New hutch = toilet issues

[Mackem H]

Hello. I’ve recently moved home and purchased a new hutch for my rabbits.
The style is different, as I wanted to get them something bigger than their previous hutch.

However, the area that is designed to be a sleeping area is currently being used as a toilet.
This part of the hutch is more difficult to clean than the rest of the hutch, so I’d like them to use the downstairs area.

I have set the downstairs area up the same way as it was in the previous hutch, using the same materials (sawdust and paper) but they are refusing to use it as a litter area like they did previously.

Any help on training them to use the downstairs as a toilet would be very much appreciated.

[jerseygirl]

Hi Mackem

Are you putting straw or hay up in the sleeping area at all? That would make them likely to toilet there. Although, it being a new habitat, they’ll probably want to toilet all over initially as a way to mark it…

Did the old hutch have have a sleeping area?

Do you use a litter box in the hutch or just line the bottom with the paper and sawdust? If you provide a big box with litter material and hay in it, they should take to toileting in there. Then you could do away with the other materials altogether. Much easier when time to clean!

I rather think rabbits would not take to those sleeping areas after dark as they are too enclosed. Usually one bun will stay out in the open area on the lookout and if a pair, the other will join him/her for company.

My rabbits don’t have a hutch but they tend to sleep out in open areas. It’s only during the daytime they might go into hidey areas to nap.

[Mackem H]

Thanks jerseygirl.

Their last hutch had a sleeping area, but I use the term loosely. It was always mire of a hidey area for when they wanted to snuggle up together, or were feeling unsociable.

I’ve always just lined the toilet area with paper and sawdust, with straw in their sleeping area.

I’ll try putting a box in the hutch, and see how that goes 🙂

[Author]

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