Exercise Pen-- What should I do?

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Which enclosure is better?

  • Metal age with open top

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Mesh fencing area

    Votes: 3 100.0%

  • Total voters
    3
Joined
Apr 13, 2020
Messages
12
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Location
Utah
In a couple months I will be getting two rabbits, most likely holland lops. They will live outside due to my siblings having allergies. I have been doing a lot of research about what their housing should look like. But I had one question. How should I do the exercise pen? When I search up "rabbit housing" on the internet, it comes up with two main things:

A metal cage with an open top around the rabbit's living quarters, like this:

5C4C20FA-C80C-4229-ADC3-2A01BED1FB99.jpeg


Or a large mesh fence-like enclosure around the hutch, like this:

7DA9F214-DBE9-4F0E-B411-4A2E3959C0D2.jpeg

My question is, which would be better for an outside rabbit with a hutch? I'm guessing the mesh fence thing would be best so the rabbits can roam free whenever it wants to. If the mesh fence thing is better, would I have to build it, or could I buy it in a store or online?
 
The mesh enclosure is definitely the way to go. Otherwise birds of prey can swoop down or stray dogs or cats or raccoons, etc can get in and attack. You'll notice too in the 2nd photo that the enclosure is on either concrete or pavers. That is to prevent bunnies from digging out or other critters from digging in.

You may get lucky with finding a similar enclosure on craig's list that someone may have used for chickens (for example). It would be used but could be a good way to get something appropriate for cheap.

Building it is also an option. You can see similar ideas on or outdoor housing thread:
https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/outdoor-cages-post-your-photo.96732/
 
I haven't completely decided yet... I have a few breeders who live near me, or I may just get two rabbits from the rescue/animal shelter. I'm going to do more research about both the rescue shelter rabbits and the breeders, and see which one I like best, takes care of their rabbits better, has the most reasonable price, etc.
 
When comparing prices of rabbits, remember that the rescue rabbits are already fixed (spayed or neutered). The breeder rabbits will not be fixed, so within a couple months of getting them they would need to be fixed. You might want to call some vets and ask how much they charge in your area for a rabbit spay and a rabbit neuter. You'll want to add that cost onto the cost of a breeder rabbit for fair comparison.

Also, be forewarned that most breeders will encourage you to get 2 babies which is bad advice for the reasons explained in the other link.
 
Also, be forewarned that most breeders will encourage you to get 2 babies which is bad advice for the reasons explained in the other link.
That's very true. I adopted one of two brothers in December, they were sold by breeder and they insisted that they must go in pairs because they won't be lonely and two boys 'is better' because you don't have to worry about neutering! When I came to collect them people were so disappointed, they said they got them at 8 weeks and first month was excellent, then they started chasing each other but they didn't pay attention as had no experience with rabbits and thought that is not important just playing. Then there was a major fight with lots of blood, they were horrified and took them to emergency immediately, both boys needed some stitches and one of them (mine) had a very large hole in his ear it was stitched but not completely so now after 5 months he still has it. He had bad scars around his eye as well but it healed thankfully, he's still winking but there's no damage to the eye itself. I didn't ask how much they paid for stitching and care after but I know they paid 200 for neutering both immediately and were very happy they paid so cheap because just their vet was so nice and gave them this huge discount. So you can do the maths how much it cost to buy cheaper.

The other pair I adopted both boys, same story, got from a petshop and there they were told that two boys is better because you don't have to worry about babies after. Their kids were so horrified after the fight so people were happy to get rid of them both. Also they paid for two neutering surgeries and stitching before they found me. So cost hundreds more in fact.
 
In a couple months I will be getting two rabbits, most likely holland lops. They will live outside due to my siblings having allergies. I have been doing a lot of research about what their housing should look like. But I had one question. How should I do the exercise pen? When I search up "rabbit housing" on the internet, it comes up with two main things:

A metal cage with an open top around the rabbit's living quarters, like this:

View attachment 46593


Or a large mesh fence-like enclosure around the hutch, like this:

View attachment 46594

My question is, which would be better for an outside rabbit with a hutch? I'm guessing the mesh fence thing would be best so the rabbits can roam free whenever it wants to. If the mesh fence thing is better, would I have to build it, or could I buy it in a store or online?
The second option would be better in my opinion because they will be protected from the sky as well, big birds etc. That second picture looks safe enough
 

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