Current Bunny Setup (outdoor)- Update: aviary is being built!!

[HenryMouse]

Update 3/31/14-The aviary is on its way!  I will post progress pictures here as we start building!  We may also be getting a third bun very soon…updates on that to follow!

I’m new to the forum, so, hi!  My name is Caroline and I am the proud owner of a bonded pair, Mouse and Henry.  Mouse is a female purebred Holland Lop (whose ears never really lopped) that I bought from a couple off of Craigslist who could no longer take care of her.  She has extreme rabbitude and likes things her way.  I got Henry about a month ago to replace Mouse’s first husbun, my sweet Tanner, who passed away from a sudden case of stasis.  I found Henry at a feed store, where he was being used to breed to every female bun in the store.   I believe he is a French Lop or mix, but don’t know for sure.

I am nineteen and am currently living with my parents to save money while I am in school (although I am currently taking the semester off), so, unfortunately, the rabbits live outside (which is the reason I can’t adopt from rescues).  Once I move out, they will become house rabbits.  Please don’t lecture me on the risks of owning an outdoor rabbit because it is out of my control for now.

We recently finished constructing a pretty nice home for them out of a Ware Chicken Hutch: http://www.waremfginc.com/b-detaildisplay.aspx?itemno=01460 and Ware Chicken Run: http://www.waremfginc.com/b-detaildisplay.aspx?itemno=01464

We added wood flooring to the run and put 1′ legs on both the hutch and run to keep them off of the ground and away from any moisture.  We also built a hidey house for the hutch (which I refer to as the “bedroom”).  We use cardboard, hay, and blankets as insulation, and have a heat lamp in the bedroom, along with a thermometer so we can judge the temperature and make necessary changes.  The bedroom stays around 45-50 degrees, and they have the option to go into the run whenever they want, so they do not get too cold or hot.  At night and/or in bad weather, the whole hutch gets covered with a tarp.

In the spring, we hope to build an aviary around their hutch to let them get more exercise during the day.

Here are a few pictures; I want to try and add some sort of second level to the run.  I will post some better, non-iPhone pictures in a few days when the weather is better.  Update: got the chance to take some pictures with my SLR.  Sorry for the mess in the background of all of the pictures. I’m pretty pleased with how the hutch turned out and they really like it and seem to enjoy the cold weather.

View from the front door & Mouse frowning.

Side door.  “Hmm…should we jump?”

Inside.  Lots of snuggly blankies!

I accidentally left the water crock there and apparently Henry is thirsty.

View from the bedroom door.

Hidey House

Photobomb

Put treats, hay, and toys in the Timothy Bungalow to try and get them to use it.

Hope you enjoyed the hutch tour.  I’m doing my best to provide them with the safest outdoor environment possible, and let me assure you that they are super spoiled and I spend tons of time loving on them!

[bunnnnnnie!]

My main concern is I don’t think that mesh would withstand a large predator, ie a dog, if it really wanted in.

Could you not just bring the entire enclosure inside somewhere? Rearrange your bedroom? That way they’d still be enclosed so no damage to the house would happen, but they’d be safer. Just a suggestion!

[HenryMouse]

The mesh is extremely sturdy, and not just flimsy chicken wire, so that’s actually one of the things I’m least concerned about. Unfortunately, my parents are unwilling to compromise on the indoor rabbit issue. Believe me, I’ve tried to convince them. :/ They used to be indoors but my dad suffers from OCD and the bunnies were very triggering to him and made him upset.

[Deleted User]

I suffer OCD and my Henry turned my whole world upside down – you know, I can’t help but wonder if it helped my condition? My family, to this day can not believe I can look at the turmoil Henry has created and I can now simply shrug my shoulders and walk away!!!! (What tha?) ha ha ha ha hah….
Don’t get me wrong – I’m not cured. I still go crook at my human family if they create a huge mess! Lol…..

[LongEaredLions]

I am OCD as well, and I have to have my house neat and clean. But there is something about my bunnies… maybe it is that they are just too cute?

