Outdoor rabbit breed

[fuzzyBunny]

Hi, I’m going to be buying my first rabbit very shortly and was wondering which breed to go with. I have narrowed it down to a Jersey Wooly or a Mini lop. The rabbit will live primarily outside. I live in Wyoming so I was wondering if one breed would do better outdoor compared to the other. Thanks

 

[Sarah rabbitry]

i would go with jersey, but cali buns are best outdoor they are adorable too.

 

[FuzzyWabbit]

The mini lop is suitable for outside.

 

[fuzzyBunny]

I’ve read that the lop would be better because it’s larger but I was wondering if anyone had any other opinions

 

[FuzzyWabbit]

I’ve read that the lop would be better because it’s larger but I was wondering if anyone had any other opinions

The Rex Rabbit is a great outdoor breed

 

[Mariam+Theo]

I had my Mini Rex outside for 3 years and he did great! He really loved getting fresh handfuls of grass each morning and evening. The only reason I moved him in was because of the winter storms that came through, but I don't think he will move back outside since I like having him inside so much and because of RHDV2.

 

[Mac189]

What kind of outdoor setup will you have? As a fellow dweller of the brutally cold north, you're gonna need some pretty impressive shelter... It gets down to -40 F some winters, colder with wind chill. There were two solid weeks this year where the temperature didn't crest 0 F, and I know Wyoming is equally cold if not more so.

No rabbit would be able to survive this without adequate shelter, and if it did they would be miserable for 8 months of the year. With adequate shelter, a mini lop or jersey wooly would do fine, but I'm not sure a rex would be able to thrive in such brutal conditions with its short coat. WA, TN, and CA are a totally different ball game. The weather here gets so cold people die 40 ft away from their car after it breaks down. I would personally recommend against a strictly outdoor rabbit unless you are able to bring it in for the months that the temperature is below zero and/or offer a very robust shelter that stays above 0 F.

 

[fuzzyBunny]

Yes, it will come in during temperature extremes. But in order for my parents to allow me to have one for FFA it has to live outside most the time.

 

[Mac189]

Are you hoping to get just one or two? Outside rabbits in particular tend to do best in pairs. What kind of enclosure are you hoping to keep it in as well?

 

[Blue eyes]

Single rabbits really should not be housed outdoors. They will not do well mentally nor physically. They need the companionship of another rabbit-- most especially when housed outdoors (many hours totally isolated), and even moreso when housed out in very cold climates (need another rabbit to huddle together for warmth).

In my opinion, it simply isn't in the rabbit's best interest to be housed outside alone. Perhaps you can get a bonded pair (if FFA allows fixed rabbits) or find a way to house a single rabbit indoors where it will get plenty of daily attention and exercise.

 

[SableSteel]

Yes, it will come in during temperature extremes. But in order for my parents to allow me to have one for FFA it has to live outside most the time.

I would recommend the mini lop. They are hardier, more cold tolerate and easier to upkeep their maintenance for show. My rabbits are all housed individually outside (though in an insulated barn). You should probably ask this in the rabbitry & show room forum instead. Pet rabbit people aren't going to help you with an FFA project rabbit. No, you can't neuter them for FFA. And they do just fine alone. There's a lot of anthropomorphizing and online opinions you need to get past to be an effective rabbit owner, imo.

 

[fuzzyBunny]

Hi, I’m going to be buying my first rabbit very shortly and was wondering which breed to go with. I have narrowed it down to a Jersey Wooly or a Mini lop. The rabbit will live primarily outside. I live in Wyoming so I was wondering if one breed would do better outdoor compared to the other. I will be showing for FFA

 

[FuzzyWabbit]

Mini lop.

 

[Preitler]

https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/outdoor-rabbit-breed.101064

 

[Blue eyes]

You should probably ask this in the rabbitry & show room forum instead. Pet rabbit people aren't going to help you with an FFA project rabbit.

Good idea. @fuzzyBunny created a new thread here which is now merged with the original.