Raising Free Range Rabbits

[@motherthemis344]

I would recommend a Live Stock Guardian dog to protect your rabbits. In Fort Sill, Oklahoma is a wildlife refuge and they had the best option I have ever seen for all their rescued domesticated rabbits. They built a large fenced in area that the rabbits couldn't dig out of and installed large PVC pipes in the dirt, creating a network of tunnels. The rabbits free ranged in the area and seemed to be content. Best of luck to you.

[@MormonAll]

At 66 I have now had and raised rabbits for about 60 years. I thank you for your interesting videos. We are never too old to learn. In my experience "Free ranging will result in loss to animals (dogs etc.) It has worked for us on our farm which is a mile from the nearest neighbors. However the population will vary due to losses of several kinds. Your hay supply can be ruined by these little long eared fellows. With close neighbors you would run into trouble with your rabbits in their gardens/yards? Keep up the good work. Get you "Food Storage" ready to feed your family for AT LEAST one year.

[@paintballjunkie65]

i grew up in a family of 8 kids and i remember going to costco every 2 weeks and my parents would drop around 1300$ each time just on food to feed us. so this is definitely a good idea!

[@TracyIce]

Our backyard neighbor has a pet rabbit that they let hop around their yard and she hops the dividing wall and eats grass etc in our yard, not a big deal because it is mostly weeds and the wall is only 2 ft tall. Well they added to small barking dogs to their yard and the bunny refuses to go back home and lives in our yard but she has always been free range like a wild bunny, she don't really let you pet her, but she hangs close by when we work in the yard and recently my boyfriend suddenly wanted carrots so I bought him a bag and he decided to give Ray Ray one and after that she comes right up to us and takes the carrots from our hand. Anyway since we have lived her for about 6 mos and when she hopped the wall she would hop around the back yard then on to the side and front yards, she goes to the corner house but never in the street. My cat and her are best friends as my cat chases her but never grabs her and she chases him too.

[@Sickwill42]

Lol, my wife and I started doing this a coupla years ago. Much in the same way yall did. On the ground. For the same reasons you did. To be kinder to an animal, that's going to help us survive. I was so frustrated after my first year, I too went to the standard hanging cages. They dug burrows 50 yards long, and they were all over da place. It was crazy, all the time, tryin to catch the right rabbit, at da right time. Holy crap, I almost quit. There's a reason the older generation did it the way they did. To save their sanity.

[@reneebrown5598]

If you want to have an area that they can live/eat in a more naturally how about trying a raised bed? I'm thinking of putting in a "rabbit garden" in a 3 ft tall raised bed. That way I can have a tube for them to come out of their cages and go to the garden on their own. It will have a 3 foot tall cage over the top of their garden to keep them protected. That way it will be easy to keep them contained and still allowed to eat and be rabbits. At least to some extent. I don't want to put my rabbits on the ground because I have a lot of wild rabbits and they can carry diseases that will decimate my herd of rabbits. But the raised beds is the best of both worlds

[@ethansexotics616]

Well where they for meat? If so you could have just shot them.

[@fharris3600]

My wife has started cooking our rabbits in a crock pot.She lets them slow cook all day the way you would do a chicken.The meat falls off the bone it is the best way ever. Cool video cant wait to see how it works out for you guys.

[@JandjacresNet]

The slow cooker is the only way I cook rabbit. Same results. Love it. Thanks for following along F Harris.

[@OneYardRevolution]

I like your approach - setting goals, experimenting and learning as you go. On another note, you really are an excellent presenter. I wish I could speak so fluently and spontaneously. If I had attempted that talk, I would have ended up with about 300 edits in the video. :D

[@JandjacresNet]

Thank you OneYardRevolution. If it is any consolation, I shot it 3 times just so I didn't have to do all that editing ;-)

[@daddykirbs]

I would have many many edits as well. Well done Jared.

[@haileylorino2225]

When you're really compassionate about and love what you're doing the words really just flow off your tongues! Especially if it is part of your day to day routine. It's a picture in your mind and you just need to let it out in words! :)

[@gregbridges8149]

Hi, we have 2 systems in place, 1 cages with form ply sheep grating floors, with 14mm gaps, the second system is avory pens with 200mm of leaf and hay litter. Both systems have their advantages, the cage system, at alternative times the cage lids are left open to let the rabbits socialise by running across the top of the other cages, and also mating takes place this way aswell. But the deep leaf litter system is quite good.

[@TheEnjiNeko]

Thank you so much! It took me a while to find a video with people doing something other then keeping them in small cages.

[@davidhendershott5663]

I built 2 18x8 foot cages framed with pipe, with 4 x 2 inch welded panel on the floor I move it with a small tractor, lots of space but they can not dig out, I move it every second day on to fresh grass, works great, it has 8 foot tall sides and a metal roof, keeps all the predators out and a lock was added to the door for the thieves, so don't lose rabbits any more

[@JandjacresNet]

Excellent - is the 8' tall sides just so you can easily go inside of it, because of available materials, or what? I would have expected it to only be 2' high, or so.

