The method of raising rabbits in pits is one of the oldest and most time-tested methods. Until people learned how to build special cage pens, raising rabbits in a hole was the main way of breeding these rodents. Now this method is used infrequently, but under some conditions it is irreplaceable.
The method of breeding rabbits in pits is simple, convenient and has a number of undeniable advantages. With this method, it is not required to build a cage, which can take up quite a lot of space, caring for rodents will not take much time and will not require serious financial investments.
Preparation and arrangement of the pit
A hole can only be dug in areas where groundwater is at a sufficient distance from the surface, otherwise they will constantly flood the hole. If there is an unused cellar, you do not need to dig a hole and equip a cellar for breeding rabbits. If there is no cellar, you should choose a suitable place and start digging a hole. The pit should be at least 2x2 meters and at least 1-1.5 meters deep. Before starting work, it makes sense to think over the shape of the pit so that it is spacious and comfortable for rodents and has convenient access for periodic work, feeding and trapping animals. The dug hole, before proceeding with its arrangement, is best left alone for a while to make sure that groundwater will not flow there.
After the hole has been dug and checked, you can begin to arrange it. To begin with, you should strengthen the walls of the pit, for example, with slate or some other material, such a lining of the walls of the pit will avoid their constant shedding. Only one wall is left without facing, the wall farthest from the entrance, in which the rabbits will dig holes for their offspring. The next step will be to equip the pit with drainage, for this, as a rule, a rack mesh is used, which is laid on the floor of the pit, and straw can also be used instead of a mesh. After finishing work on the drainage device, you can start placing feeders and drinkers in the pit. So that the rabbits do not crush each other when feeding and calmly take food, it is better to put more feeders and drinkers, depending on the number of rodents. In addition, they should also be easily accessible for filling and cleaning. The top of the pit should be equipped with a roof that will prevent debris and pets - dogs and cats - from entering it.
Settlement of rabbits and further care
When the pit is completely ready, you can move the first residents into it. For raising rabbits using the pit method, you should choose a medium-sized breed. It is best to populate only young individuals of rodents into the pit, since adult rabbits are quite lazy, do not want to dig holes for their offspring on their own and have a tendency to drive young animals from inhabited territories. After the rodents have settled in the pit, in addition to cleaning and feeding, breeding activities should also be carried out.
These measures imply the culling of individuals that do not meet the standards for breeding rabbits. Old, sick, overly aggressive and genetically abnormal rodents should be removed from the pit first. In addition, the soil that accumulates when digging minks for offspring should be removed from the pit in time, and the drainage litter, if used, should be changed.
