Help Me With My Future Buns!

[user 36296]

Hello there everyone! Don't have any buns yet but in the future aka next year I'll have two females I need help with questions, supplies and more.
I've been looking around for a cage for awhile and I think I found one on eBay that's a reasonable price. They are going to be outdoor pets so I need
a really really nice cage for the winter weather. Please say at least something because I really need help so yeah I'll try to get back with you as soon as I can


-Sweet Bunny

 

[samoth]

Do you plan to keep them in a cage year-round?

Typically, for full-time outdoor rabbits, I see large enclosures, not cages like they sell in stores. They're around the size of a small shed, and offer an enclosed area for protection from the elements; e.g., http://www.rabbitresidence.org.uk/uploads/8/1/7/9/8179726/p985.png

That said, I have no personal experience with outdoor rabbits. I'm sure others here do.

Have you considered rabbits as house pets?

 

[Diane R]

Why two females? Especially as a beginner, you would be far better off with a neutered, bonded, male-female pair from a rescue centre. Here is what you need for an outdoor setup - no cages! Outdoor Housing | Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF)

 

[bunbunbuns]

Hello there everyone! Don't have any buns yet but in the future aka next year I'll have two females I need help with questions, supplies and more.
I've been looking around for a cage for awhile and I think I found one on eBay that's a reasonable price. They are going to be outdoor pets so I need
a really really nice cage for the winter weather. Please say at least something because I really need help so yeah I'll try to get back with you as soon as I can


-Sweet Bunny

as the person above me said, you should look into getting a bunny from a rescue near you. i found my bonded pair on Petfinder. rescues are really good because they are always there if you have any questions/emergencies, plus most of the time the rabbits are already fixed
for treats, anything from oxbow is usually fine, just stay away from colored items/toys

 

[user 36296]

You guys are really helpful! Samoth I do plan to keep them in a cage year around and that cage looks really nice! Just one question is it affordable?
Diane R I would like to keep them in a cage I'm not buying bunnies just to release them into the wild that's dumb. I have six acers they would get lost and I would never find them again.
Bunbunbuns I'll have to look into oxbow it sounds like a good site to buy accessories for bunnies THANKS!!!
Here's the link to the cage I was looking into I would like you guys to get back with me and tell me if it's ok for two bunsCOZIWOW Wooden Rabbit Hutch Chicken Coop Bunny Backyard Removable Tray&Roof | eBay

 

[user 36296]

Oh yeah and also I can't house buns to messy

 

[user 36296]

So would I build that large enclosure or can I find one at a store?

 

[Orrin]

So would I build that large enclosure or can I find one at a store?

If you are thinking of getting rabbits and want to keep them outside in an enclosure, my question would be "If that is the case, why do you want a rabbit?"

If you are inside and they are outside, how do you expect to interact with them? If you get busy it will be altogether too easy to forget about your rabbit(s).

This is one thing you should think about, carefully, before you subject any rabbit to a jail sentence.

We let our rabbits go outdoors where we have fenced enclosures constructed of exercise pen (X-pen) materials. The beauty of them is that the sections can connect end-to-end with more whenever I can afford them.

They are easily moved when it comes time to mow the lawn. It only takes a jiffy.

 

[Mileybun]

My Miley is a house bun and not messy AT ALL. She's litter trained, so neat and tidy. A bit like having a cat really!
I would definitely consider keeping your buns as house rabbits. I've had bunnies outside in the past and would never go back to it, knowing what it's like to have them indoors!
It can also be difficult to find a commercial outdoor setup that's bif enough for one rabbit, never mind two.
@Diane R has posted a great link for outdoor setup ideas. One of thr most common ones is a shed with a run attached. Unfortunately the one you have posted is massively too small, it works out at only 5ft x 2ft, minimum recommendation is 10ft x 6.6ft

 

[rabits]

Honestly, bunnies very clean, especially if they are litter boxed trained. There are a few videos on YouTube on how to do it, basically get a cat litter box (make sure the side aren’t too tall) I’d recommend an open litter box not a closed one, and fill it with hay. or others put litter, I forgot what it’s called but you can find it at tractor supply (if you want to know I can try to find it) NO CAT LITTER!!
I clean out the bunnies’ litter box every 3 days, they also don’t smell! the only thing you’ll be smelling is the hay, or you can get an air purifier which helps a lot with the smell

for hiding spots for your rabbits, I’d choose things with more than 1 entrance as bunnies are prey animals
something good would be a cat/rabbit tunnel
they also have cardboard houses/castles which are pretty cute and work well so the bunnies can chew it and hide in it!

