I know many people say to not have their rabbits outside, but I’ve also heard the complete opposite. Where I am getting the rabbits from they are currently living on a farm in a barn. I’m getting two 7 month old Flemish giant cross’s. I built a rabbit hutch two stories and it provides an area for them to go on the grass. I also have an area where they can have shelter. There cage has the back tinned and also the roof, and I used hardware cloth for the fencing. I have already bought a bunch of enrichment items and I’m planning on litter training them. Don’t worry they are big cat litter boxes. My main concerns are that I live out in the country and I have chickens, dogs, and a horse. The dogs aren’t a concern at all because they are golden retrievers and they are trained to not go after any of our chickens or ducks. Since I live in the country though I am concerned about predators. Right now I don’t have a door for the enclosed area of the hutch and was wondering if that would be a necessity for them. I haven’t put one on yet because I just want them to have as much room as possible. Also if there is some spray I could get to spray around the perimeter of the hutch to keep them away. Another concern was when it thunders, because I don’t want them to get startled, but I know that some rabbits aren’t fazed by storms. I have been really worried and I just want to be able to give them the best life and provide them with everything they need. Another thing was that my horse is eating hay that has some alfalfa but is mainly dried grass. I was planning on giving them that instead of Timothy, would that be okay? All of the treats and foraging mixes I have gotten them are all Timothy hay. I’ve been doing research for months and these were just a couple things I couldn’t quite find the right answer to.
Soon to be rabbit owner
- Thread starter Bry
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Cinnabun14
Warren Scout
My rabbits live outside and they're doing great! You'll find that this forum is especially kind to outside rabbit owners 
For predators, put wire skirting on the outside of the hutch and run, at least a foot of it, preferably two or three, maybe even four. You might want to consider putting wire on the inside of the run too, as I just recently found out, or they'll dig (unless you're cool with that). I wouldn't advise spray though, because rabbit respiratory systems are very sensitive. If you have "handy" predators (raccoons, etc.), install a raccoon-proof lock.
Thunder has never scared my girls. They were born outside and are much hardier than I thought. Just so long as they have a warm, dry place to chill out while it's raining, you should be okay.
Keep chickens and ducks away from the rabbits and their area, and use different tools than the ones you use for the birds. The birds' feces can make the rabbits sick.
While alfalfa is good for young rabbits, it's got a lot of calcium and calories, so that's why most people recommend using Timothy hay. It's like the difference between eating a beef burger and a turkey burger. the beef tastes better, but the turkey's better for you. I feed my rabbits horse timothy, since it's much cheaper getting a bale than a bunch of bags.
Congratulations on your new rabbits!
For predators, put wire skirting on the outside of the hutch and run, at least a foot of it, preferably two or three, maybe even four. You might want to consider putting wire on the inside of the run too, as I just recently found out, or they'll dig (unless you're cool with that). I wouldn't advise spray though, because rabbit respiratory systems are very sensitive. If you have "handy" predators (raccoons, etc.), install a raccoon-proof lock.
Thunder has never scared my girls. They were born outside and are much hardier than I thought. Just so long as they have a warm, dry place to chill out while it's raining, you should be okay.
Keep chickens and ducks away from the rabbits and their area, and use different tools than the ones you use for the birds. The birds' feces can make the rabbits sick.
While alfalfa is good for young rabbits, it's got a lot of calcium and calories, so that's why most people recommend using Timothy hay. It's like the difference between eating a beef burger and a turkey burger. the beef tastes better, but the turkey's better for you. I feed my rabbits horse timothy, since it's much cheaper getting a bale than a bunch of bags.
Congratulations on your new rabbits!
Giant rabbits need loads and loads of room. They will also need additional height so that they can periscope (stand up on their back legs).
Rabbits naturally live outside. I'm assuming from this comment that you are not in the UK....it's much less common for rabbits to be thought of as indoor pets here.
Any decent hay is fine for rabbits. I buy bales from a horse supply shop. It mustn't be any of the partially fermented types - so just straightforward dry grass hay. Alfalfa is often used for young, growing rabbits as it is higher in protein, calcium and calories than regular grass. It's not needed for adults, but can be useful for elderly rabbits who need to gain weight.
Rabbits need somewhere dry and draught free for a nest area. Their run area should be predator proof - foxes, dogs, cats, birds of prey, etc can all be an issue. As well as the risk of a direct physical attack, rabbits are easily stressed and just the close presence of a predator can be enough to send them into shock, which can be fatal. Some predators can dig under fencing and rabbits can dig out, so meshing under the turf in the run gives added protection. A secure roof will keep other predators out and rabbits in. Part of it can be covered to provide shade from the sun and protection from wet weather. Aviary type accommodation is useful as it offers the height for you and better security for the rabbits.
Depending where you are (eg in the UK), they may need vaccinating every year. They will also need to be neutered at an appropriate age (giants are usually done a bit older) in order to prevent fighting, unwanted litters, and some cancers.
Rabbits naturally live outside. I'm assuming from this comment that you are not in the UK....it's much less common for rabbits to be thought of as indoor pets here.
Any decent hay is fine for rabbits. I buy bales from a horse supply shop. It mustn't be any of the partially fermented types - so just straightforward dry grass hay. Alfalfa is often used for young, growing rabbits as it is higher in protein, calcium and calories than regular grass. It's not needed for adults, but can be useful for elderly rabbits who need to gain weight.
Rabbits need somewhere dry and draught free for a nest area. Their run area should be predator proof - foxes, dogs, cats, birds of prey, etc can all be an issue. As well as the risk of a direct physical attack, rabbits are easily stressed and just the close presence of a predator can be enough to send them into shock, which can be fatal. Some predators can dig under fencing and rabbits can dig out, so meshing under the turf in the run gives added protection. A secure roof will keep other predators out and rabbits in. Part of it can be covered to provide shade from the sun and protection from wet weather. Aviary type accommodation is useful as it offers the height for you and better security for the rabbits.
Depending where you are (eg in the UK), they may need vaccinating every year. They will also need to be neutered at an appropriate age (giants are usually done a bit older) in order to prevent fighting, unwanted litters, and some cancers.
Cinnabun14
Warren Scout
Predators can't dig in, rabbits can't dig out.
They can't dig through the mesh, but they can still tunnel under it if they are determined enough. Meshing under the whole of the run stops it entirely. You can lay turf on top, and use thicker, bigger hole mesh than you might on the walls of the run. Standard chicken wire will rot in the ground after a while, and you won't notice that happen. Weldmesh is tougher and comes in different gauges and hole sizes.
