A Guide to Rabbit Tractors

We've raised rabbits for a couple years now, and it's a wonder why we haven't tried rabbit tractors sooner. They've become a bit of a miracle for us, cutting down on feed costs… and simply being awesome! The rabbits are happier, lounging in the sun and nibbling on grass all day. We love to go out and play with them, and they are always running up to the side of the tractor, excited to see us.

For those who not familiar with them, rabbit tractors are like chicken tractors plus a bottom. They are larger cages with a wire (or wood slat) floor. They are kept outside where grass can poke up into the cage as rabbit food. And the rabbits love it much more than boring pellets.

The Cages

Rabbit tractors come in a variety of types and sizes, and the more creative you get, the more options you have.

All tractors, though, have a few simple requirements: small enough wire the rabbits don't get out, larger wire on bottom (not too large!) to allow more grass to poke through, and at least a partial roof to allow shade during the afternoon.

The simplest rabbit tractors are a large square cube made from cage wire. The roof is made to flip up, and a piece of old plywood is kept on top with a brick. Ours are 4 foot by 4 foot.

We like to get crazy with the extra wire and tin we have on hand and create tractors of different shapes and sizes. We've experimented with triangular cages, domed cages, and anything else we can come up with.

The easiest way to have rabbit tractors is to buy them. You can probably find somewhere that sells them, but chicken tractors are much more popular and readily available. Just add wire to the bottom so that the rabbits don't dig out.

Large dog crates or bird cages bought at garage sales or auctions make for good tractors as well. Make sure that there are no large openings for rabbits to escape out of. If they can get their head through, they can probably get their body through!

When sizing your tractor, try to keep about 4 sq.ft per rabbit. Don't overcrowd your tractor or they can run out of grass too quickly and starve or become competitive and fight.

How They Work

When your rabbits are in their tractors, you'll need to move them from spot to spot every time they run low on grass. If you start to see bare spots, move it immediately. Rabbits constantly need grass; they will quickly lose weight and even starve without it.

We move our tractors twice a day, every morning and every night at the same time we water. We have to move them more often when the grass is sparse or the cages more densely populated.

Rabbits tractors can be a great way to feed out rabbits being raised for meat. They do need to be supplemented with pellet, but it definitely reduces feed costs!

Accessorizing 

Other than grass, your rabbits need a few things to keep happy and healthy in their tractors.

The most important is water. Rabbits constantly need water, no matter the season. A simple dish or bottle will work, just the same thing you use for regularly caged rabbits. In the tractors holding a larger population, we like to use 1 gallon gravity waterers by Little Giant.

Rabbits also love and need cubby holes. A small place to huddle in and hide makes them feel safe and happy, especially during the night. A cheap bucket, pail, or small box will suit this purpose. I like to make plywood huts by hand. They just need to be large enough for a rabbit or two to crawl in. 

Really, I only do this for tractors holding a single or pair of rabbits. Larger groups are fine huddling together. (And it would be unreasonable to supply each rabbit with a cubby hole.)

Also, make sure the rabbits can get out of the weather. If their roof is not rain-proof, their cubby hole needs to be. Make the tractor light enough to move, but heavy enough not to be carried away in the wind. With enough shade and water, rabbits can usually hold out in the summer, but they need to be brought inside during the winter.

So Basically…

Rabbit tractors are a great way to cut feed costs and get your rabbits a little closer to their natural habitat. With some care and attention, they can be a great addition to any farm or homestead.

We love experimenting and are always learning new things.

-Katie

Also, some further notes:

Dog crates make nice rabbit tractors. Fun cubby holes and weeds as treats make it home.

Rabbits love to climb in anything. Anything! Old buckets or stained tubs are just fine.

Although a bucket that hangs on the side is added fun and allows for more grass space on bottom.