Breeding rabbits in a pit: cultivation technology

Since ancient times, people have used rabbit breeding as a means of obtaining valuable meat and fur. However, the method of cultivation differed from the modern approach. One of the main methods of maintenance was pit breeding. In this method, a hole was dug for the rabbits, in which several individuals from the eared family were placed, and they independently multiplied and grew. People only fed them until the time of slaughter. Modern methods of rabbit breeding use this approach less and less. However, breeding rabbits in a pit brings the process of growing animals closer to their natural conditions in the wild, reduces costs, and the meat becomes extremely tender, aromatic and tasty.

One of the problems associated with bred new breeds of rabbits is low immunity in these animals. They have become sensitive to external factors and often get sick. By applying pit maintenance, which is close to the natural environment, rabbit breeders strive to return them to their former endurance and resistance to diseases. Many breeders also believe that this method is more humane for rabbits.

How to choose the right breed

To determine the breed of rabbits that should be kept in pits, it is first necessary to decide whether the animals will be raised for meat or for skins. You should also choose breeds that have already been tested by time and adapted to the local region.

Recommended breeds of rabbits for pit keeping:

Meat sector:

• Rex: This breed requires attention and care, but at the same time the animals quickly gain weight (the weight of an adult rabbit is almost 5 kg), and the quality of the meat is simply excellent. Rex is an excellent choice for keeping in pits.
• Flanders: Rabbits of this breed reach a weight of up to 25 kg, which is a great advantage. In pit cultivation, it is recommended to control the number of animals, allowing up to 20 animals per pit.
• Gray giant: These rabbits are not picky about care, quickly gain weight, and the weight of an adult animal can reach 15 kg. They feel great underground, even if they are kept with representatives of other breeds.

Skin direction:

• Viennese Blue: This breed is famous for the quality of the wool coat and resistance to temperature changes. Rabbits in a pit breed and grow perfectly.
• Butterfly: These rabbits adapt very easily to different housing conditions, in particular in pits. They impress with their original wool color.
• Riesen: This breed has an excellent wool coat quality and a variety of colors – these are its characteristic features. They are suitable for good keeping, although they require a little more care.”

It can be added that when choosing a rabbit breed for pit breeding, one should also take into account the local climatic conditions, the availability of necessary resources such as feed and water, as well as calculate the suitability of equipment and infrastructure for keeping rabbits in pits.

Pros and cons of this method

Positive aspects of pit maintenance:

• Financial savings: Not having to build cages allows you to save money that can be spent on other needs.
• Saving time on care: Keeping rabbits in pits reduces the need for frequent cleaning of the premises, saving time and effort that can be spent on other aspects of breeding.
• Minimal space limitation: Pit housing allows efficient use of limited space, which is particularly useful in space-constrained environments or where there is insufficient space for cage construction.
• Increased fecundity of females: Keeping rabbits in pits can contribute to increased fecundity of females due to more natural living conditions, which can have a positive effect on the breeding performance of the herd.
• Higher meat quality: Hiddenness of rabbits in pits stimulates motor activity, which contributes to a more developed muscular apparatus of animals. This leads to tastier meat, compared to growing in cages.

Negative moments of pit retention:

• Risk of infections: If an infection gets into the pit, all the pillars can get sick and die at the same time. However, the application of correct sanitary-epidemiological measures and regular monitoring of the herd can help reduce the risk of spreading infections.
• Difficulty cleaning pits: Having some difficulty cleaning pits can be a problem in pit maintenance. However, with proper planning and cleaning equipment, these difficulties can be reduced.
• Difficulty catching animals: Catching individual rabbits from a hole can be a challenge as they have the ability to scatter in different directions. Taking into account this factor and using the appropriate equipment can facilitate the fishing process.
• Breed Suitability: Some very large rabbit breeds with valuable fur may be less suitable for pit housing due to limited housing space.
• Inbreeding: In pit housing there is a risk of inbreeding as rabbits live in a limited area. To prevent this problem, it is important to control the breeding and introduce new blood into the herd through planned crossing with other breeding rabbits.

By considering these negative aspects and applying appropriate safety and care measures, many of them can be easily eliminated or avoided, ensuring a successful pit housing for rabbits.

How to make a hole for rabbits

Pit housing is not only about digging a hole and letting animals into it. You should make sure that the rabbits feel comfortable. Before digging a pit, you should decide on the choice of a place for it.

