How to start a rabbitry

BEFORE beginning any of the steps below, you will have to check with local zoning to see if you are zoned AGRICULTURAL. If you are zoned RESIDENTIAL you CAN NOT raise rabbits. Also, if you are ag zoned, get a paper from the zoning office stating that you can have rabbits on your property.

Now would be a good time to join the American Rabbit Breeders Assoc. (ARBA--www.arba.net) and local rabbit clubs. If you are in IL, you can join Illinos Rabbit Breeders Assoc. You can find a list of local clubs on the ARBA website. Fees are usually low and you get all kinds of stuff to help you along your way.

You will need to get your setup going before adding any rabbits. First make sure you have a well ventalated barn or building. A large haybarn works great or you can have one built like a Morton building. You can also use a garage (just dont park your car in it now!)

Next, Figure out how you are wanting to have it set up. Do you want hanging cages?? Stackable cages??

Then, figure out how many rabbits you want to have. Also consider what their adult weight will be. If it's a cute little Dutch, they get to be about 4 lbs at adult weight. Flemish get to be 20 lbs +/- a few.

Ok, now you know how many you want, and what Breed you are wanting...now, you have to get the type of cages you need. If you have chosen the Dutch, you will need 24" x 24" x 14" cages. If you are wanting stackable cages, you will have to get cage boxes, refuse pans, urine guards, feed crock, water bottle, EZ Pads, frame kit (if you are puting it together by yourself) for EACH rabbit you will have. PLUS extra hole for growing cages. You can also order cages from Rabbit Suppliers like Koenig Kountry Supplies in Southern Il. Many ship or deliver if you are in the area of their facility. Keep in mind, that beside the cost of your rabbits, this will be a BIG expense. We had Koenig's build us a 24" stacker, 4 holes high with a roller base for easy movement for $255.00 plus tax.

Now you have your cages, if you are putting yours together yourself, have fun...it can take up to 1 hour per cage. Stacking cages are easy to install but have no pans to catch the poop and pee. You will have to clean it up weekly by shoveling and dumping somewhere...if you use pans, you can pull pans weekly and dump in a compost pile.

Ok, so now your cages are up, feed crocks in, water bottles on, EZ pads in. Now, you will have to find a good feed. We use KENT (www.kent.com) It is a wonderful feed and our rabbits are thriving on it. You can also use PenPals, AgriMaster (found at Farm and Fleet), Purina (there are several feed makers). For 16 breeders, we get 200lbs a month of Kent Show formula and 200 lbs Kent Family Care. Don't forget the hay!! You can buy hay from local growers for about $2.50 per 100 lbs bale. You will also need carriers for transporting your rabbits from point A to point B (usually home to show and back)

Now, you have all your supplies...TIME FOR RABBITS!!! Once you have chosen your breed (done in step 4). It's time for the variety...Dutch come in several colors, We raise Black and Blue but there are also Chocolate, Tortoise, Steel, Grey and breeders are developing new varieties including Harliquin and Lilac. However, these last 2 are NOT recognized by the ARBA.

If you choose Black and Blue dutch, you can cross breed the 2 colors (it's a genetic thing). We keep a pair (buck and doe) of Blacks and Blues.

Get your rabbits from reputable local breeders. Many will have quality stock available and some give discounts to ARBA members and others will give discounts to new 4H members to help them along.

Once your rabbits are home, put them in a cage BY THEMSELVES. NEVER house rabbits together, NEVER!!! Let them get used to the routine of feeding, watering and daily going about done by you and your family. Newly purchased rabbits may take a day or two to begin to eat. As long as there is Hay, they'll be fine.

Set up a routine...feed at night, after work (4 pm) water them at the same time. They will learn when it's feeding time. They will love that time of day (ours do) Have everyone help, it's a family hobby. Even the kids can help.

It's now been a week, time to clean pans. Dump them in a compost pile to be used on gardens. Offer it to local gardeners for free..they shovel it, they have it. You need it gone, they need something for their gardens!! Everyone wins...

So now what??? There are many things to do with your rabbits. You can show them at ARBA sanctioned show, the kids can show there and 4H (membership required), you can produce meat rabbits (Satins are great for that), what about fur...you can also sell direct to the public for pets. This is the best way to do it. I personally do not like selling my babies to a petstore...I want to know who is getting my babies.

Last but surely not least, when in doubt, ASK. Locate local breeders and ask for help.