Something attacked my rabbit hutch

[canipressthebackbuttonplease]

I went outside this morning to let them into their garden run, and the hutch covers had been torn apart at the front. There were muddy paw prints on the front of the hutch. Luckily, the hinges, locks and wood/wire were all in tact and had protected my rabbits - both seem fine.

I have only had them 2 weeks and feel like a total failure already. I am going to keep them inside for the next few nights but I can't have them as indoor rabbits as I have cats and the landlord has said they can't live inside, they need to live in a hutch outside. They seem very happy with their hutch and large run anyway.

Does anyone have any suggestions or advice? I can only assume a badger or fox spotted them or smelt them, or perhaps was after their pellets. There had been no incidents until last night.

Thank you in advance.

Most likely fox or badger. Have you got a shed instead of the hutch or to put the hutch inside? They WILL be back and will keep coming back, they're buggers like that.

I upgraded from a hutch to a solid bunny shed when I had a fox visiting. They now have the shed and a roofed aviary all on paving slabs that's thoroughly padlocked. I've had a fox sniffing round (I also have some CCTV!) and then installed some motion-sensor water sprayers which has done the job since.

Most shop bought hutches aren't thick enough wood to cope with fox, badger, or indeed rabbit teeth long term. What style hutch is it?

@canipressthebackbuttonplease

I'm sorry that happened to you and your 2 bunnies!
Maybe you can put 2 stuffed animal bunnies in the hutch and move your bunnies inside ...no one will be the wiser! If questioned, just say they are shy

@bunnygeek

Hi, thanks for your advice. I don't have a shed no and can't afford one big enough. I know so many people with rabbits and no one has had this issue - just my luck!

I am not sure how to describe it but it's two tiered, with the bottom level (with a little ramp) having mesh whereas the top level in fully wood panelled. The cover is transparent at the bottom and usually when it gets to eleven or so, when I go to bed, I lock the rabbits in the top where they can't be seen. But last night I didn't and had no idea how badly that would backfire - hence the guilt I now feel. Obviously they were sat at the bottom and it saw them through the cover. It is bolted into the concrete and the fox or whatever could only penetrate the cover, which is lucky on this occasion

Your set up sounds brilliant!!

They are now inside for the night in a metal pen/dog crate but my boyfriend won't allow this to be a permanent solution.

@Sweetpea1532 Haha I love that solution, oh how I would love my bunnies in bed with me all night!

rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/rabbit-housing/

While you look at your options, I’d thought I’d mention that your current set up is probably not the size recommended these days rabbits should have 3mx2m at all times. A shed with an attached run, on concrete slab, is preferable.

It's probably a fox as PP said but you need to be careful about bringing them in if you am to put them out again in this cold whether. Usually once they've been inside you would be advised not to put them out until spring when it warms up again. If you need to do it then keep them somewhere co so there isn't a big temp change and a shed is usually safer, warmer and more spacious than a hutch.

Also bear in mind that a rabbit can have a heart attack and die from fear even if a predator doesn't manage to get in the hutch.

Probably a fox but could also be a stray dog

You may need to invest fairly heavily in run security

The catches are not usually sturdy enough either we always used padlocks. But as mentioned above that sort of hutch is often very thin and easy for a Fox to get into and more often than not they don’t meet the required space for rabbits.