Optimal conditions for growing rabbits in pits:

• Soil: Clay soil is best suited. If there is no such place, you can use basements or cellars.
• Location: Choose an elevated area where there is no problem with high levels of external sewage that could cause flooding. Avoid regions with severe frosts where the ground freezes deep, as rabbits can suffer from prolonged cold.

Arrangement of the pit:

• Size: A pit 2 by 2 meters in size (based on 100-200 individuals) with a depth of at least 1-1.5 meters is recommended.
• Shape: Most often, a rectangular shape is chosen.
• Walls: Cover three sides of the pit with slate to prevent rabbits from gnawing, and partially cover the fourth side to allow the animals to burrow.
• The bottom of the pit: Sprinkle 15-20 cm of sand, and on top it is recommended to install a flat net with small cells for collecting manure under it.
• Canopy: A sloped canopy is installed over the pit to protect it from rain.
• Fence: It is recommended to protect the pit with a fence to prevent predators from entering.
• Entrance: Closed with a lattice net.
• Ventilation: Adequate ventilation is an important factor. An exhaust pipe is usually installed.
• Lighting: It is necessary to install lighting, because the lack of light has a negative effect on the health of rabbits.
• Walking: If there is free space, you can arrange a fenced area for walking rabbits.

By following these steps, you can create a comfortable and safe rabbit hole. Remember that proper housing, care and hygiene are important aspects of ensuring the health and well-being of your rabbits.

Summer and winter maintenance in pits

It is worth noting that the air temperature in the pit in winter and summer usually fluctuates in the range of +10 – +15 °C. This temperature regime is optimal for breeding rabbits. However, in regions with cold winters, additional measures may be required to ensure animal comfort.

One of the ways to provide heat in winter is to insulate the walls of the pit. Under the wall cladding, you can lay insulation, such as straw, wicket, foam or other materials that can retain heat. This will help maintain a stable temperature in the middle of the pit and prevent the rabbits from hypothermia.

It is also important to consider that keeping rabbits in pits requires compliance with certain rules regarding ventilation. Ensuring adequate ventilation is important to avoid the accumulation of moisture and odors in the pit. An exhaust pipe or other ventilation systems are usually installed to ensure the circulation of fresh air.

Keeping rabbits in pits in the summer can also be comfortable, as the temperature usually stays within acceptable limits. However, it is important to control the temperature and humidity in the middle of the pit, especially during periods of heat. Providing sufficient canopy or shade over the pit, as well as providing adequate ventilation will help keep rabbits comfortable.

In general, regardless of the season, it is important to monitor the temperature regime in the pit and take measures to ensure the comfort and well-being of the rabbits in all weather conditions.

Period of settlement

Recommendations for inhabiting the pit with rabbits:

1. Before settling in, all animals must be vaccinated and given antibiotic prophylaxis.
2. Rabbits who are already familiar with the pit keeping conditions should be settled in the pit first. It is recommended to release no more than 8-12 individuals.
3. Gradually add young (4-5 months old) in groups of 8-10 individuals (for every 6 female rabbits, add 1 male producer).
4. Adaptation of rabbits to the pit system should be carried out in stages. First release them for 1-2 days, then take a break for 1-2 days and repeat this process 3-5 times until they are completely accustomed to the new conditions.
5. During the first days, the behavior of the new residents should be carefully observed. If aggressive individuals are found, it is better to exclude them from the herd.

It is important to follow these recommendations to ensure successful settlement and adaptation of rabbits to pit housing.

What to feed a rabbit in a pit

There are no particular differences in the diet of rabbits living in pits. Feeding should include a variety of components, such as greens (up to 60% of the total weight of the ration), compound feed, grain, root crops and hay. It is also recommended to attach brooms made of oak, willow or rowan branches to the walls of the pit, which will serve as a source of useful vitamins and minerals.

It is better to place feeders with drinkers above the floor at a short distance from the entrance, on one side. It is important to control the availability of sufficient food and clean water for the rabbits so that they do not starve. Usually, feeding is carried out 2 times a day, making the pets a habit of coming to a signal, such as a bell or a whistle.

Remember that proper nutrition is important for the health and well-being of rabbits, so the diet should be balanced and contain all the necessary nutrients.

How to breed rabbits in a pit

When keeping rabbits in a pit, there is no possibility to control reproduction, such as the mating of rabbits or their pregnancy. However, despite this, animals actively and successfully reproduce independently. Females recover quickly after parturition, and the rabbits in the hole will feed all the rabbits indiscriminately.

