Outside you go

[AlicePalace]

I have two rabbits PJ and Merry who are both growing to big for their indoor cages which they have lived in for nearly 8 months in my bedroom. But i have recently found a beautiful hutch which is huge! and just what i would like my rabbits to live in. But this means living outside. it is early summer so there are a lot of pros to them living outside. Plus they are not a bonded couple yet so their first new home together can be this one. my only problem is my feeling of guilt for making my babies live outside. is their any pro’s to living outside? and con’s?

[Sarita]

Cons – they have no human contact and are easily forgotten.

You won’t be able to monitor their eating habits and pooping habits and it will be hard to know if they are ill.

Heat and bugs and stuff.

Pro’s – fresh air but they can get that in short spurts outside or with an open window.

[AlicePalace]

Yeah they can get air with an open window. but its exremely hard to find a indoor cage thats big enough for two rabbits.
+ i thought it would be nice for them to have unlimited excersise through out the day whilst im not here :/
I would never forget my babies i love them to much, im also just putting them outside the conservatory so i can still see them at all times (my computer is in the conservatory and i spend a lot of time on the comp)

[Tate]

There are no rabbit specific indoor cages that are big enough. Most people use either an X-pen or they construct their own with cubes. Have you even considered these?

[brittbritt]

If you will go to guineapigcages.com there is a section specifically for other species such as rabbits. You can build a cage to the size and shape that’s best for you and the room you have for your rabbits. I have a very large L shaped one for my guinea pigs and they love all the room. They’re really much cheaper to buy and build than any pet store cages or hutches.

[2manypets]

I would be worried about other animals like cats coming up to the hutch and trying to get at them.

[Dee]

I would worry about predators, like 2manypets mentioned. Rabbits can die of fright just from seeing a predator, never mind them actually being attacked. I might be too dramatic, but I think it would be kind of lke one of us, having lived in a house all our lives, to be suddenly living in a tent in the woods with the darkness and weird sounds all around us.
I hear ya on the cages being too small- but Xpens are a great idea, as well as metal grids (called NIC gridsI think, made of metal) they sell in lots of Walmarts, Targets, etc. Those can be snapped together in any formation you want. I use them to block off the wall of my living room where my computer cords run. For other cords, I just get this plastic ribbed cord protectors in Home Depot or Lowes. Sometimes it’s easier just to bunny-proof your house or room so they can be free. My buns have the run of the downstairs and I love it- they’re always right there. Another reason that outdoor hutches can be risky is that rabbits get so sick quickly, and hide it really well. Especially if there are 2 rabbits together, it’s hard to tell if both are eating, drinking and pooping unless you can watch them for a good amount of time each day.
You obviously love your rabbits very much- I’m sure you will come up with a good solution .

[mocha200]

I know lots of people here on binkybunny get outside hutches and put them indoors. they look really nice and they can still be inside!

[Monkeybun]

Yes, there is no reason you can’t use an outdoor hutch indoors if you can make the room

[peppypoo]

INDOORS
pros – You can interact with them on a daily basis, get to know their individual personalities, see all the silly little things they do, more carefully monitor their health, safer environment
cons – space and possible destructiveness

OUTDOORS
pros – don’t have to bunny-proof
cons – can’t tell immediately if a bunny is sick or injured (you might not notice right away), can’t really play with them as much, dangerous weather, parasites, predators

As everybody is saying, there are a lot of ways to make your own cage or use a doggy exercise pen to house your rabbits indoors. Space doesn’t need to be a problem!

[KatnipCrzy]

There are really no pros to moving the rabbits outside in my opinion.  It would be like having a puppy for 8 months and then deciding he needed to live outdoors.  Plus if they are not bonded inside the house- just putting them together will not bond them outside.

I suggest as others have looking into making a pen out of NIC cubes or out of a dog x-pen.

[Tate]

Quick question/concern.. you are going to take the appropriate steps to bond them before moving them in together, right?
You will not find one person on here advocating for living outside. An xpen is a really great space for them, as are the cubes. I like the xpen because you can move it easily, clean it easily, etc. They can be configured in a variety of ways as well. I have mine in a 4ft x 4ft square, but you can do a 5ft diameter circle or a 2ft x 8ft rectangle. They can fit into different spaces! I would recommend looking on eBay first, as you will find the best prices and a lot of sellers do free shipping!!
You can also move an xpen outside on nice days and when you can supervise(!!!!!)

[AlicePalace]

Merrys getting spayed this wednesday and then the bonding process will begin (: I wasnt just planning to bung them together.
X-pen is not an option only because of my mother wont allow it I dont no why i’ve always told here there a good idea.
but i may just bring the outdoor hutch inside?
http://www.ideas-4-pets.com/bunny-den-superior-chl1676at-777-p-3674.html < that is the hutch im buying

[AlicePalace]

And i study animal management and i work at pets at home, im crazy about animals. i just want the best for my bunnies

[Monkeybun]

That would look awesome in my living room

Make sure to cover any wire flooring int eh sleeping section, don’t want any hurt feet. But yeah, that wouldn’t be enough room permanently outside, they still need room to run every day. So indoors would be best

[Beka27]

Wow! That is a fancy hutch! It’s not too much different from an xpen, you would still need to place something over the floor that is easy to clean up. I think you could definitely make that work indoors!

[mossling]

there’s no reason you can’t use a hutch inside. that’s actually what we were originally planning on doing, since most hutches are just so much prettier than normal cages. of course, we went with a pen that she is never in, but hey! and that hutch is REALLY awesome! it would look great indoors!

[mossling]

seriously, i want that hutch! it’s a bit bigger than rue’s current setup. too bad their in the uk, and even if they would ship to the states, it would cost an arm and a leg!

[AlicePalace]

Im glad you like the hutch (: i love it coz its got awesome sizing!
I was thinking about putting lino underneath to protect the carpet?

[mocha200]

Linoleum is good thats what my bunnies have in there condo. Just make sure they can’t get to the edge or they might chew it.

[Author]

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