Peri Ledo

And about using the whole hog... in here we say that from a pig we love it all, even the way the walk!
I´m from spain, where jamón serrano is made, btw.

One of the secrets to get it right is low humidity. A cold and dry winter will give you great results.
Ah, don´t paint or use chemicals, or strong aromas in the same room where you hang your hams... I know it sounds pretty obvious, but I have a friend who ruined 6 jamones and 4 paletillas (front legs, boney but tasty) this way.

I hope you have enough time to run some tests, and see which ratio works for you.

What about using that rabbit manure plus bedding for growing mushrooms?
Another idea is to use it as building material, as in cement for your cob or plaster.

I´m building a rabbitry and a chicken coop. Considering some housing for pigs too... And I can´t see a way around snakes. I think I know how to handle foxes, cats and wild hogs pressure, but no idea what to do with snakes, as I will be attracting them by keeping rabbits. Does anybody here know if rabbits, when in a big number will attack as snake? If one or two rabbits are lost, or a whole litter of them, I could take it, but the idea of loosing them all, like can happen with foxes is giving me the chills

I´m quite pleased with my cats catching scorpions by the house. They make us feel safer.

Losses due to birds of prey will probably happen, but in very small numbers, as they warn others of the danger and hide under provided shelter.
Here is an example made out of pallets, with perimeter of bricks, both covered by prunning leftovers:
http://www.asociacion-andalus.org/andalus/images/stories/attachments/article/130/09conplastico.JPG
http://www.asociacion-andalus.org/andalus/images/stories/attachments/article/130/15perforando.JPG
http://www.asociacion-andalus.org/andalus/images/stories/attachments/article/130/17.JPG


These guys use wild rabbits, as they aim at breeding them in order to provide with food for black vultures (Aegypius monachus), which are an endangered species. But I assume that it would work with other breeds too.

full articles i´ve referenced (Spanish):
http://www.asociacion-andalus.org/andalus/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56:cria-de-conejos-en-puerto-moral&catid=64:buitre-negro&Itemid=87
http://www.asociacion-andalus.org/andalus/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=130:suelta-de-conejos-en-la-reserva-natural-concertada-puerto-moral&catid=64:buitre-negro&Itemid=87

I am planning to build my rabbitry in the next couple of months. While doing my research I found inspiration here:
http://www.asociacion-andalus.org/andalus/images/stories/attachments/article/101/11Estrucctura.JPG
http://www.asociacion-andalus.org/andalus/images/stories/attachments/article/101/12Majanoterminado.JPG

Providing water, fencing the perimeter and this kind of underground pipe and nests system can be a good option for those who don´t want a labor intense way to raise their rabbits, while offering a close to "natural" habitat. Underground shelter looks to me like the way to go in areas with hot weather, and to a point, for cold too.
Disease would be my bigger concern, but the fencing is meant to keep predators and other rabbits apart, which should reduce the chances of interbreeding.
The concrete pipes offer managed burrows, which reduces drastically root damage for the surrounding trees.

I just came up with a similar idea, and came to the forum looking for feedback. I'm glad some have tried it already.
My original plan was to surround the rabbitry with the chicken ranging area and this with the pen for pigs. I thought it wouldn't work if pigs and chicken were together, but now I see I could save on fencing there. My main concern regarding predators are cats, foxes and snakes. How good would be pigs keeping them at bay? Should I look for any particular breed more prone to hunting?

Any ideas on how to protect rabbits from snakes?
I'm planning on setting up underground housing connected to an outdoor run. Protection from cats, foxes, wild boars, dogs and genets is complicated enough, mainly with fencing... but I am afraid snakes could get to the rabbits through the fence. When walking around here, snakes aren't a rare sight, or their footprints on footpaths.
Electrified fences aren't an option as someone who'd be around often wears a pacemaker.