The rabbit enclosure is the most straightforward option for accommodating animals. Today, such a structure is very popular among amateurs and experienced livestock breeders. Especially if the question concerns a small household.

Main characteristics

To equip the aviary, it is necessary to select a sufficiently large area. It is advisable to choose areas that are as flat as possible, without slopes, any hills or lowlands. In general, a rabbit enclosure is an open area located directly on the ground and fenced on each side with a netting net.

Note! An important element of the enclosure's design is a canopy that will protect animals from direct sunlight and the invasion of uninvited guests.

The design parameters for breeding animals depend on their number. For example, an area of ​​25 m2 will allow you to grow 25 to 30 rabbits at the same time.

The most suitable place for organizing a pen for rabbits in the country is the area adjacent to the barn. One of the walls will be the end wall of the barn. It is near it that houses for rabbits must be located.

Benefits of aviary breeding of rabbits

Rabbit pellets

Keeping rabbits in enclosures has many advantages, there are much more than disadvantages:

  • A sufficient amount of free space, which plays an important role for the development of animals. Thanks to free placement, the metabolic process is significantly improved and the work of the digestive system is at the proper level.
  • Ideal for keeping animals in the country, allowing you to visit animals only on weekends. It is only necessary to protect them from the attack of other animals, such as rats, dogs.
  • Profitability, since the construction of a structure does not require significant financial costs. It is also believed that keeping animals in enclosures allows them to reach larger sizes.
  • Easy to clean, not requiring constant opening and closing of cage doors. But it is only necessary to correctly calculate the amount of food. Cleaning is not required as often as with cages. Sawdust used for bedding can be further used as garden fertilizer.
  • The enclosure of rabbits allows them to develop immunity to many diseases and infections.

Interesting to know! The breeding process of rabbits with this content does not require outside interference.

Of the shortcomings, it is worth noting one of the most important - a considerable number of fights, so it is necessary to put off adult rabbits in a timely manner.

Types of aviaries

Keeping rabbits outdoors in winter

The type of construction depends directly on the parameters of the area that is allocated for the arrangement. In general, it is worth noting the following types of aviaries:

  • It is very easy to build a single-tier aviary, but the prepared space is not always enough to grow the available number of rabbits.
  • Two-tiered - a complicated version of the arrangement, but implying an increase in the space for breeding animals.
  • Three-tiered - has a greater amount of free space for breeding rabbits, but at the same time has a rather complex design.

In addition to the listed species, there are also simple aviaries, as well as specially equipped for fawn rabbits. The latter species is also further divided into two sections: uterine, feed.

Aviaries with a fenced walking area

To independently build a rabbit enclosure on the street, you need to fence the selected area with a netting net. Further, along the perimeter of the installed grid, you need to dig in the slate to a depth of 40-50 cm. This is very important, since the rabbits dig passages and can escape.

Aviaries with walking area

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease

The inside of the enclosure must be equipped with grain and hay feeders. You will also need to install nipple drinkers. Often, attracted by the food, birds flock, which can be carriers of various kinds of diseases. That is why it is important to make a canopy over the structure. In addition, the erected canopy can be a good protection against the invasion of cats and dogs.

This type of construction is suitable for summer housing. Females usually live in the aviary, and males are sent to a separate pen to regulate the breeding process.

Note! In the first days of being in a prepared structure, fights can begin among the males, which will end after the territory is divided.

Aviaries in the apartment

When arranging a rabbit enclosure in an apartment, the following rules must be observed:

  • For the normal development of 1 rabbit, a space of at least 2 m2 is required. In closer conditions, the animal can acquire muscle diseases.
  • Organization of walks around the apartment is required.
  • Do not install the structure near windows, since direct sunlight is undesirable for rabbits. And the draft from their open windows can chill animals.
  • It is also forbidden to install a rabbit pen at home in close proximity to heating devices and energized wiring.
  • Carpet made from natural materials must be placed on the floor.
  • Cleaning and disinfection of the rabbit room should be carried out at least once a week.
  • It is imperative to equip the aviary with a drinker, a feeder, a house, toys and a tunnel. This is very important, because without entertainment, as a rule, rabbits become angry, if not even apathetic.

Arrangement of the floor in the aviary

To equip the floor in the aviary correctly, you need to follow the following guidelines:

  • It is advisable to lay a fine mesh type of net on the floor to facilitate cleaning.
  • Thin bars must be laid on the mesh, leaving small gaps between them.
  • Planks must be laid at an angle of 45º to the cross-beams of the fence, otherwise the rabbits may injure themselves. In addition, do not forget that animals will definitely gnaw a tree.
  • Before starting the construction of the aviary, in general, it is necessary to prepare a detailed drawing in which the room is divided into living areas, feed compartments and drinkers. This will make the construction process much easier.
  • In specialized stores, you can purchase special plastic ladders for rabbits as a cover, which are stacked instead of bars. This will make the animals much more comfortable. In addition, cleaning them is much easier, and the process of decay is not terrible for the material, unlike wood.

Rabbit enclosure floor

For experienced livestock breeders with relevant experience, the process of constructing an enclosure will not cause difficulties. But beginners will have to learn the intricacies.

How to build a do-it-yourself rabbit enclosure

The aviary can be made with your own hands, even without special skills. The process is simple and fairly inexpensive. It is important to immediately prepare a scheme for future construction, stock up on the necessary materials and time to complete the work.

Aviary construction stages:

  1. Choose a site that meets all the rules. Distribute according to a previously prepared scheme into zones, and then remove all unnecessary plants.
  2. Make a marking of the territory with pipes and metal pegs. Be sure to mark the entrance.
  3. Dig a 60-80 cm recess along the perimeter of the marked area and install the slate. Fasten the joints using self-tapping screws. Fill the grooves with earth and level a little.
  4. Pull the stack onto the installed supports (pipes). Install doors, which can also be made from mesh.
  5. Close the most distant wall of the structure with boards.
  6. On the territory of the aviary, it will be necessary to remove the upper soil layer and lay a sand layer (10-15 cm) instead. Next, lay and secure the fine mesh, which should be covered with a bedding.
  7. The wall, covered with boards, must be additionally equipped with a scaffold of slats and timber, and queen cells and houses should be installed there.
  8. Fix drinkers, feeders in the aviary.

Note!Now it is worth asking how to properly keep rabbits in the aviary, because the amount of time and effort spent depends on this. But it is important to note that the outdoor enclosure is suitable for raising animals in the summer. For the winter, rabbits are transferred to a barn or even an apartment for growing.

When raising rabbits in an open-air cage, it is important to correctly distribute the selected area and organize all the necessary conditions there. Only proper care and good living conditions allow you to get delicious homemade rabbit meat.