To want the rabbits to live inside

What a lovely update to the thread
Would love photos!

Great news OP!

If they go outdoors ask your vet about annual vaccinations, and make sure they are protected from rats.
https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/other-veterinary-advice/rabbit-vaccines

I have 2 house rabbits and I'd never make them live outside. I do have an outdoor hutch for them to go in if the weather permits for a few hours of fresh air in the summer months but stopped after I saw a fox in the yard!

I don't see how they are any different to cats except less smelly? Why does he want them outside ? If they are litter trained I dont understand his reasoning.
If you have space you could set up an exercise pen and give them their own area to pop them in at night?

Also to add to this please ensure they have their Myxomatosis jab that is combined with R(V)HD and the separate R(V)HD2 jab if they have not already 🙂

They might enjoy some outdoor time in a suitable large enclosure, but they will be healthier if they spend the majority of their time indoors with you.

Before putting them outside, make sure you vaccinate for miximatosis.

I wouldn’t put them outside. My rabbit is indoors. She has a large cabinet that she sleeps in on a night. She’s out all day usually, just pottering about. She jumps up on the sofa for snuggles. I think she thinks she’s a cat!

Keep them inside. My bunnies all lived indoors - domesticated bunnies aren’t as adapted for extreme heat or cold, and will be much more socialised inside. There’s also a much much higher risk of developing mixy or VHD outdoors - I personally wouldn’t risk it if you have the space to let them live indoors!

as a side note, much easier to notice issues with health etc when you’re seeing them all the time. Tell your DP to go live outside during winter and then you’ll listen to his opinion!

They can go out for summer...

You'll need something approximating a potting shed for indoor quarters (will also store hay etc though so thats helpful as a small bale of hay is infinitely cheaper than the little bags you buy in the pet shop) - plus either a totally bunny-proofed garden, or a very large run that encloses a fair amount of garden.

Plus tunnels and toys and whatnot and re-landscaping/moving plants etc to bunnyproof.
Cost wise, you're looking at not getting change out of 1K if you're doing it all from scratch - could be a lot more if you have to re-design the garden for them.

Small hutches with a run underneath are not suitable for rabbits.

A cheaper alternative is that you build a suitable run with shelter for them to go out in during the day, and they come in in the evenings - though I would not leave rabbits in a run outside if you're not at home so how long they'd spend out there on weekdays if you work outside of your home, may not be much!

Stick him under the cupboard under the stairs for a few days and let him see what a shitty life in a hutch really feels like.

YANBU - I had an indoor bunny and he was very, very loved and had a great little life. Despite our initial best intentions Cyril had free reign of the house, and loved hopping outside whenever he felt like it.
Your post reminded me of him OP, so thank you for bringing a smile to my face!

Those bunnies are going to have a great time with you ❤️

Did he not discuss whether they would be house or outside rabbits before buying you them? Seems harsh to suddenly announce he wants them to live outside if he's not mentioned it before now.

rabbits who have lived indoors struggle to adjust to outside.

We have house rabbits and honestly they are less work and more enjoyment as indoor pets. Just need to change the litter tray etc.

Our rabbits live in a big outdoor enclosure and are very happy. The only hutch is inside the indoor enclosure for them to go and have some quiet time in if they choose. You can give them a great life outdoors.

I'm more concerned he is just railroading over a part of your life that brings joy. Tell him to go

I'd be inclined to build a sort of catio - big shed which can have heater on in the winter leading out to an outdoor enclosed area.
A rabbitio!

Could you keep them indoors of a night time, we've had a lot of rabbits in my family and they lived longer when outside but kept in of a night. Oldest rabbit we had was nearly 15. My last one passed away around 10 years old but she was a rex and they normally don't live past 6 or 7. She was mainly kept indoors. But she did go outside of a day sometimes in a run. If they have grass to eat it helps prevent gi stasis. Only worry is them digging out and escaping, but if you move the run every day or so it hasn't been an issue for us. I did love having my rabbits indoors, so I know where your coming from

My rabbits have a hutch in my kitchen which they are in at night. From 7am till 9pm they have access to my house and garden and they almost always choose to be outside jumping around the lawn eating grass almost all day. They get really grumpy if they can't go outside due to bad weather and hang around the back door looking sorry for themselves. I know people are scared to let their rabbits outside but honestly they love the wind, smells, sun on their backs. They are built for it.

We have a lot of experience with rabbits. It would be a bit cruel to house them out in a hutch when they are used to having the run of the house. I would also say keeping them locked in a hutch is rather cruel too. They really need a large run to thrive and lots of enrichment activities too. After all, how would you like to be suddenly taken out of your home, and locked in a room, toilet in the corner, and someone bringing you food and water twice a day.

I would buy a hutch with a large attached run so that your bunnies can hop in and out as they please. I have had house buns in the past but also had a large outdoor arrangement for them so they got the best of both worlds. My rabbits were never attacked by cats, in fact one I had, a large French lop regularly saw off my spaniel, who was actually completely harmless, and dim. I do think buns should have the option of fresh air if possible.

Indoor rabbits live much longer. Usually because when rabbits become sick they need treatment quickly and only owners of indoor rabbits usually notice in time.
But if they're to be outdoors they ideally need something the size of a garden shed plus a large secure outdoor run. A costly set up. You'd also need to treat them for flystrike if they're going outdoors.
Have a look here > https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/outdoor-housing/

If he wants them outside then he needs to make them a very large run about 2 foot high with chicken wire over the top to protect them from cats. They can still be brought inside to sleep. They will probably like running outside on grass in the summer but I'd keep them in once Autumn comes over the Winter.

Hutches are extraordinarily cruel.

Are they a breed like lion head dwarf etc? They do suit being indoors. You'll have to bring them in over winter, if so, or have the outdoor enclosure heated. The issue is that the litter training and friendliness will go once they are outside. I rabbit proofed my garden and let mine out for a few hours every day. The cats chill with them, they are too big for the prey drive to just click on. Cats are usually just curious. It's cute watching the bunny flop along with the cats showing relaxed behaviour. Don't let him dictate this. Are they fully vaccinated? A good set up will cost £ hundreds.