Hutch downsizing ?

[Tyrian]

Hi,
May be an odd question, I just want second opinions.
My boy will be nine this month. He lives outside with full daytime access to a very large run and at night a two storey hutch.
He is perfectly healthy, binkies and zoomies regularly, has no issues with jumping between floors or jumping up and down from sofas and beds when in the house.
Recently I’ve been wondering if due to his age it is time to get a one storey hutch.
I’ve had a little back and forth with my family over this as I want to prevent him getting any arthritis pains before he feels them, my family is worried that if I remove the two storey hutch for a single storey that he will feel pain sooner as he is no longer jumping between floors.
With the new hutch I will likely put some huts and bridges either side so if he would like to jump he will be able to jump up and down on to the top of the hutch using them.
A lot of advice online says I should’ve done this sooner, but to be honest it hadn’t crossed my mind as he is having no issues.
I’ve pretty much set my mind on the one storey hutch by now, but I would like to hear other people’s opinions too.
Attached are some photos of my lovely son

 

[Shimmer]

I would leave him with his existing set up as that's what he is used to. Changing things may stress him unnecessarily. If he becomes unable to use the top floor, he can presumably still access the bottom floor, so I would just leave it at that.

The more active he is in the meantime, the better it is for him generally. If he does become arthritic, there are treatments available via your vet (eg metacam). If he becomes too unsteady for his existing set up, you may have to consider alternatives eg blocking off the top floor if he's likely to fall, or bringing him indoors so he isn't cold and lonely, particularly over winter. A less active, older and single rabbit can really struggle outside in the depths of winter, so I would start considering how his needs could be met at that point, and making sure he stays well looked after when he starts to slow down. It sounds like he's doing well at the moment and you are aleady thinking about his future comfort.

 

[tonibun]

Some ramps are quite steep and he is a biggish Rabbit so it is worth considering that. Otherwise he is doing very well for his age.