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Original poster

Rabbit experts!

26 replies

elsiepiddock · 03/06/2010 20:23

OK have agreed to let my dcs get 2 rabbits.

Don't like the idea of a small run too much, so have allocated a largish area of no-mans land in the garden which we have put the hutch in and are going to turf.

We're going to put a picket type fence around the area with a gate so children can go in and sit with them without handling them if they don't want to (or rabbits don't like it).

How tall should the fence be? We're thinking 3ft with wire mesh on the inside? How high do they jump?!

OP posts:
MadameCheese · 03/06/2010 20:28

As a rabbit owner I wouldn't say they're the best critters to get children, how old are your DCs? If my DS wanted a small furry, I would go for a guinea pig. I know that's not what you asked though

southeastastra · 03/06/2010 20:29

my ds(8) loves our bunny! they're not all bad! as big as you can build - big enough so they can stand upright

Original poster
elsiepiddock · 03/06/2010 20:32

I thought about G Pigs but, don't you have to bring them in over winter? Can't imagine where I'd put them unless shed or garage.

We've had a rabbit before - he hated being handled - hence my rabbit garden idea.

DCs 7 & 11.

OP posts:
frogetyfrog · 03/06/2010 20:33

May be stating the obvious but they can dig out so you will need to sink it a fair way! We kept ours in a picket fence run with wire sunk about a foot deep and bent in at the bottom towards the rabbits (if that makes sense). But we did put a net over to protect from foxes and cats.

Original poster
elsiepiddock · 03/06/2010 20:33

We're not putting a roof on it - open at top iyswim

OP posts:
southeastastra · 03/06/2010 20:33

if you're going to leave them out all the time, the top must have a covering of some sort too.

Original poster
elsiepiddock · 03/06/2010 20:35

Frogety - we're going to go down as well as up.

If they're in hutch over night, do you need to cover over the top? I have a dog, so can't see foxes coming in (dog v good though, she let last rabbit sit on her back!)

OP posts:
southeastastra · 03/06/2010 20:42

i guess i would unless you are watching them all day. years ago our rabbit got taken by a fox in a similar cage set up.

frogetyfrog · 03/06/2010 20:43

Well we did decide to cover although we still shut in hutch at night. I think simply because at certain times of the year when the foxes are hungry they will get a bit desperate and a nice trapped rabbit with nowhere to run could be too tempting!

The other problem is large cats who could do damage even if they couldnt kill and carry.

We just used a net with a pole in the middle so it was high in the middle so children could still easily go in and out and it wasnt too much trouble for us. We did get a bit fed up with it when we just had GPigs and took the net off, and just let the Gpigs out when we were in the garden then shut them away again.

BuzzingNoise · 03/06/2010 20:45

YOu'd need to go at least a couple of feet deep, and over three feet high. We have an open top run (as well as several traditional style), which is three feet tall, and one of my rabbits always gets out of it.

southeastastra · 03/06/2010 20:46

i had to put concrete stones down on our run rabbit dug it's way out pretty fast

annh · 03/06/2010 20:46

We are currently investigating rabbits (well, if I have my way, the investigation is over!) and were told that we would have to bring them in to a garage or shed in winter, although they would also need some time to run outside as well. I am not keen on having rabbits for a few reasons, including the cost. They need 6-monthly vaccinations and the weekly cost of hay, feed etc came to about £9.

Flighttattendant · 03/06/2010 20:47

Male rabbits won't burrow but gals will. I would get boys anyway as far friendlier tbh.

In the daytime they should be OK I'd think, without a cover. You must put away at night, though.

Don't bother with sinking wire unless they are female, or you are going the full hog and covering the entire thing over, too - in which case wire sunk in will stop a fox digging in.

Flighttattendant · 03/06/2010 20:47

You dont need to bring in rabbits but you must sort out a decent hutch cover in winter.

Original poster
elsiepiddock · 03/06/2010 20:48

Thanks all!

(Hamsters now looking more attractive)

OP posts:
Flighttattendant · 03/06/2010 20:49

If you did go for females they would make great burrows and thus be safe from foxes even in daytime - if hole gets too deep, you can stick half a brick down it to stop it going any further.

Original poster
elsiepiddock · 03/06/2010 20:50

We had a boy last time, he was a psychopath.

Were we just unlucky then?

Should I get 2 boys, would they fight - aarrgh! I know next to nothing..

OP posts:
Alouiseg · 03/06/2010 20:51

We have a hutch and run in a pen similar to the one you suggest. They just get shut into the hutch/run combo at night then they are free to roam during the day.

Original poster
elsiepiddock · 03/06/2010 20:59

Thanks Alouiseg, would you recommend it then, that set-up?

OP posts:
Alouiseg · 03/06/2010 21:07

Yes, it's worked for the last 4 years and I could cry when I see rabbits shut in hutches and teeny runs 24/7.

We have 2 very happy healthy girls and the ds love them. Even the dog leaves them alone!

southeastastra · 03/06/2010 21:08

my rabbit stays out all night she only goes in her hutch for the toilet. she is very particular.

Alouiseg · 03/06/2010 21:14

Oh how sweet!

Original poster
elsiepiddock · 03/06/2010 22:57

Thanks!!

Have just been looking on a local rabbit rescue site (thanks to Peter Andre's show ) which has pairs to be re-homed together.

OP posts:
spacedog · 04/06/2010 18:23

A pair will need 24 hour access to a large run min 6 x 4 x 2 with a hutch of 6 x 2 x 2 minimum attached. The run will need to be weldmesh to stop a fox biting through (fence is no good unless you are prepared to come down to find devastation from foxes). The run will need to also have a weldmesh cover (as foxes can jump over) and be sited on concrete as foxes can dig under grass and soil (or the rabbits dig out) in minutes. A rescue will supply a pair of bonded, neutered rabbits (male/female make easiest pair generally) as well as good advice and aftercare. Good luck

spacedog · 04/06/2010 18:26

Sorry, just saw you were planning to line the fence with wire. Just make sure it's weldmesh not chicken wire as foxes chew through that very easily