If you enjoyed this video, go to my meat rabbit playlist, and go, watch the other video as well. It might be a little bit better overview of my colony. You have to do a little searching, but I hope you like it!

the insulated boxes is a brilliant concept.

@mantihomestead

Ай бұрын

Thanks! They have been so successful

Great stuff! The coolers were definitely brilliant! Was thinking of building insulated boxes but pre-made coolers are the way to go; easy to clean, waterproof, and already built! Thanks!

@mantihomestead

14 күн бұрын

You bet! I hope it helps.

This is one of the best setups I've seen. Great for cold climates.

@mantihomestead

7 ай бұрын

Thanks!!!

Thank you for this video, it is very good. Thank you for being honest about mistakes or us novice won't learn the things we need to know. Please keep making videos this is I think 9 months after you made your video and you just got a new subscriber.

@mantihomestead

2 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! I’ll release a little short video on the rabbits tonight. I think you might enjoy. Thank you for the comment!

so Glad you shared this!!! I was trying to figure out how you keep them in. Thank you!

@mantihomestead

23 күн бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

This is one of the best videos I’ve seen on rabbit colonies. It shows your ingenuity and humility. Thank you for sharing this information. I would love to see more of your ideas!!

@mantihomestead

27 күн бұрын

Thank you so much! I did make a playlist that has all of my rabbit videos together. Hope you enjoy the channel!

Subscribed! I felt so lost trying to begin. Your video is so so helpful! Thank you! Wish me luck!

@mantihomestead

9 күн бұрын

Good luck!!

Yes, please do a video on how you made the hutches in more detail. Thanks for sharing.

@mantihomestead

3 ай бұрын

I will do that! I have a whole bunch of baby rabbits I need to show off anyway. If you think of anything in particular you want to see, let me know and I’ll get that video made.

@SheerStitchery

3 ай бұрын

⁠thanks so much. Mostly a how to video so I can build my own! Love that they are insulated, we are in Canada and it gets to -55C here and I like that it helps regulate temperature for them.

I'm so appreciative of all the rabbit-raising homesteaders who share their knowledge and expertise with us - you included. I'm researching before I even buy a trio to make the critical decisions with my eyes wide open. So far, I'm leaning toward colony raising because of the reasons you mentioned, and because we aren't going to have more than three does, so I'm hopeful that it doesn't get too crazy. One question I do have that seems to be a hot topic right now is the rabbit virus that has been going around. I think I understand that your setup doesn't expose the bunnies to dirt or grass that other rabbits have potentially infected with the virus, but have you any wisdom regarding this topic that you can share? Thanks in advance, and I really love your setup - especially the cooler nests. 🙂

@mantihomestead

Ай бұрын

They are closer to the soil, so that could be a concern! I’m really careful on bringing any other genetics from an outside farm to my Homestead. We’ve even had our back up buck for over a year.

@schellywagoner8264

Ай бұрын

@@mantihomestead thank you so much! On my property, I have loads of wild bunnies. I'm only using 1 side of my 2 car garage, and am considering creating an indoor colony in the other half. The garage is climate controlled, and I could lift the garage door on that side, which faces east, each morning for natural light. Thoughts?

Each his own ,you seem to care about your bunnies , love the lawn clippings and shoveling them up for the garden i appreciate your video so we can all pick and choose what works for us keep it yup 😊

@mantihomestead

3 ай бұрын

So nice of you, thanks for watching!

i have been wanting to do a rabbit colony, but haven't liked the way the nesting boxes were set up. but your set up seems much better. i really like it. some do them with buckets or totes, but the coolers solve more than one problem. thanks for the video.

@mantihomestead

Жыл бұрын

Awesome! Good luck!!

@Gods-Elect

3 ай бұрын

@@mantihomestead Don't they chew on the strfom?

Might want to update these features in our new homesteading viewership nowdays. I just found you 😊

New subscriber because of this video. We have to get a colony up by the middle of May at the latest, and this looks like a great setup.

@mantihomestead

Ай бұрын

Thanks for the sub! I hope this helps, and good luck in your new colony!

The calendula flower is made into an herbal tea. It is attributed to healthy skin, but some folklore has it helpful in hemorrhagic diseases.

Very much appreciate this video!!

@mantihomestead

2 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Perfect setup colony!

@mantihomestead

2 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! We have had so many baby rabbits, this winter!

Thanks for the ideas, I really plan to utilize your suggestions in my own colony set up soon. (Controlled Burrowing). The benefits of climate relief without the harsh reality of burrow collapse leading to kit deaths. Do you know if your cooler idea is definitely better than just a couple entry/exit tubes leading to a large underground, insulated area like yours except instead of individual coolers place common nest boxes with open tops where you could view all nest compartments at the same time while opening the outdoor access hatch?

@mantihomestead

3 ай бұрын

I don’t know for sure. If it was insulated underground, then I think you would be creating a very similar environment. I’m sure that would work great. Having easy access to view the nest boxes would be key either way. Best of luck! Sounds like you’ve got a great idea going.