For effective breeding of rabbits in a pit, it is recommended:

• Watch the rabbits so that they do not become exhausted or aggressive. Such individuals can damage or even eat their offspring. If this behavior is observed, they should be removed from the herd.
• Rotate female and male rabbits periodically to avoid close inbreeding and improve genetic diversity.
• If the number of young is growing rapidly, consider the possibility of resettling the young rabbits in other pits. This will help avoid overcrowding and ensure each rabbit has enough room to grow and develop.

By providing proper care and attention, you can create favorable conditions for breeding rabbits in a pit and maintain a stable population of these animals.

What to do if rabbits do not dig holes

A situation often arises when, after settling in a hole, rabbits do not show interest in digging burrows. This may be due to the loss of natural instinct due to housing conditions.

There are two ways to solve this problem:

• Reintroduce to a herd of rabbits that used to live in pits. They can “teach” their less experienced relatives and help restore natural instincts. This can encourage other rabbits to burrow by listening for natural sounds and cues.
• Train rabbits to dig burrows artificially. For this, you can use a shovel, creating shallow holes that look like a hole. Thus, the rabbits will have the opportunity to “get used to” these holes and will start digging, deepening the created “cells”.

It is worth noting that usually females are engaged in digging, since the rabbit hole plays the role of a cozy nest for them. However, if males are present, they can also join in the digging process.

With the help of these methods, you can encourage rabbits to dig burrows in the pit and create comfortable living conditions for them.

How to catch a rabbit in a hole

Catching burrowing rabbits can be a difficult task. After a long stay underground, they become very fearful and do not trust humans. But there are several ways that can facilitate the process of catching them.

• Use sound signals: Even during feeding, rabbits can be trained to a certain sound signal that will call them for food. It can be a bell, a whistle or any other sound that rabbits associate with feeding. When you need to catch a rabbit, use this beep to lure them closer to the hole entrance.
• Using the net: After the rabbits have approached the entrance of the pit due to the sound signal, a special net can be used for catching. Approach the rabbit slowly and carefully, avoiding sudden movements, and try to catch it with the net. It is important to be very careful not to frighten or harm the rabbit.
• Cooperate with a party of rabbits already in the pit: If you already have rabbits living in the pit, they can help catch new residents. Rabbits that have already adapted to the conditions of the pit can catch newcomers or direct them closer to the entrance. Involve in the process of catching experienced rabbits, who can become natural leaders for new arrivals.

It is important to remember that when catching rabbits, you need to be careful and respect their natural instincts. Ensure safe conditions and take care not to injure the animals during the harvesting process.

Ways to deal with rats

In the event that rats get into rabbit burrows, it is necessary to take measures to prevent damage and infection of rabbits with infectious diseases. Here are some methods that will help in such a situation:

Prevention of ingress of rats:

• Keep the area clear of weeds, which can serve as a hiding place for rats.
• Regularly remove garbage that can attract the attention of rodents.
• Install fences around the perimeter of the walls of the pit and at the entrance to make it difficult for rats to enter the rabbit territory.

Actions in case of penetration of rats:

• Move the rabbits from the hole to a temporary house (cage) or aviary to keep them safe from rats.
• Place rat poison in prominent places where they can find it. Consider safety and do not allow access to the poison for other animals or people.
• After the rats die, remove their corpses from the area and reapply the poison. Repeat this process until it is noticeable that the poison is not being touched (this indicates that the rats have been completely destroyed).
• After exterminating the rats, thoroughly clean the pit of poison residues, replace the material and disinfect it.
• Return the rabbits to their habitat in the hole after making sure they are safe from the rats.

It is important to remember that the use of poison must be carried out with great care, observing all safety rules for animals and people.

Useful tips for beginners

• Choose no more than two breeds of rabbits for pit keeping (this will facilitate separate housing in case of illness).
• Change breeding rabbits every six months to avoid breed degeneration and inbreeding.
• Maintain the gender ratio in the herd: 1 male rabbit for 6 female rabbits.
• Provide the rabbits with access to sunlight, for example by installing a grate over the entrance to the hole.
• Carefully identify and block all possible escape routes, as rabbits can burrow. Better to show them new holes to dig deeper.

Both experienced breeders and beginners can successfully keep rabbits in a pit at home. Maintaining a natural housing environment contributes to the development of rabbits, increasing their endurance, activity and productivity. It is necessary to remember that we, as breeders, are responsible for those who have been domesticated.