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Is this enough for a bunny?

10 replies

Bunnyhelp · 18/08/2018 11:01

Please help experienced bunny owners
I have had bunnies before but many years ago, I have recently agreed to rehome a beautiful boy bunny, he comes with a hutch with a large run attached and can have access to this all the time, plan is to have him in this during summer and let him have free run of garden under supervision whilst I'm home (most of the time)
During the winter I plan to bring him in doors and have a large penned off area with a bed and toys for him to have access to at all times, then have free run of the house whilst I'm home and can supervise.
Is this a suitable set up? Will he be happy? Will he have enough exercise?
Am I missing anything or not thinking logically?
Any advice appreciated, just want him to have a good loving home !

OP posts:
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 18/08/2018 11:14

Will you be keeping him on his own? Generally bunnies are happier with a companion.

In answer to your question, it depends on the size of the hutch and run. Also is your garden completely secure?

The Rabbit Welfare Association has lots of good advice about housing (and everything else!)

BackToTheFuschia7 · 18/08/2018 11:14

How big is his hutch and run, as pretty much all of them are too small for bunnies.

You won’t be able to bring him indoors in winter as he will build up a dense coat outdoors and would overheat. Also, how big will his living accommodation be while he is indoors? Rabbits shouldn’t be let out to exercise, they should have 24 hour access to the right amount of space. Google search ‘a hutch is not enough’ for more info.

Are you aware he will also need annual vaccinations and to be neutered if he hasn’t been already? Rabbits should also live with a neutered friend.

Is this enough for a bunny?
Otterseatpuffinsdontthey · 18/08/2018 11:18

That sounds really good - similar to what we had. What I learned, very quickly, is that they are very destructive. If he has the run of the house - you will need make sure he doesn't have access to things like electricity cables/wiring. Also, hope he has been "handled" - as they can be aggressive.
Make sure his vaccinations are up to date.

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 18/08/2018 11:25

Runaround are really good. They do runs and all sorts of bits you can join up with tunnels. Then they can go outside whenever they want.

Slowpokes · 18/08/2018 11:32

I second runaround. The hutches they sell are ridiculously expensive but we’ve got a couple of 6 foot hutches and an 8 foot run that we’ve joined together using runaround tunnels. They also love to have two exits to all parts of their hutch and run. We’ve set ours up in a loop and they absolutely zoom around it.

You’d definitely have to get another rabbit to keep him company.

I’ve tried keeping several rabbits indoors but they chew wires, gnaw paint of skirting boards and pull sofas to pieces. They are very easy to litter train though although they will still leave a few droppings around the place. It’s the wee that stinks though and they’re normally pretty good at doing that in one place. We use a corner tray that you can get in Pets At Home and wood cat litter that can go in the compost if only used by bunnies.

Rabbits are great pets, but they’re not easy! They need so much bloody space, even when they’re not let out.

Bunnyhelp · 18/08/2018 11:37

Thanks for all your advice , will take a look at the websites provided.
Unsure of exact measurements but I can get the run extended if needed as someone I know builds them.
Garden completely secure. He has been spayed but injections need updating , I have looked into vet prices and pet plans I am happy to pay for this.
If he always lived on his own but always had humans about for companions but I am happy to recuse a neutered female if he is unhappy, have read into bonding so know will need a separate living area / run.
Interesting to read about his fur getting to thick to come indoors for winter will look into this but if he does come inside he can have the whole of the dining room for his space as it is unused.
Thanks all have given me lots to think about / read up on.

OP posts:
Slowpokes · 18/08/2018 11:43

He should still really have company. We rescued a bunny once who had only ever been on her own. We got a little bun to be her friend and she absolutely went for it! We ended up having to put them in separate hutches with chicken wire between them. Slowly they got used to each other and eventually started trying to groom each other through the wire. We took the wire away and they’ve been fine together ever since. But be prepared for a fight at first if he’s not used to others!

Rabbiting0n · 20/08/2018 11:57

Hi. I volunteer for a rabbit charity. This is the advise we give.

