little-laura
Wise Old Thumper
I thought I would start a thread to compliment the set up thread for new users and bunny owners
The information in this can be found and was taken from RWAF: http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/ahutchisnotenough.htm
[Rabbits are not designed to live in a confined space. In the wild they cover an area equivalent to 30 football pitches. They're not designed to live alone either - wild rabbits live in large social groups, foraging, grooming each other and huddling together for warmth. Rabbits living alone experience high levels of stress.
Domestic rabbits are not fundamentally far removed from their wild cousins. They share the same need to run, jump, explore and share companionship with their own kind, so their accommodation must allow them to display these natural behaviours.
The RWAF recommends a minimum hutch size of 6' x 2' x 2', which allows rabbits some room to move, stand on their hind legs and enough space for the food, toilet and sleeping areas to be kept apart.
It is commonly accepted that a rabbit should have space for 3 hops, but it is commonly underestimated just how far 3 hops is - our tests show that 3 hops from an average sized rabbit covers 6-7 feet!
A hutch should only be a shelter and not the only living space. It should be attached to a secure run of at least 8' x 4'.
Please bear in mind that these recommendations are all minimums - and like many things in life, bigger is better!
The reality of small hutches > http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/pdfs/RWAFsmallhutches-final.pdf ]
Bellow are examples of housing that is not appropriate for rabbits no matter what the shops say.
these types of indoor cages are not appropriate for rabbits unless only used as a base and the rabbit is NEVER shut in it
This is also appropriate if you have a dog/puppy pen attached like so
Hutches are not enough you should have a separate run attached the hutches that come with runs are not big enough either
This is appropriate
Imagine being confined to your bed or a very small tight space, some cages and hutches give buns as much space as we could have being confined to our bed without the ability to stand up and stretch our legs.... Others may have the luxury of having some space to move but still very restrictive. You wouldn't want to live your life confined to a tiny space neither do rabbits.
Even if you only confine them to the small space while your out or at work that's hours, days, shut in a tiny space....
This is ok if its temporary while you adapt a better space or if you didn't realise the space needs when you bought the rabbit and are unable to offer bigger space but if thats the case its vital that are not shut in for very long and have plenty of run out time. This is not a ideal situation to have a rabbit in and their requirements are not being fully met so any improvements that can be made now and in the future will give them a better quality of life.
The information in this can be found and was taken from RWAF: http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/ahutchisnotenough.htm
[Rabbits are not designed to live in a confined space. In the wild they cover an area equivalent to 30 football pitches. They're not designed to live alone either - wild rabbits live in large social groups, foraging, grooming each other and huddling together for warmth. Rabbits living alone experience high levels of stress.
Domestic rabbits are not fundamentally far removed from their wild cousins. They share the same need to run, jump, explore and share companionship with their own kind, so their accommodation must allow them to display these natural behaviours.
The RWAF recommends a minimum hutch size of 6' x 2' x 2', which allows rabbits some room to move, stand on their hind legs and enough space for the food, toilet and sleeping areas to be kept apart.
It is commonly accepted that a rabbit should have space for 3 hops, but it is commonly underestimated just how far 3 hops is - our tests show that 3 hops from an average sized rabbit covers 6-7 feet!
A hutch should only be a shelter and not the only living space. It should be attached to a secure run of at least 8' x 4'.
Please bear in mind that these recommendations are all minimums - and like many things in life, bigger is better!
The reality of small hutches > http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/pdfs/RWAFsmallhutches-final.pdf ]
Bellow are examples of housing that is not appropriate for rabbits no matter what the shops say.
these types of indoor cages are not appropriate for rabbits unless only used as a base and the rabbit is NEVER shut in it
This is also appropriate if you have a dog/puppy pen attached like so
Hutches are not enough you should have a separate run attached the hutches that come with runs are not big enough either
This is appropriate
Imagine being confined to your bed or a very small tight space, some cages and hutches give buns as much space as we could have being confined to our bed without the ability to stand up and stretch our legs.... Others may have the luxury of having some space to move but still very restrictive. You wouldn't want to live your life confined to a tiny space neither do rabbits.
Even if you only confine them to the small space while your out or at work that's hours, days, shut in a tiny space....
This is ok if its temporary while you adapt a better space or if you didn't realise the space needs when you bought the rabbit and are unable to offer bigger space but if thats the case its vital that are not shut in for very long and have plenty of run out time. This is not a ideal situation to have a rabbit in and their requirements are not being fully met so any improvements that can be made now and in the future will give them a better quality of life.
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