@carmiezaya9849

28 күн бұрын

I think viewing all of the nest boxes at the same time can be risky. When closing, there’s a higher chance of squishing somebody who might try to escape out the top when spooked. Also, seems like if all were open at once, it may be harder to keep track of all of them And some might just hop out in general. Just a thought

I love your setup and would like more info on how you got set up with your "meat truck"

@mantihomestead

3 ай бұрын

I sign up on Facebook for utah meat rabbit forums and there is always an advertisement for people buying

@johnpierce6025

3 ай бұрын

@@mantihomestead ty thats good info

Thank you for another fascinating video! The breeder of my white kitty did something that may work well for you. She would mark the back of her mommas, between the shoulder blade, so she could identify which momma was who at a glance.

Hi i love the setup! Could you please explain a little of how you setup the chickenwire On the ground and how you maintain everything? I plan on trying to make something like the setup you have. Much love from Norway.

@mantihomestead

3 ай бұрын

You bet that is a great idea for a video!!

Loved the video! I think this will work well in SE Texas. Thank you.

@mantihomestead

4 ай бұрын

Right on, good luck!

I like your cooler setup the best yet. Great job.

@mantihomestead

4 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@dika7210

3 ай бұрын

​@@mantihomestead i love your set up .. just curious would they chee the walls of the coolers ?

I love this tha ks so much for sharing. Ive been looking for this kind of idea for a while. Still dont have land but ive got deams. 😂😅

@mantihomestead

2 ай бұрын

You are so welcome!

One more thing about not putting wires under the dirt, is predators like big house rats. Where we live, rats would dig under to get under the fence to kill birds, in our case pigeons. So I think having a wire mesh under the dirt is a very good idea!

@mantihomestead

Ай бұрын

I agree!

Thx 4 great ideas. Can u elaborate on tattoo process or other identification methods.

@mantihomestead

27 күн бұрын

You bet. I will try to put that in the next rabbit video.

Awesome setup!!!!

@mantihomestead

5 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Increcibke!! I love the idea of col9ny. 😊

@mantihomestead

5 ай бұрын

That are really cool!

Yes, like it please to a video on the nest boxes.

@mantihomestead

Ай бұрын

I will do that! I’m gonna see if I can find the videos I took when I made them and put together a really good video. I am adding a new rabbit video tonight on separating the baby bunnies :-)

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and know-how. You cannot beat firsthand experience!!! My father spoke of raising rabbits, hogs and a cow during and post WW2 in France. Interesting how knowledge never dies. Thanks a tonne!!

@mantihomestead

4 ай бұрын

You bet! I hope it helps. We are definitely still learning :-)

@freesatellite3204

3 ай бұрын

This is animal abuse on high level. Rabbits are not a farming animal.

This is awesome! I would love to upgrade our rabbits to this, so they can play around more in the summer, they are so hot right now. What size cooler did you guys use?

@mantihomestead

9 ай бұрын

I just went and grabbed the normal cheap cooler at Walmart. They’re probably 18” x 24”.

Very interesting video. I've also been breeding rabbits for years (for meat and manure) in "traditional" cages, but now I kinda feel "guilty" and I really wanna shift to enclosure breeding for ethical and practical reasons (seems easier to maintain and is cooler in summer heat). But since 'til now they're each one in its own cage, you've made the choice to keep the buck with the does and the kittens, isn't it dangerous for them to be with the buck everyday ? does it harass the females and attack the babies ? Many thanks in advance.

@mantihomestead

4 ай бұрын

No actually. We have never had issues with the buck only with the moms abandoning their own litter. If there are two bucks, creating tension and competition that could be an issue but again, it mainly just stresses the moms out and then they are the ones actually having the issue with the babies. But I would definitely only recommend one at a time just to create that Harmony that’s needed.

What size coolers are the nesting boxes? Also you can get a livestock marker in either crayon or aresol if you need to mark a rabbit for any reason. Very interesting video. Thank you.😊

@mantihomestead

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the tips! These are just the regular size cooler. I’ll see if I can figure out how many gallons. But they’re only about 20 inches long. Just the cheapest coolers you can find.

Thanks for sharing your ideas! I've also tried colony system but some of my does attacked and killed other's does babies. Have you ever experienced this behavior?

@mantihomestead

3 ай бұрын

Yes, and tell my wife got involved and helped me get a lot more order inside the colony it was madness. I kept on adding too many does. She diagnosed that they weren’t happy, and the stress level was what was creating so many dead babies.

@user-cy4qf4ec6r

2 ай бұрын

Thank you for your answer!

What are you adding to create the mulch for the green house?

@mantihomestead

Ай бұрын

I have a video about liquid compost. In addition, we use this rabbit compost all the time!

Hi. Im wondering if you do tours and how to sign up for a tour. Im in slc, utah and im just starting a 20x20 wallpini greenhouse.

@mantihomestead

Жыл бұрын

Hello, that is so exciting for your greenhouse! You will love it! Yes, I would love to show you. One of these days when I get done with this remodel I’m going to set up a formal touring schedule on Saturdays probably. I’ll try to think of a way to get my contact information out to you. Best of luck with the Greenhouse!

How do you keep the boxes clean to avoid kit deaths? Is it a huge pain?

