The rabbitry of Rare Bits & Pieces is a converted hoop greenhouse 32 x 48 ft. You see, I ran a tropical plant nursery for 20 years as well as a mail order business for plants. The rabbitry is covered with a clear 4 year greenhouse film (plastic) with a 5 foot air space on each side. To offer additional shade there is two layers of shade cloth on top. Inside for additional cooling I have mounted three rows of fogging nozzles which will drop the tempature as much as 15 degrees. On top of the roof are additional misters which greatly cool down the plastic covering during our miserable summers.

The building in its plant growing function had a pond made from concrete, so a large raised wooden deck has been built to store feed, hay, etc. and makes a grand place to sit with friends and enjoy the rabbits. I personally spend at least 4 hours each day with the rabbits.

The rabbitry has a total of 168 holes. All pens are constructed of wire (is there any other way to go?) and they open from the top of the cage as I have never liked swinging doors. There is of course an automatic watering system made from PVC pipe and a single float tank.

All of the pens are 18 inches high. Breeding pens are anywhere from 20 to 24 inches x 24 inches deep. Breeding bucks are housed in 18 x 24 in. pens. I have three 25 ft. rows of holding pens which are 15 x 18 inches.

The breeding herd currently consist of 12 bucks and 40 does. Why so many bucks you ask, well with all these different colors of Lionheads, I felt it necessary in my breeding program. All brood does are used to raise at least two litters of kits (bunnies), that is, unless the doe doesn't show her worth and is destroyed. Yes, I love to eat rabbit, so if bad teeth are found in the litter and I can track the trait to the doe (imported) she and the litter are destroyed. It's not a decision I like to make, but I'm not going to put up it.