[manic_muncher]

Hi and welcome! I think it’s great you’ve made a lovely outdoor enclosure for them and look forward to updated pics when the aviary goes up!

While we all know having them inside is optimal, sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. I think most importantly is that they are safe, loved and not forgotten. The outdoor hutch bunny typically doesn’t have all of those, and sometimes none of those. Since YOU even want them to be housed inside, I believe that the chances of you forgetting about them would be slim. I do hope you get to spend quality time with them during this temporary housing solution!

[NewBunnyOwner123]

I wouldn’t call myself OCD personally but I am however vacuuming the buns bun room like 3 or 4 times a day lol idk, it’s a bedroom so I feel as though their room should be as clean as human standards as it’s not a cage anymore lol so im psycho always in there making it look “bedroom” presentable instead of “bun room” presentable haha

Your buns are so cute! Would love to see closer pictures! Also are they spayed and neutered? I didn’t see that in your post and it sounds as if you have a boy and girl. Welcome to BB

[Deleted User]

NBO – I spend hours daydreaming of someone holding Henry upright by the ears while I vacuum him! (just JOKES everyone!). So much easier than vacuuming his space? Ahhhh daydreaming……. clean bunny……

[HenryMouse]

AndHenry-Love the vacuuming idea, LOL.

NewBunnyOwner-Yes, they are both altered! Mouse was spayed last summer and Henry got neutered the week after I got him (the two actually bonded while they were in separate pens before I got Henry fixed, so cute!)

Manic-They are definitely loved on! I try to spend as much time with them as I can and they get a ton of attention. I am out there a minimum of four times a day, but it’s usually even more than that. When it gets a bit warmer I’m sure I will be spending even more time out there. In a few days when the snow in our area melts, I’m going to get the x-pen out so they can have some playtime.

Here’s a video of them playing: http://instagram.com/p/jz-4P1tV8c/

[bunnygirl]

I’ve only seen rabbits in a better outdoor enclosure once or twice before! This looks like such a good setup for them! Good job with it, it shows you really do care about them, even if they do have to live outside for the moment. Welcome to the forum, hoping to see more pics of Mouse and Henry! (:

[bunnygirl]

I’ve only seen rabbits in a better outdoor enclosure once or twice before! This looks like such a good setup for them! Good job with it, it shows you really do care about them, even if they do have to live outside for the moment. Welcome to the forum, hoping to see more pics of Mouse and Henry! (:

[HenryMouse]

Thank you, I appreciate that!  It was fairly expensive but I think it’s worth it.  We tried to eliminate as many of the problems associated with outdoor housing as possible.  The parents knew I wouldn’t go for anything sub-par for my babies!  The good thing about this setup is once I can eventually bring them inside, the wire run could be converted into a pretty fancy looking indoor bunny condo, and the hutch could be used for the chickens my parents plan on getting.

About predators: Although I believe their home is very predator-proofed, especially once the aviary is added around it, we plan on getting a donkey as a livestock guardian once we get chickens and goats, so we shouldn’t have any problems (donkeys are very territorial and aggressive towards predators).

[HenryMouse]

A few more pictures of the actual bunnies.

Snuggling, first day they were moved in together.

A close up photo of Henry’s gorgeous eyes!

My beloved baby Tanner, who passed away early this month.  He died right after we decided on moving the buns outdoors, and I was so excited for him because he just loved playing outside and digging in the dirt.  RIP.

[CooperLop]

Those blue eyes are so gorgeous! Looks like you’ve made the best of a less than ideal situation and clearly you love your bunnies very much

[HenryMouse]

Thanks, Cooper. They are my little babies and I’m happy that they’re happy! It’s a shame that there are so many risks associated with outdoor living because they totally love it. Thank God none of my neighbors have outdoor pets.

