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Choosing an Outdoor Rabbit Hutch
Given that many rabbits will spend the majority of their
lifetime inside the small confined area of a rabbit
hutch, choosing the right hutch design can make a difference in
the comfort, safety and contentment of a companion
rabbit.
Keeping a rabbit healthy, safe and content in an
outdoor hutch starts with a basic understanding of three
key facts regarding most rabbits. First, rabbits like
to chew, not just for eating but to maintain their teeth
which continue to grow. This means EVERYTHING is
subject to being chewed or nibbled on within a rabbit’s
reach. All hutches for rabbits you consider must be
chew-safe. Secondly, rabbits are prone to heat stroke.
Having sufficient shade and ventilation at all times are
more important concerns for outdoor rabbits than
freezing cold weather (which most rabbits endure quite
well). Thirdly, rabbits are subject to death by fear.
Rabbits are prey animals in the wild. Their flight
instinct can be so extreme, that without a place of
escape, the presence of fear can be fatal. Keep these
three rabbit facts in mind as you read further.
In general, the ideal
outdoor rabbit hutch will not
only shelter your rabbit from the sun, rain, wind or
snow but be durable enough to last for many years. If
the rabbit hutch will be accessible to curious pets or
potentially wild predators, be cautious purchasing a
less expensive, smaller hutch that may be tipped over or
broken into. Although there are single level hutches
that sit directly on the ground and are less likely to
be tipped over, they won’t provide the same sense of
security for the rabbit as those hutches that are
elevated. Every rabbit hutch should have (or have room
for) a fully enclosed nesting box. These boxes not only
provide a place to sleep and shelter from the outdoor
elements but give a rabbit a place to escape and hide
from real and perceived predators, such as the family
dog or neighborhood cat. If you live in an area
inhabited by wild threats, like clever raccoons, durable rabbit hutches
with door locks are a must. And finally, the ideal
rabbit hutch will provide enough room for a rabbit to
get some exercise and live comfortably. The size of the
outdoor hutch plays an important role in a rabbit’s long
term health and contentedness.
Outdoor Rabbit Hutch Construction & Design: Although
there are a few
outdoor rabbit hutches available made of
durable composite plastic, which are long lasting,
chew-resistant and easier to sanitize than wood, most
outdoor hutches are made using wood frame structures
coated with a non-toxic stain and powder-coated,
wire-mesh panels that are rust resistant. An outdoor
hutch will typically have ½” x 1” wire screen flooring,
which allows much of the waste to fall through onto an
easily removable catch tray. Although it’s hard to
determine by looking at online pictures only, some
hutches are designed with more effective catch trays –
trays that will catch more urine or water spillage. If
moisture of either type is allowed to pool on a hutch’s
wood frame without drying out, wood rot can occur. Using
a litter box inside the rabbit hutch can be a great
option to minimize such issues. If
the rabbit hutch floor is all wire, you’ll want to cover
up to 1/3 of the wire flooring with a section of solid
surface (anything rabbit safe). A rabbit that sits or
stands all day on wire only is at risk of developing
sores on their feet. Larger hutches should provide
multiple access doors, all with secure locking
mechanisms. Each of the doors should offer easy reach
to all areas of the hutch for both cleaning and handling
a rabbit. If the main access door doubles as an entry
ramp, opt for a solid structure door over a wire door to
prevent any chance of a rabbit’s foot getting caught on
the way down. The roof on many
outdoor rabbit hutches will be
weatherproofed with a covering of asphalt tiles or
sheeting. Look for a hutch with a locking lid hinge
that allows the roof to be held open for easier cleaning
and easier access to the rabbit. Although most of the
asphalt covered roofs will be of sufficient weight to
remain closed to both wind influence and other animals,
a locking mechanism for the hutch roof is an added
safety feature worth considering. Be careful selecting a
rabbit hutch that’s too ‘closed up.’ Although it may be
a cozy looking hutch, it could be lacking adequate
ventilation, which could lead to heat build up and too
much waste-contaminated breathing air for the rabbit.
Make sure all water bottles and food bowls are easily
accessible. Another nice feature on some rabbit hutches
will be a hay manger. These are usually attached, wire
cradles that keep hay (or lettuce leafs) neatly together and off the hutch
floor.
Outdoor Rabbit Hutch Sizing:
If you're opting for an
outdoor rabbit hutch,
bigger is always better. Hutch sizes are generally based
on housing fully grown rabbits. An ideal length for a
rabbit hutch with a nesting box inside can be estimated
by multiplying the length of a stretched out rabbit by
(4) four. For a medium size rabbit that’s about 1-1/2
foot long in stretch mode, the ideal hutch measurements
would be 72” long x 30” deep by 24” tall (not including
the hutch legs). Having 30” of depth allows adequate
room for feeding dishes as well as allowing the rabbit
to comfortably stretch out in any cage direction.
Having at least 24” of height allows the rabbit to stand
up fully without hitting the top of the enclosure with
the head or ears. However, the majority of hutches
available don’t exceed 48” in length, and most rabbit
keepers won’t have space for a 72” long hutch. As such,
the smaller rabbit hutches are most often purchased and
made to work. For rabbits housed in these smaller
accommodations, it’s most important to give them plenty
of exercise time outside the hutch. A rabbit that hops
only once and lands at the far end of the hutch will not
get the exercise needed for optimal heath. For this
reason,
rabbit runs are often combined with hutches to
provide room for exercise and play.
Finally, look for and read rabbit hutch reviews posted
by others. Check out eBay even if you don’t plan to make
a rabbit hutch purchase on eBay. Research the sellers
and read the review they’ve received on the hutches they
sell. Those reviews are not as likely to be seeded with
“planted” praise as can be the case on some web sites.
Web sites that allow customers to give a 1 to 5 star
rating can be good to review if there are enough reviews
posted. Oh, and don’t forget the tools and a second pair
of hands. Many
outdoor rabbit hutches will require some
assembly.
Copyright 2012 Rabbit-Hutches.Net
- All rights reserved
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