Choosing a Rabbit Hutch and Run
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Choosing a Rabbit Hutch and Run ...continued from Home Page Construction & Design: Although there are a few outdoor - indoor rabbit hutches made of durable composite plastic, which are long lasting, chew-resistant and easy to sanitize, most hutches are made using wood frame structures coated with a non-toxic stain and powder-coated, wire-mesh panels that are rust resistant. These outdoor rabbit hutches will typically have ½” x 1” wire 
screen
flooring, which allows much of the waste to fall through onto an easily
removable catch tray. Although it’s hard to determine by looking at
online pictures only, some hutches are
designed with more effective catch trays – trays that will catch more
urine or water spillage. If moisture of either type is allowed to pool
on a hutch’s wood frame without drying out, wood rot can occur. Using a
litter box inside the rabbit hutch can be a great option to minimize
such issues. If the rabbit hutch floor is all wire, you’ll want to cover
up to 1/3 of the wire flooring with a section of solid surface (anything
rabbit safe). A rabbit that sits or stands all day on wire only is at
risk of developing sores on their feet. The larger rabbit hutch
plans should provide
multiple access doors, all with secure locking mechanisms. Each of the
doors should offer easy reach to all areas of the hutch for both
cleaning and handling a rabbit. If the main access door doubles as an
entry ramp, opt for a
 solid structure door over a wire door to prevent
any chance of a rabbit’s foot getting caught on the way down. The roof
on many
outdoor rabbit hutches will be weatherproofed with a covering of
asphalt tiles or
sheeting.
Look for a hutch with a locking lid hinge that allows the roof to be
held open for easier cleaning and easier access to the rabbit. Although
most of the asphalt covered roofs will be of sufficient weight to remain
closed to both wind influence and other animals, a locking mechanism for
the hutch roof is an added safety feature worth considering. Be careful
selecting a rabbit hutch that’s too ‘closed up.’ Although it may be a
cozy looking hutch, it could be lacking adequate ventilation, which
could lead to heat build up and too much waste-contaminated breathing
air for the rabbit. Make sure all water bottles and food bowls are
easily accessible. Another nice feature on some rabbit hutches will be
a hay manger. These are usually attached, wire cradles that keep hay
(or lettuce leafs) neatly together and off the hutch floor. Rabbit Hutch Sizing: If you're opting for an outdoor rabbit hutch, bigger is always better. Hutch sizes are generally based on housing fully grown rabbits. An ideal length for a rabbit hutch with a nesting box inside can be estimated by multiplying the length of a stretched out rabbit by (4) four. For a medium size rabbit that’s about 1-1/2 foot long in stretch mode, the ideal hutch 
measurements would be 72” long x 30” deep by 24” tall (not including the
hutch legs). Having 30” of depth allows adequate room for feeding dishes
as well as allowing the rabbit to comfortably stretch out in any cage
direction. Having at least 24” of height allows the rabbit to stand up
fully without hitting the top of the enclosure with the head or ears.
However, the majority of hutches available don’t exceed 48” in length,
and most rabbit keepers won’t have space for a 72” long hutch. As such,
the smaller rabbit hutches are most often purchased and made to work.
For rabbits housed in these smaller accommodations, it’s most important
to give them plenty of exercise time outside the hutch. A rabbit that
hops only once and lands at the far end of the hutch will not get the
exercise needed for optimal heath. For this reason, rabbit runs and play
pens are often combined with hutches to provide room for exercise and
play. If you're looking for an indoor rabbit hutch and plan to spend
daily time with your bunny, then smaller hutches are just fine for
providing a place to sleep and eat. If you're roaming the internet looking for one of the free rabbit hutch plans that you can build yourself, be sure to pick one that meets the 'basics' suggested above or a one you're comfortable modifying. Most of the rabbit hutch blueprints you'll find online will be simple in design and fairly easy to make for those with a workshop. In closing, look for and read the reviews on the various rabbit hutches for sale. Check out eBay even if you don’t plan to make a rabbit hutch purchase on eBay. Research the sellers and read the reviews they’ve received on the hutches they sell. Those reviews are not as likely to be seeded with “planted” praise as can be the case on some web sites. Web sites that allow customers to give a 1 to 5 star rating can be good to read if there are enough reviews posted for the rabbit hutch plans and designs you're considering. Also, if you're looking at cheap rabbit hutches, it's always a good reason to read the reviews carefully. Oh, and don’t forget the tools and a second pair of hands. Many outdoor rabbit hutches will require some assembly. Copyright Rabbit-Hutches.net - All rights reserved |