Karaliene
Well-Known Member
Hello!
Anyone having seen my post in the Introductions section will be aware that I, one day, aim to be a breeder. I'd definitely like to breed Mini Lops as they're far and away my favourite breed, and it would be - at least to begin with - on a small scale. At present, all I have is a playhouse and I'm reluctant to begin breeding in that as I'm well aware that, (A) the bunnies need space and if I have anything to do with it they're jolly well going to get space and (B) there will have to be multiple spare cages for kits. Now, I really detest the idea of keeping them in tiny wire boxes, and have refused point-blank to my parents that I ever do this. (Just a quick side-note, I pretty much have to breed or I won't be allowed to keep rabbits. My parents are definitely not sure on caring for rabbits which is why it's a good thing I am and certainly won't be humouring some of their ideas on how rabbits should be kept, so don't worry on that.)
Instead of wire boxes, I'd like to house my bunnies in wooden cages inspired by this design I found online:
Thankfully my Dad is brilliant with wood and is happy to build me whatever I will need. I think it will be modified somewhat from this design - not having legs or a slanted roof as I want them to be stack-able. It will also be bigger than the plans for this as I am a firm believer that if my bunny Mamas and Papas aren't happy and loved and healthy, neither will their babies be. These cages will be located in (at first) the playhouse and then, if I can make a reasonable success of the breeding (to my parents that means covering at least 75% of the costs which I believe I can manage) I will hopefully move to a much larger, more permanent garage-type shed - a proper brick building which is on some land we're buying. It really would be a dream to house the rabbits in there as, to look at it, you would almost think it was designed for a breeder!
Because I am strongly sympathetic with rescue centers and care deeply about rabbit welfare, I've made it my goal to either become an ethical, bunny-not-money-orientated breeder - or stop breeding at all, and take the consequences. By consequences, I mean I mightn't be able to keep them even as pets any more. I just really, really don't want to risk any bunnies I've ever bred going to a bad home or cluttering up rescues.
I intend for the cages to be at least 2ft high, 4ft long and 2ft deep - although of course, bigger is better. I've also requested that we construct several (or one large, with partitions) runs which are at least 4ft tall (to allow for binkies ) and allow for at least 25 square feet of space for each rabbit (though if I had 8 rabbits that wouldn't be 200 square feet as they'd go in at different times, if you see what I mean). We have a gorgeous, untreated willow tree in our garden and grow herbs, and there is a blackberry bush too, so any bunnies would definitely not go short on entertainment and foraging. I expect my bunnies to live as normal a life as possible.
When it comes to selling, I will insist on having buyers lined up before I breed my rabbits. True bunny lovers won't mind the wait of a few weeks if they want the perfect Mini Lop from me, and I intend all of my kits to have loving homes. I will make sure that I'm satisfied with the potential owner before selling, etc. That way I will never have a 'surplus' of babies - I don't want to cull, ever, unless for health reasons. It won't be because one has helicopter ears when they should be lop, or because it has a few to many dark spots, or because I just have too many rabbits.
Whew. That was long, for sure! So I guess, what I want to know is: (a) does anyone spot anything wrong I'm doing here? Or rather, planning to do? If so, please comment or message and let me know! And, (b), does this seem like an ethical way for me to breed rabbits?
Thank you!
Anyone having seen my post in the Introductions section will be aware that I, one day, aim to be a breeder. I'd definitely like to breed Mini Lops as they're far and away my favourite breed, and it would be - at least to begin with - on a small scale. At present, all I have is a playhouse and I'm reluctant to begin breeding in that as I'm well aware that, (A) the bunnies need space and if I have anything to do with it they're jolly well going to get space and (B) there will have to be multiple spare cages for kits. Now, I really detest the idea of keeping them in tiny wire boxes, and have refused point-blank to my parents that I ever do this. (Just a quick side-note, I pretty much have to breed or I won't be allowed to keep rabbits. My parents are definitely not sure on caring for rabbits which is why it's a good thing I am and certainly won't be humouring some of their ideas on how rabbits should be kept, so don't worry on that.)
Instead of wire boxes, I'd like to house my bunnies in wooden cages inspired by this design I found online:
Thankfully my Dad is brilliant with wood and is happy to build me whatever I will need. I think it will be modified somewhat from this design - not having legs or a slanted roof as I want them to be stack-able. It will also be bigger than the plans for this as I am a firm believer that if my bunny Mamas and Papas aren't happy and loved and healthy, neither will their babies be. These cages will be located in (at first) the playhouse and then, if I can make a reasonable success of the breeding (to my parents that means covering at least 75% of the costs which I believe I can manage) I will hopefully move to a much larger, more permanent garage-type shed - a proper brick building which is on some land we're buying. It really would be a dream to house the rabbits in there as, to look at it, you would almost think it was designed for a breeder!
Because I am strongly sympathetic with rescue centers and care deeply about rabbit welfare, I've made it my goal to either become an ethical, bunny-not-money-orientated breeder - or stop breeding at all, and take the consequences. By consequences, I mean I mightn't be able to keep them even as pets any more. I just really, really don't want to risk any bunnies I've ever bred going to a bad home or cluttering up rescues.
I intend for the cages to be at least 2ft high, 4ft long and 2ft deep - although of course, bigger is better. I've also requested that we construct several (or one large, with partitions) runs which are at least 4ft tall (to allow for binkies ) and allow for at least 25 square feet of space for each rabbit (though if I had 8 rabbits that wouldn't be 200 square feet as they'd go in at different times, if you see what I mean). We have a gorgeous, untreated willow tree in our garden and grow herbs, and there is a blackberry bush too, so any bunnies would definitely not go short on entertainment and foraging. I expect my bunnies to live as normal a life as possible.
When it comes to selling, I will insist on having buyers lined up before I breed my rabbits. True bunny lovers won't mind the wait of a few weeks if they want the perfect Mini Lop from me, and I intend all of my kits to have loving homes. I will make sure that I'm satisfied with the potential owner before selling, etc. That way I will never have a 'surplus' of babies - I don't want to cull, ever, unless for health reasons. It won't be because one has helicopter ears when they should be lop, or because it has a few to many dark spots, or because I just have too many rabbits.
Whew. That was long, for sure! So I guess, what I want to know is: (a) does anyone spot anything wrong I'm doing here? Or rather, planning to do? If so, please comment or message and let me know! And, (b), does this seem like an ethical way for me to breed rabbits?
Thank you!