{"id":9003241321365017,"date":"2026-02-21T16:45:54","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T21:45:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/?p=9003241321365017"},"modified":"2026-02-21T16:45:54","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T21:45:54","slug":"rabbit-raising-part-1-keeping-them-alive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/rabbit-raising-part-1-keeping-them-alive\/","title":{"rendered":"Rabbit Raising \u2013 Part 1: Keeping Them Alive"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_7338-1024x512.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9003241321365119\" srcset=\"https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_7338-1024x512.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_7338-300x150.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_7338-768x384.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_7338-1536x768.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_7338-924x462.jpeg 924w, https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_7338-48x24.jpeg 48w, https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_7338.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you buy rabbits, decide why you\u2019re raising them. This one choice affects everything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginner Tip: Don\u2019t buy rabbits first and figure out a plan later. Housing and purpose should come beforebreed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why Are You Raising Rabbits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pets \/ Show Sales<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Choose popular, marketable breeds (Rex do well)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Breed for traits buyers want: color, coat, size, personality<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Breed to SOP<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Watch trends, but also look for gaps in your local market<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>**I do not enjoy selling pet rabbits but it is an option.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginner Tip: Spend time watching local listings and social media before breeding. What\u2019s already selling tells you what people want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Food<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Focus on fast-growing, efficient breeds (New Zealand, Californian)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Breed for size and speed to market, not looks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginner Tip: Bigger and faster is usually better than \u201cprettier\u201d when raising meat rabbits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Housing Options<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cages<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Require climate control<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Easier breeding control and litter monitoring<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Less natural, more predictable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginner Tip: Cage systems are often easier for first-time breeders because problems are easier to spot early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Colony<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rabbits regulate temperature by digging<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Little breeding control unless sexes are separated<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Must prevent escape<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Introduce rabbits at the same time to reduce fighting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginner Tip: Colony systems work best when planned ahead, retrofitting almost always causes headaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hybrid<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Colony-style living with barriers to prevent digging out<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Requires weather monitoring, especially in summer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Include an underground or partially buried area for cooling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginner Tip: Hybrid systems offer a good balance for beginners who want natural behavior with some control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shelter Setup<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Primary Shelter<br>Where your breeders live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginner Tip: If breeders are stressed, everything else goes downhill: prioritize this space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Grow-Out Area<br>A separate space for young rabbits so breeders don\u2019t get overcrowded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginner Tip: Overcrowding is a fast way to create health problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rabbit Tractor<br>A movable pen for grow-outs that provides lawn care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginner Tip: Tractors are great for grow-outs, but not ideal for breeders long-term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Substrate Choices<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hay: Great for nesting, edible, but holds moisture and waste<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wood Chips: Similar to hay, not edible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wood Pellets: Absorb liquid well, easy to clean, usually the most expensive<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginner Tip: If something smells bad, it\u2019s time to change it, even if the schedule says otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Food &amp; Feeding Basics<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Free-feed quality rabbit pellets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supplement with grass or garden clippings when possible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep food off the ground<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginner Tip: Most feeding problems are actually feeder placement problems, not feed problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Common Beginner Concerns<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing Rabbits<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Decide on housing first<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cage-raised rabbits may struggle outdoors in heat<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Colony-raised rabbits usually adapt better to cages, but may struggle mentally<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginner Tip: Ask breeders how their rabbits were raised before buying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Heat<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Underground hides work best<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fans and frozen water bottles help<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Always provide plenty of water<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginner Tip: Heat kills faster than cold, plan for summer first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cold<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rarely a problem<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep rabbits dry and out of wind<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginner Tip: Wet + cold is dangerous; dry + cold usually isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Losses<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Some losses are normal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Disease and stress happen<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginner Tip: Everyone loses rabbits at some point\u2014don\u2019t quit after the first setback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Health Issues to Watch For<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coccidia<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Weight loss, dirty tails<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Treat quickly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Many breeders select for resistance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginner Tip: Clean, dry pens dramatically reduce coccidia risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Weaning Enteritis<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Around 4 weeks old<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Often sudden and severe<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginner Tip: Watch young rabbits closely during weaning, it\u2019s the most vulnerable time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>GI Stasis<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Gut slowdown<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remove pellets, offer grass hay<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginner Tip: When in doubt, simplify the diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pasteurella<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Spread by wild rabbits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Often fatal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Symptoms: heavy sneezing, nasal discharge, lethargy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Beginner Tip: Occasional sneezing is normal\u2014constant sneezing with discharge is not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Before you buy rabbits, decide why you\u2019re raising them. This one choice affects everything else. Beginner Tip: Don\u2019t buy rabbits first and figure out a plan later. Housing and purpose should come beforebreed. Why Are You Raising Rabbits? Pets \/ Show Sales **I do not enjoy selling pet rabbits but it is an option.&nbsp; Beginner [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3858,"featured_media":9003241321365118,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[362],"tags":[135,301,424,377,651],"class_list":["post-9003241321365017","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-homesteading","tag-food","tag-homesteading","tag-livestock","tag-meat","tag-rabbit"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9003241321365017","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3858"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9003241321365017"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9003241321365017\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9003241321365121,"href":"https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9003241321365017\/revisions\/9003241321365121"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9003241321365118"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9003241321365017"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9003241321365017"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/irishdextercattlemen.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9003241321365017"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}