How do I house my rabbit?

A hutch should be large enough for your rabbit to stand up on its back legs and make 3-4 hops in any direction.

Ideally the hutch should be on a stand, raised off the floor.

The hutch should be sheltered from extremes of weather. Think in particular about wind/draughts, driving rain and heat from direct sunlight.

Rabbits are sociable and active. They must have daily access to an outdoor run. (see also benefits of natural grazing, in section on feeding) They must also have daily contact with you or a companion. An ideal pairing is a castrated male and a spayed female; this will prevent unwanted pregnancies and reduce the likelihood of aggression between the rabbits. (Two males or two females, kept together are more likely to fight.)

Bedding should be good quality hay that is changed regularly (at least twice a week). This also provides your rabbit with an excellent source of food. Good quality straw or dust extracted shavings can be used, but don’t have the nutritional benefits.

The hutch should be thoroughly cleaned two or three times a week. In the summer months, this is important to reduce the attraction to flies, and in the winter, rabbits will probably spend more time indoors, resulting in greater soiling of their bedding. The only exception to this is if a female rabbit is pregnant and when rearing her young. She will make a “nest” as the time of birth approaches; this should be undisturbed. After she has given birth it is very important to give her total privacy. Any disturbance or over-curiosity can cause the female to reject or even kill her offspring.

Indoor rabbits are becoming increasingly popular. They should still be provided with an indoor cage. They will need to be trained to use a litter tray and your house will need to be “bunny-proofed”; access to electric cables, plants and books will need to be prevented.