 

[Blue eyes]

You guys are really helpful! Samoth I do plan to keep them in a cage year around and that cage looks really nice! Just one question is it affordable?
Diane R I would like to keep them in a cage I'm not buying bunnies just to release them into the wild that's dumb. I have six acers they would get lost and I would never find them again.
Bunbunbuns I'll have to look into oxbow it sounds like a good site to buy accessories for bunnies THANKS!!!
Here's the link to the cage I was looking into I would like you guys to get back with me and tell me if it's ok for two bunsCOZIWOW Wooden Rabbit Hutch Chicken Coop Bunny Backyard Removable Tray&Roof | eBay

Oh yeah and also I can't house buns to messy

First I want to commend you for coming onto this site to seek advice before actually getting any rabbits. It's great to see people take the time to prepare properly and do their research. We have a thread here on the forum that shows samples of good outdoor housing. Once you see those, you'll see how the one that you linked (that you are considering) is actually too small for even one rabbit. What @samoth linked is better. So please be sure to click on the "outdoor housing" words for more samples.

We also have a link that shows samples of indoor housing. It may surprise you to hear on here that many people keep rabbits as indoor house rabbits. They are not smelly or messy as many people assume. Honestly! Indoor housing is also considerably less costly than proper outdoor housing. You can see further examples at the link, but I'll include a sample photo here. In fact, I'd encourage you -- especially since you have time before you get your rabbits -- to look through the following website (mine). It shows 'the truth' of what it is like to house rabbits indoors. The best advantage of having them indoors with you is being able to interact and bond with them. They can become family pets. Truly.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/

 

[Blue eyes]

(On a side note, if you post your state, that could be most helpful. Certain locations do not have weather that is appropriate for outdoor housing -- like my state where it's already over 100 F. Also, if we know your state, we can better recommend places to get your rabbits. ) Welcome to the forum!

 

[samoth]

Also, before I got rabbits, one of the hardest things to find was an estimate what it actually costs to keep rabbits (single or pair, indoor or outdoor).

The only thing I could find anywhere was this guide from the RSPCA. (It's from 2012, so multiply by 1.6 to get 2023 US dollars.)

It's not perfect, but gave me a really good idea of what to expect for the next 10+ years, and to save accordingly.

(It might seem like a lot of money, but it's really just around what it costs to get cable TV nowadays.)

 

[samoth]

Samoth I do plan to keep them in a cage year around and that cage looks really nice! Just one question is it affordable?

That's hard to say, because it depends on a ton of different things. Taking a complete ballpark guess, I'd say <$1k if you can build it yourself.

This is one thing that makes house rabbits cheaper (and happier) -- because they can roam a room or floor, you can just focus on buying a small indoor enclosure because they won't be in it all the time. A popular & cheap way of doing this is using "NIC grids," like here:

Personally, I started out with a simple x-pen (exercise pen) for dogs, which was around maybe $80 back in 2016. (Note these won't work outside, as rabbits can dig underneath and escape, and predator birds can swoop down from above and carry them away.)

You can find examples of NIC grid housing and x-pen housing in our annual indoor rabbit housing sticky or on Rabbits Indoors.

The cage you posted is way too small for a pair of rabbits to live in 24/7. It's more of an indoor rabbit base that you'd keep them in when you're at school or something. Also, look at the bottom of the cage: it just sits on the ground. Remember that rabbits are proficient diggers -- they can easily get out of that cage if it's outside and sitting on grass!

 

[Jocee]

Do you plan to keep them in a cage year-round?

Typically, for full-time outdoor rabbits, I see large enclosures, not cages like they sell in stores. They're around the size of a small shed, and offer an enclosed area for protection from the elements; e.g., http://www.rabbitresidence.org.uk/uploads/8/1/7/9/8179726/p985.png

That said, I have no personal experience with outdoor rabbits. I'm sure others here do.

Have you considered rabbits as house pets?

That Shed in the above link looks amazing for an outside rabbit.

You guys are really helpful! Samoth I do plan to keep them in a cage year around and that cage looks really nice! Just one question is it affordable?
Diane R I would like to keep them in a cage I'm not buying bunnies just to release them into the wild that's dumb. I have six acers they would get lost and I would never find them again.
Bunbunbuns I'll have to look into oxbow it sounds like a good site to buy accessories for bunnies THANKS!!!
Here's the link to the cage I was looking into I would like you guys to get back with me and tell me if it's ok for two bunsCOZIWOW Wooden Rabbit Hutch Chicken Coop Bunny Backyard Removable Tray&Roof | eBay

This hutch may be alright for your buns, but I would suggest also finding a reasonable-sized assemble and disassemble fence pen, so that your buns can be given a good exercise time.


A pen like the one I posted below. As long as it is a big enough space for both rabbits to get exercise

I live in New Zealand, so I can't give many ideas on where to get a pen like this in America.




Having your Buns outside can work, as long as you give them everything they need to protect them from the outdoor elements. Also adding toys to their enclosure keeps them busy.

Someone above mentioned your interaction with the Buns if they are outside.