[@PopleBackyardFarm]

We enjoyed this. We raised all of our bunnies together before males and females and had no issues. We also had them in a barn and a outside fenced area - we put rocks all around the fence and they stayed in. Not that big of a deal but of course you have to have the space and rocks :) - Ruthie

[@JandjacresNet]

Good to know, thanks for sharing!

[@skidmorehappyhouse]

From experience of attempting to raise rabbits "free range", I can tell you several problems. One, they don't just eat all the grass, they eat the roots too. Four years after removing the rabbits from their yard, there is still no grass growing there. The bull nettle has taken it over because that was just about the only thing the rabbits didn't eat. No matter how big the area, the rabbits will eventually kill off all the grass unless you are constantly replanting. Another problem being, lots space=lots of exercise=lots more $ spent to feed them for less return because they are using more energy. The problem is compounded if you have any kind of poultry with them & they have to compete for food. Another problem we had was heavy rains= drowned babies in tunnels. Ear mites were also a lot more common, harder to see, & harder to treat. After throwing good money after bad on rabbits we didn't see a return from for over 2 years, we gave up on the free range idea.

[@everlastinggrass]

Awesome, I live yals perspective. Keeping the heart alive AND feeding the family!!!! Thanks for experimenting for us and spending your hard earned dollars to be self sufficient and decent minded.... I've been researching rabbits for only a couple of months and this is by far the most humanely informative video I've seen!! Kudos

[@generic_Ryan]

Whats yals

[@CueBaLLonE1]

You my friend are doing a great thing here! Keep up the great work. If there were more people like you, who thought the same way as you, and had the same respect and empathy for animals as you do, there wouldn't be inhumane practices like slaughterhouses. Most humans eat meat, that is just a fact. We are omnivores. Relying on chemical protein from a lab and only veggies is kinda ridiculous and to me is the start of us becoming completely dependent on technology. It is called the cycle of life. It will always be here until we humans ruin it.

[@452trucker]

We build a chicken tractor but put rabbits in it instead. The bunnies mowed down the grass in their area and we moved the tractor everyday to a new spot. Tractor measured 12 ft. x 4 ft. x 1 ft high, made with pvc pipe and covered with 1/2 in. square fence wire (rabbit wire). One end had a covered roof to give shade and we also inclosed that end for bunny privacy with a tarp. We put a door on top with a locking system to keep predators out. It worked well, bunnies never escaped. We used to eat them also, but after my wife heard them crying in fear this practice ended quickly and we are now vegetarians!

[@JandjacresNet]

Thanks for the idea. We may have to adopt the use of a tractor as well.

[@he5890]

that means time for a divorce

[@kuryenlaindia]

"when I say we I mean Jenifer" what a confession dude!

[@JandjacresNet]

True story!

[@STONE69_]

what he should have said, is ''I'm going to make Jenifer my life with an L'' 💗

[@grayhand9676]

There are problems with this approach. Others I noticed mentioned things like diseases. An additional problem is the reason you don't keep males and females together is the males tend to kill the young to make the females more receptive to mating. Also the rabbits will go feral very quickly making them hard to handle. I hate wire cages but it is the best solution. Some mention rabbit tractors which are an excellent way to grow out rabbits after they are weaned. Keep your breeders in cages and your growers in tractors. They're really cheap to make since they only have to be a couple of foot high. One of the cheapest options is make small rebar hoop houses. They won't chew the rebar and they're dirt cheap to make. Just move them a few times a day to give them fresh grass and keep them from digging out. You can also make the floor out of cow panels or concrete reenforcing mesh. Just pull the tractor slowly so rabbits don't get their feet injured in the wire. You only have to move them the length of the pen each time.

[@JandjacresNet]

Well, I appreciate your point of view and I respect it. I agree that if you are trying to raise the rabbits as a reliable source of income or food then more control seems to be needed. For now, we are not and so we do not. Everything seems to be going along just fine, so we will keep on trying our experiment and let you know! Thanks again!

[@MakerMark]

The thing I might be concerned with is tics and Rabbit fever. Rabbits can pick up all kinds of nasty diseases from the ground. Tularemia can be transmitted to humans from wild rabbit meat as well as domestic rabbits. Here is an article, too many ads, sorry, not mine, but the paragraph that states "..For example, a hunter who gets sick from handling an infected rabbit, possibly by skinning the rabbit without wearing gloves, may show skin ulcers and swollen lymph nodes. But a landscaper who mowed over a dead infected animal, breathing in the bacteria in the resulting aerosolized particles, would show throat and lung problems if he were to get sick, Pedati explained." www.livescience.com/52976-rabbit-fever-tularemia-increase.html

[@mothereric8774]

I think you can minimize the risk of infection by rotating the area they inhabit, and keeping the proper ratio of square meters to rabbits, no?

