2025.07.10 – Livestock

Rabbitry Remodel Begins Tomorrow: A New Era of Peace and Productivity

Tomorrow marks an exciting new chapter for my rabbitry as I begin a long-overdue remodel. Over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed increasing tension among the does—territorial behavior and outright fighting—largely due to the presence of our new bucks. Clearly, it’s time for a change in the way we manage space and social dynamics.

To address this, I’ll be constructing wire mesh partitions throughout the rabbit enclosure. These panels will serve a dual purpose: keeping the rabbits physically separated to prevent conflict, while still allowing them to see and smell one another to maintain social familiarity. Each doe will now have her own private living space, complete with a dedicated hide and nesting box—no more battles for dominance or territory.

Every doe will enjoy a generous 25 square feet of space to stretch, hop, and explore. I’m optimistic this added room, combined with visual and scent-based interaction, will create a much calmer and healthier environment for everyone.

Once the new setup is in place, I’ll begin a structured breeding schedule: each doe will be introduced to a buck for two days each week. This controlled and repeated exposure should help ensure successful fertilization. The goal is six litters per doe per year.

If all goes well, that adds up to approximately 288 kits annually—which translates to an estimated 1,100 pounds of meat. It’s a big vision, but one rooted in sustainability, stewardship, and care for the animals I raise.

Stay tuned for updates as the transformation unfolds. I’ll be sharing photos of the build, insights on the process, and hopefully some peaceful, happy rabbits enjoying their new homes very soon!

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Rabbitry Update: A Change in Plans and a Shift in Strategy

Well—update time! Things didn’t go quite as I originally planned.

At first, I was convinced that a complete separation of all my rabbits was the best path forward. After all, the fighting among the does had become more frequent with the introduction of the new bucks. My initial plan was to house each doe separately, in her own 25-square-foot space, fully divided by wire mesh panels to eliminate direct contact.

But as I stood there, tools in hand and rabbits watching curiously, I had second thoughts.

These animals have lived together for a long time. They’ve formed bonds—social dynamics that, while sometimes messy, are still meaningful. The idea of totally isolating them from one another suddenly felt a little too extreme. I realized I didn’t want to break up their social structure entirely.

So I pivoted.

Instead of full separation, I’ve now reorganized the rabbitry into two smaller colonies. Each colony includes three does and one buck, carefully grouped based on temperament and past compatibility. This new layout still allows for space, structure, and order, but preserves a sense of community among the animals.

The benefits are promising:

• Smaller colony size helps reduce the chances of serious conflicts.
• Lower population density makes for easier disease management and cleaner living conditions.
• The bucks have structured companionship without being overwhelmed.
• And I can observe natural social behavior while still maintaining breeding control.

It’s a reminder that flexibility is crucial when working with animals. They’re not machines; they’re living, breathing creatures with their own instincts and needs. Sometimes our best plans have to evolve mid-stream.

So far, the two-colony system is working well. Less noise, less chasing, more calm. I’ll continue to monitor things closely and adjust as needed.

Stay tuned for more updates – This is all part of the journey of learning and improving, one decision at a time.