Raising rabbits in colonies can give them a more natural life, one where they live in groups and can socialize, rather than each rabbit having a cage to itself. This allows rabbits to play, groom one another, and possibly — depending on the style of the setup — mate when they choose. This is impractical for commercial-style breeders who need quantity on a consistent schedule, but it can work well for a family or homestead.
Colony setups come in a number of styles. Some people have access to outbuildings they turn into indoor colonies, usually by filling them with dirt or other bedding and letting the rabbits roam throughout the structure. Other colonies are outdoors, either aboveground or belowground. An example of a belowground colony might be an old swimming pool that’s been fenced in and filled with dirt. In this case, the cement prevents escape while providing plenty of space for the rabbits to design their own tunnels and mark out individual and group areas. An aboveground colony might be a large run with a wire bottom and sides, with or without a cover of some sort.
Colonies in the Cold
All styles of colonies have pros and cons, depending on many factors: breed,
