14 AGRICULTURE HANDBOOK NO. 3 09, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



crosspiece nailed between the studs 

 that support the shed, or you can 

 hang it from the rafters or ceiling 

 of the shed with heavy wire or light 

 lumber. 



Semienclosed Hutches. — The 

 semienclosed hutch is constructed 

 with ends and back of wood (figs. 4, 

 5). An extended roof gives added 

 protection. You can use this hutch 

 in outdoor rabbitries in cold cUmates. 



Another satisfactory type of 

 hutch, which is light, movable, and 

 inexpensive, is shown in figure 7. 



Rabbits kept in hutches made of 

 wooden frames and wire need addi- 

 tional protection in cold climates. 



Hutch Floors. — Several types of 

 floors are used in hutches, and each 

 has its particular merit. 



Wire mesh floors are used ex- 

 tensively where a self-cleaning type 

 is desired. They are a necessity 

 in commercial herds, where it would 

 be impossible to provide enough 

 labor to keep solid floors in a sani- 

 tary condition. In installing this 

 type of floor, examine the wire for 

 sharp points which result sometimes 



from the galvanizing process. Al- 

 ways put the smooth surface on 

 top. Solid floors should slope 

 slightly from the front of the hutch 

 to the rear to provide proper 

 drainage. You can use hardwood 

 slats, 1-inch wide and spaced %-inch 

 or %-inch apart. A combination of 

 solid floor at the front part of the 

 hutch and a strip of mesh wire or 

 slats at the back may be used. 



Feedins Equipment 



It is desirable to use feed crocks, 

 troughs, hoppers, and hay mangers 

 that are large enough to hold 

 several feedings, to save time in 

 filling. Use a type that will prevent 

 waste and contamination of the 

 feed. 



Crocks. — Crocks especially de- 

 signed for rabbit feeding, which are 

 not easily tipped over, have a lip 

 that prevents the animals from 

 scratching out and wasting their 

 feed. The chief objection to these 

 is that the young rabbits get into 

 them and contaminate the feed. 



6otjyl-B' 



Figure 7. — An economical hutch of light construction, which 

 can be moved from place to place. 



