Rabbit hutch recommendations

chrisii1991 · 02-26-2012, 04:09 PM

At the moment harvie and scruffy are in a tatty broken hutch (both bottom doors are broken) it was second hand to begin when i received the rabbits,im looking around for a much better hutch and run that they deserve.Ive come across this its expensive but theyre worth it,i was wondering if anyone else has this or if anyone could recommend other good hutches and runs.
Here is the link to the one i really want,it looks amazing Rabbit Hutch and Run Medium Apex by PetPlanet Wooden Rabbit Hutches for Sale

StarlightSerenity · 02-26-2012, 04:29 PM

Have you read about the Hutch is Not Enough campaign? They have some excellent info on keeping rabbits, specifically on suitable housing.

Here's a link to their website - A Hutch is Not Enough - Rabbit Welfare Assocation & Fund (RWAF)

An extract from the front page -

Quote:

The RWAF recommends a minimum hutch size of 6' x 2' x 2', which allows rabbits some room to move, stand on their hind legs and enough space for the food, toilet and sleeping areas to be kept apart. It is commonly accepted that a rabbit should have space for 3 hops, but it is commonly underestimated just how far 3 hops is - our tests show that 3 hops from an average sized rabbit covers 6-7 feet!

A hutch should only be a shelter and not the only living space. It should be attached to a secure run of at least 8' x 4'.

So in cm terms a hutch needs to be at least 183 x 60 x 60 and the attached run 244 x 121. I've seen a lot of converted sheds, with runs attached which look amazing and make wonderful bun homes, you can often get cheap sheds and that on eBay too.

Good luck on getting a new home for the buns!

lisab · 02-27-2012, 06:01 AM

That hutch is lovely

I would get something like that if i only had two buns

caerleon · 02-27-2012, 08:04 AM

i use these guys for mine, there are excellent and really well made.
Rabbit Hutches - Ryedale Pet Homes

p_anda · 02-27-2012, 09:02 AM

I was thinking about getting a rabbit, but at the moment I'm not in the position to do so, and as I think rabbit hutches are by far overpriced, I was thinking of going DIY...Other idea I had was to get a regular small hutch, that's like 3x3 foot, and build on an extension in a form of a run. I'd place the hutch on a platform to save space and build fencing around it. Size-wise I was thinking 6x6 foot and 2 foot tall, just make a frame with timber and use mesh. It wouldn't have a bottom, I'd buy a large sisal rug to put underneath, cover it with bedding. The hutch would sit on top on a platfrom, and there would be a hole on the bottom with a ramp leading down to the run. This is only to save space though, if you have your rabbit outside, I guess you could make this much bigger. Do you have a small spare room with a window? Just put some heating in there and put a babyfence up by the door, and there you have your rabbit run. All you'd have to supply is a bed, bedding, food and some safety functions, such as making a cover for the radiator, covering wires, etc. I'd definitely do that if I had the opportunity.

SnickersTheFirst · 02-27-2012, 09:21 AM

This aviary is where my rabbits live and tbh I wouldn't recommend any smaller.

lisab · 02-27-2012, 02:08 PM

not everyone has the space to do what you have done though

BaileyandBeth · 02-27-2012, 02:13 PM

Well then I would suggest getting a rabbit if you don't have the appropriate space, length and width wise I would say perfect but obviously you can lower the height if you needed too.

Leesha · 02-28-2012, 02:34 AM

Those chicken coop style ones aren't as big as people think they are. As starlight said, the minimum is 6 x 2 x 2 hutch with 6 x 8 run. However I do not have the room for a 6 x 8 run in our garden so they have a 6 x 4 run attached and a separate 6 x 4 wooden run which I can either attach or move it around the garden for fresh grass.

The happy hutch company make good hutches

The coop ones may be 7ft long or something but only maybe 3ft wide. If you could make an extension with an extra run then I imagine it would be okay

I have seen people make one of those coop style ones very nice when they realised they were not totally suitable, they had blocked off the area under the "hutch" part with panelling over the mesh so more shelter and then added a 5ft x 5ft run

that was for 2 bunnies though, I would think it would need to be bigger for more rabbits to get the benefit of space.

Also for £129 you could find an even better one

Or for a bit more, this

I'm going to buy this if my outdoor 2 don't bond in April

if we haven't moved out that is, if we have moved out then I'm going to buy a wendy house or shed, convert it, and put my 6 x 4 run onto that

My bf built the one hutch

6 x 2.5 x 2 and my dad built the 6 x 4 run

came to about £200.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-6-x-2-...item35b994e927

or this;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6ft-5-x-2f...ht_2701wt_1042

The Happy Hutch ones;

http://www.happyhutch.co.uk/rabbit-h...ombinations/71

http://www.happyhutch.co.uk/rabbit-h...mbinations/163

http://www.happyhutch.co.uk/rabbit-h...ombinations/74

http://www.happyhutch.co.uk/double-a...bit-hutches/73

Gibbs&JackBlack · 02-28-2012, 07:00 AM

Rabbits need a lot of room as stated above. They are not meant to be kept in a cage at all really-not like hamsters and other small rodents.
We have a large dog X pen that my rabbits stay in, but they get to roam too.
Rabbits are A LOT of work! I do not suggest getting rabbits lightly to anyone. Since they use a litter box, it needs changed every other day at least since they don't cover their poop like cats.
They also shed so need brushed, swept up after, each day or more depending on the breed.

Bigger the better for a rabbit. And if you don't have the room, don't get one.