Is it ok to buy a 6-8 week old rabbit and put it in a hutch outside at this time of year?

Answer 1

Many people will say its not ok. It depends on the weather at your house. If its getting below 50 at night, then I would say no. It also depends on the amount of rabbits. If your only buying 1, then it doesn't have any companions to keep it warm during the winter. I would suggest waiting until the spring (and buying two!).

It also depends, for any rabbit, where the previous owner keeps them. The breeder that I buy from keeps her rabbits outside, all the time. Generally, the rabbits are more prepared to fend for itself in the colder weather, right away. If you take an indoor rabbit, and throw it outside, it doesn't have a winter coat yet, and that will take a few weeks to develop. The best time to bring an indoor rabbit out and or outdoor rabbit in is when the two enviroments are the same temperature. That way, the rabbit can adapt its coat to the enviroment.

Right now, I would hold off on buying your new pet. Wait until the weather is warmer.

Answer 2

it all depends on where the rabbit is living at the moment,if it is already outside then it will be ok to put in a hutch outside,as it is used to the cool weather already,but if the rabbit is coming from a warm place of living eg a indoor hutch,it cant really go stright to living outdoors,as it will not be used to the cold weather,i have a rabbit which is in a hutch in my garden,when the weather gets a bit cold i always put in extra hay,and put a wolly blanket over the hutch at night,to help keep cold out.keep a eye on water bottle to,as at times the water will become ice.

Answer 3

hello there well ive had 8 rabbits and they have all lived outside all year round round and a few of them very young during the winter they have al been fine although they were in a hutch and then in a shed aswell. Make sure it has lots of cosy bedding like hay and i also give mine warm water and a heat pad which u can buy from pet shops that u simply heat up in the microwave and pop in there cage at night its great!!! good luck hope this helps

Answer 4

hi,

Yes this is fine, my rabbit has been outside since we got it, being oitside in the hutch gives them space and gives them pleanty of fresh air. If you are worried about the rabbit being too cold then may be bring it in for a little while each day and make sure that you insulate the hutch really well!!

Answer 5

Please do not buy a bunny, rescue one from a centre. They can advise you on the conditions it lives in now and the conditions you should put it in. Yes you can have your bunnies indoors, but if it is very cold outside, keep them in. If they are outside from day one, as long as you have a large hutch, minimum 5' x 2' and have it lined with lino ( to stop wetness penetrating the wood, a layer of paper ( to soak up wee) and a very good layer of straw. This will keep bunnies warm. Get a pair, so they can snuggle for warmth, cover water bottles with old socks to keep them from freezing. Make a removable window and frame, held in with dowels, allowing room for airflow, to prevent too much wind blowing into them and cover at night with a tarpaulin, remembering to remove it during the day. Baby rabbits are very vulnerable to heat loss, so a pair will do better., and the cleaning for two is almost the same as one as they share the same hutch. Check teeth , bums and claws weekly, clean litter tray and damp material EVERY day and give thorough clean and full change once a week. Give excel pellets, enough to cover bottom of bowl for breakfast. Dried mixes allows them to feed selectively and they don't get the right nutrients. Unlimited hay and water and half a carrot, leaf of greens or floret of broccolli, cauliflower etc for dinner. Get them vaccinated for myxi now and Vhd in two weeks, boys neutered at 3 months, girls at 6 months ( or they get uterine cancer at 5+. Get two litter mates, boys or girls or if individually, get a mixed pair. Rescues, will have already vaccinated, neutered and health checked all animals so you will know you are getting a healthy animal which a pet store will not guarantee. They will bond bunnies for you and if you get babies, will ask you to bring them back for neutering. Good luck. You sound like a caring person. Please give generously as they receive no state funding and are usually based at people houses, who have devoted their time and opened their homes to unwanted bunnies from breeders etc. Enjoy your bunnies, they are great fun.

Answer 6

Besides the items mentioned for the rabbits' benefit you should make sure that the hutch is strong enough to withstand attacks from loose dogs (or even coyotes) in your neighborhood.

Answer 7

NO, Definitely not, it's too cold. Buy a large indoor cage (Pets at Home do a very reasonable one with easy-clean plastic base).
House rabbits are easy to litter train, are good company and very entertaining.....please don't leave it out in the garden by itself, bunnies get lonely and depressed too!
Check out http://www.houserabbit.co.uk for useful info.
Good luck and Happy Hopping.

Answer 8

No...don't do this....my sons went and got bunnies and it was so hard keeping them warm.....the water freezes very fast, so if they don't drink right away the water is frozen...and you have to thaw it just to refill it.....the poop and pee freeze to the bottom of the cage...hard to clean....you have to change the bedding every couple of days, keep tarps and blankets or whatever to shield them from the elements......it is very hard and ALOT of work....they can be trained like a cat to use a litter box if you would want to consider keeping inside....which is what we wound up doing.....but that is hard to because they chew electrical cords! You have to really watch that......so alas, we gave up and found a new home for them....way more work than we were prepared for...and we love animals so it was hard to give them away...but it was for the best......good luck in whatever you choose....

Answer 9

awww its too young. Why not buy a cage and care for it inside for a few months and make a hutch for the spring.

Answer 10

You would have to be sure it always has lots of clean bedding and cover the hutch if theres a frost.