How to Raise Worms Under Rabbit Cages

Rabbit manure is a good food for worms since it is high in nitrogen and other nutrients that worms thrive on. Raising worms under rabbit cages is also a good way to eliminate rabbit manure easily without having to remove it with a shovel and dispose of it. A starting supply of worms can be purchased at any bait store, and the resulting harvest of worms can be used for fishing, composting or to sell to others.

Things You'll Need

  • Wooden box
  • Shredded paper or other bedding
  • Water
  • Pitchfork or small shovel
  • Worms
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Instructions

    • 1

      Build or buy a wooden box that is at least 12 inches deep and the length and width of the rabbit cage.

    • 2

      Fill the box with 3 to 4 inches of a good bedding material such as shredded paper, rotting leaves or peat moss. Wet the bedding thoroughly so that it is damp enough for liquid to come out of it when it is squeezed.

    • 3

      Place the worm box under the rabbit cage. Make sure the cage is at least 3 feet above the box and has openings in the bottom that are 1/2 inch or wider. This will allow the rabbit droppings to fall through easily.

    • 4

      Leave the box in place, without the worms in it, until there is a layer of rabbit manure on top that is 2 inches thick.

    • 5

      Mix the manure and bedding together thoroughly and water the box gently to keep it moist. Do this every day for three days. On the third day, place your hand on top of the bedding and feel for heat. If heat is felt, continue mixing and watering daily until the heat is no longer apparent.

    • 6

      Place the worms in the bedding once the heat is gone. Watch them carefully to ensure that they burrow into the bedding instead of sitting on top. If they do not burrow, the bedding is still heated and they will need to be removed.

    • 7

      Keep the bedding moist by spraying gently with water when it begins to dry out. Never let it dry out completely. Add fresh bedding on top of the old occasionally. Several times a month, use a pitchfork or small shovel to carefully mix the bedding.

    • 8

      Move old bedding to one side when the box is close to full and add new bedding on the empty side. Once the new side is covered in rabbit manure and the worms have moved to that side, the old bedding can be removed and used as compost.