Garage at night?

[Red1]

Hi,

First post and prospective owner at the research stage!

I'm looking to get a mini lop or similar, I'd love to keep them inside but I don't have the space for a pen and can't let them free roam so I'm looking to make use of my decent sized garden. Which also means I should probably get two rabbits for company.

I was thinking of an outdoor hutch along with a large run that covers the whole thing like something from the Omlet website. At night I was thinking of putting them in the garage to protect them from foxes and the weather. Is this a good idea or should I leave them outside?

The garage is attached to the house but not heated. It would mean moving them outside early morning and back in before it gets dark.

Also would the large runs/cage type thing from the Omlet website protect them from foxes? (Both actual attacks/fear)

Thanks for any help!

[tonibun]

Hello and welcome. I have just looked on the Omlet site and I didn't see anything which looked fox-proof and for the price you could opt for a small shed/playhouse with attached aviary. Rabbits prefer to go in and out on their own so a shed/aviary allows them to do this. Also rabbits will dig out if they are on grass, or foxes can dig in.

[Red1]

I thought it's better to have them on grass?

Something like this is what I was thinking of (preferably cheaper!) But with the bottom piece as well which would stop them getting out/things getting in.

https://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/rabbit_...or_rabbit_run/

Is the garage idea okay or is it better to have them outside permanently? The main reason is there are definitely foxes around and I don't want them to get scared.

[tonibun]

Most people keep their bunnies on slabs now. Grass soon turns to mud. Have a look on the Rabbit Welfare Association's website for advice on housing. Also look in the Housing section on this Forum. It is good you are doing your research first.

[Red1]

I have a patio area so I can keep them there or maybe do a decked area on the grass.

From what I've read if they're going to be kept outside then it's better they're out all the time so guess I won't use the garage. I think a hutch inside a run provides a bit of extra security from foxes. Any suggestions on this setup?

Also could the rabbits be brought inside for a couple of hours for some socialisation or is this a big no too?

[Liz47]

You could have a look at some examples of outdoor set ups here!

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/sh...s-amp-Examples

When I had outdoor rabbits I had them in a 6ft x 8ft shed free range. I used a seperate run (same size) when the weather was nice and would move them to and from for supervised grass time which they loved, due to the location of the shed I couldn't attach a permanent run.

They'll be fine being brought inside, unless it's winter then a big change in temperature might not be very good for them.

[Red1]

Thanks for the help so far!

Would the difference in temp between the garage and house be too much? Otherwise the other option would be to have a setup in garage they could use and then bring them in the house after work

[Zoobec]

Thanks for the help so far!

Would the difference in temp between the garage and house be too much? Otherwise the other option would be to have a setup in garage they could use and then bring them in the house after work

It would only matter in winter, and it depends how cold the garage is, and how cool you could make a room that they are brought into. If the difference is less than 10 c then it would probably be ok. You might be able to insulate your garage to make it warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

I think providing the garage hasn’t got a car being brought into it (fumes) then you could make a great space for them in there, you could have somethings to sit on for you so you can spend time with them more easily

[Red1]

I have a motorbike in there but it's only ever rolled in/out. It's never started in or near the garage.

If I add some draught excluders and maybe a heater it would be closer to house temps.

[Zoobec]

I suppose you’d need to watch for anything like oil spillages, residual fumes if the bike is still warm etc. You could make the rabbits a pen to keep them away from anything like the bike. Puppy pens are good for indoor use where there’s no risk of predators. BinkyCodie just got a good one - in this thread http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/sh...68#post7105868