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Rabbit hutch/run question

B

Bobsie

New Kit
We currently have no pets and a modest garden recently fenced and we have a perfect spot for a rabbit. I've seen a few hutches I like the first one being a 2 story slope roof I think it's 5 by 2.
juv1pi.jpg


My concern would be how hard it is to clean and how easy it would be to make a run.

The other option is this
2lddqpx.jpg


Easier to clean and I can make a large run. But it's small

Thanks

Rachel
 
hi, welcome :D

both of those are too small to meet the minimum requirements unfortunately. have a look at the housing section as there are loads of good ideas on there. :wave:
 
When I first got my two I looked into these types of hutches. The first one that you have there looks great as there an indoor and a run below with a slope, but it actually provides very little space for moving around as the slope takes up most of it!

The second one you have there is the same. It doesn't provide the space needed.

You need to be looking at much bigger hutches as said above! :wave:
 
I've been looking but what I had in mind looks the same as the cages I posted. Is it the indoor space the needs to be large?
 
Yes, I'm afraid they are too small. Here us a link to the rwaf http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/ahutchisnotenough.htm the recommended minimum size for the hutch is 6ftx2ftx2ft with a permanently attached run of minimum 8ftx4ft. My outdoor bunnies now have a shed and an aviary run attached, I find it much easier to clean out than the hutch and I can sit in their with them :thumb:
 
Yup, those are definately too small, even for one rabbit.

There are some very good housing guidelines here: http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/ahutchisnotenough.htm

There are a few places that make really good size, good quality hutches, many members here have hutches from the following places:

http://www.boylespethousing.co.uk/

http://www.rehutches.com/

http://www.welfarehutches.co.uk/

http://www.happyhutch.co.uk/

Also, if you do a search for The Hutchman on these forums you will see some wonderful hutches.
 
definitely spend time researching first and maybe spend more at the start to get decent housing. i wish i'd done this. i wasted loads of money on the wrong set-ups at the beginning :oops:
 
The top one looks nice, I have often fancied one like it but I think cleaning the outdoor bit would be tricky. Then when we have weeks of rain the rabbits will only have a small indoor bit to shelter in. I have found that a Playhouse or small shed is the ideal thing for bunnies. I have never come across a rabbit who hasn't loved a playhouse. You can put a cat flat in one side and attach a run. The shed type accommodation provides much more shelter from the elements and also predators such as foxes wouldn't be able to get to them as easily. Lts of folk on the Forum have gone over from hutches to this sort of accommodation. Also with a hutch you will need a cover whereas a shed is made of better wood (usually) and it will last longer.
 
Honestly, you will probably find that buying a playhouse is cheaper than a hutch, and they don't take up too much room. You can get a playhouse for about £150. A lot of people spend hundreds getting custom made hutches, but a playhouse can be just as good.

You can get them B&Q or Sheds.co.uk for reasonable prices.

EDIT:
I used to have this playhouse:

http://www.diy.com/nav/garden/garde...yhouse-Home-Delivered-12978677?skuId=13489381

I put an extra shelf in mine to make it more interesting, and give more room, and a catflap that lead into the run.
 
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I don't want to waste money so I joined here before making rash decisions! Thanks for your help I will look at the playhouse/ making a hutch that's suitable.
 
I've been looking around at new hutches etc. too: Lopsy currently has a tiny hutch like those shown in the pictures but his 'under-run' is longer than the hutch so the slope isn't a problem. I've been looking at the £250-£350 hutches with projecting under-runs because they're what I'm used to and my garden won't fit a shed (had one, sold it!) so maybe a playhouse is the way to go? I'm great at flatpack (my mates get me round to do theirs ;p) and the other half's great at standing and holding, and DIY's not THAT hard, so should be easy for us!

As for making a (wooden) run, my Dad made my first in 1987 and it lasted until well after I went to Uni (2002), even though the rabbit died in 1998! He's making one for my new rabbit too as he'd got some wood 'lying around' (he's one of those Dads >D). When I costed it up myself, it's about the same price to get a standard one as it is to build it from scratch, so I'd recommend buying one unless you have lots of time, a great friend/relative who's awesome and/or half the materials already! Again, the links on here are really useful so you won't buy cheap tat that'll last max. 2 weeks :)
 
Bobsie said:
I don't want to waste money so I joined here before making rash decisions! Thanks for your help I will look at the playhouse/ making a hutch that's suitable.
Click to expand...
I have been doing a lot of research here too for the very same reason before taking on our bunnies. Nearly made what could have turned out to be a very expensive and sad mistake.

I don't want to hijack Bobsie's thread but may I ask a question about the Wendy/playhouses please?They don't look that big in terms of floor space. They are big in terms of height but the rabbits don't use that or do you just add shelving?
 
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