Chapter 1 – Rabbit farming in general

Rabbit farming plays an important role in many agricultural settings, whether for family production, hobby breeding, or professional operations oriented towards meat production, reproduction, or genetic selection. The rabbit is a particularly interesting animal thanks to its rapid growth, high yield, and ability to adapt to different housing systems. To ensure its health, productivity, and welfare, the choice of installations plays a decisive role.

Rabbit housing must meet several key requirements: hygiene, safety, ventilation, and thermal comfort. Poorly designed facilities can lead to stress, digestive or respiratory diseases, and decreased performance. This is why the use of appropriate equipment is essential for successful breeding.

In rational rabbit farming, our metal cages offer a highly efficient solution. Designed to guarantee excellent ventilation, they maintain a healthy and easily controllable environment. The galvanized steel ensures longevity while allowing for easy cleaning and regular disinfection, key to preventing contamination. Their modular structure simplifies farm organization: breeding, fattening or post-weaning can be configured according to needs. Thanks to their robustness, these cages withstand intensive use while offering the animals a functional and secure space.

Similarly, for breeders seeking a durable, stable, and highly protective housing solution, our concrete hutches are an ideal choice. Concrete provides natural insulation against temperature fluctuations, helping to reduce thermal stress, to which rabbits are particularly sensitive. Its solidity guarantees excellent long-term resistance, even in outdoor conditions. Concrete hutches are also easy to maintain: their smooth surface allows efficient cleaning, limiting the spread of parasites and bacteria. They are perfectly suited for traditional rabbit farming seeking a long-lasting construction combining ease of use and reinforced hygiene.

Rabbit feeding, whether based on complete pellets or a more varied diet (hay, cereals, forage), must be delivered through clean and accessible feeders. Our equipment fits easily into both metal cages and concrete hutches, securing feed points and drinking systems. Proper hydration management, often ensured through drinkers or nipple systems, directly helps prevent digestive disorders.

Reproduction, a central element of rabbit farming, also requires optimal housing conditions. Metal cages, thanks to their modular design, allow the creation of functional maternity sections, giving does a calm and appropriate space to kindle and raise their young. Concrete hutches are also well suited thanks to their stability and insulation, creating an environment favourable to litter development.

Finally, efficient rabbit farming relies on rigorous hygiene. The materials we provide make the breeder’s work easier: both galvanized metal and concrete can be cleaned quickly, resist disinfectants, and minimize sanitary risks. This results in lower mortality, improved growth, and better profitability.

Thus, whether in family-scale or professional rabbit farming, the use of our metal cages and concrete hutches constitutes a major asset to guarantee a healthy, durable, and appropriate environment for rabbits. With these reliable installations designed to optimize housing conditions, the breeder can work in the best possible circumstances while ensuring the welfare and performance of the animals.

Take the following with the highest importance:

Raising rabbits in wooden cages presents serious health disadvantages. Wood absorbs and retains moisture, urine, germs and bacteria, creating an ideal environment for microbial proliferation. Even when cleaned on the surface, wood keeps these contaminants deep inside, greatly increasing the risk of disease and weakening animal health. In contrast, metal cages and concrete hutches offer optimal hygiene: they do not retain moisture, are easy to clean and allow effective disinfection. These materials provide much healthier and more durable housing conditions, promoting the wellbeing of the rabbit.

Chapter 2 – Reproduction

Reproduction is one of the essential pillars of rabbit farming. When properly managed, it ensures regular performance, uniform growth of litters, and optimal productivity of the herd. Rabbits display early sexual maturity and a high reproductive capability, which allows for multiple breeding cycles per year. However, to fully exploit this potential, strict conditions in housing, feeding, and management must be applied.

The future breeding doe must be selected according to precise criteria: vitality, balanced morphology, good fur quality, and absence of health issues. Females intended for breeding reach sexual maturity at around four to five months, while males become fully capable of mating from five to six months. Mating always takes place in the male’s cage to prevent defensive territorial behavior from the female. A successful mating is generally identified by the characteristic “falling back” of the buck after mounting.

To ensure good reproductive performance, the environment plays a crucial role. Clean, quiet, and well-ventilated installations promote fertility and reduce the risk of disease. In this context, our metal cages are a major asset: perfectly ventilated, easy to clean, and modular, they enable the creation of appropriate breeding sections equipped with special nesting boxes. Their galvanized structure ensures hygiene and durability — two key factors for the health of breeding animals.

Our concrete hutches, on the other hand, provide a highly stable and naturally insulated space. Their thermal inertia protects pregnant does from temperature fluctuations, a determining factor in preventing stress and litter losses. Their robustness and ease of maintenance are particularly appreciated in setups where females are kept outdoors.

Rabbit gestation lasts on average 31 days. During this period, the doe must have a balanced diet, rich in fiber and sufficiently energetic to support embryonic development. The nest — whether incorporated in a metal cage or placed in a concrete hutch — must be clean, dry, and well-bedded. A few days before kindling, the doe naturally begins lining the nest with her own fur, indicating that birth is near.

Kindling is usually rapid and occurs without human assistance. An experienced doe gives birth to between 6 and 10 kits, sometimes more depending on the genetic line. The newborn rabbits are naked, blind, and very vulnerable: their survival depends closely on the quality of the nest, the calm of the mother, and the cleanliness of the environment. The installations we provide allow for easy monitoring and daily inspection without stress for the animals.

Weaning generally occurs between 28 and 35 days. At this stage, the breeder can separate the young into fattening compartments — see our cage with 3 compartments. Careful weaning management helps reduce diarrhea, common in poorly ventilated or inadequately equipped facilities.

