Outdoor hutch questions (wood pallet hutch homemade)

[Toast and Dusk ?❤️]

Sooo I have a 2 tier hutch outside for my two bunnies Toast and Dusk. It was supposed to be 2 tiers with a plank that the bunnies could hop on to get to the second floor, but since Toast is a buck (not fixed), and Dusk is a doe (also not fixed), we had to modify the hutch. {DISCLAIMER: Where I live the cost for getting bunnies fixed ranges from $600 for the bucks, and even more for the does. Now I don’t know about you, but for me that’s rent, food, etc. Don’t worry though my bunnies are really well taken care of, and when I can raise the money to get them fixed, believe me I will.} The hutch is made out of wooden pallets, and was made by my brother by hand. My biggest problem though is bugs getting into the hutch. I clean the hutch everyday, which includes:

~Removing old food/ water, and replacing it with new things.

~Cleaning out the soiled hay, because for some reason my bunnies love to piddle in the hay. 

~Cleaning out and trying to disinfect the places where they did piddle. 

(All this is leading up to the problem don’t worry.) Basically the problem is that everyday when I clean out the places that they have gone to the bathroom in, there are all these bugs underneath. Like earwigs, weird maggot looking things, spiders, roaches, and ants. I’ve tried everything I can think of to get rid of them naturally without using chemicals, but I feel like I may have to resort to it. Is there any other kinds of natural repellents, or any safe to use chemical repellents that I can use to even slightly deter them from infesting my hutch? I usually bring Dusk indoors at night, since she has a litter of 6 kittens, and she only feeds them late at night. I’m honestly terrified of putting them out there due to the bug problem. Right now I’m worried about Toast’s well being, since I hear about all these illnesses surrounding outdoor hutches, and bunnies. He seems fine though. He’s still eating, drinking water, and piddling, so I’m hoping he isn’t sick. He’s exclusively an outdoor bunny, because he likes to bite people, and growl at everyone. (He’s really mean, but I love him. ) Anyway if anyone has any suggestions on what I can do to keep the bugs away from my bunnies, then please, please, please let me know. Thank you so much.

-Toast and Dusk’s Mommy <3

[tobyluv]

I’m not sure what you could use to kill or deter that variety of insects, that wouldn’t be harmful to your rabbits, but you really don’t want your rabbits to be exposed to those insects, because they could be harmful. Maybe someone else will have some suggestions, but very few members here house their rabbits outdoors, so a lot of people are not going to be familiar with that problem.

Rabbits can manage to mate through cage bars, so if your rabbits are able to get right next to each other, you are liable to be faced with multiple litters. It’s really best for rabbits to be housed inside. It especially sounds like it would be good to keep your female inside since she already has a litter. It’s very possible that your male would stop biting and growling after he is neutered. Have you tried finding a lower cost clinic to spay and neuter your rabbits? Even if you have to travel a little out of your area, it would be worth it.

[Vienna Blue in France]

Hi there, all bunnies like to pee in hay and straw ( ) which is why we recommend only to put hay and straw in a litter box which is then very easy to clean out and disinfect. If you can do the double litter box (top one with holes in to drain away the pee to the second litter box just stacked underneath) then the bugs will have to work even harder to get in.

In their living area, you don’t have to put hay and straw but of course if they in outside cage, what do they have on floor? And if it pallets, is it just wood or do they have something else ? If you only put straw, they WILL pee on it.
Fresh hay should be put in a different box to the straw then they can pee on what they should be eating. You can also put the hay in a slightly elevated position, like a mini horse hayrack! Lol.

Elevating the hutch onto something very difficult for the bugs to climb up will also limit their presence, like for ex plastic feet or a separate base.

I am presuming they both get safe out-of-cage time….?

I presume one bun is on each level so dont have any contact at all…?

First things first, bunnies like being clean, so see if you can find a suitable plastic box to make a litter tray (put straw in) and if you have two of similar size, put one inside the other,
They will pick up quick that the box is their new toilet, especially if there is no more straw in living area.
Nobody likes sleeping in their pee….

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