| With prices going up, some people are considering | | | | important when relying on a regular production |
| raising more of their own food. Chickens and rabbits | | | | schedule that your rabbits are kept comfortable all |
| are a good place to start. Rabbits have traditionally | | | | year long. Sixteen hours of light per day all year long |
| been raised for the table where land was in short | | | | will ensure your does are receptive all year long. |
| supply. When you are raising your own rabbits for | | | | Many people opt to put their lighting on a timer system. |
| meat, there are some tricks that help you produce a | | | | This makes it easier for them to manage the hours of |
| steady supply year round. While not everyone will | | | | lighting on a regular schedule. The lights will turn on and |
| have the facilities available to take advantage of all of | | | | off on time, whether they are there to do it or not. |
| these suggestions, it may be worthwhile to make them | | | | During the shorter days of winter, does are not |
| happen if you really do intend to rely on what you can | | | | normally receptive to breeding. Providing extra hours of |
| produce yourself. | | | | light will keep them productive and ready. The timer will |
| Most commercial rabbit breeders opt for wire cages. | | | | automatically add the additional hours needed to fulfill |
| They are easier to clean and you can see what is | | | | the sixteen hours per day. Timers are available for |
| going on with each rabbit easily. With a good manure | | | | poultry houses at relatively low prices. One of these |
| collection system you can even have more than one | | | | will be sufficient. |
| level of cages, making the most of your space. Make | | | | A timer's regulating ability is necessary since providing |
| sure the cages are large enough to allow your rabbits | | | | irregular lighting may be worse than providing no lighting |
| to move around sufficiently and accommodate a | | | | at all. Studies have not shown a difference between |
| nestbox. The average nestbox for medium sized | | | | using fluorescent lighting and incandescent lighting, so |
| rabbits is 12 inches by 24 inches by 12 inches, with the | | | | use what works for you. The wattage doesn't seem |
| open side lower so the doe can hop in and out easily. | | | | to matter to keep your production up. As long as the |
| Medium sized rabbits like Californians, New Zealands, | | | | level of light is sufficient for you to attend to chores, it |
| Champagne D'Argents and other similar breeds were | | | | seems to be beneficial to the rabbits. |
| originally created as meat rabbits. | | | | Before you know it, your rabbits will be producing |
| The cages can be set on frames or hung from the | | | | enough fryers to keep your freezer full. Rabbit meat is |
| walls or ceiling of your rabbit barn. A barn is best when | | | | very low in fat and is easily digestible. It is often |
| you are raising rabbits for meat because it allows you | | | | suggested for people on special diets due to chronic |
| to control the environment. You want to be able to | | | | illness since it is so easy on the digestive system. |
| provide your rabbits with good ventilation and light, as | | | | Growing your own protein sources like rabbits will help |
| well as heating and cooling systems. Rabbits are | | | | you remain healthy. |
| sensitive to temperature extremes, so it is very | | | | |