Rabbit Hutch?

Question

I live in North Carolina, and recently rescued a New Zealand white from a reasearch facility, he was a tiny baby when i got him but now he's almost 15 pounds and the cage he's in is TOO small. I'm trying to find a hutch that is outdoors safe, and BIG. like no smaller then 6 feet. Any idea where i can find one? The only big one's i've been able to find it in the Uk. Why is that?

I have to keep him outside because I rescued him while I was living on my own, but I have to move back home and my parents will not let him live inside. I'm working on trying to place him in a perfect house (preferably with kids) but I also want him to have more then enough room.

I know he's pure breed because of the nature of the research that they were involved in. He's just a bit fat. :-) I like to spoil my animals. Good to know about the wire floor though. Mines is a wire floor, I will definately have to do something about that!

Answer 1

Most hutch makers here in the United States stick to wire cages. They are a lot easier to make and less costly to make. When a rabbit starts getting over 10-12 pounds though, it needs a solid floor too keep it from getting sore hocks (sore feet). That normally means building a wood hutch. Wood hutches are a lot more expensive to build and most people here in the US raise small breeds. Most of the wooden hutches here in the US are built by the rabbit breeders themselves. The American Rabbit Breeders Association should be able to provide you with plans on how to build an outdoor wooden rabbit hutch. Their website is http://www.arba.net

One other thing to note. There is the possibility that your rabbit isn't a New Zealand or at least it isn't a pure blooded New Zealand. I've raised New Zealand Whites and I like to keep mine on the large side. Normally the biggest you will see them get is about 12 pounds. Very few ever get up to 13 pounds. You may have a white Flemish Giant or a New Zealand crossed with some other breed like a Flemish Giant or a Checkered Giant. It could possibly even be an American, but that's a little on the big side even for an American.

For a rabbit that large I'd recommend building a pen that is about 3 foot deep and about 4 foot wide with a wood floor for him to run around in. You'll want to cover the back of the hutch up since it is turning winter. In the winter, you want 3 of the 4 sides enclosed to prevent a draft that might cause pneumonia. In the springtime once it is staying warm enough at night, remove the back so that the rabbit can get a draft in the summer to stay cool. Place the hutch under a tree so that it also has shade in the summer.

Answer 2

Good for you for rescuing that bunny! Why keep him outside? Bunnies are much happier and will live longer (like 8 - 10 years) if inside. See
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/indoorbun.html

There are so many dangers if they live outside and her are two links about winter and summer dangers: http://www.ontariorabbits.org/hot_topics/winter_woes.html
http://www.ontariorabbits.org/hot_topics/warm_weather.htm

The first link however does have some pointers for helping to keep your rabbit safe outside. I suspect that you will have to find a carpenter to build you a hutch as it will need to be pretty big. Here is a link about housing and you'll find info on size and what you'll need. This link also has wonderful information on rabbit care:
http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rabcare.html#house

Answer 3

You should be able to find an outdoor hutch at a farm supply store.
Try Rural King Store based out of Mattoon, Illinois.They sell items online as well. I found you a link to there page showing rabbit hutches.

Answer 4

My dad built 5 out of 7 of the rabbits cages I have. It wasn't hard. Just made a base with legs about 3 ft. of fthe ground. Then made the walls and roof and stapled wire onto it.

Answer 5

What about a dog kennel? I don't think anyone makes rabbit hutches that big... but if you get a 6'x10' chain link dog kennel (the covered type of course)... make sure the bottom is secure, then throw in a nice warm nest box, etc.. it could be like his own little yard. You could even plant him his own garden in there!

Answer 6

You could design one up yourself and ask a carpenter to build it.

My dad built one that was 3 metres by 2 meters for my rabbit to have her babies in. He just used wood from a building products depo and wire mesh. It cost about $200 to build.

Answer 7

you can keep him in my cage with my pet ferret, his name is curl.