[@tonyaduvall49]

@@JandjacresNet I agree we're only doing it to allow them to live as nature intended. They thrive well and even go freely in out of the chicken coop with our chickens.

[@rustyswift8919]

How’s your free range rabbits going I’m looking at doing this on 20 acres with Flemish giants

[@MissCheSaxton]

Love your honesty and transparency. Subscribed.

[@PermacultureHomestead]

ok im sold now, rabbits it is for me. Bees chickens rabbits and vermicompost

[@WayneMeador]

*Raising Rabbits via Free Range!? Nice!!!* I've never heard of doing this before Jared, I really like your idea...I hope it works out for you. I'm a huge fan of trying to keep everything as natural as possible and this certainly is a step in the right direction. Very cool! #Farming #Rabbits #Sustainability

[@JandjacresNet]

Thanks *****. Might be a huge failure, but you never know if you do not try!

[@SagaciousRex]

A couple things to note, like a lot of others are saying, you need to put something over a part of the cage floor for the rabbits to lay on. It is uncomfortable and unhealthy. I personally raised rabbits similar to what you are discussing for more than 10+ years. My rabbits stayed in a wooden rabbit hutch at night and when the weather was bad. Weekdays, after work, and weekends, they ran free in our backyard. Our backyard was fenced in using standard chain link. We watched for digging and put down landscape timbers. Our rabbits were pets however and were handled a great deal so putting them up at night was not difficult for the most part, they were ready when it started getting dark. It is extremely entertaining and gratifying to have such happy pets and it didn't take a lot of work for my part, you just have to pay attention which might be too much of a time sink for you.

[@TheAbledGardener]

Great job on the video and love that you and your wide are working on being self-sustaining together and have the same dream in mind. I love it! Thanks for all you info on your farm and what you guys are dong,

[@KDHUNTER2012]

Hi, really like your plan. Hope it works. I had 90 New Zealands a couple years ago. Tried and built all methods. Learned that no matter what one of them will become stressed and dig out to escape. Containment is best imo but I am really pulling for you and your family and hope this method is fun and works out. Best to you and your family.

[@Three6Teen]

Sounds like a great idea and I hope that it works out. I have never had rabbits other than the wild ones in the yard. I think once you domestic the kits you could let them roam free and continue the cycle.

[@JandjacresNet]

Perhaps your children could visit with those pop guns to help me harvest the rabbits when it is time? ;-)

[@patricelopatin]

I tried to pasture rabbits a couple of times over the years and predators were not the problem for mortality. It was the bot fly larvae that got them every time and riddled the bunnies with infected puss filled holes. None survived.

[@johnbills3757]

my grandmother did that in the 90s worked good for about 2 breadings then something got her brood stock, im fixing to try it in an electric fince i use for other live stock, only problem would be that some may berrow under it.

[@planetbunny5808]

Dad said we would do that back when I was 12 but we never did,I think it's a great idea,I love it.

[@frlouiegoad4087]

GO FOR IT! My "DAD" always said Next Year! for everything! Cat in the cradle! I did NOT! go to his Funeral!

[@RJSoftware2000]

Going through pretty much the same thing. But here in Florida we got the fire ant problem. When I started as kids pet that eventually had to go outside. Too much poo/pee attracting roaches in kids room. So cage went outside, on the ground with shade etc. No good, fire ants would eat at the rabbits eyes. So I hung same cage on backyard chain link fence. No good, ants crawled up fence to rabbits. So I hung cages on abandon kids swing set. Well, it worked good but looked like Auschwitz for rabbits. So I found some chain link and sectioned off corner of yard and laid chain on bottom (under 3 feet of dirt and hay). Worked good for a long time. Lot's of babies, but still fire ants would get them. Sometimes babies survived sometimes not. What happened was the poo pile and the pee kept building up. There was enough room so the rabbits would pick a fresh spot but it was probably not big enough. Eventually the whole thing was swarming with ants. So I built an elaborate cage with roof top using the swing set frame. No more ant problem but back to Auschwitz. Also now they don't seem to want to reproduce much. They liked the social situation of the cornered fenced area. They seemed much happier but still reminded me of prison scene of the fights in the yard whenever I introduced a new rabbit. So I meet this one guy who was telling me that he had been raising a few thousand rabbits. Seemed like he was telling the truth as the details he explained. How he managed to do it was that he had already a fairly large area fenced in. But what he did was to dig down at an angle facing inward and laid fencing at a slope connected to upright fencing. What he said was that the rabbits when trying to escape start digging near the fence. If the fence where to go straight down the rabbits would just continue digging till they found the bottom. But having it go inward at an angle just discouraged them. Another thing I have noticed is that the babies when mobile escape out of the standard chain link fence. But they always seem to come back as they fear leaving the mother. Plus water is another issue. As to my dogs I just tell them no and they know better. But I have caught them trying to snack on the babies. I can't blame them as they probably look like meat marsh-mellows. Currently mine are still in Rabbit Auschwitz. I don't know if I'm going to bother digging out the fence as I am not in best of shape these days. I think I may have to interconnect the cages so they can socialize. Another problem is the hardware cloth is hard on their feet. They need something to stand on so it does not cut. I use to throw hay in their but it just clogs up the poop/pee flow. Some people make these round rolling cages that the rabbits can roll on the ground and eat the grass. I don't know if that's a good answer. It's a complex thing, aint it...!

