Rabbit cage ideas/ bonding

Hi, I do not currently have any rabbits ( I am planning ahead). How much cage/ hutch space would be needed for two outdoor rabbits? The cage/hutch would be on a covered back porch and the rabbits would have an outdoor area during the day. At night they would be in the cage/hutch. Any advice on how to predator proof the outdoor area and make it so that the bunnies could not dig out? In the outdoor area there will be wide fairly deep buckets filled with soil so they can dig and burrow.

What pair of rabbits will get along better? A male and female? Two females? Two males?

How would you go about bonding two young rabbits?

Do spayed and neutered rabbits tend to live longer and get along better?

Thanks for any replies!

So I'm going to put this in order because I feel like it!

• I have an outdoor rabbit and I am building a large hutch/run enclosure (similar to the pic). The size depends on what size rabbit you have. I am building a hutch with 25 square feet and a run with 80 square feet for 2 small rabbits (it would also work for 2 large rabbits). Yours doesn't have to be that big, but the bigger the better.

• The best floor is stone pavers (see link). That way they don't dig out, and nothing is coming in. Another idea for digging is sand. It works really well, that is what I use.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/12-in-x-12-in-x-1-5-in-Pewter-Square-Concrete-Step-Stone-71200/100333077

• For bonding male and female works the best. You want to bond them after they have reached sexual maturity. They both need to be spayed and neutered (even if you have 2 girls, or 2 boys). Spaying and neutering will reduce fighting. Watch this video for how to bond:

Bonding rabbits can be a tricky thing. If you start with two babies, there is no guarantee that they will bond once they've reached maturity. Babies almost always bond with each other but baby bonds don't count as true bonds since the 'bond' can fall apart with the onset of hormones. If you'd like to have a bonded rabbit pair, your best bet is to get a pair that is already fixed and already bonded. Rabbit rescues often have bonded pairs. It will save you a world of hassle (not to mention the high cost of spay/neuter).

If you haven't considered it seriously, perhaps you'd be open to indoor housing. Personally I find that having rabbits indoors is the best way to form a bond and get to know them and enjoy them more. TX can be awfully hot (I'm in AZ) and they don't do great in the heat.

Please don't think that rabbits are smelly. With the proper setup, there is no reason to smell a rabbit or its cage. Many of us here on RO house indoors. You can read more about this on my website here. It may be much different than you think (and much more do-able).

Here's a link that shows a lot of outdoor housing (and some indoor) that may inspire you.
http://pinterest.com/catcatxx/rabbit-housing-wall-of-fame/

Thank you for your advice and suggestions! I will take everything into consideration and use everything I have learned to make the best decisions possible. If I were to bond two rabbits I would do a longer more gradual approach as stress bonding does not seem like something I would be comfortable doing. I will take a look at rescues in my area.

I really want to give a large area that is as natural, fun, and safe as possible. I do not like small cages so free roaming would definitely be a great option.

Another question, what greens are healthiest and most affordable to give on a daily basis??

ESA said:

Thank you for your advice and suggestions! I will take everything into consideration and use everything I have learned to make the best decisions possible. If I were to bond two rabbits I would do a longer more gradual approach as stress bonding does not seem like something I would be comfortable doing. I will take a look at rescues in my area.

I really want to give a large area that is as natural, fun, and safe as possible. I do not like small cages so free roaming would definitely be a great option.

Another question, what greens are healthiest and most affordable to give on a daily basis??

Click to expand...

Hello! Seeeeeveral things just from my own experience and learning over the years.
Super happy you are thinking of becoming a bun mom. They are the best!

Outdoor. Hmmmmm.... not to be mean at all but why get bunnies if they will live outside? Depending on where you live, they may not do well. They are much happier inside and deserve to live as family pets. They are super funny, quirky and watching them binky never gets old! Mine follow me around the house like Mom....Moooom......Moooooooooooom!!!! Please pet me. They don’t smell bad and there are many inexpensive ways to have a litter set up that is easily cleaned! Please consider indoor buns. Mine are mainly free roam during the day and go in their “house” at night. Mine are chewers so I do that for their safety.

Bonding.... We work with our state chapter of House Rabbit Society and I can tell you- there are dozens of already bonded pairs that need loving homes! Even some tri-bonds and quad-bonds! These buns are often overlooked but since you are looking into a pair, please check out your state HRS and local bunny rescues to see what they have. Most of them are already spayed/neutered so that is awesome! Also, some are litter box trained too. It would be very stressful learning how to care for them while trying to bond at the same time.

Greens..... I have 2 sets of bonded pairs and one solo bun so I have 5. They get a “salad” every evening. A nice, large salad. To feed all 5 for a week, I get 5 heads of Romaine lettuce, 4 bunches of Cilantro, 4 bunches of parsley, 4 bunches of Italian parsley, 2 bunches of mustard leaves, 3 bunches of dandelion leaves and 2 bags of carrot chips. Believe it or not, that only costs me about $17 at my local Kroger. NO ICEBERG LETTUCE. I rotate the parsley’s and mustard leaves as too much of those can upset tummy. They can have as much romaine lettuce and cilantro they want. They can also eat as many dandelion leaves as they like! I give them a small handful of carrot chips. Use in moderation as they contain sugars. My little solo bun gets a small piece of banana every other day. She is the only one who likes fruit.
I get my hay at Tractor supply. You can order online too. I get a compressed bale of Timothy hay for $20 and it lasts me almost 2 months- with all 5 buns having unlimited supplies 24/7. I also buy the “horse bedding” from there- 40lbs for $7. Their litter boxes have a small layer of those pellets with hay on top. I have large litter boxes. I dump them once a week and refresh them a little every day (take out yukk hay, replace with a little new, etc.). That one $7 bag lasts me well over a month too. I buy their pellets from Tractor Supply as well. Big bag for under $10. Good quality. Lasts me about 2 months. They get 1/4 cup of pellets each per day. I give them pellets in the morning. Sometimes they will get squooshy poo from the pellets so I toss in a handful of oats with them until their poo firms back up. You can buy a tall container from the grocery store for $4 and it lasts forever too. Just plain, natural oats.

For a month I put out about $100...but I have 5 bunnies. If you buy in bulk, it really helps keep costs down.

Oh, save those empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls! Stuff them with hay and you have instant toys! Mine toss them all over the place. A little messy but they have fun! They will need things to keep busy! A busy bunny is a less destructive bunny!

I wish you the best of luck! This forum outlet is a wonderful place to get all sorts of valuable information!

Thank you for all of your advice, I thought I would give an update. I have decided not to get rabbits as of now. The texas heat is just not safe or suitable for outdoor rabbits and housing indoors is sadly not an option. I would never put an animals health at risk just to have that animal. I will continue to read, learn, and maybe even help others on the forums.