Lyn Weiss Rabbitry

Save yourself time and start your seedlings in a self-watering planter made of re-purposed materials.

You’ll need the following:

1. Empty plastic drinking containers  with lids (8oz, 12oz, 1 liter, 2 liter soda or water bottles) that are symmetrically shaped
2. Cotton yarn or string
3. Box Cutter
4. Common Nail, Nail Setter, or anything that will assist in punching small holes in contain lids
5. Soil (we use Sun Gro’s Metro-Mix for our starters)
6. Seeds
7. Water

You want to punch multiple holes in the cap large enough to slide the cotton yarn through them but not so large that soil will leak through.   I use a soldiering iron to melt the holes or hammer a nail in several places.   You want minimum of 3 holes.  The amount depends on the size of the cap and bottle you are using.  I usually make 5 holes.   You then want to several strings (quantity should match the amount of holes he created in the lid) as long had the full height of the bottle.  You want to thread the strings through the holes in the lid (1 string per hole).  Cut the bottle in half about 1/3 down from the top (drinking rim).  Add water to the bottom half of the bottle at a little past half full.  Take the top half and screw the top on.  You want to insure that the thread is extending 1/3 down the top half the lid and the rest extending out the opposite end.  You now want to invert the top so that the cap is seated first into the bottom half of the bottle.  Add soil to the top half of the bottle.   The strings should be mixed throughout the soil (the other half of string should be emmersed in water).  Now place the seeds into the top half of your planter. Water the soil.  Label your planter.

Let your plant grow!

How it works:  The string wicks the water to the top to keep the soil moist.

Tip: Never let the water come above the lid.  The soil will become to moist and the situation can lead to mold.  Once the initial water is used we put the seedlings on compost tea.

Lyn Weiss Rabbitry began April 2009. The idea developed after watching Food Inc the movie. We were already beginning to grow vegetables, but we had yet to have means of providing our own source of meat. What meat can be raised on 1/4 acre of land? RABBITS! Currently, Texas has stipulations preventing raising many sources of meat on such a small lot of land. Rabbits are not regulated nor are there permit requirements. Rabbits Rabbit Rabbits

Steps towards starting a rabbitry
1. Read- We read Storey’s Guide to Raising Rabbits by Bob Bennett and a few other books (insure you read more than one to get well rounded understanding)

2. Decide – As you read, you will develop a solid idea as to what you are looking for in raising a rabbit. We initially had thought we would raise them for meat. We eventually found we wanted them to sell, fertilize our garden, and for show. We still wanted the option to use the rabbits for meat but it no longer was our primary focus once we finished reading. Once you know what you would like to accomplish, you’ll need to settle on a breed. We went with New Zealand Whites because they were good for showing and meat. If you are raising for pets you may look for a more interactive intelligent breed, perhaps smaller or larger breeds. ARBA has a list of different breeds with detail descriptions. Go to ARBA.net .

3. Research – We went to ARBA to assist in finding a breeder. We wanted show quality rabbits for our foundation. We researched the winners of the national shows. We also researched the particular breed clubs to find winning breeders.
4. Plan – We had to figure where and how we would house the rabbits. When developing your plan, try to factor in your growth rate in 3yrs. You’ll need to create housing that will last. We created a lean to building as suggested in Storey’s Guide. We anticipated the housing to hold approximately 30 rabbits. The book suggests using a method of housing where the cages are hoisted off the ground (high enough that critters cannot reach the cages). We found method to be hard to maintain and there was a lot of unused space and hard to clean. We ended up redesigning the layout so that all cages were in a shelving unit that allows us to maximize the space (capacity increased to 50 rabbits), easier to clean, and air circulation was better.
5.Timely Roll Out – We created the lean to building before the rabbits arrival. We then created the cages by hand (used Storey’s Guide). Finally, the foundation rabbits arrived.

Additions:
1. Purchased and installed a watering system – We started with flex tubing. Eventually, we move to PVC watering system. We had a few unruly rabbits that would pull off the valve off the hose and create a leak.
2. You’ll need a software to assist in maintaining your records. We used Evans Software.  We found most members of our rabbit clubs suggested Evans.  Evans is user-friendly, affordable, and they have outstanding support for their product.
3. Registered with ARBA immediately and appropriate clubs for your breed, state, and city.

•      ARBA Application

4. Network yourself- You should make all be aware of your goals and how to contact you.  You may find that your competitors may often run short of filling orders for clients.  They often reach out to their club members to partner up to meet a quota. Also, you’ll find many individuals that are happy to extend helpful tips and tricks.

We started our first garden in Spring 2008.  We did not have rabbits at the time and were living off  a small income.   I learned a trick from a fellow gardener.   Start your compost pile with weeds from plowing or weeding your garden, gather grass clippings, vegetable kitchen scraps and/or dead leaves you find out on the curbside for disposal.   Put the pile together and buy a box of septic tank treatment that is 100% enzymes and or bacteria.   Water the pile to activate the enzymes and bacterial.  You want to wet (until damp not soaked) and stir the pile ever 3 day.   You may see different insects and reptiles in your pile …be thankful they came to to the party because they will help accelerate the composting progress.  You’ll have great compost in a matter of about 3 weeks.