Also, indoor Rabbits cannot graze and forage in a natural way. So a cross against meeting Welfare Needs of expressing natural behaviours as stated in the Animal Welfare Act.
Edit- my IPad went mad and autocorrected indoor Rabbits to Tandoori Rabbits :shock:
This could actually be the case for most rabbits. Rabbits housed outdoors need to be safe from predators. This, in my view, needs to be the main consideration. That means attached accommodation (extra to a shed/hutch) needs to be sited on concrete/on grass with secure mesh underneath. An aviary on grass with mesh would also be OK.
It then follows that for the rabbit to be able to graze and forage it needs constant access to grass. This can only be achieved if the attached accommodation or aviary is on grass with mesh or the rabbit is allowed to free range with constant access to grass.
Here it is unsafe for a rabbit to free range. We have had chickens attacked who were free-ranging and the perimeter hedge would allow a rabbit to escape. The siting of her accommodation, on concrete, within the overall garden would not allow a secure transfer for her, via a tunnel etc, to a grassy area. Tui has hand-cut grass and forage daily, but she does not graze and forage it herself. This is the main reason why we have been rejected for adoption by one local branch of the RSPCA.
Perhaps I also need to sign up to this.