Help - What cage/run would you recommend for new rabbit owner?

[Anjelika]

Hi

We are hoping to get a pair of rabbits shortly but I am going round in circles looking at cages and runs and knowing what I should be looking for. I have read that the cage needs to be at least 6ft x 2ft x 2ft and that the rabbits should have permanent access to a run on top of that. Would anyone care to share what they have in place for their bunnies? What happens in the winter? We have room to put a cage in either the shed or garage but does the run need to be permanently set up inside in winter too? Any other tips greatly appreciated too! TIA.

I have an 8 by 4 shed, with various hidey-holes and levels, which is in a run roughly 12 foot square. I do have 5 rabbits though so they do needs lots of space. They'll be out there in the winter, but there is a heater in the shed so they won't be too cold (not that they're spoilt, though, you understand!).

Before that my rabbits were in a hutch (probably 4 by 2, but with upper levels) with full-time access to a 6 by 8 run, and free rein in the garden during the day.

Could you allow them to free-range in the garage in the winter (if you don't use it for cars)? One of my old rabbits lived in the garage and loved it there (though she would come into the house of an evening as well). They do need space, as much as possible.

Firstly, not sure where you are planning on getting the bunnies from but there are LOADS of rabbits in rescues so definitely get your buns from one and not from a pet shop.
People often underestimate rabbits and how much care and attention they need and how clever they are. I kept rabbits for years and they should definitely have full time access to a large run area so if this is outside it needs to be secure and safe for them. I used to do the same as what you were proposing which was to move them into the garage in winter. Our garage had a heater and was large and they had the full run of it (we didnt keep a car or anything in it, it was mainly just for them) so they were comfortable and happy.

My last rabbit was alone (and rabbits are very sociable so should always have others rabbits) and because we couldn't get another rabbit at that time we kept her as a house rabbit so she always had us around as company. She had a cage just as her own space but it was never actually closed and she had free run of two rooms. She was litter trained and would only go to the toilet in those trays, would come and jump up on the couch for a cuddle and come to her name. We did have to rabbit proof those rooms though as she loved to chew wires!

Something I would definitely suggest is to get insurance for them. Vet treatments can be surprisngly expensive for rabbits and some rabbits can be prone to issues with teeth and their stomachs so it's definitely worth paying into in the long run.
Also, if you have kids remember make sure that they know and understand that rabbits don't actually like to be cuddled or picked up but many of them do love to be stroked and pampered if they are confident, have a bond with you and it's on their terms (so it's their choice to come up for attention and they can get away whenever they want).

6'x3'x3' hutch double hight permanently connected to run which is also double height which is 8'x5'x3'

2 bunnies

Planning on them also having the run of a shed to as I've seen the run around system and I'd love to connect shed to current setup to give them further enrichment

www.runaround.co.uk

My bunnies are definitely spoilt though.

Expensive, but the Dunster house ones look good.

I have a double tier hutch, attached to a long run Over winter they live in my (unheated) utility and can come into the lounge when supervised. Definitely get them insured - I've just had a £900 bill, thankfully covered by insurance.

I've got this for my two little lionheads m.rabbit-hutches.co.uk/balmoral-rabbit-hutch.html
They are only in here over night. During the day while we are at work they go in a big run in the garden. If we are home we let them have full run of the garden. If the patio door is open they will come and go into the house as they please