I found this site for anyone who is looking for information on how rabbits do in group housing.
http://www.awionline.org/pubs/cq02/Cq-rabbits.html
Be sure to check out some of the web sites listed in the \"References\" section for additional information.
That was a very interesting article. While it wouldn\'t be suitable for someone who breeds show rabbits, I can see the value in a semi-commercial set-up or someone who has a number of pets that they prefer to keep outdoors. Neutered animals would probably thrive under these conditions as they could dig, chew and kick up their heels without worry of destoying their owner\'s possessions.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
I have heard so many nightmare stories from people who try to bond rabbits, that I would have a lot of questions about this article before trying anything like this. I certainly don\'t agree with everything stated in this study, but I don\'t think a person has to agree with everything in order to get ideas from something.
I have a couple of \"Yard Rabbits\". Under normal circumstances, I would never put two older does together (these two are not spayed, but are infertile for other reasons), for fear of the fighting. (I have two sisters I have to separate because they fight something awful.) But out where they have room to have their own \"space\" they get along great!
I think, for that reason a system that gave lots of room, might work for some people.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
Thanks for sharing your story. This is a subject I have always been interested in, although the cost of vet care prevents me from getting more rabbits.
My two rabbits were not spayed/neutered when I got them. I built a big double hutch (8 ft long with 3 levels high) and seperated them with wire grid down the middle of the hutch. Once they were altered, I was able to cut doors in the grid. They kept their own sides for a long time (about 6 months?) and just visited each other. They now spend more time together, although they each still enjoy having their own space.
I have heard of two bucks that are bonded, but they are brothers that were neutered before they reached sexual maturity. In the reference section of this report, there is a web page that tells of the problems they had trying to bond males.
We find hutching rabbits in pairs and trios often benifitcal. Every fall we group breeding does in pairs and treos for winter in kindlig hutches. The does will groom and cuddle with each other. The poor doers gain weight and perk up acting both happier and freindly. We have found a few does that tend to be grumpy are also freindly to us when pair with a non grumpy doe. Last occationally we will have a buck that passes regardless wither they are in large cage or small, they will remain light in weight. Adding a single doe to this cage after the first day of breeding chases they will bond, groom and often set side by side in a yin and yan form. The bucks gain weight and over all seem happier and content. Our will sell or give away rabbits that will not live in such arrangement. To date this has been less then 1%. As too pairing show rabbits, most no. If find a show is depressed we make sure we provide toys, a variety of feed stuffs and cages so they can touch noses with a equally social needy neighbor. If this does not perk them up we do pair REW, BEW, himi and brokens together with not risk of white spots in solid coats. Again, if they won\'t pair we would sell them. Sell also not keep bucks that will try to fight with a neighboring buck. There is more then one way to do things and this does work well for us. Sally Randall
http://geocities.com/shadytreerabbitry
Thanks Sally. I wish more breeders and outdoor rabbit owners who work hard to keep their rabbits happy would get their stories out to the public. They sure could use some good press! It would help a lot for the public to see breeders in a different light then the way they are portrayed by those that think that rabbits only belong as house pets. I read that the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) is going to include rabbits. They are trying to preserve certain breeds. They include: American, American Chinchilla, Silver Fox, Belgian Hare, Blanc De Hotot, Silver, Beveren, Lilac and Rhinelander. These breeds would just disappear if everything was done the house rabbit way.