Hi

Hi,

Im new on here, just joined. Im planning on getting a rabbit (mainly for my 3 year old daughter who loves them)

Just a few questions:

I have an integral garage can i keep my hutch in here all the time?
What are the basics that they need to be happy etc....?
Is it best to buy two so they have a little company?

Thanks

Hi, and welcome to the forum :thumb: to be honest I would not recommend a rabbit as a young child's pet, as they usually dislike being picked up, and tend to kick and when you try, so they would not be suitable for a young child to handle. On the other hand, if they are a pet for you then that is different :thumb:

You could have a hutch and run in the garage so long as you don't keep the car in there to avoid fumes. They need a lot of space, at least 6ftx2ft hutch with a permanently attached run of at least 8ft x 4ft. See link to RWAF with more info http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/ahutchisnotenough.htm
They need a lot of hay to be available constantly. They need to ideally be kept in a pair, the best match is a neutered male and spayed female. I would recommend visiting your local rescue, you can find one here http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk
They can chat with you to advise if they have any suitable rabbits for you, who will have been neutered/spayed and been vaccinated. They can be very expensive, need annual vaccinations and some need regular dentals. They are not easy pets to keep.

HELLO, i just joined here also

Hi Thanks for the reply,

I don't keep my car in the garage, I was planning on having the hutch in the garage with a run on a permanant basis during winter, in summer was looking at having another hutch with run outside, the whole idea ws also for me as well, my daughter wouldn't be handling the rabbit as she is to young. Would something like this be ok for in the garage:

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/p...e-single-hutch-and-double-run-by-pets-at-home

rpanchal said:

Hi Thanks for the reply,

I don't keep my car in the garage, I was planning on having the hutch in the garage with a run on a permanant basis during winter, in summer was looking at having another hutch with run outside, the whole idea ws also for me as well, my daughter wouldn't be handling the rabbit as she is to young. Would something like this be ok for in the garage:

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/p...e-single-hutch-and-double-run-by-pets-at-home

Click to expand...

to be honest I think that it looks a little flimsy, a lot of people on here recommend these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350758325427?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT ive not had one myself but I think it looks stronger personally :thumb: there are a few hutch builders on the forum, Daniel, The Hutch man, and The Welfare Hutch company, not sure how they compare budget wise :thumb:

With a young child and inside a garage, I'd probably just go for a walk in pen (open top) with a sleeping box inside. You don't really need the extra shelter of a hutch when you've already got a garage with walls/roof provided. Rabbit's aren't keen on being picked up so something walk in means your daughter would have much easier access.

If you went for a fixed pen, you could use the garage wall as the fourth side and attach a pen with a couple of brackets in the wall. Pens could be all wire or use aviary panels on their side (like a wooden run).

Depending on the size of your garage you could use a wooden sleeping box (about 2' square) or go you could use a hutch is you wanted.

I'd recommend a pair for company, but go for pre-neutered boy-girl match from a rescue. Neutering means they are much less likely to be aggressive or to poop/spray urine everywhere - another important consideration with you children.

Just to check... rabbits do live about 10 years, and children's interest tends to go on/off so make sure you want to have rabbits too because you'll be their full time carers

Zoobec said:

to be honest I think that it looks a little flimsy, a lot of people on here recommend these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350758325427?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT ive not had one myself but I think it looks stronger personally :thumb: there are a few hutch builders on the forum, Daniel, The Hutch man, and The Welfare Hutch company, not sure how they compare budget wise :thumb:

Click to expand...

The link you sent me looks much better, would you say that is suitable for two rabbits? ideally I would go for a hutch inside the garage and also one for outside so I can keep them outside in the summer.

So a male & female, I'm not clued up on all the neutered process at the moment!