I highly recommend going to a hardware store and getting PVC pipe if you truly want bunny-proofed cords. Things like the plastic corrugated loom will only be a delay tactic for a determined bun, so blocking, elevating, and hiding cords is the general first approach, and cords that cannot be put away should be covered in something rabbits cannot bite through (e.g., PVC pipe).

Re: the outdoor set-up, are you talking about permanent outdoor housing? Supervised outdoor time only? This is important to clarify because if you intend to leave a rabbit outside for either long periods of time or unsupervised, the parameters to ensure a safe environment (not just predators, but weather, temperature, escape, bugs…) are more extensive than having an hour outside every day where you are watching the rabbit.

Re: the hay, putting the hay in a place closer to where it needs to be refilled (or bringing the litterbox over to the hay source) can help, in addition to cutting the hay somewhat shorter so the strands don’t cling onto each other and drape all over everything. A rubber brush/dust-pan is also a common cleaning tool for rabbit owners.

Wait? You’re not supposed to use a shopvac to vacuum up hay?  😛

I agree. If you cannot hide the cords or keep them out of reach, then you need to use something to cover them that a bunny can’t chew through. You can also block off areas, like behind a desk using NIC cube grids to make a fence.

As for the outdoor enclosure, if the intention is for them to be out there unsupervised, then you absolutely need to make sure something cannot can in and your bunnies cannot get out. Digging out the area, laying down chicken wire, and then filling back in with dirt is the only way to keep something from digging underneath. You need to provide shade and protection from the elements. You also need to protect them from bugs. I don’t remember where you are, but there are concerns about RHDV spreading here in the US. Not everyone has access to the vaccine yet. So that could be a concern as well.

For bunny proofing I like to use NIC cube grids to block off areas with lots of wires, rather than trying to protect them individually.

As for predators and outdoor runs, chicken wire is not predator proof. It keeps chickens in but predators like coyotes can easily chew through it. You would want to use something like hardware cloth.  There’s some examples of safe outdoor runs here: https://binkybunny.com/bunnyinfo/safe-outdoor-runs/

And I agree that you should definitely get your buns vaccinated for RHDV2 before letting them have any time outside. There is some more info on it here: https://binkybunny.com/forums/topic/please-read-rabbit-hemorrhagic-disease-rhdv2-outbreak-in-north-america/

For cleaning up hay, I really like using a rubber broom to use on carpets for in-between or before vacuuming. It works great and picks up a lot of fur too! If you search “rubber broom” you will find lots of options.

RHDV is throughout the western half of the US. Both domestic and wild cases have been reported in almost every state west of the Rocky Mountains. So yes, you most definitely should ask your vet about the vaccine. The disease can spread between wild and domestic rabbits. It can also be spread by insects.

If they can come and go as they please, then I would still make sure they are kept inside at night. Yes, they should understand that they can go inside if they are cold or whatever. But there are definitely more things lurking at night, so best to not have any bunny outside to entice them.

Good point Dana – Heavier metal cloth should be used instead of traditional chicken wire. I guess when I think of chicken wire, I think of the heavier stuff. But I know what you’re talking about. The flimsier stuff is definitely not predator-proof.

Yeah I think the flimsier stuff is usually sold as “Poultry netting”, that’s the one to avoid. And I agree that bringing them in at night would be safest, even if the run is very secure.

Yep, no reason to have the temptation there for predators if you don’t have to.