I have visited a couple local rabbitries and was appalled buy the filth?

Question

I have 10 rabbits of my own and I clean there cages once a week (aspca reccomend) but my barn never smells so nasty.. I have been to six and most of the people keep them in very small cages It doesnt seem to be very humane ...I was wondering if there were other people out there that raise rabbits and what are your views on this

Answer 1

At one point I owned 5 rabbits and a Ginni pig. I didn't breed them or anything so I guess I had more freedom as they were just my pets. But still, I think those conditions are horrible.

My rabbits were in an outside cage which was moved around our yard so it was on fresh grass every day. There was an enclosed area within the cage where they went to be warm and sleep. The cage for one rabbit and a Ginnie pig was 2meters by 3.5 meters and about 1 meter high. The other cages were slightly smaller and different shaped.

I think it's horrible and not humane at all. But that's how it is and worse in the world of chickens I believe.

Answer 2

I use to have my own rabbitry and had 1200 rabbits. I didn't have to clean the cages. I built my own and farmed worms under the cages which helped with the odor. The only cages that really had an odor were the buck cages and I would scrub them periodically. Also, I remember I would spray the cages down with a hose every once in awhile. If you have the proper wire on the bottom of the cage and then have a piece of dry wall (plaster board) for the rabbit to stand on and chew on, then you shouldn't have to much of a problem. No sores on feet. Good Luck

Answer 3

It has been my experience that the larger and more "commercial" the operation, whether it be rabbits, chickens, cows or anything... is that the conditions for the animals goes down in relation to the size of the place. We did at one time raise New Zealand White rabbits for my daughter to show at livestock shows and for home meat production. We had 2 does and 1 buck. We kept them in 3 foot by 2 foot cages, one to a cage. There were separate cages for the weanlings/fryers. My cages were 3 feet off the ground and I cleaned under them often. We had earthworms growing under there and there was little to no smell. I had a large fenced grass area I sometimes put them out in, but they would just sit or lay around. They seemed quite happy in their cages.
I have always been very concerned for the welfare of animals on commercial farms and how they are treated. That is why we raise our own animals for meat, eggs and milk. I know how my animals are treated, what they are fed, and when the time comes for the meat animals they are humanely butchered. It really has given our family a very different perspective on our food....

Answer 4

I don't raise rabbits but, regardless, bad conditions are bad conditions. I think you should call the SPCA.