[@JandjacresNet]

Rabbit Auschwitz... meat marshmallows... you're a hoot, lol. Yeah, it apparently isn't an easy thing. As for fire ants... maybe a moat of chickens around the rabbits would help? Just a random idea for you.

[@RJSoftware2000]

J&J Acres Ah, I get it, surround the rabbits cage with chickens. Get them ants before they make a path to the rabbits. Not bad, but, the ants dig deep and resurface where-ever they want basically. Plus I don't live in an agricultural zone. I know I could just raise chickens and no roosters (crowing). But where I live they gave out fines for people like me who had above ground pools -without a permit. Yep, they want an architectural and electrical inspection too. In-fact it's against the rules to repair your own window if the glass is broken. So, I take a chance raising rabbits. But I got good neighbors -so far. I think the best idea so far is to bury additional fencing as the expert guy told me to. Not looking forward to that cost. Good luck with your free range rabbits. I know if they get use to you feeding them for years they are more reluctant to leave. The times mine have escaped I got them back eventually. One even bowed her head down to allow me to capture her. I was surprised. I think though, the lack of available water is what really gets them.

[@xxxlambertixxx]

I raise American Chinchilla's, I have 9 does and 2 bucks. The only way that I could do this is in cages. I give each rabbit a large cage which is 36 X 24 X 15. I attach an external wooden nest box to save on space. I could never raise them on the ground it just seems to difficult, plus there is all sorts of diseases also. I remember seeing a rabbit killed on the road and it was loaded with fleas. I order my cages from Grandview Rabbitry . I am in Ontario Canada. I have the cages mailed to me unassembled and I put them together myself. The cages cost only $30.00 plus shipping. Good luck with your adventure. You don't know if you don't try!

[@JandjacresNet]

Thank you xxxlambertixxx. Appreciate the reference for cages, should we need it.

[@tomellsworth2726]

I have free range rabbits and they do fine i rolled out 50 ft of fencing and nailed wood steaks to it then staked it into a circle and we have about 20 rabbits in it right now . They have one burrow that they all share . Only one rabbit gets out all the time . I have a surveillance camera on the pen and he always gets out by standing on a bucket or something and jumping over and its always the same rabbit . I think its because he was not born IN the pen .we call him Houdini and we really dont want to butcher him. the pen is only about 30 in hi. once in a while i will have a Kit get out but they stay right near the pen and i catch them with a net . I have not yet had any problems with predators. for the most part it works out very well. (So far) we have only this spring started this

[@munchiemoonwalker7415]

tom ellsworth good luck with your rabbits sounds like you have a good set up maybe get your fence a little higher have fun with your rabbits

[@mtothem1337]

If you want free range rabbits that can't dig their way out you need to fully encase the bottom. Like building a box around the dirt if that makes any sense, then they can still dig, but they can't dig outside.

[@JandjacresNet]

We sort-of tried that first. Just didn't have a roof - which was the demise of that plan. Either way, all things being equal, I cannot call "rabbits in a cage that happens to have dirt" as being "free range".

[@dirtpatcheaven]

I need to make sure to watch all your videos 'cause somehow I missed this one.

[@JandjacresNet]

Glad you like them all so much :-) Thanks a lot for watching!

[@pinemeadowshobbyfarmafruga8319]

I'm getting ready to build my rabbit barn here at Pine Meadows Hobby Farm. Any advice on do's and don'ts? The material I have collected was all free, given to me. I come up with a 6' x 6' x 6' design to contain the six foot long rabbit cages which I got free also. Thanks for your postings.

[@JandjacresNet]

Pine Meadows Hobby Farm, are you looking to hang them or do an on-the-ground colony style, or something else?

[@pinemeadowshobbyfarmafruga8319]

I'm going to support them with cross beams made of electrical conduit pipe which I also have on hand. Though I never considered hanging them.

[@Mona-eh3up]

I would to see a video of different ways you and your wife prepares the rabbits for different meals or maybe different recipe ideas. Our family are in the process of doing the same thing. Loved the video btw.

