Breeding rabbits in pits: advantages, features of keeping and recommendations

Some livestock farmers are reverting to the old method of keeping rabbits. This is a painstaking process for humans and ideal conditions for the animals themselves. Breeding rabbits in pits is a profitable business, significantly increasing the productivity of individuals. In the natural environment, pets begin to settle on their own, dig minks and actively breed. The article details information about this unusual technique.

Forgotten experience

People have been raising domestic rabbits since ancient times. Having no materials at hand, they simply dug up the cellar, launched the animals there, thereby providing them with a familiar way of life. With the development of agriculture, new ways of arranging the premises were found. Farmers build cages and aviaries, which, unfortunately, restrict the freedom of pets. This content contributes to their crowding and often leads to various diseases.

At this time, not many can share detailed experience in breeding rabbits in pits, because the method exists more in theory than in practice. From the advice left by pastoralists of past years, you can learn a lot of useful things. They describe both the advantages of the method and the consequences of mistakes. Careful consideration of these recommendations will avoid unnecessary difficulties.

Benefits

We have already mentioned that in natural conditions eared creatures live much easier. Their immunity strengthens, they get sick less often and multiply faster. In addition, everyone can build and equip the basement.

Amateur farmers noticed some features. Breeding rabbits in pits does not require too much scrupulousness. Frequent cleaning will not be necessary, since a significant part of the waste products remains in the ground. In animals, a protective reaction is better when attacked by predators. They become more friendly and able to fight back rodents.

Pets have the opportunity to replenish their diet with minerals extracted from the earth. Very interesting is the fattening of the kids. They are selected from their nest and receive the necessary diet from the first rabbit that comes across with milk.

Difficulties

But not everything is so smooth. Breeding rabbits in a pit at home is fraught with many difficulties. The habitat of animals in the natural environment alienates them from their owners, they become wild. Only with the full surrender of power will the rabbit breeder be able to get the expected profit. The disadvantages of free pet keeping include:

1. The gradual fading of the offspring resulting from incest.
2. The rapid spread of infection. Because of one infected individual, the whole herd may die. When the rabbits climb into the aviary, they are regularly examined and the patients are separated. In the pit itself, this is almost impossible. To reduce the risk of disease, preventive treatment is carried out every 6 months in the underground room.
3. Due to frequent skirmishes between animals, the decorative appearance of their skins is lost. A permanent presence in the ground also contributes to a decrease in the quality of the fur.
4. Pit breeding of long-eared imposes restrictions on the choice of breed. Only small species are allowed.
5. It is almost impossible to control pets during the period of incidents.
6. It does not work to provide the necessary diet for females during pregnancy.

What are the benefits of rabbits?

Rabbit meat is a valuable and expensive product. It has irreplaceable properties. And we are talking not only about taste, but also about the richest composition, which is of considerable benefit. Nutritionists recommend rabbit meat for many diseases. Dishes from it are very tender. Unlike meat of other animals, rabbit meat is completely absorbed by the body. This is a hypoallergenic product from which food is prepared for children.

Fans of this kind of agricultural activity have every reason to engage in mass cultivation of eared. Breeding rabbits in pits as a business is a very lucrative activity. Firstly, the natural way of keeping pets is very cost effective. Secondly, you do not need to have a large territory. An aviary, going underground, requires almost no space.

You should take into account that rabbit meat is relatively rare in the markets, so your products will be in great demand.

From their counterparts living in cages, the free inhabitants are distinguished by good reproductive performance. However, not all varieties can adapt to similar conditions. Females of individual subspecies may have difficulties with bearing offspring. Giant rabbits and European breeds will not be able to adapt to the dungeon. They do not dig minks and do not lead an active lifestyle.

One of the decisive factors in breeding rabbits in pits is the soil. Clay and sandy soil is not suitable for arranging a pit. The first will get stuck between the fingers and under the claws of animals, which is fraught with bad consequences. The sand walls will begin to crumble after a while, and this will lead to the death of the animals.

Pit arrangement

Breeding rabbits in pits can only be done in areas where groundwater is located far from the surface. Before embarking on such a laborious process, this issue needs to be clarified. During spring floods, you need to observe what level the water rises. If there are no suitable conditions for creating an underground dwelling, it is better to make a normal aviary for fluffy animals.

To build an earthen building, the following materials will be required: slate, slats for arranging drainage, mesh (metal), wall cladding, work equipment for earthworks and a mosquito net.

We provide a detailed description of the arrangement of the pit for breeding rabbits. The scheme can be found below in the article.

