Do rabbits need to see each other?

Buckeye_brian · #1 01/24/14, 09:40 PM

I am building my hutch / cage tomorrow morning. It will be 30" x 10' wood / wire set up. I will divide it into (3) holes. A 4' hole on each end for the two new does which will leave a 24" hole in the middle for my future buck. I have read that bucks like to spray does with urine through the wire. I plan on dividing the the holes with plywood...so basically none of the rabbits will see each other.

Question: Is this OK or not?

I will build all wire cages in next few months...hopefully by the time these "soon to be pregnant does" wean their kits. I should know by then if this adventure is sustainable.

Then this wood / wire hutch will become a grow out pen / quarantine pen.

GraceAlice · #2 01/24/14, 09:45 PM

It's okay... but I think rabbits are happier seeing each other. I would let the buck and doe see each other because that would just be a mess, with your buck trying to get to her.

Of course, it has been said that some does really don't like seeing each other, so... maybe it would be best to just put dividers in between all of them.

Okay, now that I have thought about it. I would put metal dividers in between all of them. Might as well, you will probably have a lot more options that way.

Good luck!

Fire-Man · #3 01/24/14, 10:28 PM

My bucks are on one end, breeding does on the other end, grow out cages in the middle. My Bucks might be able to see a doe Way Down there, but I do not feel it is necessary for them to see each other.

**mygoat** · #4 01/24/14, 10:34 PM

No. They are not social animals. They are just fine not seeing other rabbits except for breeding.

I will say that plywood will quickly be chewed by the rabbits so that they can get through the barrier. We also wanted to avoid urine spray (we have show rabbits) so we used the poly dividers from Klubertanz. I love them.

GraceAlice · #5 01/24/14, 10:40 PM

I'm really just speaking off of my experience, my rabbits have always enjoyed each others company. But, in cages, I don't think it matters at all, really. Here is a picture of my does. But I have a WAY different set up than you, and I think your rabbits will be fine not seeing each other.

GreenMomma · #6 01/24/14, 11:08 PM

I had 2 bucks, one was injurred and had to be put down. They were from the same rabbitry when we bought them, had always been together/next door since they'd been here. During the brief time we had only one buck, he was not near any other rabbits. Could probably see does a bit from where he was, but not great.

While he was "alone" he was nervous and jumpy, much less friendly with us as well. Started spraying pee all over the place. When our new buck's quarantine time was up I put them next to each other, not thinking the move would be permanent... but they were instant friends. He calmed down to his old, normal self and they frequently hang out right next to each other.

I can't say for sure what it is, but they do seem content to have each other to "chill" with in their man cave cage. I'm getting ready to move them to outdoor hutches, but will make sure they can still see each other.

akane · #7 01/24/14, 11:57 PM

Actually rabbits did evolve to be quite social. They live in groups wild and can be kept in colonies with a little extra care. They are just also territorial and a set group will gang up on a new individual along with the fact you have the older ones always wanting to shove out the ones just reaching maturity. That's normal for all herding animals though. You should have seen some of the fights we had introducing horses. One gelding ran a pregnant mare until she nearly aborted the foal. Stallions will often do that to a mare bred by another stallion. Had a couple mares that would just stand there and whack the crap out of each other until both had to have stitches and antibiotics. There's always a dominant mare who will beat up any other dominant mare. When my very stubborn, independent minded mare hit 2 and the dominant mare was PTS for age related health problems every horse was sporting hoof marks and swelling until she had asserted herself. Those are proven herd animals and you still have injuries and fights to the death if you don't introduce properly to a proper sized and set up pasture. With the odd change in heirarchy as different animals reach maturity and others are removed despite your best efforts.

Just because they can fight doesn't mean they aren't social. My colonies had a very complicated social system and interacted positively quite often with each other. A few had to be pulled at around 2 weeks from breeding because hormones would make them aggressive and there wasn't always enough space and obstacles for the submissive ones to get away. I found the same problem applied to rabbits as horses. If they had spent too much time alone in a cage or stall for a horse they would not learn proper social behavior and sometimes would never fully integrate in to the herd. Some of the more submissive ones would still get along on the fringes of the herd but often ended up in the path of more aggressive ones because they couldn't read the signs of what was going on in the herd. Animals raised in a group do better in a group than those raised alone which only perpetuates myths about their behavior.

Buckeye_brian · #8 01/25/14, 07:33 AM

Thanks everyone for your ideas! We had rabbits when I was a boy and I do remember their love to chew on the wood inside the cage. For that reason (and many others) my permanent cages will be all wire. I already have drawn up the plans of the "finished" set up. I have some scrap FRP (fiberglass reinforced panels) I plan on facing the plywood dividers between the individual spaces with. FRP is what you see on the walls of restaurant kitchen walls. Easy to clean and very durable.

You have answered my question. This is just the "temporary home" for the bunnies...and will end up being a quarantine cage down the road. I will take some pictures of the finished product and post (if I can figure out how).

Fire-man...your set up is my idea of the perfect rabbit shed! GraceAlice...I think colony setups are awesome. I know most non predator animals are social and colonies have to be beneficial. But I live right on a creek that is full of mink, raccoons and opossums. If I did not have them up off the ground and in good cages...they would be gone. Just ask my wife about her free-range chickens.

Well I am off to the barn!

redneckswife · #9 01/25/14, 07:35 AM

Raise them the way you feel comfortable

and if the outcome doesn't suite your goal or needs for your herd..you can always change it

.

Mine does have their own "pods" what seperates them is 1/4 to 1/2" plywood walls(which requires more maintenance and cleanining ..urrgg). It has suited our personal needs but is a pain. However, the rabbits have survived a Tornado outside..probably all that heavy wood ,lol,lol ...and several ice storms with the big old Pecan Tree loosing big limbs that fell on the hutches. It's what works for us..not everybody and it does require a lot more work than wire.