I can't have my Bun inside, because I get asthma, and itchy eyes from my Bun's fur if they are inside. I'm not sure why, but I have tried having them inside a couple of times, but my asthma and eyes just get irritated, I think it's because the loose fur congregates and there isn't as much airflow. So due to this, I have my Bun outside.

I would have to agree that it is harder to interact with them when they are outside, especially if they are your pets. But I will say that you can get that interaction time in, if you plan well, I know it may not be easy if you're busy and you're inside and they are outside.

I often plan around feeding time. So I feed my Bun big feeds of fresh grass and fill the hay twice a day. In the morning when I get up, and just before tea time at night. During both these times, I spend 30 minutes each time with my bun, giving her strokes, talking to her, and playing with her.
I then also clean her hutch/pen after work in the afternoon, around 3:30 pm, and during this time I give her a run on the lawn in a self-assemble fence pen, (as I have acres of paddocks). I then go and give her strokes, and interact with her for 20 minutes. My Bun is the sweetest and loves her strokes and head rubs.

I know this may not be as much interaction as those above who have indoor Buns. Some people also may not approve of keeping Buns outdoors, due to a lack of interaction, and outdoor elements, and I totally can see their point of view, and I wish I could keep my Bun inside.

But as a person who has an outside Bun, it can work, it just takes a bit of work and planning to give your Bun the best possible care and give them those interactions.

Hope this helped Sweet Bunny

All of you Bunny parents/carers, are amazing and have helped me so much.

 

[Diane R]

You guys are really helpful! Samoth I do plan to keep them in a cage year around and that cage looks really nice! Just one question is it affordable?
Diane R I would like to keep them in a cage I'm not buying bunnies just to release them into the wild that's dumb. I have six acers they would get lost and I would never find them again.
Bunbunbuns I'll have to look into oxbow it sounds like a good site to buy accessories for bunnies THANKS!!!
Here's the link to the cage I was looking into I would like you guys to get back with me and tell me if it's ok for two bunsCOZIWOW Wooden Rabbit Hutch Chicken Coop Bunny Backyard Removable Tray&Roof | eBay

Of course they need to be protected from predators, etc. but rabbits do not belong in cages. There is no cage that is remotely large enough. Chicken coops (like what you posted in the link) are also not suitable, not big enough, too exposed, not predator proof and a pain to clean. Please look at this link to learn what is required for an outdoor setup: Outdoor Housing | Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF)

 

[Momma Luvbun]

@Sweet Bunny I along with most folks and buns everywhere, are very proud of your wanting to educate BEFORE getting buns, so thank you.

Indoor buns are the best but you must become "house rabbit" educated.
#1 must is bunny proofing the room(s) bunbun will be in. Cables, baseboards and sometimes carpets are all targets for damage, and it only takes a second. But this can be easily fixed by "bunny proofing".
Next, they really are clean animals and easily learn to use a litterbox, where they prefer to eat their hay because they love pooping when they eat so putting their water bowl next to a large litterbox with newspaper, wood pellets covered with a layer of hay will provide bunbun a space where their food and water will always be for them and it won't be a big old mess. Not to mention they are very smart and their individual personalities are all unique and so very enjoyable to watch day in and day out.

I personally would be fearful to have outside rabbits, due to their hearing and all the noises (especially at night when it's dark) they'd be listening to, could give them a heartattack from fear and die. I don't think my heart would allow me to house them outside to be honest, so I don't.

 

[Mileybun]

I agree, good on you for coming here first for advice before getting your buns! You'll get proper, welfare centred advice from us, as opposed to a pet store or google.

 

[Jocee]

Of course they need to be protected from predators, etc. but rabbits do not belong in cages. There is no cage that is remotely large enough. Chicken coops (like what you posted in the link) are also not suitable, not big enough, too exposed, not predator proof and a pain to clean. Please look at this link to learn what is required for an outdoor setup: Outdoor Housing | Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF)

I have to agree. There is never a cage big enough for a rabbit. The Rabbit hutch/coop, sweet Bun posted above, definitely needs more room to run.
But Like Diane is saying, there never seems to be a hutch or pen big enough for a rabbit, especially if you are doing your best to set up outside

I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A HOUSE BUN. and if I could get rid of my asthma and reaction issues when I do have my Bun indoors, I would, but unfortunately, I can't. So it's all outside for me.

But these forums and this place have been such a help to me, and have such amazing people with so much experience with their Buns.

So Sweet Bun keep asking these amazing people for guidance and advice for your Bun.

 

[Janellek]

I think that if your set on getting that hutch to either add a x-pen or some other add on that your can let your bunnies into because that hutch its quite small for them to be kept in all day Especially two of them. if you don't think you can supply enough space or don't have the money to build one big enough maybe wait to get bunnies Sometimes the right decision is the harder decision!
I hope you can find a enclosure that works for you and most importantly your bunnies! do remember if you are keeping your bunnies outside you will have to still be very engaged as they wont really be apart of your daily life like they would be if they were in the house with you.

good luck sweet bunny!