1. On an elevated site, marking is done. You can choose the sizes to your taste, but it is better to use the standard ones specified in the description of experienced livestock breeders.
2. We dig a square hole, each side of which is 2.5 meters. Its depth should be at least 1.5 m.
3. The first step is to strengthen the walls before they begin to crumble. From brick or slate, the facing layer is laid out on three walls. One remains free.
4. In the wall from the ground, a blueprint is made for the future mink. Having retreated 20 cm from the floor, you need to dig a small depression. Subsequently, the animals themselves will dig the hole to the desired size.
5. The first and all subsequent moves, dug up by rabbits, are provided with flaps.
6. From above, the underground room is covered with a metal mesh, which will serve as protection from dangerous predators.
7. A must-have element is the roof. Precipitation and direct sunlight should not be allowed to enter the pit.
8. A fence is installed around the perimeter of the recess. The remaining free space is covered by a mosquito net from mosquitoes and flies.
9. A drainage grate for urine drainage is laid at the bottom. So that the eared paws do not get wet, it is necessary to insulate the floor. It is good if sand (15-18 cm) is poured under the slats, and a layer of straw is laid on top.
10. Feeders, manger for hay and drinking bowls are attached to the wall. The size of the described dwelling is designed for 200 fluffy pets. Based on this figure, you need to allocate a sufficient number of containers.
11. Closer to winter, it is necessary to prepare straw mats for wall insulation.

The underground method of growing eared is more suitable for warm regions. In no case should the soil freeze. If such a problem exists, you need to take care of additional heating. This and other factors described above determine how rabbits will feel in the pit. Read about breeding and all the details of the content below.

The settlement of animals

Many pets learn from the examples of their other brothers, and rabbits are no exception. If possible, try to get a few individuals with experience living in natural conditions and a well-developed instinct for digging underground passages. When adult animals get settled, it will be possible to gradually start young animals towards them. It is forbidden to beget animals that have spent most of their life in a cage. These animals have already lost their natural abilities. They will no longer be able to recover and get used to living in the wild.

If the so-called “mentors” were not found among the animals, the owner will have to show the youngsters what to do. With the help of the tool, a spacious mink is created in which a pair of individuals can be placed. This approach is useful in that it will serve as an incentive for further activation of animals, as well as accustom them to human presence.

You can’t run a large number of pets at once. They are populated in certain batches - 15-18 pieces each, observing their behavior. When breeding rabbits in a pit, this is easier to do. Immediately it is worth mentioning that the eared will initially fight, establishing themselves in the spheres of influence. In this turbulent period, the main task of the rabbit breeder is to separate the most obstinate and aggressive individuals. Otherwise, a substantial separation of the herd will occur.

You should not worry too much about the fact that the first generation does not seek to dig tunnels. In any case, future rabbits will do it. Over time, the herd will begin to feel at ease and begin to actively breed.

Content

The feeding process is very simple, it is enough to replenish the feeders twice a day with the usual food for pets.

We must not forget that animals need fresh air. This means that it is necessary to make sure that the exit of their pit into the aviary is convenient, and that the eared ones can take walks at any time. At night, the door to the dungeon needs to be tightly covered.

Breeding and keeping rabbits in pits requires special attention, since animals are not always in sight. So that they do not run away, it is important to monitor the direction of the dug moves. If they are directed upwards, they need to be immediately boarded up, and for a reference point to make new ones, with the opposite bias.

Room cleaning

Timely sanitation and floor cleaning have a positive effect on animal behavior. Dirt and feces are thoroughly cleaned, after which the room is ventilated. Often as a result of digging, a lot of land accumulates, which should also be carried out.

So that the eared do not interfere with cleaning the home, their minks must be closed with shutters.

Breeding

Tracking the breeding process will not work, and this is the biggest problem when breeding rabbits in pits. Uncontrolled mating of young animals can lead to mutations, extinction and animal diseases. To negate such a problem, you need to periodically replace the males. Some rabbit breeders are preparing separate housing for young animals. At 4-5 months, rabbits are moved to a new place. The main task is to reduce incest.

Dead rabbits females are thrown out. After the younger generation is growing up, mink cleaning is not necessary. The uterus itself leaves her, and by the next call uses another. Some females can eat their rabbits. You need to get rid of them right away.

Catching animals

It is very difficult to catch a rabbit without preliminary preparation. The advice of experienced breeders will help here. First of all, dampers are used. As soon as the pet gets out of its mink, one must not miss the moment to close it. If you initially make friends with rabbits, they will not be afraid of people. Feeding from your hands with your favorite treat, such as carrots or apples, will help tame the animal.

Another effective way is to train the eared to respond to certain sounds in advance. It can be claps, whistles and other signals. Smoking animals is not recommended.

Reviews

Judging by the available information, the free way of keeping pets is not yet popular. About breeding rabbits in pits, reviews are different. So far, not many farmers decide to switch to this technology. Beginning rabbit breeders respond well about the ancient technique. She became interested in many of them as an experiment. As practice has shown, many advantages have been revealed in the once forgotten method of animal husbandry.

Conclusion

Obviously, not all regions can breed rabbits in a pit. The Chinese method may be a suitable alternative in this type of economy. Instead of an underground dwelling or basement, a greenhouse is being built. It contains cells made up of four tiers. If you are a fan of furry animals, try the method that is more suitable for your area.