@mantihomestead

7 ай бұрын

It is not too bad, because I can just lift up the back, cover and latchet open, and then just dig it out with a small shovel. I’ve noticed sometimes, though the rabbits will go in and clean it out themselves while preparing their nest.

Nice system and good video. Really appreciate it. I just bought a pair and i put them with my chickens. So far no problems. But they dont let the chickens in their room😂. I have a separate house in another street behind my house. Which has gray structire only with room walls and no windows or doors just openings. The floor is mix of gravel and soil. And have a grass lawn. I put all my chickens (i have 8 hens 1 rooster one chick. 😂) in one room in evening and the bunnies in washroom of another room. Kindly guide if i am prone to some mistake or disaster or what should i be careful about.

@mantihomestead

2 ай бұрын

I’m not sure, sounds like you have a great set up! If they are not fighting, then you probably have things set up just the way you should. I wish there’s a way I could see that set up.

How deep did you put the mesh in the ground? And what size mesh?

@mantihomestead

4 ай бұрын

So we put the heavier gauge with 1 in.² holes and just did it directly on the ground. Everything that you see that we’re stepping on is their compost mixed with straw

@mitchellharder8695

4 ай бұрын

Right on thanks for the quick reply. Definitely going with this set up asap. Waiting on the snow to melt. Can't stand the cages anymore lol.

Nice video :) Is there a reason you have all whites? just wondering :)

@mantihomestead

3 ай бұрын

We used to have some broken New Zealand as well, they are the brown and white spotted ones. Commercial growers usually do white only because if there is a little bit of hair, it’s hardly noticeable :-) I think it’s more marketable for them selling to the cruise lines and, the Elite restaurants that buy that meat. I just wanted my breed to be pure. Just preference. But I definitely like the New Zealand brand if you are wanting a back up source of protein because it is fantastic meat!

@NellyL-0202

2 ай бұрын

@@mantihomestead Okay! Thanks for answering my question :)

Listen. Put Becca in front of the camera. You stand behind it 🙂

@mantihomestead

10 ай бұрын

Ha! That would be perfect!!

How do you recommend I find a local meat truck to sell rabbits? Thanks for the info!

@mantihomestead

3 ай бұрын

One of the easiest ways I have found is to get on a rabbit forum on Facebook. Especially if you can find one specific to your state. Where are you located? So I would just search up anything to do with rabbit and then subscribe and ask people in that group.

Do you keep all the bucks and females together?

@mantihomestead

2 ай бұрын

Yes, I keep one buck with the females and then I have a spare buck that I keep up in the cage just in case something happens to the other guy. I leave the bucks down with the mom and all the babies and have had no issues with him.

From South Africa, what about the possibility of in breeding in the colony system .I love colony because its creates natural behaviour

@mantihomestead

10 ай бұрын

We only have one buck at a time. when the baby's get about 6 lbs (right before they are mature enough to breed) we sale them to the Meat Truck. without doing that you would have the inbreeding issues..

2 questions. You say you have 6 does, 1 buck and all the babies in one colony so what is the size of the structure square footage roughly to support that many rabbits without problem.? And what is the fenced off area inside for?

@mantihomestead

2 ай бұрын

So we normally just have the seven rabbits in the whole area. When they have babies, it definitely gets crowded. When they get to about that three month of age, we just put a little fence and put all of the fryers on one side and then the breeding does on the other. That’s mainly to help us for when we Sell them to the meat truck :-)

🙂🤙

@mantihomestead

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

What size is the corrugated pipe?

@mantihomestead

2 ай бұрын

It is 6 inch

Please what's the diameter of your corrugated pipe?

@mantihomestead

12 күн бұрын

6 inch corrugated pipe. It seems small but they love it.

that lone spare buck in a cage having to see all the other ones run around relatively free is the saddest thing I've seen in awhile....at least set up a small area for him to walk around by himself.

@mantihomestead

Жыл бұрын

He did just breed with the lone doe:) happy times!

@saralinford3735

2 ай бұрын

Honestly, he's not bad. He might enjoy the time to himself. And not having to compete. I'm sure they switch the bucks every now and then.

How to prevent Flees?

@mantihomestead

6 ай бұрын

I don’t really have any good ideas for that. If you hear of anything, let me know. We have had to treat them for mites a few time. One drop of ivermectin gets rid of it very quick.

@almostoily7541

3 ай бұрын

Maybe try using flea tree leaves and branches strewn around. It grows wild here. Also called wax myrtle. Several uses for the shrubs. I use the leaves like bay leaves. A guy I know boiled the berries and skimmed the wax off the surface of the water. I fed handfuls to quail and chickens. A neighbor asked my kids to get some branches and leaves for her to throw around her porch and under her dogs cushions. I have no idea if it works but she swore by it.

@OurWeeTennesseeHomestead

Ай бұрын

​@mantihomestead, do you put the of directly in the ears to treat the mites?

That poor rabbit up top.

@mantihomestead

5 ай бұрын

He does get to alternate with the other buck. Normally meat, rabbits are all separated in cages. The colony that we have is kind of an exception to that rule.