californian does?

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

For my New Zealand does, I use the following dimensions. 14" long by 10" wide by 10" tall I also enlarge the opening in the cage floor to 10" square instead of 8" square to allow the bigger ladies more room to get in and out....

[@sdwags8536]

Thanks!

[@jabariephilip1975]

I am ten years and my rabbit gave birth to eight youngs

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Great! Would you like to share pics of them? Go to facebook.com/hillbillyhomesteading/ and like our page! While there you can post your own pictures and share them with others! God bless!!!

[@tylersheard1256]

I love this guy

[@BouncyBounceKids]

Me too funny dude :)

[@laibaali1905]

wow they are very cute 😍 Can I have one 😜

[@lokhmanpubggames5473]

hi

[@mediair3472]

can I have one

[@faridguidoy5661]

Mohammed Lokhman Ali النعمة

[@safetygroup240]

Thank you for the information! God made rabbits so neat! :-) Romans 3:23 KJV “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 6:23 KJV “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:8 KJV “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 10:9 KJV “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:13 KJV “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 8:1 KJV “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:38-39 KJV “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Get a King James Bible and read it. Seek Truth.

[@o61000]

also she has plenty of food and water since she is pregnant 24/7

[@aleiklnasli7086]

hai...love rabbit..and litle baby.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Thank you!

[@tylersheard1256]

Keep making in vids are u selling enY I live in Leeds and I whant a rabbit how much if u selling one keep up the good work

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

We do, when available, sell breeding stock and the occasional pet but only to those within reasonable driving distance. We don't ship rabbits.

[@randylanglois]

Good video, why do you tape your shirt sleeves?

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

I had been working my beehives that day and I tape up my sleeves so the bees don't crawl up my shirt sleeves and sting me when they get mashed lol. I can't afford a bee suit so I make do with what I have.

[@nurunnahar3252]

I'm from Bangladesh, n don't know how old my rabbit's r , but my dow looks bigger then the bucks.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

Yes, does usually outweight bucks by a pound or more...

[@salmonhunter7414]

Are the wire hard the feet of the rabbit.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Salmon Hunter Yes and no, is the short answer. Many years back I had issues with the wire rubbing the hair off the bottom of the rabbit's paws and making sores, this, in turn, caused infection when it wasn't caught early enough so many rabbit breeders chose to place wooden boards in the cages for the rabbits to sit on. Unfortunately, this made the use of all wire cages for sanitary reasons a moot point because it put the porous wood back into the equation. I, as well as many other, rabbit breeders chose to selectively breed for a strain of rabbit that had very thick pads of fur on their feet that could stand up to the abrasive nature of the wire. By culling any rabbit in the herd that would get sore feet over a number of generations (in my case stretching across about 30 years) the problem is now very rare and if it does crop back up those animals are NEVER used for breeding. As for any discomfort from just sitting on the wire, I don't have any reason to believe there is any.

[@conman2317]

+Hillbilly Half Acre Homestead god doesn't exist, it's 2016 for crying out loud! why hold on to bronze age myths that are horribly outdated and useless.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

For your sake, I hope you see the error in your beliefs before it is too late for you. God bless!!!

[@everythingaquariums7050]

+ReliveTheDream why make fun of someone for believing in god, and their personal values. sheer ignorance its 2016, you would think the human race would quit being so inconsiderate. A$$ hole

[@conman2317]

Kevin Wilson and everything aquariums Because it's 2016 and the fact that humanity still believes in bronze age myths is disgusting and an insult to intelligence.

[@psysans]

awwww a baby bunny

[@wilsonaguilar4408]

quisiera un conejito pero chiquito🐰🐰🐰🐇🐇🐇

[@TheSeerSacrifice]

in about a year ill be in the austin area, i won't have my rabbits because it's expensive to move them, ill be looking for a buck and a doe of alarge type of breed

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

The Basgil/Borden rabbitry is in Texas.... I suggest you try and score a nice breeding pair of white New Zealands from their bloodlines. Mustang Sally's mom, Rosie, is a Basgil/Borden doe and she is one of the nicest I have seen.

[@TheSeerSacrifice]

Hillbilly Half Acre Homestead any word of Flemmish giants down there?those are some big rabbits

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

We have people who breed Flemish giants here but I don't know any of them personally. I like my New Zealands, they are plenty big enough for me lol God bless!!

[@victoirephilippe7451]

Hillbilly Half Acre Homestead , a rat and a rabbit may have babbies together?

[@jadehill3423]

where do you live because I have been looking for a breeder

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Jade sings! I live in NE Arkansas near a little town called Piggott.

[@ajdavinci]

the breathing into the microphone is a little hard to listen to

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+AIYarabiaa Thank you for pointing that out, we will try to do better in the future! God Bless!

[@lisaanderson8386]

U need an At a Boy!! I'm so green at this, I'm not a breeder or don't plan to b, but investigating sum hutches with runs,,I'd LUV some TRUE advise from U. let me know if U have the time, I'll send u my email..Props 2 ur camera Chick,,lol

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

My email is hillbillyhomesteading@ outlook.com Email me anytime and I will help if I can!

[@Jamered]

Does the wire cage hurt their feet?

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+James Zou That is an ongoing argument amongst rabbit breeders. Many say yes, I say no, the rabbits have never given me any indication judging by their actions that the wire hurts their feet but I also say that could be affected by the type of wire being used but I guess the argument will never end unless God gives the rabbits the ability to speak to us. Thanks for watching and God bless!!!

[@Jamered]

People like you are like the animal GOD. :)

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

I am not really sure what you mean by that but thanks, I think lol God bless!!!

[@nathanfielure4305]

You guys are not really struggling for space, don't mind making the cages a bit bigger so the rabbits have more space to move around?

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

This is an old video... if you look at some of the newer ones, you will see that these cages hold much smaller rabbits now. The needed cage space is relative to the size of the rabbit that lives in them. We know what is needed and we are working towards it. I appreciate your suggestions, however.

[@sc882tt]

Them Rabbits are good food

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+sc882tt Yes, we enjoy it. Thanks!

[@hannie4876]

Go vegan and then go back to school and learn to speak.

[@sc882tt]

thank you for taking the time to post that

[@harlocondo7643]

what is their live weight at 8 to 10 weeks?

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

+Harlo Condo about 5 lbs

[@halleblock2263]

Where do you get ur cages from?

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

We bought the wire and built most of them ourselves... although a few are commercially made but they don't hold up as well because producers use cheaper poorly made wire

[@halleblock2263]

Hillbilly Half Acre Homestead Ok thank you!

[@bjrnsolas5945]

what breed is the buck at 9.03

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

He was a red New Zealand if memory serves me correctly... That was two years ago lol

[@Blackchang45272]

Ok well I feed her vegetables, grass, and banana, a rat will come around at times I saw it eating one of the babies,but the doe started to eat the babies after that.

[@HillbillyHalfAcreHomestead]

the rat is why she got rid of her babies.... she knew her nest was no longer safe. It doesn't make a lot of sense but rabbits are a little strange that way. How are you housing them that rats can get into the nest? Rats should have a hard time getting through rabbit wire.

[@amazingworld7359]

n1ce