A colony is a group of rabbits living together in a communal setting.
Unlike traditional rabbit housing, where rabbits are often kept individually in cages or hutches, in a colony setting, multiple rabbits are allowed to live together in a larger shared space.
This can be an enclosed outdoor area, a barn, or a large indoor space.
The intention behind a rabbit colony is to allow the rabbits to engage in natural social behavior.
Rabbits are social animals and in the wild live in groups, so a colony setting can be more enriching for them and allow them to exhibit natural behaviors such as digging, foraging, and interacting with each other.
However, managing a rabbit colony requires careful planning and monitoring.
The space needs to be safe and secure, with plenty of room for the rabbits to move around and with enough resources (food, water, shelter, etc.) for all the rabbits.
Breeding must also be controlled to prevent overpopulation, and any potential conflicts or health issues need to be addressed promptly.
Finally, note that while some rabbits enjoy the company of others, not all rabbits will get along with each other.
The colony should be monitored closely to ensure that all the rabbits are cohabitating peacefully, and arrangements should be made to separate any rabbits that show signs of aggression towards each other.
« Back to Rabbit Glossary