Rabbits should always be kept in pairs. Mixed sex pairs or spayed/neutered rabbits tend to work best, but same sex (still spayed/neutered) do work. Groups work also, but they are a bigger commitment and expense.
Rabbit rescues sometimes offer "bonding" to help find single rabbits a partner. It's basically speed dating for bunnies. Your rabbit spends a week or so at the rescue and returns with a "husbun" or "wifebun" (less catchy!). If you want to get a mate for him (and I strongly advise that you do) look to see if this is something offered where you live. It's horrible for owner and rabbit alike if a second rabbit is bought/adopted and constant fighting breaks out.

They should have unrestricted access to a minimum of 60sq ft of space 24/7. Letting them out of a smaller confined space at certain times of day isn't adequate. Think of it like a prisoner being given "yard time". Does an animal deserve only "yard time"? Indoor rabbits can be left in a decent sized room free range all day, but they will be destructive, even when kept in pairs and given plenty of toys/enrichment.
Personally, I have had house rabbits eat curtains, sofas, skirting, architrave, plasterboard, wooden furniture and electrical cables which we were certain were "bunny proofed". Do not underestimate how troublesome and mischievous they can be! It makes them wonderful pets, full of personality and quirks, but they are a big commitment; especially when kept indoors.

As mentioned by other posters, you cannot bring an outdoor rabbit indoors and so on. They develop their winter coat for the environment they are living in. If you then bring them into a heated house, they will overheat. An unheated converatory or garage in winter are your best bets, rather than a fully-heated family room. Similarly, you can't keep them indoors and then put them in the garden to reclaim your family space. For example, if your rabbit is in your dining room and you have people over for Christmas, you can't put the rabbit in a garden for the day, as it won't have built up the outdoor winter coat it needs. If you don't have the space for them indoors (or want the destruction) you can get lots of very good outdoor accomodation these days.

www.duchyfarmkennels.co.uk/shop/dog-kennels/the-birch-dog-kennel/ offer insulated accomodation. They are pricey but they deliver and build for you. This is what I have for my own rabbits.

As mentioned previously, Runaround are good also. Their tunnels are very good for getting the square footage into a smaller garden or awkward space. I have seen these damaged by foxes, however, so I'd recommend encasing the tunnels in predator-proof mesh if you suspect there may be a risk of foxes in your neighborhood. (Chicken wire is not predator proof.)

Finally, due to the cost of vaccinations, pellet feed, litter (if you litter train them; they are quick learners), hay and housing, plus time for cleaning, health checking and keeping entertained, I'd consider carefully whether you want a rabbit. They are the most neglected pet in the UK because people think they are easy to look after. Sadly, this is untrue. They are amazing animals, but they are not suited as pets for children. As prey animals, they are timid, sometimes defensive, and an be aggressive as a result. They need to be respected and given the chance to come to you, rather than being picked up and petted and played with on demand. My children, for example, despite being interested in our rabbits, cannot be trusted with them, and so they are my pets. If you want the rabbit for your own sake, wonderful. If you have older children, they may enjoy each others company. If you have young children, be prepared to keep your children separate from your rabbit. They can live for 12 years or so. I don't know how old this rabbit is, but consider lifespan, also. It's a big commitment, and as they age, medical bills can rise (and most treatment isn't covered by insurance for rabbits). If you can rehome a rabbit that is a wonderful thing, but before you make a commitment or spend money on housing, please make sure it's not a decision you will regret. (The fact that you've asked for advice on here suggests that you are an ideal bunny owner though!).
Good luck.

Bunnyhelp · 20/08/2018 12:11

Thank you for in advice it has been very helpful, I have decided at this moment in time not to offer him a home as he does need more space then he has currently got, I could not keep an animal in harmful conditions.
We are looking at getting a suitable large home in the garden which gives future rabbits plenty of space to run about in so it suits the shape of our garden and we will then look at rescuing a pair of rabbits from a rescue centre which are already bonded.
In the meantime I will keep researching up on how best to look after them , thanks for all your help.

OP posts:
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 20/08/2018 12:32

Good plan :) you sound very responsible. So many people get pets without any research and without really caring whether they actually meet the animal's needs.

This guide from the Rabbit Welfare Association is quite a good place to start as it has sections on feeding, housing etc.

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