I must say all my does think they are the "top" dog...I don't know any other strong personality females around here...lol,lol(my boys would tell you otherwise) but of course their varying age and were got at various times.

I will say this...even though the wood is a pain...any issue with 1 rabbit, has been contained to that rabbit's pod.But you never know what the future will hold.

All of my rabbits can see other rabbits..I have them set-up in what I call a rabbit city with dirt & kicked out straw roads between them. One street guides you south..one north..one east & west,lol,lol. Plus as the rabbit amount has grown ..their are now inner roads.

What works for some, doesn't work for others...and sometimes..you won't know until you try it out...and then sometimes you modify to suite your needs.

Must say I haven't had any rabbit with long teeth..they love to chew on the 2X4's but the plywood..there is no way..they can't get their mouths on it...lol.

Glad your getting everything ready to get back into rabbits..they are sooo yummy,lol,lol.

TMTex · #10 01/25/14, 09:08 AM

Mine seem to enjoy looking at each other.

I have a plywood "wall" between two sections of a hutch, but I left several inches at the top and about an inch at the bottom open. I have cage wire in those spots. The rabbits can see each other and there's no problem with spraying. The opening at the bottom also isn't tall enough to allow for accidental breeding.

Lookin4GoodLife · #11 01/25/14, 09:52 AM

Have you guys tried coroplast? That's what I will try as splashguards and dividers when I get started. It's what signs are made out of so you can always find it thrown out places. I currently buy 4x8 sheets of 4mm for $12 to build model airplanes out of and it's easy to cut to size. It would be easy to take off and clean and it would last a long time. A lot of folks buy it to build guinea pig houses out of.

arnie · #12 01/25/14, 10:05 AM

I have all wire cages with each of the bucks rooming next to a doe and I have no problem with them spraying each other some do it most don't; also have had the wood n wire cages if you use caution when building they likely won't chew em up (or there way out) and also eliminate places for manure build up . keep all the boards used to support the plywood and staple the wire to on the outside having only sheer walls or wire on the rabbits side they have no corners or edges to get started gnawing on you may end up with a couple inches less floor space but less cleaning also. door edges are an easy place for them to start chewing so line them with wire . I had some wood n wire boxes made for pigeons or chickens that had doors made of 1x2s like jail doors when I stuck some rabbits in them for temporary holding they made short work of those pine bars making there stay in them very temporary

**mygoat** · #13 01/25/14, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lookin4GoodLife

Have you guys tried coroplast? That's what I will try as splashguards and dividers when I get started. It's what signs are made out of so you can always find it thrown out places. I currently buy 4x8 sheets of 4mm for $12 to build model airplanes out of and it's easy to cut to size. It would be easy to take off and clean and it would last a long time. A lot of folks buy it to build guinea pig houses out of.

WHERE do you get it? I can find it mainly online, but it sure isn't 12.00 per sheet! I'd love to use it.

ChocolateMouse · #14 01/25/14, 01:12 PM

My NZW rabbits are all in 4X4 cages so there isn't a lack of space... But they love being close to eachother. They ladies will sometimes sleep next to eachother against the wires and the bucks and does LOVE to sniff at one another. This can be really useful for getting them to breed, too because it stimulates them into wanting to breed.

Fire-Man · #15 01/25/14, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lookin4GoodLife

Have you guys tried coroplast?
That's what I will try as splashguards and dividers when I get started.

My Rabbits will chew it up if they can get to it. I use it as a splash guard under the front of my cages to keep them from peeing on my walk way(look at the picture above in post 3---see the wet spot on the walk---not any more). Works great for that. I get mine free----tip----Auction---The Big Auctioneer that I go to his sale weekly also sells Estates, they put out these signs directing people to the sale location. After the sell they collect these and throw them in the trash----unless you ask them to hold then for you or offer to pick them up after the sell---The Auctioneer tells Me ""Yea Pick Them up ---you can have them". I got alot of them about 2 years ago---never thought I would use them up----getting low now----have to get them to hold me a arm full. You can also get a truck load if you will get out the mornings after a Election---LOL.

Buckeye_brian · #16 01/25/14, 04:44 PM

Well I got sidetracked today with a dr appointment, then the lady I am buying rabbits from called and said she was available this afternoon to look at the bunnies...so me and the misses went to look at them. Instead of 2-bunnies...I bought 5-bunnies...lol.

I will pick them up mid next week...I guess so much for slowly getting into this...

countryfied2011 · #17 01/25/14, 04:46 PM

I started with 4 and now have 13 not including kits...so we will see how many you have this next year..

Congrats~

Lookin4GoodLife · #18 01/25/14, 09:43 PM

New coro that I use for airplanes I get at a local sign shop. They sell it to me at cost since I'm not a sign "competitor" and I've taken airplanes in there to show them what I'm doing with it. It's been a couple years since I've bought any, so it could have gone up a bit. Fire-man's right, if you ask stores and places that change them out often, they'll save them for you. You can find them that aren't taken down after elections and what-not. I use it for all kinds of stuff around the house.

GraceAlice · #19 01/25/14, 09:52 PM

I started with 2 last year... now I have 23 with 3 more(of a different breed) coming in March.

Fire-Man · #20 01/25/14, 10:09 PM

Well I Might be going to have to many soon-----I had two Does to kindle---they are 3 weeks old, with 7 more Does bred ---most on the same day---so 37 right now plus ever how many----every how many Does got pregnant will have. Could be lot----for a Place thats hard to sell them. Rabbit sausage anyone?