[@JandjacresNet]

We have decided to try and let our rabbit live "free range" in our yard. It is an experiment we would like to bring you in on. We have tried other methods such as colony and cages, but neither worked or felt right. There are concerns, of course, as with any experiment. Have you ever raised rabbits like this? I explain our history with rabbits and our plans for the future in this video: Raising Free Range Rabbits

[@ClaytonRector]

Nice J&J Acres! I'm a firm believer in taking care of God's creation and having compassion towards those animals under our care. Even though it is inconvenient for you and the Mrs., you still find a way to make it work. Also, I don't know if this ice storm coming in to Alabama will affect your family, but we are right in the path of it! Stay warm, my friend!

[@JandjacresNet]

Clayton Rector Thank you Sir. This weather sure is trying to mess with our late Winter plantings, isn't it?

[@robinconkel-hannan6629]

I had a neighbor who turned rabbits loose on his property.. They lived and multiplied for years..

[@CueBaLLonE1]

Robin Conkel-hAnnan .. Multiplied isnt even the word.. Rabbits reproduce crazily..

[@blueschild61]

+J&J Acres I would try renting a "ditch witch" for an afternoon and dig 2' down in a 12' square, lay in some 4' pig wire in the 2' deep trench (about 3 inches wide) with some 8' "T-posts". When it's all said and done you'll have a 6' tall pen with plenty of room to run and dig without getting out. If you have a problem with hawks you can put in a chicken wire canopy pretty easy. You could easily do all that for less than $200.

[@davideast6579]

if anyone has concerns about predators your Great Pyrenees is your greatest asset

[@JandjacresNet]

Just be sure to get a well trained pair. We had a single GP once, and it never really took ownership of the livestock.

[@michealdraconis6179]

I am a new subscriber and just want to say thank you for making this video I would never want to keep them caged

[@johnchase4408]

Just found your channel with this video. Gonna look through your vids for updates. This is Fantastic.

[@cfmaguire1]

Hi, you mentioned that you tried to secure the pen by digging down and, well securing that. You never explained why that failed? We are new to this also, and thought we may dig out an area, lay chicken wire or similar, and refill. Any comment. Thanks, Colm.

[@rckprincess2]

I was just wondering how the rabbits were doing? We will be setting up a colony setting tomorrow.

[@JandjacresNet]

Mary Reeves, they are all fine and hopping around happily in the yard. We have located one burrow, but have not yet located any others.

[@opalgamer4380]

is it hard to maintain your rabbits

[@jasonhowe1697]

Unless you are going to put down 4+ foot concrete lined bed you will be physically screwed in containing rabbits as they will down past 4 foor depth to try and escape .. 10x14 pen should be ample enough to keep them enclosed in their pen.. wood hutches will not last long once they know they can chew through it rabbit burrows can go for miles under ground and can be 1-4 miles deep in some cases.. unless you have a clay pan to play with about 1-3 foot under your topsoil I don't recommend in allowing them free range to dig about the ground because they will break the pen you have and escape this is the cost of keeping them in this manner and the only way i have found you can keep them in is to dig a great big hole and lay 5 inch thick or more floors and walls.. you don't want to breaking legs when you find the rabbit run in the earth..

[@user-mt4vo4ey5n]

I'm making a study of this because the prices of meat at the store are already getting unaffordable. I did hear somewhere that raising rabbits attracts snakes. Have you noticed a problem with that?

[@JandjacresNet]

I haven't seen a snake around for a long time - certainly not since the rabbits have been released - but we also have ducks, chickens, and a cat roaming the property. Perhaps they scare off the snakes?

[@ohhowhappygardener]

The idea of raising our own meat is appealing, but I don't know if I could do the butchering. Great video!

[@JandjacresNet]

I do not blame you at all OhHowHappyGardener. I take no pleasure in it.

[@daddykirbs]

I'm very interested in how this turns out! Someday I would like to keep rabbits too.

[@JandjacresNet]

I will be sure to let you know :)

[@bleunoko]

I'm hoping (fingers crossed) to get meat rabbits this spring/summer. I've just recently heard about free ranging for them which is love to do but I won't have the space. Great video!!

[@JandjacresNet]

Jessica K Thank you, and good luck with your rabbits!

[@frlouiegoad4087]

Beekeeping is in Great need.

[@TheAbledGardener]

OBTW, speaking of editing, I have to edit my posts all the time let alone making a video. My videos haven't gone well and have yet to post any of them, too embarrassed I guess. But yours are flawless.

[@JandjacresNet]

If you ever find a way passed that feeling I believe it will get easier very quickly. The majority of people on here are extremely encouraging.

[@TheAbledGardener]

I have found that just posting and reading other youtubers posting each other. It seems like there are a lot of gardening videos though, but that is not all I want to do so I guess I'm in the "what should I do phase" I have done many things and fairly recently becoming disabled and to the point of not doing anything anymore, I would like to give a little hope to people like me and let them know there's still a lot of life out there. I'll find my niche.

