Mine are in individual cages 30" x 36". They are homemade from welded wire. Even the largest one (one of our does) has room to hop around. The only time they get crowded is the last stages of growing out a litter and I have an extra couple of cages to put weaned young ones in until they are big enough to eat. I am planning to put them in "rabbit tractors" in the spring because like you I prefer the idea of pasturing them. Last summer we cut dandelions, clover, grass, plantain and chickory for them and found that they thrive on it. We also fed pellets, but they preferred the greens and their condition improved dramatically with them. Just be sure to introduce the greens slowly at first so the rabbits don't get digestive problems. They can be fatal, especially with very young rabbits. As for the slaughtering, we have used two methods and both have their pros and cons. You pretty much have to see what works best for you. You can snap their necks as one does with a chicken, or you can "bop" them. In either case you would hang and bleed them out asap. You will find instructions in either "Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits" by Bob Bennet or "Raising Rabbits" by Ann Kanable. Likely there are good instructions on-line as well. Below is a link to an excellent rabbit site, including information on slaughtering and dressing a rabbit. Here is a link that might be useful: Backyard Meat Rabbit Raising Practices

I raise rabbits in 2x6 ft rabbit hutches. They are made with 2x4s and hardware cloth. They have plywood roofs covered with roll roofing. Make sure to cover your wood frame on the inside with hardware cloth because they can chew through the wood. I also leave hardware cloth on the bottom for the poop to fall through. It keeps the cages cleaner and wood bottoms will just rot here in FL. The bunnies develop callused feet and I haven't seen any injury from the hardware cloth on their feet. Some people just hang cages but I need something really sturdy here due to raccoons, possum, neighbor dogs, fox, etc. Plus the hutches are about a half acre back from the house. The hutches are underneath a carport overhang and a huge oak provides further shade over the carport area. There are vermicompost bins underneath the hutches. The bins are made from treated wood but you could use redwood instead. The shade is really important for rabbits because they can really overheat here in FL during the summer. They love cold weather. I provide them with 2 liter bottles filled with frozen water in the summers for them to lie next to in order to cool off when the temps get really hot (upper 90's F). I don't raise mine for meat so I have cute semi dwarf rabbits that are part lionhead and/or pure lionhead. Dwarfs seem to make just as much manure as the big ones lol. My plants really love the manure. You can put straight rabbit manure on the plants or wait and vermicompost. I do both. It won't burn your plants at all. I really get good blooming on my plants here. Here is a link to vermicomposting under rabbit hutches. http://riseandshinerabbitry.com/2013/11/17/rabbits-and-redworms-sustainability-above-and-below/

Yes aok, I view it as a fun little challenge. I wonder why those who don't play feel a need to stop by each month to make a remark. I can't stand to watch boxing and I think it's an awful sport, but I don't go to boxing forums and complain or make comments, KWIM?

I am so tickled this morning. I have shared the practice of saying rabbit, rabbit on the first of the month with my grandkids who are teens now. Every month I text them a reminder. I forgot this month and this morning awoke to a group text from a granddaughter saying rabbit, rabbit. It is fun that they play along. This gives me hope that they pay attention to the other tidbits I send them like the word of the day which I send often but not daily.