I’ve seen a lot of cute rabbit hutch rooftop gardens on Pinterest, so I might try doing an herb garden full of treats for the buns and insect-repelling herbs like lavender and sage to try and keep the flies away. I also want to paint it so it matches the house and shed. (not on the inside where they could nibble on it, though.) Might as well make the hutch look cute

[Megabunny]

Just saw this thread. Love the cage! I look forward to warmer days when I can put all my buns out in the fenced-in yard for their “rabbit party”. They aren’t always housed all together, but they get along and cluster under the picnic table for a pow wow.

I, too, have OCD and cannot believe I can put up with my big Gus running all over the place. Talk about exposure therapy! Also glad to hear others want to vacuum all day. I feel like there’s hay everywhere I look, no matter how much clean up I think I’ve done Ugh!

[LongEaredLions]

I believe we have just found a cure for OCD…
I can imagine the commercial now…
Do you have a minor to moderate case of OCD? We have an all natural, drug free solution! BUNNIEZ has been proven in three or more binkybunny members, and it may just work for you. Do not take BUNNIEZ IF you suffer from allergies to hay or animal dander, or if you have BadPetOwnerSyndrome. Side effects may include: extreme attachment or obsession, hoarding of fridge space for veggies, increased spending on rabbit-related products, and extreme urge to adopt more rabbits.

[Deleted User]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha hah LEL! You got it spot on!

[bunnygirl]

I agree, best advert ever!! Just…rescue a bunny if you can okay?

[Megabunny]

Love it! The creators of Prozac and all those happy drugs may not though!!! You nailed it LEL! Solve two problems with that ad… Homeless bunnies and OCD. Brilliant!

[bunnygirl]

I must comment on Henry’s simply gorgeous blue eyes. I love all eyes, blue, brown, red, green…actually…green eyed bunny? Anyone have experience with those? I can’t say I’ve ever seen one to be honest…but anyway, getting off topic, I could get lost in those pretty blue eyes!

[HenryMouse]

Thank you! I love them! Ironically, I have always wanted a blue-eyed bun and when I bought him, I didn’t even notice them until I got him home. I was so thrilled about it lol!

I googled “green-eyed rabbit” but couldn’t find any. I’m sure if there are any, they are gorgeous!

[HenryMouse]

LEL, I just read your comment, haha! On a serious note, I know that my buns have definitely helped me with my depression and anxiety symptoms. It’s hard to be in a bad mood when you’re around them.

[ohbonobogirl]

As a mental health therapist, I frequently recommend “fuzzy animal therapy.” It really does have wonderful healing powers.

[Megabunny]

Wow! That’s great! My daughter is a psych major and wants to be a mental health counselor as well. She sees me with my pets and says, “You’re just in Heaven right now, aren’t you Mom?” Her cat helped her through some really hard times. I’m afraid we really don’t like cats enough to allow her to get another as long as she’s still a dependent, but when she’s home from college she really enjoys my long-eared kids. She takes advantage of visiting dogs at college that come before finals. I’ve been considering doing a bit of pet therapy with my buns (if I can get Gracie over her poopy butt!) Thanks for the input

[LongEaredLions]

Whoever said laughter is the best medicine clearly never owned a rabbit.

[HenryMouse]

Posted By LongEaredLions on 02/03/2014 06:05 PM

Whoever said laughter is the best medicine clearly never owned a rabbit.

That statement is partially true – my bunnies are constantly making me laugh.   

They’ve been getting exercise time in the x-pen (I clip it on to the front of their run and block off the area underneath the hutch with the board) and they are loving it!  Mouse binkied three times during playtime the other day (she hasn’t binkied since she was a baby!), so I think they’re pretty happy!

[rabbitlover]

I have an outdoor rabbit. She adors the outdoors. I have a huge chicken coop that i renovated for her. A couple heat lamps for winter and she is good. She it outdoors all the time with my chickens and i let her out in my yard so she can forage and sun herself. Iv never had an issue. She loves her space. She is a flemish giant doe.

[rabbitlover]

I think your hutch will work great. Im impressed. Good work. just make shure he can have a run outside so he can stretch his legs and get some grass

[Sarita]

Again, a very old thread – please respect that our forum is for indoor rabbits and that we ask that you do not respond to OLD threads.

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