[@JandjacresNet]

I believe you would as well. Wranglerstar is a homesteader with very little gardening videos and WebCajun is about as laid back as it gets. Both have well established channels, so clearly any approach can work. Good luck!

[@TheAbledGardener]

Thanks Jared, I appreciate the motivation you've given me. I need it, you and your wife are an awesome pair!

[@robinconkel-hannan6629]

I have raised rabbits in a large pen on the ground.. The pen was two feet high, adjacent to the house with a small area under the house.. None of our dogs, cats or wildlife ever bothered the rabbits.. Maybe we were just lucky.. I have noticed my cats and most of my dogs treat wildlife as they treat one another..

[@JandjacresNet]

Robin Conkel-hAnnan, I am happy that it is working out so well for you :-)

[@gulldaw272]

I wonder if you could do it in a similar way to chickens... dig down like you did originally and then cover it over so its a big enclosed coop.

[@KimberlyWoods]

Do you have to separate the males from the females after they have bred? So far I've heard not, that they automatically know not to keep breeding, what is your experience?. How do you protect them from the Wolf fly larvae in the summer?

[@NorthnSouthHomestead]

what kind of rabbits do you have? We have Florida Whites.....they don't eat up our feed/grain budget lol.

[@JandjacresNet]

We raise New Zealand Whites getsmartnow2011.

[@alonzospoultry1672]

where can I get rabbits? and what do you feed them if you haven't tried it you should try wheat fodder.

[@JandjacresNet]

We got ours locally. Just found a group on FB for rabbits in the local area and found a breeder that way. Since the rabbits are free range, we only give them a small amount of store bought rabbit feed each day at night - just to be sure they stay used to our presence, in case we need to capture them at any point. The ones still in cages get hay and rabbit feed.

[@DOODLEBUGS47]

I had 2 large rabbits once and we had them in a cage for about 2 months and everyday we put their food in a cup and would shake it so they knew the sound then we let them go and every time we shook a cup of food they came running to us from the woods.

[@JandjacresNet]

Seems to work the same for us! Thanks for sharing!

[@2tommyrad]

Best of luck to you. You have your work cut out for you. We have so many predators here, we can't do that. Cougar, bobcat, tons of coyotes, owls, Northern Harriers, etc..... Mine will have to be in cages. It's all a journey, right?

[@shean7890]

Great information, I thought rabbits don’t dig upward, I wish u had showed us in video many parts of what you spoke about.

[@JandjacresNet]

Sorry I missed some of the details you wanted to see.

[@rayamundson2342]

what about a Pvc pull around the yard cage and separate the males and females. it works if you move it once and awhile.

[@umaxen01]

Can you tell me if you have a problem with predator birds, foxes or raccoons during the daytime?

[@JandjacresNet]

umaxen01 we have seen predators around, but not during this experiment.

[@Theyoungrepper]

for growing out your captured kits you should use a rabbit tractor. check out some of Kainan Ra's videos. they are still on the dirt but contained. I've use it for most of my meat rabbits

[@raygrowtx]

Great ideal, I like the trapping ideal , gives them more time on the ground to built muscle mass, hey on you outro what program you use to make your video fad back in to the others

[@JandjacresNet]

Thank you Gardening & More. I use VideoPad.

[@AtheismTheNewGimmickAmerica]

I have lots of feral free range rabbits, I just can't catch them!

[@JandjacresNet]

AtheismTheNewGimmick, a live trap doesn't work for you?

[@johnchase4408]

This is the predicament I'm facing currently. I want my rabbits to free range and I'm raising them for manure & fiber. Free ranging and collecting manure is going to be problematic. It's easy collecting manure in suspended cages where the droppings go thru the caging floor and collect in pans. I need to find a system that will allow me to free range and collect manure.

[@hicks928]

what gauge wire did yall use for those cages that didnt work?

[@knuckles55790gmail]

Awesome video . seems like you really want the rabbits to live an enjoyable life up until they help sustain your family . only one thing I heard in the video however that is different from what I've been taught from my grandpa . he always told me (before he passed) that it was 7-8 weeks before you separate the baby rabbits from the mother . what's your opinion?

[@MovingMountainsMM]

I would love to know what happened and get an update

[@123chargeit]

I know this is like ridiculously late but to keep the cages from bowing you could have screwed a 1x1 square frame to the bottom where the boards would be taking the weight. That would have supported them and not cost a lot just some 1bys and some nails/screws.

[@JandjacresNet]

Don't you think they would rot out from the urine and feces that they come in contact with?

