Nix, I'm sorry but I don't believe you could have seen Thistle Hall... it's way better than you seem to be describing!
Nix said:
Because of the ramp, the overall floor space is reduced and, particularly with the bed area divider, there is not enough room for a rabbit to stretch out fully.
The ramp in Thistle Hall is actually quite steep, so there is a usable space underneath it. Benny can stretch out fully across the width of the hutch, and about twice over along its length!
nix said:
For these reasons, I don't think that thistle hall is really suitable for rabbits. Like most hutches available from pet stores, it is built to fit into your car easily - NOT for the welfare of the rabbit.
It's flat-packed! :? Fully built there is no WAY we could fit it in our car! :lol:
nix said:
If you wouldn't keep a pair of small dogs in it, don't keep rabbits in it - think of the exercise rabbits normally have in the wild! Look for a larger hutch - 6 x 3 ft or a 5 x 2 ft double
But you'd keep a pair of small dogs in the larger hutches you described? :? I'm confused. Rabbits are totally different animals - why make the comparison? Rabbits live in warrens, and hutches mimic this. Granted, most hutches are too small, and many people don't attach a run, but in the case of Thistle Hall as long as you allow adequate outside exercise I think it is a great setup.
Nix said:
Buying the quality of hutches you find in most pet shops (built to be cheap and fit in your car, not to be right for a rabbit) mean it will only be few years before it needs replacing.
Sorry, but I rather resent the implication that I have bought a cheap hutch built to fit in the back of my car and not designed for the welfare of my rabbits! :shock: You're lumping "pet shop hutches" into one category and not really offering a useful opinion on Thistle Hall in particular (although I do agree that many pet shops do sell some appalling hutches, so that warning is very helpful).
trance said:
the hutch is 4.5 ft in length but is also deeper being 2.5 ft so bigger than the normal 4ft 2 tier hutches.
It's taller as well. Benny can stand up on his back legs to full height and his ears only just brush the ceiling! I have to say, any "normal" 4ft double hutch would almost certainly be too short and not deep enough either, but I feel that the space provided in that hutch is more than adequate, particularly because the exercise they get outside the hutch is in the late evening when they are naturally active - I have let them out during the day but they simply weren't bothered and stayed in the hutch! :lol:
It depends on what your setup and your own personal situation is. I feel Thistle Hall works for me because they are in the house and consequently I can allow them to run around outside the hutch for long periods (at weekends it can often be all day).
Deelove said:
I've been wondering with ramped hutches if the ramp is needed? I have mine in a dog crate with full shelf and they just jump up the gap quite easily and happily...
Thistle Hall definitely needs the ramp! The floors are so tall that even Benny the champion jumper can't manage it! :lol: It's quite steep too, so there is a "usable" space underneath it. With many of the shorter hutches you'd probably be able to take away the ramp.
AMETHYST