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Advice on new DIY hutch?

After doing lots of research, I have decided to build my own hutch for my two rabbits, Midnight and Lucky, as I have found that many hutches being sold nowadays are far too small, and very poor quality. My bunnies are currently housed indoors and get to free range our spare room where my guinea pigs are living. I am fully aware that rabbits and guinea pigs should not live together for various reasons, therefore both their cages are completely separate, and I make sure that they never come into contact with one another. I would much prefer to keep my rabbits indoors with us, but I feel that the room is way too small for them to get proper exercise.

The hutch will have two storeys and will measure 10ft x 3ft x 3ft, and I plan to attach to their 10ft x 6ft run using a run-around connection kit. It will be made from strong, heavy timber (which I will treat with pet-safe preservative to make it watertight. I don't plan on using chicken wire, as it is very flimsy and easy for a fox to chew through. If anyone has any recommendations or advice that would be excellent. Thank you :) x
 
Whilst that sounds awesomely big, I'm not sure if they would make as much use of the space as you might think because of the shape. Is there a reason (garden space) for long and narrow? If not I'd go for squarer so that you've got more practical space for running about. Something more shed like that you could walk into and hang out with them in winter. The add a shelf to maximise space. 3' deep is also quite tricky for cleaning the back unless you've got long arms.

You definitely want weld mesh for the wire to be fox proof :)
 
Whilst that sounds awesomely big, I'm not sure if they would make as much use of the space as you might think because of the shape. Is there a reason (garden space) for long and narrow? If not I'd go for squarer so that you've got more practical space for running about. Something more shed like that you could walk into and hang out with them in winter. The add a shelf to maximise space. 3' deep is also quite tricky for cleaning the back unless you've got long arms.

You definitely want weld mesh for the wire to be fox proof :)
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After doing lots of research, I have decided to build my own hutch for my two rabbits, Midnight and Lucky, as I have found that many hutches being sold nowadays are far too small, and very poor quality. My bunnies are currently housed indoors and get to free range our spare room where my guinea pigs are living. I am fully aware that rabbits and guinea pigs should not live together for various reasons, therefore both their cages are completely separate, and I make sure that they never come into contact with one another. I would much prefer to keep my rabbits indoors with us, but I feel that the room is way too small for them to get proper exercise.

The hutch will have two storeys and will measure 10ft x 3ft x 3ft, and I plan to attach to their 10ft x 6ft run using a run-around connection kit. It will be made from strong, heavy timber (which I will treat with pet-safe preservative to make it watertight. I don't plan on using chicken wire, as it is very flimsy and easy for a fox to chew through. If anyone has any recommendations or advice that would be excellent. Thank you :) x


I have a home made hutch that is exactly this size. It's immensely sturdy and on legs, so very easy to clean.

I find the rabbits absolutely love it. I can put tunnels, tubes and cardboard boxes in there, along with a couple of litter trays, and there's still plenty of room for them to do binkies.

I would go for it :thumb: I call it the 'Bunny Mansion' :D
 
That sounds awesome (can you come and build one for me when you've finished yours?:lol: Bear in mind rabbits love shelves.
 
Whilst that sounds awesomely big, I'm not sure if they would make as much use of the space as you might think because of the shape. Is there a reason (garden space) for long and narrow? If not I'd go for squarer so that you've got more practical space for running about. Something more shed like that you could walk into and hang out with them in winter. The add a shelf to maximise space. 3' deep is also quite tricky for cleaning the back unless you've got long arms.

You definitely want weld mesh for the wire to be fox proof :)

Okay, thank you! What would you recommend? I may try and go for a 7x5 shed or playhouse, but our garden is very long and narrow, therefore a shed would definitely take up more room for a large, spacious run, which I'm sure they'd use more regularly.
 
It's tricky without seeing your garden :) Like you say run space is what they use most. Another option might be to just have a full height walk-run part roofed (so you can hang out without being wet) and raise the hutch on legs or a shelf inside so they have the run space all underneath. The space under the hutch would offer a more sheltered area but being inside the run wouldn't need to totally enclosed. A run is much less dominating in a small garden too as you can see through. Since having the full-height walkin myself, it's something I'd definitely recommend having if possible either as a shed or aviary, it's such a nice way to socialise with them. It's more a people benefit than a bunny one - I'm sure they'd be happy either way :)
 
It's tricky without seeing your garden :) Like you say run space is what they use most. Another option might be to just have a full height walk-run part roofed (so you can hang out without being wet) and raise the hutch on legs or a shelf inside so they have the run space all underneath. The space under the hutch would offer a more sheltered area but being inside the run wouldn't need to totally enclosed. A run is much less dominating in a small garden too as you can see through. Since having the full-height walkin myself, it's something I'd definitely recommend having if possible either as a shed or aviary, it's such a nice way to socialise with them. It's more a people benefit than a bunny one - I'm sure they'd be happy either way :)
That sounds pretty good! I am definitely considering getting a walk-in enclosure, it sounds much easier to clean. Would you recommend a 6x4 shed, attached to 10ft x 6ft run?
 
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