[@123chargeit]

Over time probably but your talking years. Even wood sitting constantly on wet ground will take a year or two to rot to the point it wouldn't support that little weight. Just a suggestion. You could try it with some scrap 2x4 you have laying around to see over time what it would do but the smaller the width the boards are the better so more of the waste doesn't sit on them. By the way I meant along the edges not like a piece of plywood. The center would still allow the waste to fall trough

[@123chargeit]

Treated wood would work too (except they might nibble on them and I doubt that stuffs good for them). Also gas pipe/metal conduit at lowes is relatively cheap and its made of cast iron/metal. Zip tie the pipe long ways on the bottom as all your needing is to prevent the bow not hold it together.

[@tonyaduvall49]

I have 4 free range rabbits 3 males 1 female. We got a Christmas surprised to find so far 4 babies.

[@rgrant1892]

love your explanation thanks for clearing up one thing the territory thing i think you should catch all the babies and get them use to you then release them catch them when you need to eat. plant some fruit trees and carrots cabbages and lettuce in the summer

[@EricBishop_]

i like your beard

[@srgn8689]

I like too

[@tweezy6070]

Gaaaaaay!

[@kccink]

Dig a hole, flip the carport over into it so that the sides stick out of the ground, back fill it. Fence in the open ends and provide a tarp roof.

[@atlantastark9470]

2 minutes in and I'm already nodding my head in agreement. XD you nearly brought me to tears! I want to hug you for those kind words. I'll be sure to look at more of your videos!

[@JandjacresNet]

Thank you for watching :-)

[@allredbyron9325]

how many rabbits can you eat a week? I'm raising some, and, I am a little nervous about rabbit fever, or protein poisoning,

[@JandjacresNet]

I've never heard of such things. 1/2 of a fully grown New Zealand will feed my 7 member family as part of a larger meal. So, I can eat 3.5 rabbits in 1 week.

[@laurentheoutlaw]

I think you're talking about rabbit starvation. With a balanced diet it isn't a concern. Even if you only eat rabbits, adding a little butter or oil with fix the problem. :)

[@allredbyron9325]

Ok thanks, I really appreciate it

[@JAMESJC100]

I know you do woodchip gardening will I get wild trees in my garden?

[@JandjacresNet]

JamesAndShannon Campos, not from the woodchips.

[@universalsoul7653]

Just be nice to them because they are very intelligent animals , loyal, loving pets and remember that any cruelty to animals this day and age is unacceptable..

[@djbuddyventura]

Great video, awesome beard! Really like the idea of having them to dig!

[@antar48]

Thank you for this video, i hope i could see pictures, and also it's been now more than 4 years, can you give us an update ? Thanks

[@truthtalker7774]

Just found this video of yours and like your idea. I don't know if you will see this comment or not. In the case you do, can you please guide me in the direction of any fallow up videos? I would like to see what you've learned these last few years? Thank you good luck in your endeavors.

[@jpunterminse9368]

awesome video! think i will try to have some free range rabbits here next year. I have wild bunnies on my property, I'm sure they would mate with my captive rabbits, is this a problem of any kind? Also..j and j acres..where are you located?

[@JandjacresNet]

You should check out the follow-up video. This ended up not working for us.

[@ReptileBoy98]

my only concern is them multiplying and migrating odd your property and becoming an invasive species, do yoy have any updates on this venture?

[@JandjacresNet]

ReptileBoy98, yes, here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6CUaaduaMx6fKs&lc

[@scotthall1923]

I know it's been awhile since you put this video out but I was wondering how is your free range rabbits doing? also u said something about not trying to increase the wild population, from what I have read up on a tame rabbit and a wild rabbit aren't able to reproduce due to a different D.N.A. chromosome.

[@timjturner]

Interesting idea....I am looking forward to seeing how this works out......

[@JandjacresNet]

Us too Tim, lol. Thank you for following along!

[@growingindependence6636]

I wonder how it's going to go ,good luck keep us up to date

[@JandjacresNet]

You and me both! I will.

[@theminecraftkids28]

To add to not wanting to keep them in pens the wire botom is very bad for there feet and its a good idea to put down a piece of tile flooring or plywood so they dont always have to be on wire.

[@theminecraftkids28]

Almost forgot the boy rabbits love to rest there "stuff" on the cold tile.

[@davidtrees1714]

Hey J. Sounds like an adventure bud. I'm looking forward to the follow up videos to see what comes of it. Would you butcher them yourselves or pay someone to do it? Nice presenting too. I agree with +oneyardrevolution, from up in Chicago, your presenting is very good and improving each time bud, nice one mate. Watching with anticipation. David

[@JandjacresNet]

David Trees. Thank you for the complement. We will butcher them ourselves. I have processed about a dozen of our rabbits up to now. It is starting to become "routine".

[@davidtrees1714]

I guess the question for me is... Is it harder to butcher and clean a rabbit than a chicken or a fish. Fish I've done loads... Chicken never, rabbit never thought about it until I saw this... How's the family any way bud? Hope it's all good for you guys. Cheers David.

