Close
Results 1 to 4 of 4

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Varmiteer Seamonkey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Kiowa
    Posts
    501

    Default Meat rabbits, RHDv2 and bio security

    I'd like to hear how people are operating their meat rabbitries and managing RHDv2 risks. How are you implementing bio security and ensuring their food is safe?
    Last summer I found 2 dead rabbits with symptoms similar to RHDv2. I didn't know about RHDv2 and did not notify the state. I assume it's here -- https://www.rhdv2.com/

    In regards to these RHDv2 bio sec recommendations:
    - Do not to provide clippings as they might be tainted.
    - Ensure hay is from an area that is not infected.
    - Protect the rabbitry with fine mesh screens to prevents contamination from insects, birds, rodents

    The feeding plan was to provide pellets/hay supplemented with clippings from the property.
    Rabbit tractors are a no go as you are putting your rabbits into a potentially contaminated area.
    Clippings appear to be a no go as well. Possibly tainted by rabbits or carriers like birds, rodents, insects.
    My garden is protected against rabbits but not birds or rodents.
    I can store a couple bales of hay inside, not sure how to keep multiple outside bales quarantined. Chicken fence perimeter and tarps?

    Ideally I'd like to combine with chickens for the Salatin style of "raken" house. Hoop house with rabbit cages on platforms over deep compost. Hens roam everywhere inside cleaning up.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbmjCN4T19o

    How do you ensure the food is safe?
    How do you protect against contamination from birds, rodents and insects?
    Hoop house? Dirt floor shed? Concrete floor with a sealant? Hanging cages in a 3 sided shed?

    Never mind rabbits and go with cavies?
    Everyone wants to be a frogman on Friday
    You can't beat a woman who shoots - RW Swainson

  2. #2
    Machine Gunner
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Trinidad
    Posts
    1,222

    Default

    I keep our rabbits in the barn. They are in an elevated hutch, the feed is either in bags in a 55 gallon drum, or in a plastic rubbermaid tote for easy feeding. I do give them a handful of hay once in a while, we have 1500 pound bales in the next stall over. I dont have chicken down in that barn, so I use a scoop shovel to load the tractor bucket. It then goes to the compost pile. I just moved about 2 yards of compost to the garden to start getting it ready.

  3. #3
    Varmiteer Seamonkey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Kiowa
    Posts
    501

    Default

    That was the original plan, elevated cages in the barn. Chickens are free range anyways. I hadn't thought about potential infection from birds or rodents that some of the info sites mention.
    Everyone wants to be a frogman on Friday
    You can't beat a woman who shoots - RW Swainson

  4. #4
    Varmiteer
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Elizabeth
    Posts
    543

    Default

    This is my brother-in-laws setup. He built his own cages and has them suspended from his barns rafters. Watering system is all gravity fed hoses from a bucket. Has plastic food trays to catch the dropping that he dumps into his compost pile. Has several dozen rabbits now
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Screenshot_20210126-065132_Message+~2.jpg  

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •