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We have 2 Rabbits that live indoors one of our bedrooms so have a lot of space. Hoping to move in the next couple of months and exploring ideas for an outdoor hutch with enough space for them to be happy.
I'm struggling to find anything big enough that's also weather proof. Im thinking about buying 2 and attaching them together somehow but in need of inspiration.
Anyone have rabbits with a large outdoor hutch/run?
Best one we had I made from an old sturdy wooden chest of drawers that was otherwise going to the tip. And when they weren't in that, the garden was secure enough that they pretty much lived outside.
We also had a decent one from Pets at Home when the chest of drawers one fell to bits.
Ours moved out of the house into a self built 2 story hutch, couldn't find anything decent in the shops.
However, we moved the hutch into the shed and in the day they had the run of the whole shed which they loved. Put mesh over one of the opening windows and they could jump up on a side unit and sit by the window. The only consideration is sheds can get hot so cut a couple of extra windows and silver bubble wrapped the roof and walls facing the sun.
As long as you have a decent shed you could just get away with a sleeping box for them.
Our rabbit just has a whole shed to herself. Originally we had a hutch in the shed, but in the end decided that she might as well have the whole shed floor! Works really well. Not at home so can’t post a picture, but not hard to imagine! Then we have runs in the garden that she and the Guinea pigs go in in the summer.
I’m struggling to find anything big enough that’s also weather proof. Im thinking about buying 2 and attaching them together somehow but in need of inspiration.
We have a hutch with one side adapted with a panel made of marine ply which has a circular hole cut in it, then a length of 6'' land drain pipe which is then connected to a run with a similar piece of marine ply on it. In the summer we also have a big wire run that we connect by way of opening one of the access doors (in the winter we limit them to the hutch and run as it's all weatherproofed (corrugated plastic roof on the run with plastic sheeting to three of the four sides) and insulation panels over the hutch and weatherproof cover over the top. We also have a heat panel that gives very gentle background heat in the sleeping area.
Unfortunately no pics just yet – I will have a look to see if I can find anything.
Edit: Found one...
This set-up is also very useful as we can block one side off and clean it, then, when it is done, move them to the other side and repeat.
Many many moons ago when I was a kid, I had two rabbits. They started off in a self built rabbit cage but we ended up letting them have the run of the garden. Each evening they would be put back into their cage. Over time the built their own burrow and it was lovely watching them digging and pulling the soil out. When they died, we discovered the burrow had stretched for about 5-6 meters in two directions. They lived as good a life as any pair of pet rabbits could have (IMHO).
What you want is a medium sized dog kennel like this - click me
I was away to buy one for my two large rabbits who were living in a large linked-together network of runs and smaller hutches (similar to set up above) but then a fox got in one night in October (I don't even know how) and got our boy rabbit. The surviving one is currently indoors but when spring comes I will be getting her a new fella and the hutch (or similar) above.
Our garden is totally enclosed so during the day they just roam free but get locked up at night.
The plan is to insulate the indoor bit so that its winter proof too. Hopefully this one will be fox-proof too.
I thought that this thread was going to be about the London property ladder.
Ours moved out of the house into a self built 2 story hutch
That sounds like a seriously impressive undertaking for a rabbit...
We have a hutch with one side adapted with a panel made of marine ply which has a circular hole cut in it, then a length of 6” land drain pipe which is then connected to a run with a similar piece of marine ply on it.
Really like the idea of that. Does the run on the right have a wooden floor?
We have a grass area or concrete area we could use so I guess a wooden base would be safer for them and a little easier too.
i've seen some really good efforts using flexible plastic tubing to link smaller hutches/runs together - garden aviaries work well as a base structure, and the extra height gives you freedom to build stuff inside at different levels.
Our rabbits live indoors - in a puppy pen, They've got free-run of the house, but don't often venture out as they don't like the wooden floor.
i want to build something nice for them outside for use in the summer, so following with interest.
Does the run on the right have a wooden floor?
Yeah - it's just an old fence panel (we have the same under the hutch) of course both well covered with straw. It is a bit Heath Robinson but it works.