[@JandjacresNet]

David Trees The family is well, thank you for asking. Butchering is easy. Takes about 5 minutes per rabbit.

[@davidtrees1714]

I've never butchered any land based animal. Too much of a... wait for it... Chicken...LOL

[@JandjacresNet]

Well, for what it is worth, I take to pleasure in it beyond knowing that I am providing for my family.

[@matthewjackson9908]

youre a good person you relize that rabbits are living things and should be treated that's way

[@haileylorino2225]

This is your first video I'm watching so it might be explained some where else.. but why is your GP just in a fenced in area? Does it come out to guard all your animals or just it just like chill in there or what?

[@JandjacresNet]

We have been unable to teach her that the birds and bunnies are something she is supposed to protect. Larger livestock can handle her, but she has injured ducks. As such, she stays penned up.

[@haileylorino2225]

Why can't she be in the house, though?

[@JandjacresNet]

Because she is huge and destroys everything. Because I have a 3 and 2 year old that she would pounce on and badly hurt.

[@haileylorino2225]

Oh. Then why would you get/keep her if she destroys everything, just to leave her in an outdoor kennel? I don't want to sound rude but you don't like keeping your rabbits in cages but you're keeping a companion pet in one? :(

[@JandjacresNet]

No offence taken. We got her not as companion pet, but as a livestock guardian dog, when we still had goats. She did great with the goats. However, we had to get rid of the goats, but chose not to get rid of her in case we got other livestock. We figured it would be better for us to get used to the dog, and her used to us, than to start all over again. We have considered finding her another home, but we keep coming back to keeping her.

[@jondoe954]

whats it tate like? worth farming? it the best? if its the best ill flippn do it ha

[@JandjacresNet]

We enjoy raising our fruits, vegetables and meat, so yes, I'd say it is worth it. As for taste - if you specifically mean the rabbit... it has a very neutral flavor, so it picks up the flavors of spices and things very well, similar to chicken.

[@SusanRogersMakingItWork4Me]

I'm hoping to get the funds to buy rabbits and wire. I'd like to make something on the order of a chicken tractor only with a fencing on the bottom so they can feed on the grass and not dig out and be safe from predators. I've seen these types of set ups without bottoms, but in my area it's not a good idea.

[@JandjacresNet]

I hope it works out great for you Susan Rogers.

[@briargoatkilla]

Very cool! Can't wait for an update!

[@JandjacresNet]

Thanks :) We'll be sure to get you one!

[@Phlotonic]

Got yourself a subscribe today, bud!

[@hlegler]

You, sir, are a creative homesteader. :)

[@frankgomez5407]

Jim: Those branches from the paulownia tree, cut them off and throw them away. Paulownias propagate only from root cuttings and seed. Please see my email.

[@JandjacresNet]

The paulownia in the video grew from a branch cutting... and the seed it will produce is sterile... so... Just so you know, the name is Jared :-)

[@rohnny77]

Wishing u luck for your amazing experiment

[@JandjacresNet]

Thank you very much Rohinton Irani.

[@elliotbermeo2076]

Show us the whole thing

[@naturallivingdesigns2383]

Great video! I LIKED and SUBSCRIBED... I look forward to your next video J&J Acres.

[@JandjacresNet]

Eco Oasis, Thanks :-) Welcome to the homestead!

[@KimberlyWoods]

Wolf fly is also called a warble fly or larvae

[@jamesoyler3005]

How's it going so far

[@JandjacresNet]

Doing well. Have not seen any kits, but still see all the adults. The furthest I have seen them from the house is about 150'. We just noticed a doe yesterday that seemed to have a little blood on her that would indicate that she gave birth. Hopefully we will see kits in a few weeks.

[@livingready69]

Have you considered the fodder system?

[@JandjacresNet]

No. We have grass the grows on the ground all by itself ;-)

[@beautyannhayden9023]

I don't like or agree with how people raise animals just to slaughter them let alone in a cruel way. Now I do agree with your statement about at least giving them some freedom to enjoy life most ppl I see literally have them in the tiniest fence cages (in freezing) weather and even getting upset when they have them have babies and they don't make it bc its so cold. Before anyone says something yes I'm obviously aware that rabbits can survive in cold weather but that's when they are not trapped in a fencing cage. The least ppl could do is make sure they have a reasonable warm place to live and enjoy life before they are killed

[@jydoctober]

Cool and noble project

[@JandjacresNet]

Thanks

[@frlouiegoad4087]

6/8/2021 I have Doves! one started nesting in my laundry room. I notice she has now had two chicks times two. 4. Now I do laundry and they see me. I notice they stay close to home. Little fear of me. I love God's little creations.

[@redwolf7929]

Be careful they dont go feral.Our Australian experience is a good lesdon in what not to do.We have native rabbits in Australia and not many predators. They reproduce wuickly out of control.Traps are definitely a good investment