Mastering reproduction also requires good rotation of breeding does, close behavioral observation, and strict health monitoring. With appropriate installations such as our metal cages and concrete hutches, the breeder benefits from a reliable, hygienic, and functional environment that supports the fertility, health, and performance of the entire stock.

The profitability of rabbit farming is only possible with good equipment, proper nutrition, and impeccable hygiene.

Chapter 3 – Feeding farmed rabbits 

The feeding of farmed rabbits plays a fundamental role in growth, health and productivity. As strictly herbivorous monogastric animals, rabbits require a fiber-rich diet to ensure proper functioning of their highly sensitive digestive system. Inadequate nutrition can quickly lead to digestive disorders, growth slowdown and weakened immunity.
Hay forms the essential basis of their diet and must be available at all times. It provides the long fibers necessary for intestinal transit and for natural tooth wear, as rabbit teeth grow continuously. Good hay must be green, dry, dust-free and rich in legumes. It supports both digestive stability and natural chewing activity.
In addition, specially formulated rabbit pellets provide controlled levels of protein, minerals and energy. These pellets should be of high quality, rich in fiber (at least 15%) but moderate in starch and fat to avoid nutritional imbalance. Their compact form prevents waste and promotes regular intake.
Rabbits must also have constant access to clean, fresh water. The use of proper drinking systems, installed in our metal cages or concrete hutches, ensures continuous hydration. Insufficient or contaminated water can lead to loss of appetite, kidney problems and reduced growth.
Depending on the breeding system, additional supplements may be provided: Vita Poultry supplement, green forage, root vegetables or crushed grains. However, such feeds must be introduced gradually to prevent excessive fermentation. Intensive systems generally rely on pellet-based diets to guarantee uniformity and performance, while small-scale family setups often combine pellets with forage.
Equipment directly influences feeding quality. In this respect, our metal cages allow for safe and hygienic feed distribution through sturdy and easy-to-clean feeders. Our concrete hutches, equipped with concrete feed trays, provide thermal stability and protect feed from moisture and temperature fluctuations.
Proper feeding results in harmonious growth, efficient reproduction and strong disease resistance. By respecting the natural needs of the animal and using suitable infrastructure, breeders sustainably optimize their performance.

Chapter 4 – Fattening rabbits

The fattening phase — for example in 3-compartment cages — is decisive in rabbit farming, as it determines meat quality, growth speed and overall profitability. It begins at weaning, usually between 28 and 35 days of age, and continues until slaughter age, generally between 70 and 90 days depending on the breed and production method.
During this period, young rabbits — called “weaned kits” — must benefit from a stable, clean and well-ventilated environment. Poor hygiene or stress sharply slows growth and promotes the development of digestive diseases such as enterocolitis. To prevent this, our metal cages offer optimal aeration and rapid cleaning — both crucial to maintaining animal vigor. Their modular design allows progressive group separation to minimize fighting and feed competition. Also see our parapharmacy section in case of health problems, particularly when wooden cages are used.
Feeding during fattening must be highly digestible, rich in fiber and specifically formulated to support steady muscle development. Fattening pellets must be distributed regularly and dietary changes should be avoided. Hay remains essential to prevent digestive stasis. Constant access to clean water completes the feeding system.
The stocking density in the cages must be appropriate to reduce stress and ensure equal access to feed. Too many rabbits per cage leads to growth loss, while too much free space increases energy expenditure. Concrete hutches, thanks to their stability and natural insulation, serve as a durable option for traditional outdoor breeding and provide excellent thermal comfort.
Strict sanitary monitoring is necessary throughout the fattening phase. Regular weighing, behavioral observation, examination of droppings and frequent cleaning allow for quick intervention if issues arise. Fattening is successful when rabbits reach uniform body weight, strong musculature and excellent health.
By combining proper nutrition with rigorous hygiene and efficient equipment such as our metal cages and concrete hutches, breeders improve productivity while ensuring animal welfare.

Chapter 5 – Hygiene / Biosecurity in rabbit farming 

Hygiene and biosecurity are essential elements in protecting a rabbit farm against disease. Rabbits are sensitive to digestive, respiratory and parasitic infections, making strict prevention measures indispensable.
The first rule of biosecurity is cleanliness of facilities. Feces, feed residues and moisture areas are major contamination sources. Thanks to their practical design and ease of maintenance, our metal cages allow quick cleaning and effective disinfection. Galvanized metal is resistant to sanitation products, ensuring long-lasting hygiene. Concrete hutches are also extremely easy to wash, with smooth surfaces that prevent parasite development.
Air quality and ventilation are also critical. Poorly ventilated environments increase respiratory disease and stress. Our metal cages, because of their open structure, provide optimal air circulation without creating harmful drafts.
Biosecurity also involves controlling entry and exit: limiting visitor access, wearing clean clothing, disinfecting boots and equipment, and hand-washing. New animals should always undergo a quarantine period — a measure often neglected but essential to prevent silent spread of pathogens.
Feed and water must be protected from contamination. Well-maintained drinking systems installed in clean facilities greatly reduce the risk of bacterial spread. Feeders must also be cleaned regularly.
Daily health monitoring of the herd is essential: observation of behavior, isolation of sick animals, post-mortem examination in case of suspicious deaths, and maintenance of a health record. Without these measures, losses can quickly accumulate.
By maintaining strict hygiene and using appropriate infrastructure such as our metal cages and concrete hutches, breeders ensure a safe, stable and healthy environment for their rabbits. This is the indispensable foundation of sustainable and efficient rabbit farming.

BCB Élevage – Fernand Lhotellerie
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